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Democrat Certified Winner in WA Governor Race

Washington's secretary of state certified the result of the hand recount (the third count) in the governor's race, reversing the first two results -- which Republican Dino Rossi had won -- and making Democrat Christine Gregoire the election's second governor-elect, by 129 votes out of 2.9 million. The inauguration is January 12. Predictably, the two sides have switched arguments, too, with the Democrats saying Rossi should concede and the Republicans saying they have a duty to make sure the will of the people is followed. The next step may be an election contest, which could take months, and result in a court awarding the victory to a candidate, nullifying the entire election, or sending the matter to the legislature. Rossi is calling for the legislature to pass a special law calling for a new election, which would bypass a contest procedure.

4 of 220 comments (clear)

  1. Gracious Winner by macz · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I think it is important to humanity as a whole, and civilization in particular that "gracious winner" become the gold standard for closely contested elections.

    As a Republican I root for the elephant's, but I am not about to go turning over flaming cars and seceding from the union if a Democrat gets in office.

    What ever happened to "reasoned" debate? A legitimate difference of opinion? At the risk of sounding like we should all just get along, there is merit to the idea that if we, the left and the right, are working for the betterment of the people... then no one loses.

    Of course, as long as government suckles at the teat of corrupt corporate influence peddlers, as well as letting the dog get wagged by the tail of the marginally disenfranchised then we will have partisan bickering that lowers us all.

    Whoa, better step down from this soap box... it gives me such a head rush...

    --
    ...But I digress. TREMBLE PUNY HUMANS!ONE DAY MY SPECIES WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!
  2. Re:VOTE FRAUD! by XopherMV · · Score: 4, Insightful

    As mentioned in an earlier post, 266 ballots seemed to disappear, while 325 magically materialized. Again, these are not just a matter of reinterpration of marks on paper, these are entire sheets of paper that either vanished or appeared out of thin air. Christine Gregoire added a net 47 new votes to her total, Dino Rossi lost a net 12 from his.

    In the first count, Rossi was ahead by 261 votes. In the second count, Rossi ended up ahead by 42 votes. In the final count, Gregoire was ahead by 129 votes. The total number of votes cast were 2.8 million. Anyone see a problem here?

    The problem is that we're well within the margin of error. To get an accurate count, we need to be more precise than 0.01%. The fact that a few votes here and there seemed to disappear and reappear are just statistical anomalies. That alone is not proof of fraud.

  3. Re:As a Democrat... by stinerman · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The hypocrisy of the Democrats here would be stunning if it weren't so predictable.

    Hehe those of us outside the two party system see it for what it really is.

    The Democrats and Republicans are simply trying to make sure their person wins. Does it matter if they actually won? Hell No!!! If we've seen anything there is no such thing as morality in politics. The ends always justify the means.

    Its okay if we stuff the ballot with our candidate because the other side is probably doing it too, and even then, their candidate is just good at making people believe his lies, so we're actually doing the public a favor by cheating.

    I KNOW people who would agree that cheating is morally acceptable for those reasons. Its sickening.

  4. Reasoned debate doesn't motivate the masses. by khasim · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I think it is important to humanity as a whole, and civilization in particular that "gracious winner" become the gold standard for closely contested elections.
    I'd like to see that also. But I think there will be a problem with the average person.
    What ever happened to "reasoned" debate?
    The political parties found that it was easier to motivate people with antagonistic attacks and sound bites. Sad, but true.
    A legitimate difference of opinion?
    Again, the political parties found that such does not get enough voters out to vote.

    The way to motivate people is to make them believe that THEY are under attack from the "enemy". Or that they are in danger from the "enemy". Or their families, values, etc.
    At the risk of sounding like we should all just get along, there is merit to the idea that if we, the left and the right, are working for the betterment of the people... then no one loses.
    But the politicians aren't out for the betterment of the people. They are out to get power and to keep power.
    Of course, as long as government suckles at the teat of corrupt corporate influence peddlers, as well as letting the dog get wagged by the tail of the marginally disenfranchised then we will have partisan bickering that lowers us all.
    There is that, also.

    Although I'd look at it differently. I see it as people fighting to get the power so they are the ones getting the corporate attentions.

    Politics is now about getting power and holding power. The easiest way to do that is fear and hate. The worst way is through rational discussion and mutual respect.