Recount Finished in Virginia - UPDATED

The recount is over, and the Circuit Court of Richmond has announced that Bob McDonnell has retained the certification by the State Board of Elections. Creigh Deeds has conceded.

This is disappointing, but as I have said many times recently, the fact that a Democrat stood for what he believed in a recount is a very important fact. Other candidates will hopefully feel emboldened to do the same thing if they are in a close race or voter problems surface, or for any reason that is worthwhile.

If we are ever going to straighten out the voting problems in this country, we need to do more recounts, raise more questions, until get the answers we need.

•  I worked in

  this recount, and although we have DRE machines in our county, it was an eye-opening experience. There were some semi-serious poll worker issues to address.

  Tips?

  Mark
  Cumberland Virginia

  by Dems2004 on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:08:06 PM PDT

  •  I apologize

    The court hasn't announced; Sen. Deeds has conceded when it was clear he couldn't overcome the margin. Sorry for the error.

    Mark

    by Dems2004 on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:09:45 PM PDT

•  AP reporting

  Deeds called McDonnell and congratulated him on the victory after preliminary recount results showed he could not overcome the margin. Deeds spokesman Mark Bergman said final numbers still were being tallied.

  Totals from voting machines were rechecked in most of Virginia's 134 localities Tuesday. Results from each of the state's more than 2,500 precincts were sealed in envelopes, along with any challenged ballots, and delivered by state police to Richmond for a final tally and review by a three-judge panel.

  By way of wvec.com

  Mark

  by Dems2004 on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:14:47 PM PDT

•  It wasn't a recount. The judges

  precluded almost all of the ballots from being handled, examined, and rerun through the machines – except in 11 precincts that are part of 2 Republican-leaning jurisdictions, Gloucester County and the city of Lynchburg.

  by joan reports on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:16:49 PM PDT

  •  legally, it was a recount

    such as it was; like it or not.

    Mark

    by Dems2004 on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:22:50 PM PDT

    •  aoeu

      They can legislate pi to be 3, doesn't mean it is.

      by TealVeal on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 07:30:55 PM PDT

  •  Recounts

    In which case how can they remotely call this a recount. Surely a recount involves a full count of all ballots?

    Like Florida in 2000 this makes my head want to explode. How in a democracy can a candidate in a close election be denied the right to have every vote counted to ensure that the outcome reflects the will of the people?

    by uklibdems on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 08:18:09 PM PDT

•  Agree with you

  We should proud of Craig Deeds for putting up an honorable fight.

  thanks to you and to everyone that kept us posted on this race.

  by NeuvoLiberal on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:20:45 PM PDT

•  Creigh Deeds for Senate

  That this guy came from so far behind in the polls to almost win should say something.  He'd also probably make a better Senator than James Webb.

  by Skaje on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:25:46 PM PDT

  •  I think so;

    he has a ton of name recognition from the race/recount. He also would be a great candidate due to his record, the fact that he is moderate (an important distinction for Virginia), and he has friends in high places as a result of the race.

    Mark

    by Dems2004 on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:30:42 PM PDT

    •  There is Honor is a Race Well-Run

      But there is no honor in a shameful race to concede before all the votes are counted.

      My thanks to Mr. Deeds.

      LL
      

      by LeftyLimblog on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 08:04:48 PM PDT

•  Hm he would be a strong Senate Candidate

  and since Webb hasn't said anything.... i just wonder how people will respond to Deeds 06. Heh.

  by dieharddemocrat on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:46:00 PM PDT

•  For the Deeds loss i blame the write ins

  those 1,800 votes could have closed the gap and most of those people where probibly Kaine voters.

  by dieharddemocrat on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 05:49:21 PM PDT

  •  Maybe

    Or they could just be clowns who write in people like Jesus or Santa Claus or Mickey Mouse every election.

    by metal prophet on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 06:11:43 PM PDT

•  I think he would be a good candidate, but can he

  switch that quickly to a Senate race though?? He would have to change from running a state race to a federal race, and I dont know if you can do that in 2 years, much less a year.

  by jj32 on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 06:33:03 PM PDT

  •  I think he

    would certainly feel like he was in the never ending race, but seeing as how there is no candidate yet for Gasbag Allen's seat, I have no other candidate (yet).

    Mark

    by Dems2004 on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 06:39:10 PM PDT

•  Deeds for Senate, baby!

  Let him run on verified voting, and see if the netroots money doesn't roll in.

  by Kagro X on Wed Dec 21, 2005 at 06:40:34 PM PDT