Pawlenty May Certify Franken After Court Ruling

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told CNN Sunday that he would sign a Senate election certificate for Democrat Al Franken if the Minnesota Supreme Court orders him to do so.

"I'm not going to defy an order of the Minnesota Supreme Court. That would be a dereliction of my duty," Pawlenty said. "I'm prepared to sign it as soon as I get the green light," he said.

For months, Pawlenty has listed many things that would prevent him from signing the certificate, which would usher Franken into GOP Sen. Norm Coleman’s seat, all while saying he would have to consider any Supreme Court ruling.

But on Sunday, reporters noted that he cut right to the chase. As the St. Paul Pioneer Press political blog, The Political Animal, noted: “This morning, he took pains to stress that if ordered, he would sign — no ifs, ands or buts.”

The Animal did note, however, that Pawlenty left himself some wiggle room: "A federal court could stay or put a limit on or stop the effect of the state court ruling. If they chose, if they do that, I would certainly follow their direction. But if that doesn't happen promptly or drags out for any period of time, then we need to move ahead with signing this, particularly if I'm ordered to do that by the state court. "

“Could this be read,” the Animal asked, “that Pawlenty would sign an election certificate even if Coleman asks for a stay but the stay ‘drags out?’”