RECOUNT - Van Wanggaard

Sen. Van Wanggaard has asked for a recount.

Without question, he made the right decision.

From the Journal Times:

State Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, is requesting a recount following the results of the June 5 recall election. In last week’s election, Wanggaard’s challenger, former state Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, defeated Wanggaard by 834 votes. According to Tuesday’s canvass of results, Lehman had 36,351 votes to Wanggaard’s 35,517 votes. Following the canvass, where all county votes are tallied by the country clerk, Lehman’s lead increased by 55 votes from unofficial election night totals.

However, repeatedly Republicans have made allegations of irregularities at the polls and the Racine County Sheriff’s Office is investigating claims of voter fraud that allegedly took place in the city during the recall.

Here's Sen. Wanggaard's statement:

From the moment the elections results were announced on June 5th, I have had dozens of people beating down my door demanding that I ask for a recount immediately. While doing so may have pleased many of my supporters, especially those in my party, I have never done something just because it was demanded of me.

Over the past week, I have thought long and hard about what is in the best interests of the 21st Senate District. I have spoken with voters, supporters and elected officials seeking their input. Unanimously, they have supported a recount.

One of those voters reminded me of my late friend, Judge Dennis Barry. That voter reminded me how Judge Barry was once down on election night by 700‐some votes, and asked for a recount. In the end, Judge Barry won by more than 90 votes. I had forgotten that story about my friend. For variety of reasons, not all related to the election results, the story warmed my heart.

I also heard, unsolicited, from many, many others ‐ people I have never met. Like many, they are passionate about the recent elections. Overwhelmingly, and for a variety of reasons, they believe their votes were disenfranchised on election night. And they are asking for a recount.

I do not seek a recount as a delaying tactic. Like many of you, I too want to move on from the bitternessthat has divided this state as a result of the recall elections. This is not about maintaining power or denying Democrats power. There are no “secret plans” for a special legislative session during this recount, and no votes scheduled.

But I also recognize that in the absence of a voter ID law and so many people suspicious of the election result, bitterness and division will only grow if the results are not recounted.

The recount I am requesting on behalf of more than 35,000 supporters has a simple philosophy behind it ‐ “Trust but Verify.” Everyone, even those who voted for my opponent, should want to end the schisms caused by the recalls. I hope that a trusted and verified result of the election will finally allow us to move forward.

Wanggaard expresses it perfectly.

Given all the reports of highly questionable activities surrounding the vote in this race, a recount is warranted. No doubt about it.

Wanggaard isn't pulling an "Al Franken." This is about election integrity. He would be failing the citizens of Wisconsin if he didn't ask for a recount.

Let's see what it exposes. Let's find out.

This is funny. The Democrats are whining about the recount and "wasting taxpayer money."

Here's the statement from the Democrat party of Wisconsin's crazed chairman, Mike Tate:

Following is the statement of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate following news that outgoing Sen. Van Wanggaard would challenge his recent defeat in the recall election for the 21st District seat in Racine.

"It is shameful in this era of deficit crisis that Van Wanggaard is willing to waste taxpayer money in a desperate effort to cling to political power. It is also shameful that Wanggaard has resorted to raising the specter of fraud, when the fact is that the voters of his district rejected him in a hard-fought, but fair, contest. The people have spoken. Van Wanggaard should spare them higher taxes and listen."

OH, MY GOD!

The Democrats have absolutely ZERO authority to moan about wasting the taxpayers' money after they put the people of Wisconsin through a year and a half of recall BS.

Tate says (or screams), "The people have spoken."

WHAT A JOKE!

We spoke in November 2010.

That meant NOTHING to the Democrats.

Tate would be wise to shut up. Every time he opens his mouth he makes matters worse for Wisconsin Democrats.