Murphy (NY-20) Picks Up 198 Votes As County Fixes Errors

[babylonsister]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/04/murphy-picks-up-198-votes-as-county-fixes-errors.php

Murphy Picks Up 198 Votes As County Fixes Errors
By Eric Kleefeld - April 3, 2009, 5:15PM


A few moments ago we posted that the state's totals in NY-20 showed Democrat Scott Murphy and Republican Jim Tedisco were exactly tied, at 77,225 votes each. But no longer -- in the latest numbers from one county, Scott Murphy has picked up a net 198 votes.

The Albany Project first reported that Murphy had picked up the votes in Washington County, and I have now confirmed it with Donna English, the Republican election commissioner in the county. (Counties in New York have both Dem and GOP election commissioners, working together.)

English also confirmed that these numbers are more recent than the state's current figures. The process is still ongoing, with Washington County only about two-thirds of the way done double-checking the numbers from all their precincts, and other counties also still hard at work. We also have not yet seen any absentee ballots counted.

Remember that this is a normal procedure, caused by human errors in entering the numbers at precincts during the rush of Election Night. The errors are usually pretty small and inconsequential -- but this one could potentially seal the deal for Murphy. On the other hand, there could very well be a similar error out that is hiding a big chunk of votes for Tedisco. So let's wait and see.

[Adelante]

1. Good news

:thumbsup:

[damntexdem]

2. Then come the absentees.

This is probably not nearly enough to offset what might be in the absentees.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. Recommended!! That's my old district - I'm THRILLED to hear this!

I was bumming when Paterson named Gillibrand our Senator - one, because she's a Blue Dog and, two, it put the NY-20 seat in danger of going Repug. Hopefully, the absentees will solidify Murphy's lead!:hi:

[babylonsister]

6. We shall see; I'm cautiously optimistic, but

Tedisco is really optimistic- (:fistbump:)

Congressional Contestant Tedisco Quits New York Assembly Post
By Emily Cadei, CQ Staff

Jim Tedisco — the Republican nominee in last Tuesday’s still-undecided U.S. House special election in upstate New York — announced Friday that he is resigning as minority leader in the New York Assembly.

Tedisco, who is not giving up his seat in the Assembly, attributed his decision to a desire to focus on his transition to representing New York’s 20th District in Congress — even though he currently trails Democrat Scott Murphy by a 59-vote margin in the election night canvass.

The race will come down to as many as 10,000 absentee ballots that have yet to be counted. A winner likely won’t be known for more than a week; the deadline for overseas and military ballots to be received is not until April 13.

“As the State Board of Elections prepares to count the thousands of absentee and military votes cast in the special election for the 20th District, I am fully confident that the final tally will be in our campaign’s favor,” Tedisco said. “That process will take a few weeks and I want our Conference’s important agenda to keep moving forward,” he added.

more...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000003093202

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Tedisco cried on election night, while Governor Paterson congratulated Scott...

Those of us campaign workers, here in Scott's hometown, heard horror stories about the surliness of Tedisco canvassers, and his constant attack ads, which didn't just stretch the truth, but were outright lies, also did a lot to turn off voters. x(

I live in Scott's hometown, and we're solidly behind him. I ran into little unpleasantness phoning and canvassing for the campaign, even from the southernmost counties. :-)

It's common to have footage of both of the candidates casting their votes on election day. We saw Scott, with his little girl, entering the booth at his polling place. But there was no footage of Jim Tedisco, since he doesn't live in the district, so couldn't even vote for himself. :eyes:

[mwb970]

13. Always the same question.

Did the rotten candidate (i.e. the republican) fool enough people to squeak through? I heard that idiot Hannity talking to Tedisco on the radio tonight about how the Democrats would steal the election "right out from under him" if he didn't post an armed guard. :eyes:

[Rhiannon12866]

19. I'm sure that Tedisco would consider a Democratic win to be a "steal."

This is a Republican area and he no doubt thought that the seat was his for the taking. But he's forgetting a few things.:eyes:

The most important one is that Kirsten Gillibrand, whose House seat became vacant when Governor Paterson appointed her to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, has endorsed Scott, campaigned with him, and he agrees with her on the issues. After years as a Republican seat, Kirsten won here in 2006 and won here again in November by a very wide margin. They love her up here.:loveya:

So obviously she must also have a lot of Republican support, not just that from the Democratic minority. I called and met as many "Gillibrand Republicans," as I did Democrats. I'm sure that Tedisco was shocked, given the make-up of the district. But then, he doesn't even live here, so how could he expect to know? :evilgrin:

And he probably assumes that any other candidate is as dishonest as he is... :-(

[Rhiannon12866]

8. Those of us here in the 20th have good reason to hope...

Especially those of us who worked day and night to get the vote out... The great majority of voters whom I spoke to were solidly behind Scott, regardless of party affiliation. :-)

Tedisco may be counting on the absentees, but Scott has counted on those of us who want and need change here, as well as the "Gillibrand Republicans," who helped give her a huge win in November. :D

Her endorsement went a long way in promoting Scott Murphy, while Tedisco had robocalls by "Rotten Rudy" Giuliani and Pat Boone. :rofl:

Our calls were from Kirsten Gillibrand, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton. :woohoo:


Analyzing The Absentee Ballots In The New York 20 Special House Election

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/03/usnews/whispers/main4917607.shtml

[Cha]

10. Thanks again for all your hard work,

Rhiannon and let's hope for a miralcle!

[Rhiannon12866]

17. The thing is, judging by the people I spoke with, we won't need a miracle.

Granted, I canvassed here in Warren County, Scott Murphy's backyard. But I also phoned lists of voters from Otsego, Dutchess and Greene Counties, not Scott Murphy territory, and the majority were supportive. I'm not saying it's a guaranteed win *sigh*, but I felt optimistic after all the people I spoke to, except for the few who were angry or drunk, LOL, or the one issue voters, who were few and far between. Scott visited all of them, was always on the move, and got a lot of support. :-)

I stopped back at HQ on Wednesday and the mood was cautiously optimistic, despite the close numbers. We finished ahead, at least on election night, which was a miracle in itself. We all believe that Scott has pulled it off, despite being a new face and being from the Northern part of the district, which is, of course, why the local folks love him. We're usually the bastard stepchildren... *sigh* But this time around, the candidate is one of us... :D

He's personable, smart, soft spoken and accessible, agrees with Kirsten Gillibrand on the issues, and the electorate loves her. Also, if you see Scott and Tedisco standing together, Scott is head and shoulders taller, LOL. Besides being a yeller, Tedisco also filed a challenge before the polls were even closed, which has to have incensed many voters. Between the attack ads, phone calls, mailings and folks knocking on their doors, this election can't be over soon enough for all the beleaguered voters... x(

Thank you for the kind words. It was my privilege to work for a candidate whom I believe in. In his election night speech, Scott thanked everybody, but the clip that they kept playing over and over, was his gratitude to the amazing number of tireless volunteers, whom he also thanked in person whenever he stopped by campaign HQ, which was often, since he lives just down the street... ;)

Rhiannon :hi:

[Cha]

18. It's good to hear your optimism, Rhiannon..

personally, I consider Prez Obama's win a miracle with all he and all of us went through to get where he is today after 8 years of the "media" covering for bush and marching us into Iraq after the bombs fell.

Here's to you and your District getting Scott Murphy for Congressman after all the votes have been counted.:fistbump:

[Rhiannon12866]

22. I agree, my friend.

I guess it still hasn't sunken in yet, the fact that we are no longer saddled with Bush* and Cheney. When I hear that the president is going to be speaking, I still get that sick feeling until I remember, and still feel a little frisson of shock and amazement that the best candidate actually won! :wow:


And thanks so much! Seeing it up close, I really do believe that Scott's going to win. Granted, I'm prejudiced, LOL, but the experienced campaigners have assured me that it's going to happen... *knock on wood* :scared: :fistbump:


Who would you choose? ;)

[Cha]

23. E gods! The choice

between a snake oil salesman and a standup guy..hmmm:think:

[opihimoimoi]

4. Steele must be going crazy.....his man is being tested by an unknown Dem....

[jazzjunkysue]

5. Ruby red rural NY is goin' BLUE!!!!

:hug:

[MiniMe]

7. They still have to count the write-in votes, but if it happens, it happens

And I blame the governor. But I don't want another Franken. I think they said there were 10,000 write-in votes.

[SoCalDem]

11. This whole "write-in" stuff is getting ridiculous..

Overseas military and invalids should be the only ones who should be ble to use write in..

There is too much room for chicanery , when you have the outcome known and THEN get to count more votes and exclude others..

[TahitiNut]

14. You must mean "absentees," not "write-ins" ... since write-ins would usually not be for either ...

... major candidate. :shrug:

[MiniMe]

20. You are correct

Must have had a senior moment there :blush:

[Rhiannon12866]

21. More than half of them were already in by election day.

Domestic absentees had to be postmarked by the 30th. A lot of local senior citizens vote this way and were getting damn sick of the television ads, mailings and canvassers since they'd sent them in a couple of weeks before the election. The ones we're waiting for come from overseas, have to be in by the 13th... :-(

[SoCalDem]

9. Sounds like they should use the time before they open the absentees, to

do a RECOUNT,...and do it NOW, before votes start to "vanish"..

You know they are going to need one, in this close of an election..

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

15. Did You See The Update About Tedisco Getting 228 Votes?

Sucks if true.

Go Murphy!

[loyalkydem]

16. This

is going to shut those Republicans up, especially that ass Michael Steele