Election of former comedian gives Obama vital Senate majority
A former comedian has been elected to the US senate - almost eight months after polling day.
Republican Norm Coleman conceded to Democrat Al Franken in Minnesota's contested Senate race, ending one of the longest election battles in recent US history.
After Mr Franken is seated, which could come as early as next week, Barack Obama's party will have a majority not reached on either side of the aisle in some three decades.
With Mr Franken and the usual backing of two independents, Democrats would have a big enough majority to overcome Republican delaying tactics on legislative votes in the US Senate.
Mr Coleman, the former incumbent, conceded hours after a unanimous state Supreme Court ruled Mr Franken, a former 'Saturday Night Live' comedian, should be certified the winner.
Mr Coleman announced his decision at a news conference in St Paul, bringing an end to a nearly eight-month recount and court fight over an election decided by only a few hundred votes.
Mr Franken, 58, has come a long way from the goofy 1980s 'Saturday Night Live' skits where he mocked politicians, portrayed the self-affirming Stuart Smalley and pranced around in little more than a Speedo.
He later gained a liberal following as a radio show host on the Air America network.
"When you win an election this close, you know not one bit of effort went to waste," Mr Franken said. "The way I see it, I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator, I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from Minnesota."
He said he was ready to move to Washington.
"Franni and I are so thrilled that we can finally celebrate this victory," Mr Franken told reporters outside his downtown Minneapolis town house, where he was accompanied by his wife. He added: "I can't wait to get started."
In conceding, Mr Coleman pulled the plug on a bitter election that was ultimately decided by 312 votes out of nearly 2.9 million cast.
