Minnesotans want Senate race over

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 26 (UPI) -- A majority of Minnesota residents say former Sen. Norm Coleman should acknowledge that Al Franken is the winner in the U.S. Senate race and concede.

A recount gave Franken, the former "Saturday Night Live" star and Democratic nominee, a 312-vote lead. A poll for the Minneapolis Star Tribune found that 64 percent of those surveyed believe it is time for Coleman, the Republican who held the seat for one term, to give up.

Only 28 percent say Coleman's legal challenge to a state Supreme Court ruling in Franken's favor is "appropriate" and even fewer say he should take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"I voted for Coleman, but this thing has gone on way too long," said Mike McCombs of Lakeville, who sells furnaces and air conditioning.

While 57 percent of Republicans said Coleman should appeal to the state's highest court, the same percentage said he should give up if he loses there. Only 38 percent of Democrats say Franken should appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court if he loses in the Minnesota court, with half saying he should accept the court's decision.

If Franken wins the seat, the Senate will have 57 Democrats to 41 for the Republicans, but two independents caucus with Senate Democrats.