Both Parties Get Ready to Recount

With races from Alaska to Nevada to Florida looking to go down to the wire and beyond, Politico reports that both parties have been readying SWAT teams of lawyers, PR people, and political operatives for quick dispatch to any number of recounts. While recounts can drag on for months, experts say the real battle—including the PR battle—is often won within the first 48 hours, and Republicans in particular are learning the lesson of Norm Coleman: “A lot of people feel that the Coleman seat was lost in the hours after Election Day, not in the days and weeks after Election Day,” says an RNC spokesman.

“To that end, we are putting together teams that will be able to hit the ground immediately to help establish a presence and to hit the ground rules and [establish] a narrative.” NRCC insiders are expecting "between 10 and 20 recounts," though no one can say exactly which races they might be. Of particular concern are political novices who find themselves battling on after Election Day; veteran politicians have their machines in place and would be less likely to receive national help. “Some teams may need a team who has connections to the state," says a source. "We’re going to try to tailor them to each race. " (More Election 2010 stories.)