Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
Q Scott, I know we talked about this earlier, but can you give us your reaction to the move by Democrats to challenge the result in Ohio?
MR. McCLELLAN: Sure, and we did discuss it earlier. I think the American people spoke very clearly on election day. And the election is behind us. The American people now expect their leaders in Washington to focus on the big priorities facing this country, and to act on those priorities. It is time to move forward, and not engage in conspiracy theories or partisan politics of this nature.
SNIP
Q And then the second question real quick, going back to Ohio, going back to Mark's question, you talked about conspiracy theories; people need to let go of conspiracy theories. Well, does the administration understand that the voting system still in America has problems, and that is some of the reason why there are people who consider conspiracy theories? What do you say to the fact that people are considering issues that the elections process is flawed? You have machines that are flawed, that you don't have a paper trail. What do you say about that?
MR. McCLELLAN: How many times were the votes counted in Ohio?
Q Excuse me?
MR. McCLELLAN: How many times were the votes counted in Ohio?
Q But that leads to the fact that --
MR. McCLELLAN: How many times were the votes counted in Ohio?
Q That leads to the fact there was a problem. What do you say about that?
MR. McCLELLAN: That the decision in the election was very clear. It was a decisive win, and the American people want us to get about doing their business. That's what I say.
Go ahead.
Q But when can we get the elections process right for --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm going to move on. Go ahead.
Q -- for us not to have to keep recounting like Ohio?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050106-6.html