Recount history teaches: be prepared

By Lori Sturdevant

Last update: November 18, 2008 - 10:54 AM

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Good public servants take to heart the Boy Scouts motto: Be prepared. That watchword, plus a little fundraising, is likely all that's behind DFL Senate candidate Al Franken's trip to Washington, D.C., Wednesday. He's not going as senator-elect. But he'll hear some of the same briefings about legislation that senators-elect will hear. That's appropriate, just-in-case preparation that will benefit Minnesota, if the recount that begins Wednesday goes his way.

It's in Minnesota's interest for both Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman and DFLer Franken to be prepared to serve in the Senate next year. An election as close as this one -- 215 votes, in the latest unofficial tally -- requires a recount under Minnesota law. But it ought not necessitate a lapse in Minnesota's representation in the Senate.

GOP Gov. Elmer L. Andersen understood as much in 1962, when he and DFL Lt. Gov. Karl Rolvaag were principals in the closest gubernatorial election in U.S. history. At the end of November, the state Canvassing Board declared Andersen the winner by 142 votes. A recount followed, and Andersen was sworn in provisionally as governor come January. But Andersen shared state budget briefings and official documents witn Rolvaag, and saw to it that he had an office in the Capitol when Rolvaag's term as lieutenant governor expired. (Governors and lieutenant governors did not run as a ticket then.)

When the recount finally declared Rolvaag the winner by 91 votes in mid-March, the legislative session was two-thirds over. But because Rolvaag took his preparation seriously, he swung into office smoothly, and the session ended in unremarkable fashion.

Andersen, who went on to give Minnesota exceptional business and civic leadership, took pride in the positive relationship he developed with his successor. They were allies within a year's time, working together to seek passage of a constitutional amendment promising tax fairness to the budding taconite industry. When Coleman and Franken eventually get around to healing the wounds their bitter fight has caused, they might similarly take up a joint venture for the public good.

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