A Minnesota recount could hurt Democratic chances

[FBaggins]

The GOP's Tim Pawlenty could remain governor even if the Democrat is eventually declared the winner

Here's how bad it is for Minnesota Democrats: They could wind up losing, even in a race they might have won.

A potential recount in Minnesota's race for governor might eventually crown Democrat Mark Dayton the winner but drag on so long that the Legislature convenes in January with retiring GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty staying in office.

Democrats fear that Republicans newly in charge of both chambers will combine with Pawlenty to push through massive spending cuts and pursue long-held goals on things like banning gay marriage, enacting photo ID for voters and expanded gambling.

It's a scenario that could also benefit Pawlenty, who had planned to spend January rolling out his memoir and deciding whether to run for president. Staying in office, especially with the backdrop of a nationally watched recount, would endear him to Republicans and give him a highly visible perch to polish his credentials as a fiscal watchdog.

[WI_DEM]

1. That's true, but they went thru it two years ago in the senate race

and it was a lot closer then, than it is now.

[FBaggins]

2. I don't think that the recount itself is the point.

It's the delay in seating the winner (assuming that we win of course), allowing the new state legislature to work with the old gov by giving him all that he desires.

Pawlenty had to deal with a state legislature that was essentially two-to-one democratic. The new one is solidly republican.

This scenario is worse for democrat nationally than even losing the recount would be. Pawlenty is a potentially dangerous presidential candidate. We don't want him to get this kind of spotlight.


Now... I'm not sure how likely it would be for a recount to stretch all the way into the new term. This isn't as close as the senate race was. I'm just taking the author's word that it's possible.

[Bitwit1234]

3. I was under the impression that it had to be under 10,000

for the automatic recount. Doesn't Dayton have over that. And how hard is it going to be for Emmer's goons to get a recount otherwise.

[FBaggins]

4. I think it's currently at 8,000 - but that doesn't matter.

The big difference there is that the recount would be automatic and at state expense.

If they saw a chance of stretching this into the new term, I'm sure that they would be willing to pay for a recount (tea party dollars would flood in from everywhere).

The question is whether it's POSSIBLE to stretch it out that far with this large a gap (Franken was just a few hundred votes off). If their game-playing became too obvious, it would end up costing them in the long run.

[madinmaryland]

5. How can a governor's term be extended and who will extend it.

Didn't Giulliani try and do that after 9/11??