'Canvass' is misspelled in the last paragraph.

As long as we're being picky about spelling, you might as well point out that "likelihood" and "occurred" are also misspelled in that same paragraph :).

Unless there are signs of fraud or ballot tampering, Allen won't go all out for a recount. 7,000 may not seem like much, but it's too much of a mountain to climb. They did a full recount in Virginia in 2005 for either the LT. Gov or Attorney General, can't remember, but it changed around 30 votes. Allen's only hope is that someone added something wrong. He needs accountants not lawyers.

Macaca Senator is his own undoing

Great web site, thank you!

I have nothing against candidates instigating recounts if they have legitimate concerns about numbers, fraud, polling error, etc. If the difference was very narrow--Florida 2000 narrow--I'd think Allen would have a case (and like I said, he has every right to request a recount). BUT 7,000 votes, with more than 99% of the votes tallied, is too many to overcome. Allen would have to get virtually 100% of all as-of-yet-uncounted votes, which is statistically improbable if not impossible. Former Gov. Warner's advice should be heeded: save people time, and save the state money, and concede. It's lost.

P.S.--As to spelling errors, I think they type these things at like warp speed to get them up in a reasonable time, and make lots of typos! I've seen errors in almost every news clip I've read today. My reasoning is, they've been awake for 28 hours and need coffee. ;-)

2005 Virginia Attorney General race was recounted, which changed about 30 votes, bringing the margin of victory to 323 votes out of 1.94 million cast or .01%. Presently the Board of Elections pegs Webb leading Allen by 7000 votes out of 2.37 million or .31%. Assuming it is statistically accurate, the data from last year indicates Virginia's elections are very thorough. Although provisional ballots and a couple of precincts' votes have yet to be counted, Allen is losing his chances of winning by the minute. Barring major mathematical errors, transposition errors, widespread fraud, or voter intimidation (which actually appears directed at democrats), Webb will hold his lead over Allen and win the Senate seat.
Webb points out that no modern Senate victory has been overturned, some with margins in the hundreds, rather than thousands of votes.
Allen would be fully within his rights to demand a recount. However, does George Allen wish to cost the Commonwealth high amounts of money for action which is very unlikely to change anything? That is the question with which he must wrestle and is likely wrestling currently.

the people of virginia have spoken
let the democrats have their turn
now and see if we can get things
back in order. war in Iraq,econamy,
and most of all get our military
back home.///

Jean Jensen should be relieved of duty. Gov Kaine should've dismissed her as soon as he came into office. She toured the country as a pro-no-paper-trail advocate with Maryland's Linda Lamone, head of MD elections, who told a Virginia Committee on Elections that it would be over her "dead body" before Maryland EVER got paper trails. They BOTH SHOULD GO!

Horray Virginia! Let's all hope, pray, support These NEW elected leaders with the idea that we'll no longer be viewed as the 'bully' in world diplomatic circles and return to EU Environmental treaties, focus on less tax money for weapons that don't work, and bring back individual 'liberty' to our beautiful America! Virginia should be proud, NOT to be another Jeb-Bush Florida. Horray for Democracy by and of the People! May we no longer be the "United States of Texas-Trillionaires" anymore! Let the vote Stand!

There is another disadvantage to Senator Allen requesting a recount. Clearly the country, the media and even Democrat leaders in government, to the extent that they can, will all continue to move forward assuming a Webb victory is likely during the not so interesting weeks of a recount -- this VA recount wouldn't be anywhere near the theater that the 2000 FL recount was. And then Senator Allen's opportunity for a dignified and newsworthy concession diminishes. This may be his main motivation to concede tomorrow.