Nov. 11, 2000 | In a striking, defensive attempt to try to preserve the current presidential vote tally in Florida, the Bush campaign filed a motion in federal court Saturday to stop counties from hand counting their ballots, as requested by the campaign's Democratic opponents.
The motion will be considered by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks at a 9:30 a.m. hearing on Monday in Miami.
And as the legal battle began to escalate so, too, did the war of words between the two camps. In a press conference announcing the motion, former Secretary of State James Baker, representing the Bush camp in the Florida recount, warned that with a hand count, "the potential for mischief would exist to a far greater degree than in the automated count and recount that these ballots have been subjected to."
A few hours after Baker's press conference, Texas Gov. George W. Bush himself appeared before reporters at his Texas ranch, accompanied by his dog Spottie. Bush reiterated Baker's demand that the manual recount currently underway in four Florida counties be halted. "We don't need three elections," he said, adding that "we're all in limbo." Bush also said he would back away from the suit if Gore would withdraw his request for a hand recount. At times he appeared both distracted and nervous, but he remained affable throughout.
"It would be good for this country to have this election over so that the new administration can do the people's business," Bush told reporters. Addressing criticisms that he is moving too swiftly to assemble what would be his Cabinet if elected, Bush said, "What would be good for this country right now is to have this election over so the new administration can get on with the people's business." Just who he thinks will lead that administration became apparent when he referred to his wife Laura as "first lady Bush."
* Bush looks to me like an arrogant naive disrespectful egotistical slacker. Doesn't want to to finish his homework on this election just wants a passing grade and for it to be over so he can stick his shalolow facade in the Oval Office. Baker's suit also looks like BS, though the Judge will decide in the morning. |
