Is GOP Misfiring On Franken?

Don Goldberg, one of my partners at Qorvis and one of the most astute political communicators around, had an interesting comment today in PR Week about the communications strategy the GOP is using when it comes to the continuing saga of Franken v. Coleman in Minnesota.

According to Don:

Sixty seats (instead of say 62 or 63), is a recipe for disaster.  There may be some limited legislation that passes after getting that last vote to proceed (assuming the unpredictable Spector goes along), but more likely it will empower every Dem in the Senate to hold their vote for ransom for any, and every, parochial issue on their plate. Want my vote for that deputy assistant secretary for whatever? I want more funding for xyz in return.  Need my vote for that legislation? Give me my meritless amendment, and you have it.

I was a House staffer in the 1980s when we had a 50-vote margin, and the Dems couldn’t agree on anything. That’s why we’re Dems! Why would it be any different now?  By relenting on Franken, and handing the Dems that pyrrhic 60th vote, Republicans can morph every D into that decisive last vote, and make them own the political fallout.  Then they can watch the fireworks, accuse the Democrats of not delivering, and wash their hands of the chaos all at the same time.

I'd still rather have 60 votes than 59.  Nevertheless, it's hard not to see Don's point that the Dems will have no place to hide if and when the GOP gives up th ghost and Franken is seated.