The Beat Goes On

As the governor’s race grinds into its sixtieth straight month, things are now in the hands of the courts, lawyers, party donors, and--of course--statistical work done by political science professors. The state Republicans are citing a recent report by two college professors which shows that Dino Rossi would have won the election by 100 votes if all those pesky ineligible voters were thrown out.

The proportional data, complied by Anthony Gill of the University of Washington and Jonathan Katz of the California Institute of Technology, will give KVI hosts something new to scream about, but won't be used when the election goes to trial next month. Judge John Bridges has said that the Republicans will have to prove that Governor Gregoire owes her victory to illegal votes.

The post-election activity is also becoming quite costly for both of the parties, who have already combined to spend 4 million dollars since Election Day, a figure that will rise as the trial approaches.

State Republican chair Chris Vance told the Times, “This lawsuit is unbelievably expensive, and both parties are working frantically to raise a lot of money to pay for it," adding, "It's the legal equivalent of the battle of Gettysburg,” said Vance, using the metaphorical equivalent of the Battle of Midway.

To help raise money the state Democrats are bringing Senator John Kerry to town this weekend and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will speak at a fundraiser this summer.

The money, data, and rhetoric will continue to pour in from both sides over the next few months, with the knowledge that at some point on some day the people of Washington will finally be able to put this debacle behind them, pending appeal.