First some calming words: There are still enough votes yet uncounted in the governor's race to avoid a recount.
Now, the dawning reality: At 2:30 a.m. the race between Democrat Mark Dayton and Republican Tom Emmer is very, very, very, very, very close. So close that the specter of another statewide recount was rising in the sights of the folks who watch for these things.
A recount in Minnesota is automatic if: "In a state general election when the difference between the votes of a candidate who would otherwise be declared elected to a statewide federal office, state constitutional office, statewide judicial office, congressional office, state legislative office, or district judicial office and the votes of any other candidate for that office: (1) is less than one-half of one percent of the total number of votes counted for that office."
Here's how Republican Party Chair Tony Sutton put it to reporter Curt Brown after 2 a.m.:
"It looks like its recount part II: And this time it's personal," Sutton said.
