The whole thing smells funny and tastes real crappy, but there is no proof of fraud, or of enough disenfranchised R voters to reverse the latest numbers. If that assertion is wrong, let WA R operatives and/or lawyers go forth post-haste and overturn the latest results. But the final recount - or yes, call it a "value-added" re-canvassing, for that's what it turned out to be - apparently puts the deeply-uninspired and uninspiring Democratic Party hack Christine Gregoire into the WA Gov's office.
Like many, including Independents and even some Gregoire Democrats, I have found the WA D's "Keep Counting 'Till We Win" approach off-putting and grasping in the extreme. But whaddaya expect, really, given the razor-thin margins all along? And what now is Rossi's campaign reduced to? Same thing, unless class, restraint and the long view take hold.
I believe that in the end, a defeated Dino Rossi would come back even stronger, perhaps to challenge and beat U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell in '06. If a whole lot of uncounted military votes are out there now, fine, count 'em, if at all possible. But post-11/2 postmarks aren't gonna be worth jack, are they now?
Moreover, extended legal challenges will ill-become WA Rs. The second recount was legal, and the State Supreme Court upheld the counting of King County ballots that supposedly were improperly not counted beforehand. Republicans and their supporters (and I was a Rossi supporter from early on) should be careful not to come across as shrill and unsubstantiated in their claims. Suspicions, however well-founded, do not equal wrongdoing. Prove malfeasance in court, very soon, or - respectfully - please shut up and move on.
Kinda like we what we say to the nutcake conspiracy theorists still bellyaching about the Ohio '04 presidential count, no?
Gregoire's victory will prove Pyrrhic for WA Dems, if it holds.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at December 23, 2004 08:20 PM
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» Hang 'Er Up, Boys from The Write Wing Conspiracy
Back to the main point, I guess I'm just concerned about the preceived hypocrisy of Republicans dragging out a long legal wrestling match over this after rightfully deploring similar efforts by Al Gore in 2000. Better to be the party of honor (relativ... [Read More]
Tracked on December 24, 2004 02:24 PM
Well said. I hope the Republicans will take your advice. They will be more glorious in defeat than the Dems are in "victory."
Posted by: Tom Rekdal at December 24, 2004 02:41 PMKinda quiet on this comment string - hmm, but only over ONE HUNDRED on this same post at Sound Politics. Dude, way to kick up the dust! You may be from the midwest, but you sure are one fearless cowboy - coming right out of the chute with tough nuts political rodeo!
Posted by: P. Scott at December 24, 2004 05:53 PMThis is my personal response:
http://josef-a-k.blogspot.com/2004/12/rossifarians-and-all-washington-learn.html
http://josef-a-k.blogspot.com/2004/12/merry-christmas-from-ukraington.html
Posted by: Josef at December 26, 2004 11:09 AMWell, Matt - I love dropping by your blog but reading this makes me scowl at you. What part of we need to say NO to Gregovich/Gregovych do you not get?
Okay, enough venting. I came by to post a link to my latest editorial - http://josef-a-k.blogspot.com/2004/12/we-are-all-victor-yuschenkos-children.html - and to ask you this question: How do you feel now that evidence is emerging that ballots were altered against the law?
Posted by: Josef at December 27, 2004 03:39 PMRegarding the uncounted military votes, I am informed that overseas mail has neither a stamp nor a postmark. The only reliable way to prove that these ballots were not received prior to 11/2 is to have date stamped them upon arrival. Was this done in King County? Some how I doubt it given the total incompetence of its election department employees and volunteers.
Posted by: Bill Lenihan at December 28, 2004 03:38 PM