[steve-b]

I see no need for an interim senator in MN.

Idiotic nonsense. There is every reason to expect some substantive business to occur in the lame duck session of Congress, and Ventura would be derelict in his duties if he failed to provide Minnesota with both of its Constitutionally alloted votes in the Senate.

As for your dissatisfaction with his selection of Barkley, put some ice on it. Ventura is the lawfully elected governor, and the law places that decision in his hands.

[Theodore R.]

The appointment of Barkley is legal, but I do not think it was necessary. Most governors would have waited until after the election and appointed the winner for the interim session, wouldn't you think? Also, what if there was no interim session planned? Would Ventura have named anyone on an interim basis in that case? It seems like Ventura may have even said immediately after the Wellstone death that he would not name an interim senator given the timing of the election, but I could be wrong on that.

[Big Dan]

Ventura is the lawfully elected governor, and the law places that decision in his hands.

Jesse is currently our lawfully-elected petulent child. Coleman had every right to ask Barkely to resign the term so he can get some minor seniority points, but it says volumes that the Inde-Petulence Party (oops, Independence Party) refuses to give up their 15 minutes of fame.

Barkley seems to be 'of a piece' with Ventura, he's Ventura's boy, and won't resign. I can't wait 'til we can see Ventura's back (and Barkeley's) on the way out.

I'm proud of Coleman, he has evaluated the possibilities and sees that protesting this or contesting it (even just in the newspapers) puts him on the same level as Jesse. All that "new tone, etc.": Coleman actually acts like he means it.