THE “VOTIN’ MINNESOTANS” (you have to say it with the accent) have done it again. Republican Norm Coleman has squeaked by former vice president Walter Mondale in an election featuring record turnout and a few lessons in campaign strategy.

Minnesota is known for its high voter turnout–it usually exceeds the national average by about 20 points–but with an estimated two-thirds of eligible voters showing up at the polls for a mid-term election in the snow, they may have set some records this year. Some polls were still open as late as 10 p.m. in an attempt to accommodate the flood of voters. Mike Erlandson, head of the State Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, boasted, “In Minnesota, we have the highest voter turnout in the country–always.”