Poll says Minnesotans want Franken seated

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 15 (UPI) -- A poll released Wednesday reveals Minnesotans, by and large, want Republican Norm Coleman to concede the state's U.S. Senate race to Democrat Al Franken.

Public Policy Polling said its survey indicated 63 percent say Coleman should call it a day rather than continue to fight in court, USA Today reported. That percentage includes "almost all of Franken and (independent candidate) Dean Barkley's supporters, as well as a third of respondents who voted for Coleman last fall," the polling organization said.

Fifty-nine percent said Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, should certify Franken the winner and he should be seated immediately.

A three-judge panel has voted that Franken won by 312 votes out of nearly 3 million cast. Coleman has said he intends to ask the state Supreme Court to allow about 4,000 more absentee ballots to be counted. He also has supporters who say he should take the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.

The latest reports Wednesday also reveal Coleman and Franken have each spent millions on the recount battle.

Politico reports Coleman has spent nearly $4 million on legal fees just since the start of the year. He raised $2.3 million this quarter but now has less than $500,000 on hand, the Washington publication said.

Franken has about the same amount left after spending $3.5 million this year and raising $2.6 million this quarter.