Reed to certify Rossi as winner Democrats struggle to find money for a costly hand recount

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER ^ | 11-30-04 | Chris McGann

[Seattle Conservative]

Republican Dino Rossi becomes Washington's governor-elect when Secretary of State Sam Reed certifies the election this morning, and the Democrats have until Friday to demand a costly hand recount -- which right now they don't have the money for.

With only 42 votes separating the candidates and claims of voting irregularities in some counties, Democrat Christine Gregoire vowed to do whatever it takes to make sure every one of the 2.8 million votes is counted a third time. But as of yesterday, that's a promise she can't afford.

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Brost said the Democratic National Committee has agreed to pitch in to pay for a second recount but will not pay for one that is statewide.

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Former Rep Gov, Dan Evans, "We've had two counts," he said. "Sure, it's close. (Gregoire) likes to call it a tie -- but that's like someone at the end of a marathon who loses by two steps saying, 'Oh, it's a tie.' ... They'd get laughed out of town. There's about 50,000 steps in a marathon, and Dino's about two strides ahead. That's plenty, that's about a stride more than you need."

-snip-

Gregoire maintains that there are too many unanswered questions about the election to concede.

She has asked county election officials to review several apparent irregularities, but yesterday the secretary of state said the county certifications would be completed before today's certification.

"I have not heard from any of the 39 counties that there is a problem with getting that done," Reed said. "Any further delays on the part of the secretary of state certifying means a delay in terms of a recount being requested, which means a delay in the time that the recount can take place. So, we are trying to move the process along."

[Seattle Conservative]

Update on the WA Gov's saga. By law, Reed must certify the election by Dec. 2. Dems only have until Friday to request a hand recount. She wants 'every vote to count' - -no way. I like former Gov Evans analogy about the marathon.

John Carlson was again telling Gregoire to concede on his show last night. He also said that 1 of the newspapers in Longview, WA that endorsed her has said she should concede.

[goldstategop]

Looks like Christine Grigoire will have to concede. Cherry-picking votes in King County won't help her erase Rossi's lead or it would have happened already.

[Just mythoughts]

Thank goodness President Bush won as JFKerry would be pulling a Putin calling in the military.

[KJacob]

I couldn't access the link. How much does the recount cost? Couldn't the national party foot the bill if they wanted too?

[stm]

Just one more reason why this is more truth then fiction:

[FreedomPoster]

Oh, I like that. Good one.

[Salvation]

Are the celebration bells ringing in WA?

[goldstategop]

They could but then that takes away a good chunk of money for 2006. The national party would be stupid to post the cash for a hand recount if Dino still came out on top after its over.

[The_Victor]

I can't figure out how it is that democRATs figure counting by hand is more accurate that the computerized machines. Just as an excercise, get a thousand pennies and sit down at the kitchen table put the pennies in a pile and count them all ten times. I'll bet you a dollar for doghnuts that your count (knowing that you have exactly 1000 pennies) will be off >50% of the time. 999, 1001, 997, 1000,...

[goldstategop]

I'm holding off the congratulations til its made official.

[ken5050]

Kerry has , what, $17 million left..

[VNam68]

The recount will cost 25 cents a vote which figures out to be 700,000. If she is the WWWWhinner, the state will give the money back.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

He's saving that for his legacy...

[goldstategop]

Which she doesn't have on hand. The gracious thing to do is concede. She can take another run in 2008.

[deport]

How much does the recount cost? Couldn't the national party foot the bill if they wanted too?

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The article says $700,000 up front with expectations it would go over $1 million.

[Mike Fieschko]

I can't figure out how it is that democRATs figure counting by hand is more accurate that the computerized machines. Just as an excercise, get a thousand pennies ...

Don't you understand? That's why banks use hand counts, not machines, when folks bring in their merchant deposits. Banks know human counts are more accurate than machine < /sarcasm>

[Roccus]

Can ya smell it? ;>}

[Seattle Conservative]

Not for me, not yet. Still waiting to see if the Dims have any other tricks up their sleeve. After getting 2 judges to give them some advantages and 'finding' votes, I'll pop the cork on the champagne when the fat lady starts singing.

Just staying cautiously optimistic for now.

[TheBigB]

heh, heh, heh. :-)

[Seattle Conservative]

"I can't figure out how it is that democRATs figure counting by hand is more accurate that the computerized machines."

It's not and they know it, that's why they want to do it in 'selected' counties. They're just hoping to 'find' some more votes.

Both Dem and Rep former SOS have come out and said hand counting is not more accurate.