I'm a fan of both theater and politics so I was not one ofthose who complained about the 2008 election process being too drawn out. Withplayers on the national stage like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and SarahPalin; and then in Minnesota with candidates like El Tinklenberg challengingMichele Bachmann, and the three-way race between Barkley, Coleman, and Franken,who could ask for better political theater? Even the dragged-out Coleman andFranken race didn't bother me initially. I used the recount as an example ofwhy every vote really does matter and the court maneuverings as proof ofdemocracy in action. But that was November. And December. And January. Now it'sthe middle of February and while the Coleman/Franken contest is still the besttheater in town, it's time to bring the curtain down on this race.

Granted, there is a lot at stake. This may be Norm Coleman'slast chance to save his political career, and it may be Al Franken's only chanceto launch his. Certainly, the Republican minority does not want to lose onemore vote in the Senate, and the Democratic majority would like to be one votecloser to the filibuster-proof number of 60. But here is when I tire ofpolitics and I long for leadership. We have run out of adjectives and adverbs to adequatelydescribe the dismal economy. The two wars we are engaged in are only nowgetting more attention as we prepare to send an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan.The failed healthcare system and the failing educational system seem to be afterthoughtsin light of more pressing concerns. And instead of having two U.S.Senators in Washington who are representing us and engaging in discourse on thecritical issues of the day, we have one. Norm Coleman and Al Franken each captured about 42% of thevote – not a ringing endorsement of either candidate – but enough for each tomake their case for going to Washington.I don't know how any sitting judge, no matter how qualified and wise, canrender a decision that will please everyone. If ever there was a time forSolomon, it is now. In my fantasy courtroom, Norm Coleman and Al Franken wouldpersonally make their case before Solomon. Solomon would suggest that theydivide the six-year term into two, with each man pulling a straw to see whowould serve the first three years and who would serve the second three years. Ofcourse, neither Coleman nor Franken would agree to this decision and a long argumentwould ensue. Eventually one of the two men would tire (as I, and other constituents,have tired of the current process) and, for the good of the state and thenation, he would concede. Solomon, in his wisdom, would then select as our nextsenator the candidate who put ambition and desire aside and conceded theelection for the common good. Such a decision by one of the contenders may notdemonstrate the keenest of political skill, but it would show real leadership.And that would be a happy ending to this long-running piece of politicaltheater.