No decision in New York special
The first notable election of the Barack Obama era is apparently too close to call, according to the Associated Press and other news organizations.
The House special election in upstate New York, pitting veteran Republican state legislator Jim Tedisco against political neophyte Scott Murphy, a Democrat, is a virtual dead heat. Murphy led by 69 votes out of more than 150,000 cast, with all precincts reporting.
The election, which featured national press attention and outside efforts by everyone from Obama to Republican National Chairman Michael Steele, is for the seat that two-term Democratic Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand vacated when she was appointed to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate job.
A final result in the 20th district of New York isn't likely until military and absentee ballots are tallied, a process that could take several weeks. Or, if the still unresolved November, 2008 election for U.S. Senate from Minnesota is any guide, perhaps it will take several more months after that.
Until then, both sides can claim some measure of victory and everybody else can take a deep breath.
