Harry Reid (WDCpix)

Harry Reid (WDCpix)

Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, is the latest to call for Norm Coleman to concede in Minnesota’s Senate race. While he’s technically correct that Coleman, the incumbent for office, is no longer a senator, the Nevada Democrat’s statement, given during his inaugural speech at the start of the 111th Congress today, seemed to go out of the way to emphasize the point. He said:

“This is a difficult time for former Sen. Coleman and his family, and he is entitled to the opportunity to concede this election graciously. But we cannot let this drag on forever,” Reid said. “I hope that former Sen. Coleman and all of our Republican colleagues will choose to respect the will of the people of Minnesota.“

Democratic Vice President Walter Mondale and former Minnesota governor Arne Carlson, who served as a Republican but now considers himself an independent, both urged Coleman to step aside.