Washington Governor's Race

[Gordon B]

The Republican candidate, Dino Rossi, currently has a 19 vote lead over the Democrat Christine Gregoire.

The final 6,100 votes are to be counted today, but there's certainly going to be a recount.

Seattle Times Article

[Monte Smith]

Evidently, the results won't be finalized until next week. If Rossi wins, that'll be a fairly big deal in a state that hasn't had a Republican governor in a quarter century. The state that has Baghdad Jim McDermott as Congressman and Patty "Osama Opened Daycare Centers" Murray as a Senator.

[Monte Smith]

Talk about a squeeker!

GOP's Rossi Wins Wash. Governor Recount
Yahoo 11/24/04

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Republican Dino Rossi came out ahead of Democrat Christine Gregoire by just 42 votes Wednesday in the recount for Washington governor, but the Democrats are expected to demand yet another recount.

The contest was the nation's last undecided race for the governor.

The machine recount of 2.8 million ballots left Rossi just 42 votes ahead of Gregoire, the state attorney general. That makes it the closest governor's race in Washington history.

Rossi had also won the original count, but his 261-vote margin was so small it triggered an automatic recount.

The Republicans called on Gregoire to concede and not drag the state through a third count that could stretch until Christmas week or longer. But even before the last big surge of ballots was tallied, Democrats had signaled they would seek a hand recount in at least part of the state.

Rossi, 45, a self-made real estate millionaire and former state Senate budget chairman from the Seattle suburb of Sammamish, was hoping to become the first Republican since 1980 to get elected governor. He ran on a platform of change and job-creation.

Gregoire, 57, was hoping to become the state's second woman governor. She carried eight of the 39 counties, most notably the largest, King, which includes heavily Democratic Seattle. Gregoire was strongly backed by the women's movement and was best known for battling America's tobacco industry.

[Uli]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Rossi had also won the original count, but his 261-vote margin was so small it triggered an automatic recount.

The Republicans called on Gregoire to concede and not drag the state through a third count that could stretch until Christmas week or longer.

What is this? The first time the vote margin was 261, the second time 42. I would sure let them count a 3rd time. As a matter of fact they should count until they get the same number twice.

[Monte Smith]

Originally Posted by Uli

What is this? The first time the vote margin was 261, the second time 42. I would sure let them count a 3rd time. As a matter of fact they should count until they get the same number twice.

In a perfect world, you bet. But it costs a million dollars each time you count the votes. Close elections are such a frigging drag. But the Democrats have every right to ask for a hand recount. It'll be even more expensive and more open to manipulation, though.

If Washington goes GOP, that'll be yet another "blue" state with a "red" executive. Think of it. All the states in contention to be the capital of Blue America have red governors: California, New York, Massachusetts.

[BFrank]

Washington Monthly


CLOSE VOTES....So how do Republicans feels when they're on the losing end of a close vote? Let's listen in:

Republican Dino Rossi on Wednesday urged his Democratic rival in the closest governor's race in state history to join him in calling for another vote.

"The uncertainty surrounding this election process isn't just bad for you and me — it is bad for the entire state," Rossi said, reading from a letter he said he sent to Democrat Christine Gregoire. "People need to know for sure that the next governor actually won the election."

....Rossi made his plea for a revote, which would have to be approved by the state Legislature, during a news conference. "A revote would be the best solution for the people of our state, and would give us a legitimate governorship," his letter said.

That's interesting: I don't recall any Republicans feeling that way about Florida four years ago. Funny how that works.

—Kevin Drum 12:14 PM

[Monte Smith]

As ever, the Republicans have legitimate concerns. 500 voters at one address in King County is the one every critic is pointing to, obviously. The currently victorious Dems (and, I imagine, their victory will stand) say those are just your natural liberal constituents, the alcoholic homeless.

Well, who cares? No one outside of WA needs to worry about this disputed election. And since April, that number includes myself. Good luck, Washington. Sincere best wishes.

[Gordon B]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

As ever, the Republicans have legitimate concerns. 500 voters at one address in King County is the one every critic is pointing to, obviously. The currently victorious Dems (and, I imagine, their victory will stand) say those are just your natural liberal constituents, the alcoholic homeless.

Monte, I found the following at a message board. If the homeless who gave the address of the King County Administration Building are not ineligible, e.g. convicted felons, then their votes are lawful.

King county requests that all persons without a stable home address (homeless people) use the King County administration building as their home address.
QUOTE( WAC 434-208-100 Registering to vote )
Nontraditional address. No person registering to vote, who meets all the qualifications of a registered voter in the state of Washington, shall be disqualified because of a nontraditional physical address being used as a residence address. Nontraditional addresses may include shelters, parks or other identifiable locations which the voter deems to be his/her residence. Voters using such an address will be registered and precincted based on the location provided. Voters without a traditional address will be registered at the county courthouse, city hall or other public building near the area that the voter considers his/her residence. Registering at a nontraditional address will not disqualify a voter from requesting ongoing absentee voter status provided the voter designates a valid mailing address.

[BFrank]

I don't recall any Republicans demanding a re-vote when Rossi was winning by double digit numbers, either.

[Monte Smith]

Originally Posted by Gordon B

Monte, I found the following at a message board. If the homeless who gave the address of the King County Administration Building are not ineligible, e.g. convicted felons, then their votes are lawful.

I am sure they are. This is a simple case of Dems getting out their vote, probably a couple of times.

[BFrank]

(December 31, 2004 -- 01:53 AM EDT)

First, Republican Dino Rossi came in first in the Washington governor's race by a minuscule margin. And he asked Democrat Christine Gregoire to concede. Then there was a recount and various recheckings and Gregoire came in first by a similar infinitesimally small margin. And now the Republican Secretary of State has certified the election and Gregoire is the winner and official Governor-elect.

So now Rossi has a new angle. He says Gregoire should join him in calling for a whole new election to be held. You know, to ensure the integrity of the process.

Newsflash: she ain't interested.

Says Gregoire: "A do-over ... is only in golf. We call it a mulligan. This is not golf, and this is not practice. This is an election. It's had three counts."

Now some of the locals are putting together an email campaign to tell Rossi it's time to hang it up.

-- Josh Marshall

[GoodSpeak]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

I am sure they are. This is a simple case of Dems getting out their vote, probably a couple of times.

Right.


As if Gee Dumbya got elected the first time...fair and square, eh?



Typical republicanism: Blame FIRST, think last.

[Gordon B]

Originally Posted by GoodSpeak

Right.


As if Gee Dumbya got elected the first time...fair and square, eh?



Typical republicanism: Blame FIRST, think last.

Tim and B Frank, what do you think about the elections in Ukraine?

[BFrank]

Originally Posted by Gordon B

Tim and B Frank, what do you think about the elections in Ukraine?

Apples and oranges, Gordo.

I'll repeat my earlier statement: Why didn't the Republicans demand a re-vote when their guy was winning by double digits?