Eric Black: “[Wash. U. Professor Steve] Smith had one technical prediction. Just before the Supreme Court rules, Coleman’s legal team may file a fresh lawsuit in federal court based on its federal constitutional arguments. Most legal scholars agree that a separate federal action should not have any impact on the issuance of the state election certificate. But if such a case is filed, said Smith, Pawlenty could at least claim that he has to wait to see if the federal courts have a different view of the matter or whether a federal judge might issue a stay.”