As the battle over Minnesota's vacant U.S. Senate seat drags on, both men who want that seat are spending time in Washington, D.C.
Democrat Al Franken is spending today and Thursday at the Capitol, meeting with Senate staffers and former Capitol Hill staffers, including aides to the late Sen. Paul Wellstone.
"He's familiarizing himself with the work of the Senate and working on issues that are important to him, including the economy and energy,' said Franken spokesman Jess McIntosh.
Although Democrats in the Senate have talked generally about possibly seating Franken even before Republican Norm Coleman's lawsuit is resolved, they've taken no steps to actually do so. Senate Republicans have said any attempt to seat Franken before the lawsuit is resolved will be filibustered.
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid seemed to back off, saying he would do nothing until the lawsuit is resolved.
"We have to let the trial get over with, that should be over in two weeks," Reid told reporters, the Politico reported.
And while Franken has asked state Supreme Court to give him the election certificate that would allow him to be provisionally seated, the justices haven't ruled on that request.
Meanwhile, Coleman is in Washington today to raise money to help continue financing his bid to win back the seat he held for one term. He was scheduled to hold a fundraiser at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
