Last week, this Editorial Board called for Al Franken and Norm Coleman to restrain further politicking while officials progress toward a recount. The prospect of silencing Franken and ColemanâÄôs bitter back-and-forth battle proved too alluring. But our call fell upon deaf ears. The Franken campaign filed suit against Ramsey County Thursday to attain the names and addresses of absentee voters whose ballots were rejected. Franken âÄî currently down 206 votes âÄî is clearly trying to get any potentially valid ballots into the recount. ItâÄôs political and itâÄôs strategic, but itâÄôs not that shady. Currently ahead, Coleman stands to benefit by casting doubt on our system. HeâÄôs making a stink about every âÄústrong-armâÄù Franken employs: âÄúThis is a new low,âÄù ColemanâÄôs campaign manager charged. âÄúThis tactic is âĦ designed to shove more rejected ballots into the ballot box before the recount takes place.âÄù Fortunately, well insulated from the Franken-Coleman crossfire, the recount process presses on. Despite Bill OâÄôReilly painting another Florida 2000, our Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has just appointed the five-member canvassing board which will certify the recount. It includes two Pawlenty judicial nominees. Too busy bloviating about RitchieâÄôs partisan corruption, OâÄôReilly overlooked a key statement by ColemanâÄôs lead lawyer: âÄúThe people of this state should feel good about whoâÄôs on the panel.âÄù Certainly, some national media will unduly discredit our system, some challenge will inevitably find its way to the courts and the campaigns will rage on. Elections this close get messy, but take heart, Minnesotans. Stay above the politicking and white noise; itâÄôs clear we have a quality system laid out.