Posted on 09/17/2002 8:30:53 AM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
MIAMI - Janet Reno was likely expected to offer a concession speech today as it becomes more doubtful that she will overcome a narrow deficit against Democratic gubernatorial rival Bill McBride.
Reno campaign officials said the former U.S. attorney general would talk to reporters after the Broward and Miami-Dade canvassing boards meet to finalize election results. Results of the Democratic gubernatorial primary are expected to be officially certified on Wednesday.
McBride, a Tampa lawyer and first-time candidate, emerged from last week's primary as the top vote-getter, but the race was marred by ballot glitches that brought back memories of the 2000 presidential election.
McBride's lead has since dropped from 8,196 to 5,685 votes. Campaign officials said Reno picked up 2,511 votes in Miami-Dade County after ballots cast in 88 precincts were rechecked.
But with fewer than 600 votes expected to be found in Broward County, the only place where a significant number of new ballots might be located, it appeared unlikely that Reno could overtake McBride.
The only way Reno can win is if she picks up enough votes to pull ahead of McBride. A recount is not possible because McBride's original lead was a larger margin than the half-a-percentage point that was necessary to trigger a statewide recount by law.
Reno's lawyers have said they would not sue to force an automatic recount. The candidate remained mum on what she might say in her address, telling reporters on Monday: "I don't deal in what ifs."
She ducked questions when she walked to her red truck late in the afternoon. When asked about her "next move," Reno smiled and quipped: "I'm going to walk around to the other side of the truck." She then drove away.
"She will speak appropriately depending on what the results are," said Reno general counsel Alan Greer.
Campaign manager Mo Elleithee said Monday that Reno has received calls from more than 600 people that will help build a case detailing numerous election day foul-ups. The campaign has not made any decision on future lawsuits and officials have stressed that the case would not be used to challenge the results of the primary.
Democrats have accused Gov. Jeb Bush of failing to show leadership on the election day problems. The Bush campaign has insisted that the problems were caused by election officials in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Meanwhile, McBride continued campaigning like an official nominee Monday. He said he will announce his choice for lieutenant governor either Wednesday or Thursday, after narrowing down a list of more than a dozen candidates.
McBride said he did not feel as if he lost time campaigning because of the primary election dispute.
"I feel confident that we're in good shape," he said.
Hercules says "You know, everyone says I am the strongest mortal on the earth, but I don't know how to prove it. That bothers me a lot."
Snow White said "You're right! Everyone says I am the fairest, but How can I be sure?"
Quasimoto agrees. "Yeah, and I'm supposed to be the ugliest!"
Suddenly Snow White has an idea. "You know, guys, I've got the answer.Let's pray about this and ask God to tell us the truth."
Hercules says "Great, let's meet tomorrow and tell our tales."
Quasimoto gets up to leave and says "See you tomorrow. Boy I'm going to find out for certain that I'm the ugliest."
The next day, they meet at a restaurant in town. Hercules says "I talked to God, and He says that I am truly the strongest."
Snow White says, "So did I, and I am truly the fairest".
Quasimoto has his head down, leaning on the table and says "Who is Janet Reno?"
Nevertheless, tomorrow, you will read about how she gracefully bowed out, "for the good of the Party", while real doubts about the results of the election still existed. And how she selflessly gave up her chance to be Governor in order to serve the greater good. Within a week, some will start to say that she actually won, but did not want to do anything that might detract from the causes that she has fought to advance her whole life ... (blah, blah, blah)....
Just getting y'all ready, for this story is certainly coming. Might as well issue the advance < Barf Alert >
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