If Al Franken’s handlers or Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate had any plans to quickly seat Franken Tuesday – assuming lots and lots of things, as colleague Eric Black discusses here -- they should think again.

So said Sen. John Cornyn, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, this morning.

“I can assure you there will be no way that people on our side of the aisle would agree to seat any senator provisionally or otherwise unless there is a valid election certificate and all legal issues with regard to who got the most votes is finally decided,” Cornyn, of Texas, told reporters in a pre-emptive conference call.

He noted, as does Black, that Gov. Tim Pawlenty has got to sign that election certificate, too, and he has at least a week to do so after the Canvassing Board certifies the election, whenever that occurs.

Cornyn’s comments came days after Sen. Amy Klobuchar was quoted in the Star Tribune as saying: "If the Canvassing Board declares a winner, that should be our senator … [The Senate] could seat a senator pending the litigation."

Countered Cornyn, once a member of the Texas Supreme Court: “It is the height of arrogance for any political leader in Washington, D.C., to tell the people in Minnesota whose votes should count and whose votes should not count … It is so important for us to allow this process in Minnesota to be concluded  according to Minnesota law … before the Senate is called upon to act.”

No response yet from a call and email to Klobuchar’s Washington press secretary.

Cornyn said no Democratic leader had told him of intentions to “jam” Franken into his seat. He had only read “published reports,” that is, Klobuchar’s comments.

As for what the Republicans might do – such as filibuster – if the Democrats attempted a quickie seating of Franken … well, yes, Cornyn raised that prospect, but suggested it won’t come to that.

Cornyn said, under Senate rules, only one member needs to object. And he would.

Then, “It would take 60 votes to basically tee up the question, and I cannot imagine that would be allowed … It would be terrible precedent … Anybody who would be inclined to jam this question through … would have to consider the damage to the Senate and its reputation  as an institution … It would be a recipe for chaos.”

He added: “Can you imagine being seated under a cloud like that? I can’t imagine that anyone would want to be seated with that cloud remaining over their head and that be the start of their career in the United States Senate.”

Bottom line: Al Franken shouldn’t press his best suit for a swearing-in quite yet.