There is a remarkable recount story unfolding in Washington State. When so many stories of misdeeds and voter system mismanagement that favored Republicans appeared elsewhere in the nation, it is interesting to see the Republicans making similar statements as Dems in this Washington State race.
The $750,000 the Dems needed to raise to force this hand recount looks like it might get a big payoff.
Speaking of payoffs, I’m still in Las Vegas having fun. I head home tonight on the red eye flight after seeing Cirque du Soleil’s “O“. There is a lot wrong with Vegas, the largest city in the United States founded in the 20th century, but there is also a lot right.
It’s a city based on crass consumerism, sex, gambling, shows — but it also has amazing sights, some of the most beautiful shopping malls I’ve ever seen — like the one at Caesar’s Palace that seems to stretch for several football fields. I can understand now why so many from around the world are drawn here despite the inexpensive sin packages.
It’s all artificial, but it somehow works. Kind of like Singapore. If you speak to staff here, they have all had FBI background checks on them, even the janitorial staff supposedly. There is freedom here, but also a very heavy lurking authoritarianism just under the surface. Again, just like Singapore.
More later, particularly after I get back to Washington.
— Steve Clemons
