Free Republic

SEATTLE (AP) — In what may be their last hope of reclaiming an evaporated lead in the Washington governor's race before turning to the courts, Republicans have asked county auditors statewide to reconsider ballots that were rejected on Election Day. With the counting and re-counting finally exhausted Thursday, Democrat Christine Gregoire emerged as the victor by a mere 130 votes. The final tally: 1,373,171 votes for Gregoire; 1,373,041 for Republican Dino Rossi. But Republicans have vowed to leave no stone unturned in the breathtakingly close race that has dragged on for nearly two months. "I know many Washingtonians are hoping...

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. -snip- Brost said the Democratic National Committee has agreed to pitch in...