Hi Carl - As I ve pointed out previously, I think there may very well be some immediate public acceptance if it comes the legislative solution. However, the problem is the postmortem. Ultimately, in the long run, the public wants justice and fairness, not poll data of the moment. Let's say the outcome of the postmortem by some fairly nonpartisan organization has vindicated VP Gore's position. What may happen next? If Gov Bush, being the President in this scenario, is doing a fine job, people may say, "well, it is really a statistical tie anyway, and since *President Bush* is doing a fine job, let bygone be bygone." However, if things like the economy are not looking up, and since they cannot undo the Presidency, the backlash is against the entire GOP party! People may say, "they should not ve hurried the process, maybe I should undo this give the Democrats a chance." So, this is not the perception of the moment, but the outcome is subject to revision after revision. Perverted justice? Maybe, but not beyond the realm of human psychology. Evidently, the FL Senate President, Sen MacKay, is backing off a bit. Is he thinking what I am thinking <VBG>, I don't know. However, these people a 1,000 times smarter than me, I am sure they can see this is a possibility once they "cool their jet." Or so I hope, b/c I think a categorical backlash, if it ever develops, is equally tragic, since I really hope the best (wo)men for the job, not some partisans getting lucky b/c of the backlash.
With regard to your comment
I am surprised that the Bush team didn't argue that if they are going to recount the ballots in Miami and Palm Beach that they should do a statewide manual recount
Personally, I am not surprised at all. To begin with, while indeed this is my preferred choice, it is a solution consistently rejected by the Bush camp. If it brings this up now, it can only accentuate the transparency of its attempt to run down the clock with outright hypocrisy. Why, people may ask, didn't the Bush camp accept the proposal 2 weeks ago? OTOH, by filing as many suits, invoking as discovery in every suit, as possible, the Bush camp can be more effective to overrun the FL court system. Personally, if I were the strategist of the Gore camp, or its sympathizers, I would curtail the amount of lawsuits. Frivolous suits from either camp can only help the Bush camp by siphoning off the court system resource. JMHO though
best, Bosco |
