Connecticut ping!
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Posted on 11/10/2006 8:41:10 AM PST by nutmeg
HARTFORD, Conn. -- Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons picked up a single vote after the first town in the 2nd Congressional District recounted its election results on Thursday.
But the three-term congressman still trails Democrat Joe Courtney by 166 votes.
A recount, or re-canvass, was held in Hebron on Thursday night. Recounts were being scheduled in the remaining 64 cities and towns for Friday and over the weekend.
Courtney has already declared victory, but Republicans remained hopeful Simmons would prevail.
"As we have stressed during this entire election, we are determined to ensure a fair and accurate vote, and this re-canvass in Hebron shows the importance of carefully and methodically following the process set forward by law," said George Gallo, the state Republican Party chairman.
A Courtney win would be a bonus for national Democrats, who already had all of the seats they needed to reclaim the House after a dozen years.
A recount is automatic because Courtney's margin of victory was less than one-half of 1 percent. It must be completed within five business days after the election. Friday is the state Veterans Day holiday, pushing the deadline to midnight Wednesday, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said.
Each town must, in public, open the lever voting machines and re-tally the results. In the 10 towns that used optical scan machines as part of a statewide test run, paper ballots must be fed into a new scanner that was not used during the election. Also, officials must review all absentee and provisional ballots.
Provisional ballots are filled out when a voter believes he or she was mistakenly left off the voter rolls.
(Excerpt) Read more at wfsb.com ...
Connecticut ping!
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
I agree.
I live far away from his district but have sent him numerous checks over the years.
His military and CIA background made him an asset to his district.
He saved the New London sub base from being closed and was also receptive in dealing with constituent concerns.
And this is how the voters of the 2nd District rewarded him?
Nothing but ridiculous behavior.
One vote? ALRIGHT!!! There's hope!!!
They're 'counting all the votes' (including absentee) as I type this...
I'm actually praying for Rob Simmons... can't stand Joe Courtney.
I'm not in his district either but saw him speak at UConn on Homeland Security.
What an orator! He inspired the whole crowd and was so enthusiastic about the nature of the real counterterrorism job at hand, I was very impressed. He was a true champion of conservative values and strength in defense.
I was also impressed that the public Univ of Conn would invite him plus there were no hecklers at all in a packed auditorium.
God help him.
He saved the New London sub base from being closed and was also receptive in dealing with constituent concerns.
And this is how the voters of the 2nd District rewarded him?
Exactly! I'm stunned... I thought it would be close, but that Simmons would win this one... somewhat easily. His commercials were great, there were Simmons lawn signs ALL OVER THE PLACE (for what that's worth)... I really had little doubt he would win (and that Shays would lose).
Thanks so much for your support over the years from afar. I'm sure Rep. Simmons greatly appreciates it. :o)
I hope and pray those votes ARE out there for Rob Simmons...
Update from WTIC 1080 radio (at 1pm ET): In Enfield, there are 39 lever voting machines crammed into a school auditorium (I think they said Eli Whitney School). They are going vote by vote very carefully, and checking the absentee ballots. No word of any new votes for Simmons yet...
Simmons was endorsed by NARAL so I would have had to hold my nose if I lived in his district. But this year I would have voted for him. After he helped save the sub base I guess his constituents just didn't care. I am almost tempted to say I hope they try to close it again. Let them live with their decision. Courtney brings nothing to the table.
I really doubt Simmons will make up the votes he needs unless there is a big error somewhere. Really makes me fear for the future when we see how stupid people can be when they vote.
YIKES... really? I didn't realize that. Well, with a choice between Simmons and RAT Courtney, I would have still held my nose and voted for Simmons if I lived in his district.
Really makes me fear for the future when we see how stupid people can be when they vote.
Same here, FRiend. Overall, Simmons is a good guy and did a lot of good. Once he's gone, who knows if we'll ever get anyone like that back again?
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I always liked Rob Simmons. Compared to 'Republican' Representative Nancy Johnson (I held my nose -again - and voted for her - obviously to no avail) he was almost a conservative or at least as close as you can be to conservative in this politically liberal state that loves taxes, myriad and unproductive business and personal regulations as well as social feel-good/do nothing 'programs', paid for with even more taxes. The labor unions - mostly state and municipal - 'own' the majority of the state legislature and almost always back Democrats. In addition, the state Republican party is practically moribund and apparently, the RNC doesn't spend a lot of money on campaigns in Connecticut. We are fortunate when we even have a viable candidate for office and Rob Simmons was one of that rare breed. Now, he's likely gone but I wish him well with the re-count, for what its worth. I would love to have Rob Simmons back in Washington, even if he is in the voting minority. Better Simmons than another leftist tax-hiking Democrat, like Joe Courtney.
That Courtney guy (Rob Simmons TV ads always called him 'The Connecticut Taxman' - I loved it) seems to fit right in to the Connecticut liberal, 'do-nothing' politician mold. I agree that the voters in Simmons district, like many, seem to have no appreciation for a good representative and were too quick to dump a Republican for some Democrat empty suit like Courtney who will have no clout in congress and likely do little for the people who put him in office. Look at Chris Dodd. He sits in Washington decade after decade, makes stupid pronouncments from time to time while he gets fatter and his mop of hair gets whiter as he takes $155,000. + 'expenses' per year from the taxpayers and basically does next to nothing for his state. In my house, Chris Dodd is known as the 'Senator-for-Life' because apathetic Connecticut voters just keep re-electing him every six years.
Being a longtime political conservative living in a state that embraces almost any liberal Democrat who comes along and puts them into office (seemingly for life) is frustrating but one either accepts that reality - or moves. I don't plan to move.
2nd District recount continues (Simmons picks up 5 votes on Courtney so far)
(Enfield-AP Nov. 10, 2006 Updated 11:00 PM) _ Looks like three-term Republican Congressman Rob Simmons has picked up a net five votes so far on Democratic challenger Joe Courtney.
According to unofficial returns tonight, Simmons trails by 162 votes after 13 towns in the 65-town Second Congressional District completed their re-counts.
He had trailed by 167 votes after Election Day, but the margin was small enough to trigger an automatic recount.
Eight more towns plan to hold a re-count this weekend and the bulk of the district -- some 35 towns will hold their re-counts on Monday.
The towns have until Wednesday to get the recount done. The returns won't be official when submitted to the Secretary of the State's Official.
Courtney did declare himself the winner and plays to head to Capitol Hill on Monday for a weeklong orientation for new House members.
We did too much work to get rid of Sam Gejdenson. I really hope we can hold CT-2
Joe Courtney is a real horse's a$$. He used to come into a restaurant that I worked at in Vernon back in the 80's and was a pompous SOB then. Can't believe that he'd be any better today. I hope Rob manages to come up with the votes.
This is my district and I've worked on this campaign. I'm still amazed that Rob may lose after the work he did helping to save the Subase. This contest has been recounted at least once before - several years ago (before Rob) the margin was less than 10 votes. The district has a very low percentage of Republicans.
Looks like a foregone conclusion. Simmons lost because the Republicans (In this state) felt they didn't have a reason to come out and vote, let's hope next time they feel motivatidated to do so.
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