NEW YORK--Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein pressed her case on Monday for recounts of U.S. presidential ballots in three states, and locked horns with President-elect Donald Trump over her motives.
Stein sued Pennsylvania election officials in federal court, demanding a statewide recount. Michigan workers began a Stein-requested recount after a federal judge there ordered one without delay. In Wisconsin, a recount that Stein requested continued into a second week.
Even if all three recounts are completed, they are extremely unlikely to change the outcome of the Nov. 8 election in which the three states, which had voted Democratic in recent presidential elections, helped seal a victory for Trump, a Republican. On Sunday, Trump proclaimed Stein's effort a failure and questioned her motives, saying on Twitter: "Just a Stein scam to raise money!"
At a news conference on Monday across the street from Trump Tower in Manhattan, Stein said every dollar she raised for the recount was going to an account for that purpose. She has raised $7.2 million toward a $9.5 million goal, according to her website.
"We urge Donald Trump to look at the facts, not to make up the facts," Stein said.
Stein said her recount push in the three "Rust Belt" states was not meant to change the election's result but to focus attention on concerns about the integrity of voting systems in the three states. Trump and his supporters have fought to end the recounts by filing lawsuits.
"We are here to assure Donald Trump that there is nothing to be afraid of," Stein said. "If you believe in democracy, if you believe in the credibility of your victory, put down your arms, end your bureaucratic obstruction."
Some voting machines in Pennsylvania lack a paper trail, making them vulnerable to hacking or other problems, she said.
A few Trump allies protested Stein's appearance with her supporters at Trump Tower, where Trump's offices and apartment home are located. "I think the people out here today don't believe in democracy," said Jim MacDonald, a 67-year-old actuary from the borough of Queens. He held a sign that read: "Dr Jill is a quack," and said he voted for Trump.
"He's their president whether they like it or not," MacDonald said.
