Here's how the AP reported on the Minnesota Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Al Franken:

Coleman's campaign didn't immediately return a call for comment. Nor did Gov. Tim Pawlenty, whose signature is required on the election certificate Franken needs to be seated.

Pawlenty, a Republican, has said he would sign the certificate if ordered to do so by the court. The court's ruling stopped short of explicitly ordering the governor to sign the document, saying only that Franken was “entitled” to it.

That's some pretty fine hair-splitting.

UPDATE: And here's how Chris Cillizza describes Pawlenty's comments from Sunday: “On Sunday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) indicated he was inclined to sign the certificate of election for Franken if the state's Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Democrat.”

Well, no, Pawlenty didn't say he was “inclined” to sign the certificate. Here's what he said: “I'm going to follow the direction of the court, John. We expect that ruling any day now. I also expect them to give guidance and direction as to the certificate of election. I'm prepared to sign it as soon as they give the green light. ... I'm not going to defy an order of the Minnesota Supreme Court. That would be a dereliction of my duty.”

That's rather more definitive than “inclined.”