Washington Recount: YOUR PARTY NEEDS HELP

It's not over. As we expected, this election season has extended past November 2nd - specifically, the Washington gubernatorial race.

And now you get a chance to beat Karl Rove.

42 votes separate the two candidates with Republican Dino Rossi the certified winner this morning. Presumably in the hopes of swaying public opinion, the Republicans are having a victory party tonight.

The state's Democratic Party can't afford a recount (>$700,000.00). The DNC can help. Please contact them: [phone]. Tell them you want to talk with someone about the Washington recount.

Rove built his career on such close races - think Alabama Supreme Court - and his two keys to winning are:
1)    money (for recounts and legal battles)
2)    public opinion

We can see that the GOP is fiercely fighting on the public opinion front:

"I don't want this election or any election settled by courts and lawyers. We had enough of that four years ago. We've had two counts," [Former governor and Rossi supporter Dan Evans] said.
"Sure, it's close. (Gregoire) likes to call it a tie -- but that's like someone at the end of a marathon who loses by two steps saying, 'Oh, it's a tie.' ... They'd get laughed out of town. There's about 50,000 steps in a marathon, and Dino's about two strides ahead. That's plenty, that's about a stride more than you need."

Money will be needed for both the hand recount and for the litigation.

Please use this thread to post:
1)    ways to help
2)    why we should care that a state we don't live in has a Democratic governor

Thanks.

•  Well

  I do happen to live in Washington state, so I have a more vested interest than some of you might. You can help both by calling the DNC, and by contributing directly to the Washington State Democrats.

  I'd love to see this diary recommended. Here's a place where the election really isn't over, and a place where we can make a real difference.

  by mcjoan on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 11:44:36 AM PDT

•  whats the deadline?

  Whats the schedule for when the recount needs to be requested?

  by Damon on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 11:44:47 AM PDT

  •  Friday

    We need $750K by Friday.

    by mcjoan on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 11:46:38 AM PDT

  •  recount dates

    Certification of the 42-vote result comes on Thursday.  After that, the Dems have 3 days to make their request for a manual recount.  If it's working days, that brings decision-time to next Tuesday, otherwise it's Sunday.

    The request can be partial, even down to the precinct level.  If a partial recount results in a reversal of the outcome, then there's a mandatory statewide hand recount, at state expense.  

    OTOH, for PR reasons, the Dems may well request a full-state hand recount from the outset.  At $0.25/vote for about 2.9 million ballots, there's your $750K.  

    If any requested recount changes the results, the Dems would get their $0.25/ballot back.

    ***

    FYI, I'm writing a recap/analysis of the first recount, which I expect to post tomorrow as a lead-in to the next step in this saga.  

    And I've also downloaded the precinct-by-precinct King County results, as part of my future examination of the Gregoire campaign as compared to Kerry and Murray.  As an appetite-whetter, I'm proud to report that my Legislative District (the 43rd) went for Kerry over Bush by 85%-13%, Murray over Nethercutt 83%-14%, Gregoire over Rossi 79%-18%.  Because mcjoan will probably ask, the 36th LD went 79%-19%, 78%-20%, and 72%-26%, respectively.

    by N in Seattle on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 01:22:42 PM PDT

    •  N

      even though there have been a few diaries about this, I think you should write another, cuz folks know you on this issue. I'd love to see our fundraising needs on the front page. But at the very least, you might be able to get a recommended diary. It just seems like such a no-brainer for the Kos crowd to contribute to the fund.

      by mcjoan on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 02:06:53 PM PDT

      •  FWIW, done (n/t)

        by N in Seattle on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 04:06:15 PM PDT

      •  sorry...

        ...I did a quick search but didn't see any recent diaries.

        I agree that this is a no brainer and am baffled that it's not a front page issue. This is the exact situation for which we were digging our heels into the dirt on Nov 1.

        The right excels at end game. We need to take it to them in their own arena.

        What about KE04 money?

        by dennisdeveny on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 05:06:44 PM PDT

        •  Oh, don't sweat it

          We need multiple diaries on this one! I think N's is close to being recommended--maybe we can bump it up.

          by mcjoan on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 06:08:29 PM PDT

•  Berendt/Vance on KUOW

  Both party heads were interviewed on KUOW's "The Conversation" this PM.  Dem Paul Berendt says he will ask for a recount, but cash is the limiting factor.  He said that while $700K is mentioned for the cost he expects will top $1.5 Million (includes legal and other misc. costs).
  He expects that the WA Dems will request the recount on Friday.
  Vance stated that the result of a recount may be a "bogus" outcome and will cause much litigation.
  His reasons for not wanted a recount included "It's never been done before," hand recount will not be accurate and Dino wouldn't don't it if the shoe was on the other foot.  Moments later he did admit that Rossi may request a limited recount of republic counties in order to offset any Gregoire gains.  

  by Lahdee on Tue Nov 30, 2004 at 02:06:11 PM PDT