The answer to the title of this post is simply: tough to say, but possible. The shocker of a possibility coming this morning from Syracuse.com. Details from the article:
Hoffman’s concession -- based on snafus in Oswego County and elsewhere that left his vote undercounted -- set off a chain of events that echoed all the way to Washington, D.C., and helped secure passage of a historic health care reform bill......His support sealed his party’s narrow victory on the health care legislation.
Now a recanvassing in the 11-county district shows that Owens’ lead has narrowed to 3,026 votes over Hoffman, 66,698 to 63,672, according to the latest unofficial results from the state Board of Elections....The new vote totals mean the race will be decided by absentee ballots, of which about 10,200 were distributed, said John Conklin, communications director for the state Board of Elections.
Reader Landshark 5150 actually tipped me on this story, I missed it this morning. Knowing that he was intimately involved in the NY-23 run, I ran over to The Other McCain to see what Stacy offered up. His take on today's news? You'll have to read it. Hint: it's interesting and 2010.
A big question for me and one that RSM didn't hit on is this. If Hoffman were actually sworn in as the winner of NY-23 would Owen's vote for Pelosicare be null and void? Do we have any legal precedent on a situation similar to this? In the Syracuse article above, the author points to the fact that Owen's vote was a key market for HR 3962 passage. Think about that.
UPDATE: From the fallout oft the Cao HR 3962 vote, some unsavory comments were made on the net. Some were nasty, some were mean, some were racial. I condone none but know, neither side is saintly. The funny thing being the left's claim of constant moral high ground, fingers in each ear chanting, *****nah-nah-nah-nah***** These pictures prove otherwise.
Via Memeorandum
I would thing that if it has been certified there is nothing that can be done.
ReplyDelete@ Consgirl - Is there precedent though? Does a vote merely need to be certified and then all is settled? It is an interesting question.
ReplyDeleteIt is up to the house of Representatives--they decide who is seated and who is not.
ReplyDeleteI am not a lawyere of any kind, but I'm not sure they are bound by the election, per se.
But for peace of mind that if Hoffman had been seated and voted against Obama Scare, another Dem would have had to fall on his or her sword and vote for it.
I hope that he wins and they allow the will of the people. Even if he does win and they do not allow him in, it sends a strong message to the Republican party.
ReplyDelete