More than seven years after the 2000 nightmare, and nearly four years after the 2004 nightmare, suddenly the idea of a recount doesn't seem like the insane ramblings of a sore loser. It has come out of the dark recesses of the conspiracy theorists' basements into the light. The TFH loonies now have some company on this side of the deep river which divides those who always knew there was a problem from those not willing to believe there was a problem.

Finally. It feels like Spring has sprung.

But why this sudden awakening? Is it a burning desire for election integrity? Or the magnetic charisma of Dennis Kucinich or Ron Paul? Perhaps it is the demand of the citizens of New Hampshire to see their votes be counted properly?

No, it's nothing so noble or complicated. The answer is much more simple. The exit polling failed by too large a margin to ignore, and the media was made to look like fools on the night of the primary.

So, while they could certainly lambaste the pollsters, or discuss samples or other factors, they couldn't ask for a recount; only a candidate can do that. Since a recount helps them to determine who was at fault here, conveniently, there's not a word about the absurd waste of time and effort a recount would entail. Amazingly, no whining about how the only people who believe this are the crazy left-wing bloggers.

No one is laughing this time.

Funniest thing is, see, they could have helped all along. But, no; there was no reason to do it then. But this time, exit polling they paid for, and on which their reputations and paychecks depend, failed. It seems the presidency isn't as important to them as their jobs after all. Now that their reputations, such as they are, are on the line, a recount is a good thing. Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows.

Whether or not the recount shows chicanery, the idea of election integrity is front and center where it belongs, and it's being addressed in a bi-partisan fashion and with the true implications of its failure understood. No matter which candidate you support, that's a good thing, no matter what the reason.

To Dennis Kucinich: Thank you.

To the media: Screw you.