Senate Republicans say they'll request recount in close Southern
Oregon race  Republican leaders are requesting a recount in a
southern Oregon Senate race, alleging that more than 320 ballots
may be missing.  If the recount changes the outcome of the race,
control of the Oregon Senate would shift.  Democrats retain a
slim, 16-14 majority in the state Senate. That's a drop from the
18-12 split Democrats held before the election.  In Jackson
County, Democratic incumbent Sen. Alan Bates beat Republican
challenger Dave Dotterrer for the District 3 seat by 275 votes.
If the difference in the race had been 90 or fewer votes, a
recount would have been automatic and paid by taxpayers.
Instead, Republicans will pay the recount cost, estimated at
$15,000 to $25,000.  On Tuesday, Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas,
who has been monitoring returns for Senate Republicans, said
there appear to be problems in several counties that may be tied
to a centralized state computer system.  "Nobody is claiming a
vast right-wing conspira