KATHERINE HARRIS, HEROINE
Saturday, November 18, 2000
Speaking of Katherine Harris, could she have had any idea of what she was getting into when she ran for secretary of state in Florida in 1998?
Today, she finds herself the focal point in a political controversy of historic proportions.
Florida's secretary of state, by statute, is the executor of that jurisdiction's election law. It is her constitutional responsibility to ensure that the law is followed.
Among other things, she refused to accept recounts after the Nov. 14 statutory deadline.
Now, of course, Florida's highest court has put everything on hold until Monday - and it's anybody's guess what will happen then.
Until then, and probably beyond, Harris will continue to be the target of gross calumnies.
Democrats, especially, have behaved abominably.
Vice President Al Gore's spokesman, Chris Lehane, said Harris was "acting in the finest tradition of a Soviet commissar." Others accused her of an "astonishing abuse of authority" and "trying to steal the election."
She's been called a "loyal party pup-
pet" and "an anti-patriot on the grand scale of Aaron Burr . . . Boss Tweed, Mayor Richard Daley . . . "
Even Jay Leno took a crack at her - for her make-up, of all things!
But what's Harris' crime?
She respects the law.
As written.
Florida statute says that hand counts of machine-generated balloting is permissible only in extraordinary circumstances - natural disaster, fraud and widespread machine failure.
It sets precise deadlines for reporting and certification of results.
Harris obeyed the law to the letter.
To do anything else would have been to flout Florida's Legislature, an impeachable offense - to say nothing of a dishonorable act.
Now the Florida Supreme Court will review her decisions - and impose its own judgment.
Whether the court - seven judges, all Democrats - is as respectful of the law as Harris has been remains to be seen.
It takes courage to stand by one's convictions in the face of such persecution. Harris is nothing less than a heroine.
For sticking to her beliefs.
And for obeying the law.
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