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Thursday, November 16, 2006
Hoyer says he's ready to work with Pelosi
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's, D-California, decision to support his rival in the majority leader's race, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, pledged Thursday to work closely with the incoming speaker.

"Well, that was yesterday. And I don't mean that facetiously," Hoyer told Wolf Blitzer on 'The Situation Room' when asked if any degree of awkwardness existed between him and Pelosi. "I mean, Nancy and I are committed to the same objectives. And, if we're going to be successful in accomplishing those objectives, we need -- we not only need to work together -- very frankly, we want to work together."

Hoyer beat out Rep. Jack Murtha, D- Pennsylvania, for the House majority leader post in the 110th Congress. Pelosi set off a firestorm when she threw her support behind Murtha in that race.

-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
4 years later, another GOP guilty plea in N.H. GOP phone jam scheme
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The slowly grinding wheels of Justice caught up with Republican operative Shaun Hansen on Thursday -- four years after he participated in a political dirty trick in a New Hampshire election.

The Justice Department announced Thursday Hansen, 34, pleaded guilty in federal court to playing a role in a GOP scheme to jam Democratic phone lines in New Hampshire on Election Day in November 2002. He was indicted in the case last March.

Hansen admitted that his Idaho-based telemarketing firm, Mylo Enterprises, had received $2,500 for employees to place repeated hang-up calls to the New Hampshire Democratic Party. At Hansen's direction the employees placed nearly 1,000 calls to jam the opposition's phone lines.

Sentencing is to be Feb. 20, and Hansen technically could receive as many as seven years in prison, though he is likely be sentenced to less than one year. He wil be fined up to $500,000.

Hansen is the fourth person charged in the federal investigation. The top operative caught in the probe was James Tobin, former New England regional chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

-- From Justice Producer Terry Frieden
Cubin and Barrow certified winners
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyoming, and Rep. John Barrow, D-Georgia, were certified winners Thursday after recounts in their respective states showed that each incumbent successfully beat back competitive challenges. Each of the lawmakers' challengers conceded.

As of Thursday, Democrats have gained 29 seats in the House with a half dozen races still unresolved.

The current political breakdown of the House:

Democrats: 232
Republicans: 197
Undecided: 6
-- CNN Polling Director Keating Holland
Ford not ruling out making another bid for senate
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D-Tennessee, told CNN he isn't done with public service, though he declined to indicate which office he might seek in the future.

The man who lost a bitterly fought race to former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker for retiring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's seat, said he hasn't ruled out running against Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee -- who faces reelection in 2008.

"No, not at all," Ford told Wolf Blitzer on 'The Situation Room' when asked if he had ruled out running against Alexander. "I love the idea of service, and I've done it for ten years."

-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Alito headlines Federalist Society convention
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and a half dozen other federal judges nominated by President Bush are taking part in the Federalist Society's annual convention that began Thursday, a measure of the conservative organization's influence in the nation's legal system.

Solicitor General Paul Clement, the Bush administration's lawyer at the Supreme Court, kicked off the meeting Thursday morning with the prediction that with two new Bush-appointed conservative justices, the high court will have ample opportunity in coming years to spell out its views on limited government, a Federalist Society hallmark.

Alito, the headline speaker at the group's banquet Thursday evening, has been a member for more than 15 years. Chief Justice John Roberts has spoken to Federalist Society gatherings, but is not a member.
Democrats ramping up push for minimum wage increase
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats are readying a maximum effort to raise the minimum wage.

Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts said Thursday that increasing the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 would be his top priority as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

On the House side, incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., already has listed an increase in the minimum wage as one of the issues that would be taken up during the first 100 hours of the
next Congress.

"Americans are working harder than ever, but millions of hardworking men and women across the country aren't getting their fair share," Kennedy said during a speech outlining his legislative agenda for next year. "We're not rewarding work fairly anymore, and working families are falling behind."
Ahead on CNN
4 p.m. ET, The Situation Room
-Democratic strategist Paul Begala and former GOP Rep. J.C. Watts will weigh in on the results of the Democratic leadership race and Sen. John McCain's, R-Arizona, decision to form a presidential exploratory committee.
-Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., D-Tennessee, will discuss his political future after his loss to Sen.-elect Bob Corker, R-Tennessee.
-Incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, will discuss the divisive House leadership race between him and Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Pennsylvania.

5 p.m. ET, The Situation Room
-Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-New York, will discuss his agenda for the next congressional term.
McCain: GOP must be an advocate for limited government
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- On the same day he filed papers for a presidential exploratory committee, Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said Thursday the GOP must embrace its founding principles of limited government to regain its majority.

"We are a nation that limits the reach of government because we understand that no government should have a right to impose itself between human beings and their lawful aspirations to make of their lives what they will," McCain said during a speech at the Federalist Society Conference in Washington.


-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Hoyer says he is as much a critic of Iraq as Murtha
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After defeating Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, Thursday in the race to become majority whip in the 11oth Congress, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, said there is little difference between him and Murtha on the Iraq war.

"We have signed on to three letters together -- Jack Murtha was a signatory of those letters, as well Harry Reid and Dick Durbin and the Senate leadership -- in which we said to the president of the United States, 'Your policy's not working, Mr. President,'"Hoyer said at a news conference where Democrats unveiled the party's new leadership team.

Hoyer's comments followed incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, explanation as to why she backed Murtha over Hoyer for the whip post.

"[The war] is a grotesque mistake that is costing lives, limbs, over a trillion dollars cost in dollars, reputation in the world, and cost to our military -- and I promised that I would do everything possible to end it," Pelosi said. "The caucus thought differently."


-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
House GOP elections to be held Friday
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Republicans will choose a new slate of leaders Friday, as the GOP prepares to relinquish the majority for the first time since 1994.

All eyes will be focused on the contest for House minority leader that features Rep. Ed Pence, R-Indiana, challenging Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, for the top GOP post as well as the race for minority whip. Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, will not seek a leadership position in the 110th Congress.

Elections begin at 8 a.m. when Republicans huddle behind closed doors in the Longworth building and will vote on their new leaders in this order: minority leader, minority whip, conference chair, policy chair, vice chair, conference secretary and chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Pelosi: 'Let the healing begin'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, called for peace among her Democratic colleagues Thursday after current House Minority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, defeated Pelosi ally Jack Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, for the No. 2. leadership post.

"Steny came out a big winner today," Pelosi said after the elections. "It was a stunning victory for him. We've had our debates; we've had our disagreements in that room. And now, that is over, as I said to my colleagues, as we say in church, let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with us. Let the healing begin."

The race for House majority leader became increasingly divisive after Pelosi publicly endorsed Murtha for the position. Though her endorsement frustrated many Democrats who thought she was creating unneeded divisiveness amongst the caucus, Pelosi maintained she was proud to support Murtha.

"I was proud to support him for majority leader, because I thought that would be the best way to bring an end to the war in Iraq," Pelosi said. "I know that he will continue to take the lead on that issue for our caucus, for this Congress, for our country. So I want to salute Mr. Murtha for his leadership."


-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

House Democratic leadership roster
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In addition to choosing Reps. Nancy Pelosi of California for speaker and Steny Hoyer of Maryland for majority leader, Democrat's also picked three other colleagues Thursday for leadership posts in the 110th Congress.

House Speaker Nominee: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California
House Majority Leader: Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland
House Majority Whip: Rep. James Clyburn, D-South Carolina
Democratic Caucus Chair: Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Illinois
Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair: Rep. John Larson, D-Connecticut
Canvass results show Webb beat Allen
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A statewide canvass of the Nov. 7 election results shows Democrat Jim Webb beat Republican U.S. Sen. George Allen by 9,329 votes, the State Board of Elections said Thursday.

The results will not be official until they are certified by the board Nov. 27, but the statewide canvass is complete.

Barbara Cockrell, the board's deputy secretary, said the official results may differ slightly from those posted Tuesday.

Webb received 1,175,606 votes to Allen's 1,166,277 -- a difference of 0.39 percent out of 2,370,445 votes cast, the canvass showed.

Independent Green candidate Glenda Gail Parker received 26,102 votes, and there were 2,460 write-ins.

Webb rang up huge margins in northern Virginia.
Hoyer beats out Murtha for majority leader
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, has been elected to the House majority leader position.

Hoyer beat out Rep. Jack Murtha for the No. 2 leadership post in a race that became increasingly divisive in its final days.

The vote was 149-86.

Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly threw her support behind Murtha earlier in the week and set off a firestorm among House Democrats as both candidates jockeyed for enough votes.

-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Barton drops out of House GOP leadership race
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Texas GOP Rep. Joe Barton, a long shot candidate in the House minority leadership race, announced Wednesday he was dropping out of the contest and throwing his support behind outgoing House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

"He not only has my vote, he has my confidence that he can unify the Republican Conference and bring us back to the majority by exercising the power of good ideas and great determination," Barton said of Boehner in a statement.

With Barton's exit, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, is alone in challenging Boehner for the No. 1 House GOP leadership post.


-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Kennedy, Schumer, Clinton to rally for minimum wage hike
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sens. Edward Kennedy, Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton will hold a 2 p.m. ET Capitol Hill news conference to discuss raising the minimum wage. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Schumer and Clinton of New York will be joined by activists from six states that passed minimum wage initiatives last week.

-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Pelosi faces no-win outcome in poisonous battle for her top
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats went behind closed doors Thursday to pick a top lieutenant to speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi, hoping to quiet a politically costly family feud that intensified just days after they reclaimed the House from Republicans.

Pelosi passed over Steny Hoyer of Maryland, now the assistant minority leader, and endorsed longtime ally John Murtha of Pennsylvania to become majority leader, the powerful No. 2 party post in the House.

Yet Murtha could prove to be a problematic candidate because of his penchant for trading votes for pork projects and his ties to the Abscam bribery sting in 1980, the only lawmaker involved who wasn't charged.

FBI agents pretending to represent an Arab sheik wanting to reside in the United States and seeking investment opportunities offered bribes to several lawmakers. When offered $50,000, Murtha was recorded as saying, "I'm not interested ... at this point." A grand jury declined to indict Murtha, and the House ethics committee issued no findings against him.

"I told them I wanted investment in my district," Murtha told MSNBC's "Hardball" on Wednesday. "They put $50,000 on the table and I said, 'I'm not interested."' Hoyer, a Pelosi rival, was battling to hold onto the lead in the race with Murtha, and both candidates were predicting victory via a secret ballot, which allows lawmakers to be evasive when asked about their intentions.
Clyburn and Emanuel receive new leadership duties
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Jim Clyburn will become the majority whip in the 110th Congress after his Democratic colleagues voted by acclimation Thursday to approve the South Carolinian for the third ranking post in the caucus. Democrats also chose Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Illinois, to be the caucus chairman in the 110th Congress. Emanuel is widely credited for helping Democrats reclaim the majority.

-- CNN Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh
Bush arrives in Singapore, pushes regional cooperation
SINGAPORE (CNN) -- In a wide-ranging speech to university students, U.S. President George Bush pushed trade and regional cooperation as he kicked off a three-nation tour of Asia on Thursday.

Speaking at the National University of Singapore Bush pushed his theme: "Working Together To Build More Hopeful Societies In The Asia-Pacific Region."

The president's speech focused on the U.S. commitment to Asia in the areas of trade, terrorism, economic development and the pandemics of HIV and avian flu, while rejecting any notion of isolationism.

"America will remain engaged in Asia because our interests depend on the expansion of freedom and opportunity in this region," Bush said.

"Our trade across the Pacific is greater than our trade across the Atlantic, our businesses see a bright future in Asia's thriving economies and rising middle class, and we see threats like terrorism, proliferation, and disease that have the potential to undermine our prosperity and put our future in doubt."
McCain to give two speeches on GOP future Thursday
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- On the same day Sen. John McCain will officially file papers to form a presidential exploratory committee, the Arizona Republican will deliver two addresses' Thursday -- at a Federalist Society conference and at a GOPAC Charter Members dinner -- during which he will lay out his vision of the Republican Party.

McCain has also established an exploratory committee website -- www.exploremccain.com

-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Democrats choose Pelosi as speaker
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Democrats have chosen Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, to be the House speaker in the 110th Congress. Pelosi, the minority leader, will become the first woman speaker to lead the House when a formal vote is taken by the full House in January.


-- CNN Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh
CNN Political Ticker AM
For the latest, breaking political news, check for updates throughout the day on the CNN Political Ticker. All politics, all the time.

Compiled by Stephen Bach
CNN Washington Bureau

Making news today...


  • House Dems meet to elect leaders by secret ballot this morning, where all eyes will be on the race for majority leader between Pelosi-backed John Murtha and current Dem whip Steny Hoyer.

    The Murtha-Hoyer showdown for majority leader "has Democrats bitterly divided only a week after their party took control of Congress," the Washington Post reports.

    "Dem division and dismay," reads a front-page banner headline on The Hill.

    Meanwhile, "Downtrodden Republicans were enjoying the spectacle," reports the New York Times.

  • "This nightmare has gone on for almost three years so far and I expect we are not even half way through," wrote Jack Abramoff to friends in what he described as his "last e-mail for a while" before heading to prison in MD, AP reports. "Unfortunately, things are going to get worse (starting today no doubt) before they get better, but I am confident that ultimately the turmoil will subside and we will have our lives back."

  • "Democrats have asked the president to be bipartisan, but this is a clear slap in the face at our request," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) after President Bush resubmitted the names of several controversial judicial nominees, the Los Angeles Times reports.

  • And Hillary or Rudy in '08? Who do New York voters prefer for the White House? Check out the new numbers in Hot Topics below!

    President's Schedule:

  • The President is in Singapore. Tonight, he'll travel to Vietnam.

    On the Hill today:

  • The Senate Radio-Television Correspondents' Gallery Daybook

  • The House Radio-Television Correspondents' Gallery Daybook

    =================================================================

    Political Hot Topics

    (Today's top political stories from news organizations across the country)

    PELOSI'S MURTHA SUPPORT... "MISPLACED LOYALTY"? A showdown over the House majority leader's post today has Democrats bitterly divided only a week after their party took control of Congress and has prompted numerous complaints that Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and her allies are using strong-arm tactics and threats to try to elect Rep. John P. Murtha (Pa.) to the job. Murtha, 74, a former Marine who was among the first on Capitol Hill to call for a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, may have hurt his own chances Tuesday night when he derided the Democrats' ethics and lobbying package before saying he will push for its passage anyway out of deference to Pelosi... Pelosi's aggressive intervention on behalf of Murtha has baffled and angered many Democrats, who think she has unnecessarily put her reputation on the line out of misplaced loyalty to a friend and because of a long-standing feud with Hoyer, the minority whip. Washington Post: Pelosi Splits Democrats With Push For Murtha

    REPUBLICANS "ENJOYING THE SPECTACLE": House members acknowledged on Wednesday that the increasingly bitter contest for majority leader was sullying the image of unity and new direction that Democrats hoped to convey... Downtrodden Republicans were enjoying the spectacle of the split between Representative Nancy Pelosi, the incoming speaker, who is publicly pushing Representative John P. Murtha, her longtime ally, and Democrats rallying behind Mr. Hoyer, who has served in the leadership slot beneath Ms. Pelosi for four years. "I can't believe they are self-destructing before they even get started," said Representative Ray LaHood, Republican of Illinois. "Everyone on our side is giddy." New York Times: Many Say Leadership Race Damages Democrats' Image

    LOTT WINS WHIP SLOT BY ONE VOTE: Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. scored a dramatic comeback Wednesday in winning the Republican whip position by one vote over Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. By a 25-24 vote, Lott made his return to leadership after being forced out as leader in 2002. A smiling Lott stood behind incoming Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., at a press conference but was careful not to upstage him. "I know you're going to make an outstanding Republican leader for us all," Lott said after being introduced by McConnell. "And I'm honored to be a part of this leadership team to support Mitch McConnell and all of my colleagues to do a job that I've always really loved the most - count the votes. And all Mitch is going to want me to do is to find a way to count the magic 60 or the magic 51," he said, referring to the number of votes needed to pass legislation, "and I'll do my very best in that effort." Biloxi Sun Herald: Lott pulls upset, wins whip position

    BARTON THROWS HIS SUPPORT TO BOEHNER FOR MINORITY LEADER: Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas) withdrew from the race for minority leader Wednesday night and threw his support behind Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), the presumptive favorite. "I will join the majority of Republican members on Friday in voting for John to become our next leader," Barton said in a statement released by his committee staff. "He not only has my vote, he has my confidence that he can unify the Republican Conference and bring us back to the majority by exercising the power of good ideas and great determination." Barton's withdrawal and subsequent endorsement ensures the race will not go to a second ballot and should assure Boehner retains his post as leader. The Hill: Barton bows out, endorses Boehner

    BUSH JUDICIAL NOMINEES "A SLAP IN THE FACE" TO DEMS, SAYS SCHUMER: President Bush irked Senate Democrats on Wednesday by resubmitting the names of six judicial nominees whom they had stalled before the election as too conservative for the bench. The president also submitted four new judicial nominees, including former U.S. Rep. James E. Rogan of Glendale, who gained national attention as one of the managers of the House impeachment of President Clinton... But several Senate Democrats were angered by the news that Bush wanted approval of some controversial nominees. They include the Pentagon's general counsel, William J. Haynes II of Virginia, who was criticized for approving the harsh interrogation methods at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; former mining industry lobbyist William G. Myers III of Idaho, who has been targeted for defeat by environmentalists; and U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, who has been opposed by civil rights advocates. "Democrats have asked the president to be bipartisan, but this is a clear slap in the face at our request," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). Los Angeles Times: Bush revives stalled judicial nominations

    BIG YEAR FOR CBC: Three days after workers broke ground for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the Mall, the Congressional Black Caucus is preparing to break new ground of its own. Five of its members are poised to take the helm of key House committees when Democrats assume control of Congress next year: John Conyers Jr. (Mich.) of Judiciary, Alcee L. Hastings (Fla.) of intelligence, Juanita Millender-McDonald (Calif.) of House Administration, Reps. Charles B. Rangel (N.Y.) of Ways and Means, and Bennie Thompson (Miss.) of Homeland Security. Another member, Rep. James E. Clyburn (S.C.), is slated to be named majority whip, which would make him the third-ranking Democrat in the House. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the presumed speaker of the 110th Congress, has campaigned on his behalf. Washington Post: Black Lawmakers in Line for Key Posts

    McCAIN FORMING EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE: Arizona Sen. John McCain, a leading White House prospect, Thursday is forming a presidential exploratory committee in order to start amassing money for the 2008 Republican nomination contest. The committee, to be registered with the Federal Election Commission, will allow McCain to promote a potential candidacy before he officially enters the race. He says he'll make a final decision with his family over the Christmas holidays... McCain's new committee will file quarterly reports to the FEC. It already has a website - www.exploremccain.com - that will do a live webcast of a major speech McCain is giving today to GOPAC, a group that fosters Republican candidates at the state and local level. USA Today: McCain committee lays groundwork for '08 bid

    THOMPSON MAY TOSS HAT INTO THE RING: Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson said in Des Moines Wednesday that he hopes to run for president. Thompson, a Republican, was secretary of health and human services during President Bush's first term. Before that, he was Wisconsin's governor from 1987 until 2001. Thompson was in Des Moines on Wednesday to give a speech about health care. In an interview afterward, he was asked whether he intended to run for president. "I hope so," he said. "Why not? I'm from the Midwest. There should be a Midwestern candidate for president." Thompson said he soon will set up an exploratory committee to gauge support for a possible presidential bid. He said he expects to decide whether to run by spring. Des Moines Register: Wisconsin's Thompson studies '08 run

    ROMNEY HIRES TOP GOP AD MAN: Governor Mitt Romney, who continues to sign up big-name political consultants for a probable presidential run, has hired bare-knuckles GOP ad man Alex Castellanos, a veteran of presidential campaigns known for his tough ads against Democratic candidates. Widely considered one of the country's more influential Republican image-makers, Castellanos has produced television spots for President Bush, presidential candidate Bob Dole, and former senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Romney's move to recruit him sends a strong signal that the governor plans to mount a serious national campaign for 2008, political observers say. "Alex is one of two or three people in the country who you don't run a presidential campaign without," said Dan Schnur, who was communication director for Senator John McCain of Arizona during McCain's run for president in 2000. Schnur added, "You don't hire Alex Castellanos unless you're committed to this." Boston Globe: Romney hires ex-Bush ad man

    NEW YORKERS PREFER HILLARY OVER RUDY FOR PRESIDENT: Newly reelected U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton would trounce former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 53 percent to 39 percent, in the race for president among New York voters, a sharp turnaround from previous findings, according to a poll released yesterday. The Siena College survey - conducted in the wake of last week's blowout Democratic victories, including Clinton's landslide win - represented a dramatic change from two previous Siena polls, including one in August showing Giuliani ahead of the former first lady, 48 to 42 percent. "We've had a complete flip and it's very surprising," said Siena spokesman Steve Greenberg. New York Post: N.Y. PREZ POLL GIVES CLINTON A LANDSLIDE OVER GIULIANI

    5 HOUSE RACES STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL; TWO RUNOFFS COMING IN DECEMBER: Seven races for the U.S. House of Representatives were still undecided on Wednesday, more than a week after Democrats decisively won control of both chambers of Congress. Five House races across the country were too close to call, including a Florida race where questions were raised about possible electronic voting machine problems. Two more seats will be decided by runoff elections in December. Election officials in Wyoming and Georgia certified the incumbents as winners in two close races on Wednesday, but neither of their challengers conceded and both had 48 hours to ask for a recount. In Georgia, Democratic Rep. John Barrow beat Republican challenger Max Burns by 864 votes out of more than 140,000 cast. In Wyoming, Republican Rep. Barbara Cubin beat Democrat Gary Trauner by about 1,000 votes out of nearly 200,000 cast. Reuters via Yahoo! News: Some tight U.S. House races still undecided

    FL-13 RECOUNT SPARKS CONGRESSIONAL CALLS FOR PAPER TRAIL: Citing the battle under way over the results of last week's congressional election in Sarasota County, two Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called on Congress to require that voting machines produce a paper trail. Their initiative came as voter advocacy groups in Sarasota renewed their push for a new election for the still-undecided 13th Congressional District race. "The results are up in the air because of problems with the voting mechanism," U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., said in a press conference in Washington. "There can be no satisfactory resolution of this problem because there is no voter-verified paper trail." U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, called it "unfathomable" that votes might not be recounted correctly because of a missing paper record. Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Call for paper trail, new election
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