DNC chief asks Pawlenty to talk to Coleman

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 20 (UPI) -- Democratic National Committee chief Tim Kaine has urged Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to convince Norm Coleman to end his battle to regain his U.S. Senate seat.

"No one will deny that the race was incredibly close -- but after an official recount, an extensive legal process and a clear and definitive ruling by the three-judge panel, it is all but indisputable that Democrat Al Franken won and will be the next senator from Minnesota," Kaine said in a letter mailed Tuesday to Pawlenty, a Republican.

Coleman appealed to the state Supreme Court the ruling by a three-judge recount panel that found the former "Saturday Night Live" writer and actor won the senate race in November by 312 votes. Arguments are scheduled for June 1.

Kaine noted that Republican Jim Tedisco conceded a New York congressional race when he realized "the numbers were not going his way." He suggested Coleman follow Tedisco's footsteps.

"I urge you to use your influence to bring this process to an end by asking Norm Coleman to allow his neighbors and yours, their full representation in Congress," Kaine wrote to Pawlenty. "However, if Mr. Coleman refuses to concede and this case is heard and decided by the Minnesota State Supreme Court, I urge you to commit to signing an election certificate for the rightful winner as soon as the Court issues a ruling in this case."

Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie Hatch, a Democrat, have said state law barred them from issuing a certificate until all challenges were resolved.