As the National Republican Senatorial Committee launches the blog MinnesotaRecount.com, the New York Times reports that Mitt Romney is directing cash — $5,000 so far — from his PAC to help fund Norm Coleman’s recount efforts. In addition to the $5k, Romney’s “Free and Strong America” gave $2,300 to Coleman’s re-election campaign. The Times’ Michael Falcone characterizes the donations as “Mr. Romney’s way of raising some of his own political capital” in anticipation of his own 2012 presidential run.

Franken advocates have launched a fundraising site to track the vote tally and help the Democrat cover legal costs.