I'm beginning to think there may be a method to their madness:
They're expecting the election in 2008 to be closer. (Remember: If it isn't close, they can't cheat.) By going to extremes to check votes this year, when it comes time to check on the usual 'rat area voter fraud in 2008, they're counting on being able to do their usual disenfranchisement moanin' 'n groanin' and then claim that they "checked all that in 2004 and it was proven false." IOW, they're preconstructing evidence to use falsely later. They don't expect to find problems in the areas they're checking. They'll use what they didn't find in Ohio to justify their claims that recounts aren't needed in those places they don't want them to take place later.
(I'll put my tinfoil hat back on now.) ;)
Good thought, and you are not wearing your tinfoil hat. This is the game they play, and they are getting more sophisticated.