In its latest review of Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, Congressional Quarterly has downgraded DFLer Al Franken’s chances of beating incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. CQ, which rates all Senate races, had listed Minnesota as “no clear favorite,” its term for a toss-up. Now CQ lists it as “Leans Republican,” which means it is still a close race but that Coleman is favored.

CQ’s Marie Horigan explains her current view of the race, relying on Larry Jacobs of the U of M to make the point that Team Coleman has managed to turn the race into a referendum on the challenger’s fitness to serve, rather than the incumbent’s record in office.

Among other publications that rate Senate races, The Cook Political Report has the Minnesota race as a toss-up, the Rothenberg Political Report rates it “narrow advantage” for Coleman, and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball has it “leans Republican.”