Franken, Coleman angle for advantage

Attorneys for Norm Coleman and Al Franken will make their first appearance this afternoon before a three-judge panel that’s been selected to handle the election contest. The jurists will be hearing arguments on Franken’s motion to dismiss the case.

But while the legal process drags on (and on and on), Politico notes that both sides are angling for any perceptual advantage. Bolstered by a 225-vote lead, Franken has been hanging out in Washington and acting senatorial. He visited troops at Walter Reed Medical Center on Saturday and held a fundraising brunch at the Willard Hotel on Sunday, before attending the inauguration.

Coleman, meanwhile, is making the rounds of rightwing talk radio and local newscasts to press his case. He’ll also be traveling to Washington this week to hobnob with former colleagues and discuss the election contest with fundraisers.