Hewlett Refuses To Concede Defeat

Hewlett-Packard Compaq Computer

Earlier in the day, HP proclaimed victory in the $22 billion deal. But Hewlett said the vote hinges on a "razor-thin margin" and that he wasn't willing to concede defeat. He also declined to comment on whether he would file a lawsuit challenging the vote if shareholder approval of the merger deal is certified.

A week ago, Hewlett said HP Chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina should resign if shareholders rejected the merger. But at the Tuesday press conference, he said such a move would be a "board decision."

"I don't want to speculate how they will decide," Hewlett said. "I've said that it's not a debate about Carly; it's a debate about a bad merger."

When asked by reporters if he thought he accomplished anything during his five-month proxy battle, Hewlett said he's shown that "accountability to stockholders is not a platitude."