Wow.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Republican Norm Coleman has won a second term in the U.S. Senate, surviving a stiff challenge from former comedian Al Franken.

Coleman squeaked past Franken by the narrowest of margins: a few hundred votes with nearly 2.9 million cast. The margin appeared certain to trigger an automatic recount.

If the margin holds up, Coleman would be among the fortunate Republicans who survived big gains by Democrats nationwide.