Posted on 02/10/2008 1:29:14 PM PST by wastedpotential
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says something weird happened with the count of Republican delegates in yesterdays caucus. Huckabee was on NBCs Meet the Press this morning. As he was talking about his strong showing in yesterdays contests, he said about the caucus here:
Washington state, it's not quite yet over; still too close to call. Moderator Tim Russert: Well, the party has declared it over.
Huckabee: They have, but there's some weird things. We're, we're looking at some legal issues up there, and so we're not ready to concede that one until we understand how...
That was all he said on the program and I have not been able to reach anyone at the campaign. But the campaigns official blog also raises question about the GOP vote count:
The Washington State GOP, with 87.2 percent reporting, discontinued the counting process. We are looking into the matter. We are committed to making certain EVERY vote is counted. We will keep you posted. As votes were tallied yesterday by the state Republican Party, Sen. John McCain led in an early count, Huckabee led briefly later in the night and then at 11:30 p.m., state party chairman Luke Esser declared McCain the winner.
But there was a razor thin margin between McCain, with 25.5 percent of delegates, and Huckabee, with 23.7 percent, and there was still about 13 percent of precincts around the state that had yet to be counted.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
Yeah, I did leave off an </sarc> tag. The Washington GOP will resume counting Monday after the press has stopped paying attention to the race.
Personally, I think they should have stayed as long as necessary to complete the count. There’s too much potential for dirty tricks when they decide to break for a day and a half. And don’t give me this line about how it was late and everybody was getting tired. This is Washington state. Order a Starbucks!
No apology needed, I just hope this Huckabee/McCain thing finally brings some attention to what has been going on up here.
I don't feel my vote counts. We have time and time again passed initiatives only to have them reversed by a judge. Reason? For example, the voters didn't understand what they were voting for.
Government Control
Communist...Facist...Socialist...Democrat....Moderate...Republican...Conservative...Libertarian
“The point is that the only Election process that happened yesterday was the election of delegates to the county convention.
It was conducted at a Precinct level and the only implication it had on the Presidential Primary race was to give an indication of the leanings of the delegates elected to the County Conventions so far.
Nothing shady happened, it was for the Party, by the Party and all official paper work is signed, dated and verified.
Literally Thousands of Party Volunteers are being dumped on for no good reason. Just so Huckabee can get some press.
I liked Huckabee before, but this disrespect of the grassroots of Washington is appalling.
What are his chances now? When the REAL election of Presidential delegates occur?”
Mike Huckabee is a loathsome character.
It sounds like Huckabee is totally ignorant in how the Washington State Caucus works and he is making a big deal out of Nothing. No delegates have been awarded. This was just basically a tally of which way those who showed up at the caucus were leaning. The elected delegates by precinct will vote again at the district caucus in March which is were the delegates will be awarded. McCain and Huckabee have until then to sway the 12.3% uncommitted and the 16.7% who in protest voted for Mitt Romney. Thats 29% up for grabs not counting the 20.7 % Ron Paul people who will not be moved. Huckabee even has until then to get McCain voters to change their mind. By acting like a spoiled baby in contesting this count is not doing Huckabee any favors.
Regardless of the technicalities, the media is reporting it as a McCain “win,” which was what the GOP honchos there obviously wanted so that it will have an impact on VA. I think Huckabee understands the process perfectly well and understands how it is being used to sway public perception. If it’s not important, then it wouldn’t even be in the press; heck, if it’s not important, the GOP wouldn’t even have announced it or gone through all these shenanigans.
Huckabee is right to protest this.
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