You may have thought that the November 2008 election ended, well November 2008, but in Minnesota, the race for a critical U.S. Senate seat is still raging, and Democrats face “World War III” should they push too far. Incumbent Senator Norm Coleman is facing off against former Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken in what has become a court battle over a recount to beat all recounts.

The case currently resides with a three judge panel as Coleman contests the recount results that have Franken up by 225 votes, but regardless of the result there, it seems the prevailing wisdom is that the loser will appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court and perhaps eventually to the US Supreme Court. As long as this drags on, it keeps the potential 59th Democrat out of the Senate. If Franken wins here, or in the appeals process and is certified as the state’s next US Senator, it will bring the Democrats that much closer to a filibuster proof majority.

Senator John Cornyn said this week that Republicans are in it to the end with Coleman and insists the Minnesota Senator should have his day in court.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn is threatening “World War III” if Democrats try to seat Al Franken in the Senate before Norm Coleman can pursue his case through the federal courts.

Cornyn, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, acknowledges that a federal challenge to November’s elections could take “years” to resolve. But he’s adamant that Coleman deserves that chance — even if it means Minnesota is short a senator for the duration.

If this case continues to drag out and work it’s way through multiple levels of appeal, which seems likely, what happens to the winner and loser after they emerge? There is talk of Coleman running for Governor in Minnesota, but a protracted legal battle may not be beneficial to his political fortunes there.