Ohio update

A lot has been written here about presumed election fraud in Ohio and the possibility that the result could be upended if/when all the votes are counted. I've been dubious as I think we all have, that there ever was any real chance of this. So, here's a little reality check on the situation:

"Kerry isn't trying to overturn the Ohio outcome and hasn't found evidence proving fraud, but his campaign wants a recount in all counties to ensure that all votes were counted," said Daniel J. Hoffheimer, state counsel for the Kerry-Edwards campaign.

They've counted the provisional ballots in Ohio and Bush retains a clear lead:

Ohio counties finished certifying votes in the Nov. 2 presidential election Wednesday, and the results showed that officials accepted about 77% of the provisional ballots that were cast...President Bush's margin of victory against Democratic Sen. John F. Kerry in Ohio was 136,483 votes.

We can safely say, it's over.