Mike Gravel is not giving a concession speech. Nor is he endorsing a candidate, though he said he voted for Root. He is also not accepting any of the VP offers he's gotten.  Lastly, it appears no candidate is taking up the torch of his beloved national initiative idea.  Senator Gravel seems determined to go back to private life, and retire as a politician once and for all.  He spoke graciously about these things with reporters very briefly.

I can't seem to locate our hero Mike Jingozian.

The votes on the 5th round are now in. Mary Ruwart has pulled ahead with 229 to Bob Barr's 223 and Wayne Root's 165. It will be very interesting to see who pulls ahead. One would think Root's supporters are a mix of party traditionalists and people looking for a "silver bullet."

It's only a few moments away.

 -text and video by Cornelius Swart