Enough about Senate race and Jackson, Pawlenty says

On his weekly radio show this morning, Pawlenty used the same words - "time to move on" - to describe the orgy of media coverage about Jackson's death and the epic political battle won this week by Sen.-elect Al Franken.

Star Tribune

Last update: July 3, 2009 - 9:21 PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has had it, with both Michael Jackson and the Minnesota U.S. Senate race.

On his weekly radio show Friday, Pawlenty used the same words -- "time to move on" -- to describe the orgy of media coverage about Jackson's death and the epic political battle won this week by Sen.-elect Al Franken.

Asked by a caller about his reaction to resolution of the death match between Franken and Norm Coleman, Pawlenty said, "I think we're all relieved the Senate race is over. There's been some frustration over how long it took."

Referring to his fellow Republican, Pawlenty added: "I wish it had come out the other way. [But I] respect the court process.

"[It's] time to move on." He opened his portion of the show talking, unprompted, about the Jackson coverage. "You can't get away from it. ... I've had enough of it.

"It's time to pay our respects and move on."

A lot of Americans share that sentiment: A poll conducted earlier this week found that nearly two-thirds said the wall-to-wall coverage has been too much.

BOB VON STERNBERG

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