Sen. Hutchison may stick around — another sign GOP readying for Sen. Franken

Senate Republicans already quietly signaled acceptance that Al Franken will take former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman’s old seat by agreeing to a tentative committee-assignment plan that factors in the Minnesota Democrat. Now comes news that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) may reconsider her plan to resign for a 2010 gubernatorial run. The reason, according to The Politico: Republicans “fear that a special election — even in deeply red Texas — could give Democrats a 60-seat, filibuster-resistant majority in the Senate … assuming Al Franken is seated from Minnesota.” If Hutchinson resigns, Republican Gov. Rick Perry appoints a temporary replacement, pending a special election, which would take place in November or in May 2010, depending on the timing of her departure.