From the Oleszek campaign...it ain't over 'til it's over?
FAIRFAX - Janet Oleszek, candidate for State Senate in the 37th District of Virginia, released the following statement on the status of election returns and current the 91-vote gap:"I want to thank all of my supporters who came out to the polls yesterday. My opponent and I have had a vigorous debate about the issues - and that is reflected in the extremely close results.
"The Fairfax County Electoral Board is still reviewing the numbers from the tens of thousands of votes cast. We've already seen one significant transcription error that miscounted hundreds of votes in another Fairfax County race. We're also waiting on some provisional ballots, which trend strongly Democratic.
"More than 36,000 voters cast their ballots yesterday across our district, and the margin of difference now is 91. We're going through the state-mandated process to make sure every vote is counted.
"This race is still too close to call, but I am increasingly optimistic. With this election as close as it is, we believe there's a strong chance that we will prevail."
I hope Janet's right, but from what I've seen of recounts, they rarely seem to change the outcome. Let's hope this one's the exception.
Schultz Statement on Election ReturnsWINCHESTER - Karen Schultz, State Senate candidate in the 27th District, released the following statement on Wednesday:
"I have just called my opponent and commended her on her victory in the yesterday's election in the 27th Senate district. This was an extremely close election and it appears to have been deiced by fewer than 800 votes."
"It appears as though that there are no irregularities in the voting process,
And even though Loudoun has not completed its canvass in our precincts there would have to be an extraordinary change of events to alter the outcome of this race."
"I want to thank everyone who came out and got involved in this election. My opponents and I had a vigorous discussion of issues that are vital to the future of Virginia."
"I'm extremely proud of this campaign and of the thousands of supporters who backed my vision for Virginia. For me, this campaign has been about serving my community. In the upcoming months and years, I look forward to serving my community with the same vigor that we had on the campaign trail."
"I encourage everyone to consider public service, running for office, and working on a campaign. I particularly urge our young people to be involved in the process of discussion of community and public life. It is only with such participation that we can have our Commonwealth and nation is strong and healthy."
I was surprised at how much of the process is done by hand. After the computer tapes are taken from the voting machines on election night, their tallies are written on a spreadsheet and calculated by hand (and an adding machine). The ascertainment basically checks for errors. They're pretty thorough about the whole process.
I make an exception for Creigh. In such a case, it was at least a remote possibility. But if Creigh couldn't get 300 votes with 2600 precints, I don't see how Janet expects to get 100 with 40. It just isn't happening.
The ball is in her court...
A recount serves the body politic in the short term by eliminating reasonable doubts, and serves JO in the long term by showing her fighting to the last second.
Land Transaction-As far as the land deal goes, I don't understand why folks are puzzled that the press didn't publish.
No one actually running seems to be willing to say anything illegal was done. Mr. Evans in his live blog specifically said he did not think Mr. Frey had done anything illegal, and would not say that Cooch had done anything illegal. Oleszek never attacked on that point. I tend to think with the last second infusion of cash for television if they thought it was a safe point to attack on they would have.
Consider Chap! and JMDD-would the WaPo have picked up on the whole address mishegas had Chap not had a press conference outside JMDD HQ?
I am not a lawyer, but I would bet the whole land transaction is one that likely falls into the legal but unusual category. I would not be surprised to hear that Cuccinelli was contacted and able to explain to the satisfaction of reporters...that is only my speculation, not a statement of fact.
I can imagine an editor looking at this, asking where the information came from, and wondering why-if this issue is cut and dried-why isn't Oleszek saying anything about it? And if the opponent isn't bringing it up, is there really anything here? I don't know that it is right, but that is how it is.
Let's face it, even for "macaca" to have an impact it took a visual of Allen and a clean statement that everyone instinctively understood. That is not the case here...there are "appearances" and "possibilities", but no clear cut matter. It would require investigation on their part to come up with a story that would clear the legal department. MSM outlets are facing more competition through cable and the internet and have fewer resources than a few years ago. They are going to grab the low hanging fruit.