I wonder how many of the previous posters actually have any direct knowledge of Minnesota politics and the candidates in question.
It's a funny thing, this pandering. Politicians are so afraid that telling people their wrong will cost them votes, that they engage the electorate at the level of a child... and the children bite- hook, line and adorably parochial sinker.
It's a close election, Franken lost votes because some of his past controversial work. Coleman lost votes because this was a terrible election to be a republican overall. They both lost votes to Barkley.
EDIT: to the poster who said "putting up Coleman"... I bow to your electoral wizardry... I'll call you phenom (short for phenomenal, because you are phenomenal) Coleman is the incumbent. Keep being awesome.