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Gracious Republicans

Rossi calls for another election By CHRIS McGANN

“A revote would be the best solution for the people of our state,” [Republican Dino] Rossi said at a news conference in Bellevue. “The people of Washington deserve to know if their governor was elected fair and square.” …

Rossi’s spokeswoman, Mary Lane: “I don’t think the voters in this state have an appetite for an illegitimate governor.”

Neither the state constitution nor state statutes provide for a second gubernatorial election. …

“There is a process in place and you can’t just willy-nilly set up new elections,” [Seattle University political science professor Erik] Olsen said.

Asked what advantages or pitfalls might await Rossi should he refuse to concede, Olsen said, “There is something to be said in a democratic political culture for being gracious when you lose — but I would not second-guess him if he has some legitimate legal challenges.”

However, Olsen said there is a danger that Rossi could be seen as a sore loser.

“There is a real risk for Dino Rossi if he contests this election too much — that he’s excessively partisan, excessively ambitious and that he doesn’t respect the process,” Olsen said.

So much for graciously accepting defeat, as Al Gore and John Kerry did. Republicans never stop fighting — and they think that’s a positive attribute. mjh

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