Behind on Tally, Franken Still Heads to D.C.

Though Democrat Al Franken hasn’t been elected, he says he'll be in Washington this week to meet with Democratic Senate leaders.

An orientation for new senators is taking place this week, but Franken told WCCO-TV on Sunday that it would be presumptuous to attend the orientation with the race between him and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman still unsettled.

Instead, Franken will meet with Senate leaders on Tuesday. Franken also has hired a transition director so he would be ready if he comes out ahead after the recount, spokeswoman Colleen Murray said.

Coleman leads Franken by only 206 votes, and a statewide recount will start Wednesday to determine the winner.