One Minnesota senator?

It is appearing less likely that Minnesota will have determined whether Democrat Al Franken or Sen. Norm Coleman will be serving as the state's second senator in time for Jan. 6 — when Congress reconvenes. This Associated Press story breaks down all the issues plaguing the recount. They include counting improperly rejected absentee ballots and a legal challenge by the Coleman campaign over whether some ballots may have been counted twice.

All of this raises an interesting possibility. Would Gov. Tim Pawlenty consider appointing someone to temporarily fill the Senate seat? CNN reports the Republican governor has started exploring that possibility.