Posted on 02/06/2005 12:56:13 PM PST by Josef1235
Reality check on election contest rulings Gregoire & Dems lose most motions; New election still possible
Bellevue, WA Yesterday in Chelan County Superior Court, the Dino Rossi campaign won an overwhelming victory in Rossis election contest case.
The judge rejected the Democratic Partys efforts to throw the case out, allowing a trial to move forward, and although he specifically denied the Rossi campaigns request for a revote, he left the path clear for nullifying the 2004 gubernatorial election. If the election is nullified, there will be a vacancy in the governors office and a new election must be held.
Despite Christine Gregoire and the Democrats efforts to put a positive spin on their defeat, a review of the judges decisions so far reveals the extent of the Rossi campaigns victory:
Feb. 4, 2005 hearing in Chelan County Superior Court Judges rulings:
*Democrats motion to strike Rossi campaigns request for a revote as soon as practicable: GRANTED, but judge leaves in place the Rossi campaigns other requested relief, including declaring the election null and void and setting it aside. If the election is nullified and set aside, the governors office will be vacant, and there will have to be a new election. Reports that there will definitely be no new election, as well as Democrats claims that the only option is for the judge to install Rossi as governor, are incorrect.
*Democrats motion to dismiss case because no court can hear an election contest for governor, only the Legislature can: DENIED.
*Democrats motion to dismiss case or require it to be transferred from Chelan County to the state Supreme Court or to another county: DENIED.
*Democrats motion to dismiss all claims by the Rossi campaign: DENIED on most claims, GRANTED only on claims for equal protection violations.
Jan. 20, 2005 hearing in Chelan County Superior Court Judges ruling:
*Democrats motion to stop fact-finding (discovery) until other motions are decided: DENIED.
What Christine Gregoire was desperately trying to stop an election contest trial is now going to happen, said Rossi spokeswoman Mary Lane. This is a huge victory for us. In trial we will be able to bring to light all the problems with this election the illegal and improperly cast votes, and the thousands of votes that cant be matched to voters.
In the end, we believe the people of Washington will get the opportunity to have a new election and a legitimately elected governor once and for all.
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She's also the coordinator of the revote effort, the policy director and outreach officer to blogs.
Not kidding about any of 'em, hence the title.
Works now but whoever took the photo gave her the look that she has solid black marbles for eyes like out of some horror movie.
Sorry about that. It was a screen-cap I took from a TV set a decade old.
Not to nitpick, but the link's title would be dinorossi.com.
Sorry, I meant the title "Secretary of Defense".
Good catch.
Do not discount the possibility that the trial judge is dragging this thing out for several years so that by the time it gets heard and then appealed, and then reheard, it will be 2008.
Not possible.
Here's how it'll work:
We have a trial in Superior Court
Then it will be appealed to the Appealate Court
Then to the State Supremes
Then finality.
I doubt seriously Gov'r-ELECT Dino Rossi & Co. will disrespect my state so much as to drag the Feds into it...* and I doubt seriously the State Dems want to go to Federal court w/ all the pro-W judges.
*Yes, I support the "revote", but I have genuine faith in my fellow Washingtonians to do what's right and fix this wrong themselves through our legal processes and state constitutional mechanisms.
BTTT
(And make the voters dip their middle finger in blue ink so they can show Gregoire they voted.)
Josef, you really shouldn't post those pictures of Mary, she's far, far prettier than that! I bet she would be horrified if she saw those shots!
Actually, the judge is moving things right along. I don't think he's dragging it out at all. On Friday, it was expected that he would hear both sides on the several motions and then go off to ponder a decision. He gave his decision immediately from the bench without recess! Then, he kept everyone there and went on with other motions and handed down more decisions. I'm not sure what's next, but I think he's going to call for the trial to begin next week!
Please send us ze link :-).
Got pics of your own?
I hope so :-). Let's get 'em up!
BTTT please...
BTTT
BTTT
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