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Time to start working across party lines

If there was one message that came across in Sen. Al Franken’s recent campaign ads, it is that he works across party lines to get things done.

Well, we’d better hope that is true, because come January, that’s the only way he’s likely to get things done.

Minnesota maintained its Democratic leanings in the past election while the nation slipped further into the Republican column. The Republicans gained control of the

Senate, while the House Republicans picked up a bigger majority than they had the past two years. Minnesota is represented by two Democrats in the Senate, and five out of the state’s eight U.S. Representatives are also Democrats.

Are we on the outside looking in?

Possibly not. The Republicans hold 54 seats, enough to win on most issues but not enough to disregard the Democrats entirely. An Associated Press report on Wednesday indicated moderates in the Senate could wield considerable clout.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar has managed to craft a lot of legislation with the help and support of Republicans. She seems to be well-liked and respected in the Senate. Franken has put aside his political satire in the Senate and developed a reputation as a diligent, knowledgeable Senator.

With Harry Reid heading out the door as the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate will not be the roadblock to legislation that it was for the past two years. As minority leader, he is likely to lead Democrats in a similar foot-dragging, obstructionist policy. We hope Minnesota’s senators will follow the path of working for the good of the state instead of the good of Reid.

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