Franken v. Coleman: A sign of the times?

Are we in the beginnings of a new political era in which lawyers and recounts are as much part of the election process as attack ad's and American flag lapel pins? Some political scientists are claiming that as campaigns become more precise in targeting and mobilizing voters, the closer the elections are getting, which means long, drawn-out last resort measures to keep us trekking the campaign trail much longer than most of us want to be.

I say there are still contestants in this country willing to bow out (gracefully or otherwise) when their time is up. But they may be a dying breed and I can't help but wonder if this is all a product of this country's elementary school mindset that there are "no losers." Consolation prizes are great, but at some point kids need to understand that yes, there are losers and one day you might just be one of them. At which point, the next lesson would be how to congratulate the winner and move on with your life.

That being said, hopefully the everlasting Minnesota Senatorial race will give rise to a new precedent which will dissuade this type of litigation -- as opposed to encourage it as the Supreme Court did when it decided the 2000 Presidential race.

The tides need a 'changin, and I see no better time than now.