Palm Beach, MN

Given the latest twists and turns in the MN recount - namely the appearance and disappearance of ballots in two different precincts - it's hard to believe this will end amicably. One Dem told us it's starting to feel like FL up there (and he's not talking about the weather).

-- Legally, the canvassing board must finish by 12/19. They could punt, by deciding they can't decide, which would mean this ends up in the courts (where it'll likely go, either way) or ultimately the Senate - as Franken's camp has hinted they'd prefer. But do Senate Dems want anything to do with this?

-- Some have said Chambliss' win was the death knell for Franken. After all, why go to the mat for MN when it only gets you to 59? But even if J. Mart had prevailed, it's hard to believe Reid, Schumer (it would go in front of his cmte) et al would want to embroil the Senate in such a partisan affair at the dawn of Pres.-elect Obama's "post-partisan era."

-- In the end, Dems may never have to touch this. But they should be thinking of a Plan B. Just in case.