rain … rain … drip drip … seeya

My apologies, but I need to leave now. My son is a soccer player for the Macalester College Scots, and they are in the NCAA tournament at Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Mac, by the way, played host to the Franken recount training sessions in 2008, to a visit by Michelle Obama during the 2008 campaign and by VP Biden last month. Active campus.

It is also the alma mater of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson, who said of the Franken recount: “This is not Florida!” title of my book.

Not sure how the men’s soccer team voted, however!!!

I look forward to another spirited session of friendly disagreement with Phoenix Woman, if and when this recount heats up in a few weeks . . .

Hope I have permission to log out . . .?

Good question.
I’m guessing that once it sinks in that 8,700 votes is as wide as North Dakota and that it is statistically insurmountable, there will be recogntion that Rep. Emmer’s chances are slim.

By the way, to GAIN 8,700 votes, there would need to be about 18,000-20,000 ballots in play; that is, found or discovered or a math issue of huge proportions.

Just because he’s behind by 8,700 doesn’t mean election judges statewide need to find ONLY 8,700 ballots. Dayton will be getting votes in there, too.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, each county has been re-examining its tallies the past week. There has been very little movement in this examination. Emmer has picked up a few hundred votes. That’s all.

OK, OK … uncle.
But, again, what if Dayton were behind by 8,700.
What would your position be then?
Honestly . . . .

One thing to add: I’ve been interviewed a lot recently because of “This Is Not Florida” book, and often by skeptical hosts of shows on Limbaugh/Beck/Hannity stations.

I’m often asked: “What’s wrong with Minnesota? Why can’t you guys get it right on voting?”

My response is: I don’t understand. Our system works well. When elections are close, we SHOULD take our time to figure out who won.

Now, again, 8,700 is, without doubt, the widest margin of any recount in recent history in the US.
I think time will make everyone realize this. I hope.

yes, 8755 today (I think) and we do have AUTOMATIC recounts here.
and, yes, the GOP is preparing for a potential election contest — law suit — if the recount doesn’t go its way.

I think this will turn on the politics.
Will the state populous stand for an extended election contest with that sort of certified margin?
I think not, but, remember the state is divided in this race – 43, 43, 12, etc.

yes, she is well connected to certain sources.
We’re glad to have her at MinnPost, broadening our horizons and outreach …
But there are lots of blurred journalism lines these days.

Excuuuse me. I was up VERY EARLY preparing for the spirited comments of Phoenix Woman!!!!!

Indeed, many counties dragged their feet back in 2008, too, before must gave in.
The GOP is simply following the DFL template from 2008.
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

Our voting systems in Minnesota involve paper ballots.
You fill in ovals next to your candidate’s name.
They are then scanned into a machine.
The accuracy of these machines is more than 99 percent.

We then have a complete hand recount of all paper ballots.
Unlike other states where RETABULATION is done, we here actually examine each ballot for voter intent.

I believe you’re wrong.
The DFL filed extensive Data Practices requests in search of absentee voters.
Ramsey County refused.
The DFL had to go to court.

What do you propose they do?

I’m not defending frivolous delays or onerous demands, but I do ask you to put the shoe on the other foot, so to speak.

The last time the Dems were a bit wimpy on the recount front that was called Bush v Gore.
They have regretted that ever since.

I think it’s unrealistic for any party or candidate to be within shouting distance and simply laying low.

BUT this 8,700 margin is — historically — insurmountable.

That’s what’s true.

By the way, off topic, but I’m in Rochester today, how much snow in Twin Cities?

Phoenix Woman,
I agree that burdensome requests are a no-no.
On the other hand, if the governorship is at stake, and the election is (relatively) close and what’s at stake is total control of the state government — with GOP now holding House and Senate — a good college try should be expected.

Don’t you think the DFL would do the same thing if they were in this position?

Maybe I’ll get it started.
You know I don’t begrudge Rep Emmer or his lawyers their right to purse all they can right now.
The question will be what will Rep Emmer and the MN GOP do once the recount is over on Dec. 14?
If the gap remains @ 8,700, an election contest will be very difficult to justify.
And, I believe, the political pressures will be intense to accept the numbers in the recount.
By the way, Rep Emmer has reiterated an increasing desire to NOT delay.
MinnPost’s Cyndy Brucato, who is nicely wired to GOP sources, has a fine post this morning about that.

http://www.minnpost.com/cyndybrucato/2010/11/12/23361/tom_emmer_states_bluntly_that_he_will_not_be_involved_in_any_stalling_tactics_on_recount

Good morning, Jay is here in Minnesota, too.
I don’t EXACTLY share all of Madam Phoenix Woman’s analysis, so that should make for a lively conversation here.

you’re welcome/ j

thanks for having me.

go to http://www.thisisnotflorida.com, too
email me at jay.weiner@comcast.net if you want to reach me.

book available on Amazon and all bookstores in Midwest, anyway.

THANKS FDL, Bev and PW. thanks so much/ Jay

For those who are becoming real election law geeks, let me suggest this blog out of Loyola (Calif.) … all sorts of election stuff

http://electionlawblog.org/

u betcha