Still No New Attorney General

Joshua G. Behr, a professor of political science at Old Dominion University, said a recount appears inevitable.

He said political observers are watching closely to see whether Virginia Democrats, buoyed by Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's win over former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore (R) in the gubernatorial election, will capture another statewide office.

"There is so much at stake here. The nation's watching this," Behr said. "I see a call for a recount either way. I don't see anyone conceding in the near future."

Both campaigns posted volunteers at local election offices Wednesday and yesterday, and each side said its observers did not report any problems. But there was some tension at the Fairfax County office.

Lawyer Patricia Paoletta, who was a Republican observer, said she was looking over an election worker's shoulder when she was asked to move against a wall.

"I argued that we had a legal right to observe the canvass and that the plain meaning of observe meant you had to be able to see the numbers," Paoletta said.

The vice chairman of the electoral board, Larry Byrne, asked her to move. Byrne's wife, Leslie L. Byrne, unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket.

Byrne said he asked Paoletta to move because having observers too close "delays the process."

"They are allowed to observe, it but that doesn't mean they are allowed to stand over anyone's shoulder," he said.