We now have a dead heat on whether Norm Coleman should pursue his election-contest appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Eight papers — buttressed by pickups in Rochester and Virginia, Mn. — give Norm their blessing for the next step. However, the Bemidji Pioneer's dissent means there are also eight dailies in the "Quit, now" camp.

If you're looking to break the tie, the Rochester Post-Bulletin "win" gives Coleman support in Minnesota's four largest cities. St. Cloud remains the biggest "Quit Now, Norm" paper.

But as the Post-Bulletin editorial makes clear, Coleman has but one bullet left in his electoral Gatling gun:

Our patience, however, will come to an end if Coleman loses this appeal. Yes, he would have the option of further appeals in federal court, even to the U.S. Supreme Court, but once Minnesota's highest court has ruled, we'd consider the matter closed.

Here's the updated tote board:

Quit now, Norm (8)
♦ St. Cloud Times
♦ Worthington Daily Globe
♦ Albert Lea Tribune
♦ Winona Daily News
♦ Faribault Daily News
♦ Owatonna People's Press
♦ Bemidji Pioneer
♦ Minnesota Daily

Stay the course for now, Norm (8)
♦ Star Tribune
♦ Pioneer Press
♦ Duluth News-Tribune
♦ Rochester Post-Bulletin (second item)
♦ Mankato Free Press
♦ Crookston Daily Times (with plenty of snark)
♦ New Ulm Journal
♦ Mesabi Daily News (Virginia, Mn.)

Lamely wishy-washy (2)
♦ Fargo-Moorhead Forum
♦ Grand Forks Herald

Unheard-from or unfound (10)
♦ Fairmont Sentinel
♦ Marshall Independent
♦ Red Wing Republican-Eagle
♦ Morris Sun-Tribune
♦ West Central Tribune
♦ International Falls Daily Journal
♦ Austin Daily Herald
♦ Brainerd Daily Dispatch
♦ Fergus Falls Daily Journal
♦ Hibbing Daily Tribune