Parties may end up asking for a hand recount - WA

[Viva_La_Revolution]

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Republican Dino Rossi kept a razor-thin lead in the Washington governor's race as counties raced a Wednesday deadline for recounting 2.8 million ballots - and girded for yet another possible recount.

Both political parties were poised to request a hand recount if they do not like Wednesday's results. That count would take until nearly Christmas to complete.

"It looks like that's the only way we'll ever break this tie," state Democratic Party Chairman Paul Berendt said Tuesday.

GOP Chairman Chris Vance said he expects Rossi to win Wednesday's count and called on Democrat Christine Gregoire to "do the decent thing, the honorable thing and concede, instead of dragging this into the Christmas season with the state not knowing who the governor is."

Gregoire's camp said she still expects to win, and that a manual recount would make sure every valid ballot is counted.

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[LisaM]

1. Chris Vance is a major league jerk

He sounds as if he's parroting James Baker from 2000.

[glitch]

4. Monkey see monkey do.

Gregoire sure as hell better demand a hand count. I want to see WA state break opti-scam wide open.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. That's why I'm bothering...

to watch this race.... I'm in OR, and some of the numbers here in Portland just don't look as strong as they should..Me <-- still hoping

[SeattleDem]

2. 42 votes

they just announced on local NPR affiliate that Rossi won by just 42 votes in this first recount.

unbelievable.

[spotbird]

3. Isn't Vance cute.

Now if Rossi were behind by fewer than a hundred votes he'd be touting the virtues of a hand recount.

[keithjx]

6. Just look at the Tx Repug Helfin for your answer....

Give me my seat back or have another election that will be conducted "more fairly"....

[Ducks In A Row]

5. it's an automatic hand recount by law?

I'm sure I read that somewhere.

Good for she for not giving up.

[SeattleDem]

17. no, from KOMO news

"The campaigns or their parties have three business days to request a full or partial manual recount at their own expense."

[Cronus Protagonist]

7. I wish Democratic politicians had as much balls

And such a strong desire to win. Having said that, in this case, the Democratics responses is entirely appropriate te and correct.



http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13
Buttons for brainy people - educate your local freepers today!

[UpInArms]

9. CNN: Rossi declared Washington Governor

3:48pm 11/24/04 REPUBLICAN ROSSI DECLARED GOVERNOR OF WASHINGTON - CNN

[spotbird]

12. Who declared Rossi Governor?

Are all counties in?

[spotbird]

10. There is still one county out in the official count.

http://vote.wa.gov/general/recount_status.aspx

With the count so close how can they call this until there is an official total?

[SeattleDem]

18. But Kitsap has announced its results, just hasn't posted them

so all counties have reported, per KOMO news

[spotbird]

19. Where did Kitsap announce it's results?

It is very strange that it isn't on the county's web page or the state's.

That is the first county I'd count by hand.

[noiretextatique]

11. good for her...42 votes requires a closer look

it makes perfect sense to request a manual recount, though that kind of democracy-in-action is inconvienent for republicans.

[Zorra]

13. Electronic voting machine tallies almost always favor republicans.

So a hand recount may cinch it for Gregoire. But one thing we know - any republicans that are counting ballots by hand will have to constantly be put under a microscope or they will definitely cheat.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

14. The Rethuliklansmen should just SHUT UP!!!

42 Votes out of 2.8 million is only nominal!

With Diebold, DAS GOP may steal this race!

[spotbird]

15. 42 out of 2.8 million is a mandate. nt

[PROGRESSIVE1]

16. You better be kidding!

:eyes:

[struggle4progress]

20. kick

:kick:

[Carolab]

21. E-mail-call Gregoire and the Dems

Give them your support for the hand recount!