Odds against Gore as judges decide
FROM BEN MACINTYRE IN WASHINGTON
AMERICANS were anxiously awaiting the resolution of the disputed election last night as the US Supreme Court considered the first case in history which could decide the outcome of a presidential race.
No announcement is expected before 2pm today after America's nine most senior judges adjourned last night after seven hours deliberation
With the odds stacked against them, lawyers for Al Gore argued in front of America’s nine most senior judges that the manual recounting of votes in Florida, which stopped last Saturday on the order of the Supreme Court, should be restarted. With victory now in sight, George W. Bush’s team insisted that any such recount was unconstitutional, irrational and unfair.
Both sides voiced optimism after the hearing, but even before the arguments began the court had boosted Mr Bush by taking the case, stopping the recounts and expressing the “substantial probability” that it would eventually rule in his favour. “It’s an uphill battle,” conceded David Boies, the Democratic lawyer who argued Mr Gore’s case.
If the court rules for Mr Bush by banning further recounts, Mr Gore will have little choice but to concede.
The Bush team has said that it expects the issue to be settled by the Supreme Court, but a ruling against the Texas Governor would be expected to prompt the Republican-dominated Florida legislature to step in, pushing America yet deeper into political uncertainty. The first deadline for the selection of electors from each state is today, and the court was expected to rule swiftly.
With the ideological split in the court down to just one vote, an election in which more than 100 million people voted may now be decided by a single, unelected individual.
As case 0949, “Gore v Bush” started, hundreds of protesters gathered outside. Polls suggested that 47 per cent of Americans wanted the recount to continue; 49 per cent were against it. Some 72 per cent believe that the Supreme Court is the proper forum in which to end the battle.
Facing the possibility that the presidency may be just one verdict away, Mr Bush was reserved. “I am keeping my emotions in check,” he said.
thetimes.co.uk |
