PI: GOP loses request to speed up court case seeking revote for governor

[Buck Turgidson]

By NEIL MODIE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

WENATCHEE -- A judge refused yesterday to speed up the gathering of evidence in the Republicans' legal challenge to the governor's election, ensuring that Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire won't face a revote quickly, if ever.

Chelan County Superior Court Judge John Bridges denied the request for "expedited discovery" of a huge volume of election records, other data and testimony from state and local election officials, remarking "it would be irresponsible to throw everyone into what I perceive to be expedited chaos."

But the judge also turned down a state Democratic Party request to halt discovery altogether until he rules on the Democrats' argument that he lacks jurisdiction in the case.

Republicans indicated they wouldn't appeal the ruling. The denial of expedited discovery will slow their attempt to prove that mistakes made in counting Nov. 2 election ballots incurably tainted Gregoire's victory over Republican Dino Rossi.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/208813_governor21.html

[UL_Approved]

1. Spank

One small victory for the Dems in Washington.

The GOP really soured recounts after the Florida debacle. That will have backlash and caution from judges for years.

The fight certainly isn't over, but it isn't lost either.

[Moderator]

2. duplicate topic, please discuss here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1168336