By Dave Andrusko

Editor's note. I guarantee that you will love Part Two--"Justice Loves Babies, and You Will Love Darlene and Danielle." Please send your thoughts and comments on both parts to daveandrusko@gmail.com.

It's now been over 30 years, but as the guy who ran a campaign for a Minneapolis alderman, I vividly remember the night I dialed up my guy's opponent to congratulate him on winning the race. Our campaign office had emptied out, but I could hear the whooping and hollering on the other end. Politics is nothing if not high highs and low lows.

Pro-Life Senator Norm Coleman, standing with his daughter, Sarah. Sen. Coleman spoke with reporters after the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected his challenge to the recount victory of pro-abortion Al Franken.

I mention that in the context of pro-life Republican Senator Norm Coleman, who yesterday conceded the race to pro-abortion Democrat Al Franken, eight months after the closest of contests initially gave Coleman a victory by a hairs-breadth, and hours after the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld Franken's equally narrow recount victory.

Coleman, a veteran of electoral politics going back decades, was incredibly gracious in meeting with reporters in his back yard.

"I just had a conversation with Al Franken congratulating him on his victory. I told him it's the best job he'll ever have representing the people of Minnesota," Coleman said. "The Supreme Court of Minnesota has spoken. I respect its decision and I will abide by its result." (You can watch the video of Coleman's remarks at www.startribune.com/video/49566387.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUxWoW_oD:EaDUiacyKUUr)

Many of the rest of we Minnesotans (once a Minnesotan, always a Minnesotan) must be content to shake our heads. We've always known that our beloved state is, politically, quirky. Whom we elect, and why, is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.

A few years back, for example, we elected a retired wrestler as governor. And as a sign of just how tough a year 2008 was for Republicans, Minnesota has now elevated a novice, coarse (to put it mildly), comedian as senator.

This gives Democrats 60 votes in the Senate. How this plays out legislatively is still up in the air, but it can't be helpful on the life issues.

NRLC extends its best to Sen. Coleman and wishes him a bright future, whichever path he chooses.

But if there was that awful conclusion coming out of the North Star State, there was also far more encouraging news. Abortions in Minnesota dropped 6.5% in 2008, according to the Department of Health. 2008's total of 12,948 abortions is not only a drop from 13,843 abortions in 2007, it represents the lowest figure on record since 1975!

The 645 abortions performed on minor girls last year was a decrease of 11% and represented less than 5% of all abortions. This is the lowest number of abortions on minors ever recorded in Minnesota.

"This report demonstrates that Positive Alternative is working for women and their unborn babies," said MCCL Executive Director Scott Fischbach. "Along with the recent Gallup poll showing the majority of Americans now self-identify as pro-life, it is more evidence that women and society in general are turning away from abortion and embracing the life-affirming resources available for both mother and child."

Positive Alternatives was passed by the Legislature in 2005 to establish a grant program through the Minnesota Department of Health. Grants are given to life-affirming organizations offering essential services in the following areas: medical attention for the woman and the unborn child, nutritional services, housing assistance, adoption services, education and employment assistance, child care assistance, and parenting education and support services.

A total of 37 organizations received $4.75 million in two-year grants in 2006. Another 31 organizations received $4.7 million in the second round of two-year grants awarded in July 2008. Positive Alternatives was fully funded by the 2009 Legislature.

A Minnesota Department of Health report last year showed that more than 12,000 women statewide were helped through the Positive Alternatives program in its first two years (July 2006-June 2008). The fact that more than 13,000 pregnant women last year still believed that abortion was their only option underscores the enormous need for women to find alternatives to abortion.

"It is crucial that every pregnant woman know that she does not need to have an abortion," Fischbach said. "No woman should ever feel forced into an abortion--not by a parent, boyfriend, abortionist or anyone else. Caring people and effective services are available to help women successfully face the challenges of unexpected pregnancy without resorting to abortion."

Part Two -- “Justice Loves Babies,” and You Will Love Darlene and Danielle