Gore Calls 2000 Verdict 'Crushing,' Assails Court

Washington Post ^ | 11/16/2002 | Dan Balz

[Pokey78]

In his first interviews since conceding the presidency to George W. Bush almost two years ago, former vice president Al Gore calls the outcome of the 2000 election "a crushing disappointment" and criticizes the 5-4 Supreme Court decision that put Bush in the White House as "completely inconsistent" with the court's conservative philosophy.

"I believe that if everyone in Florida who tried to vote had had his or her vote counted properly, that I would have won," Gore said in an interview with Washington Post Magazine staff writer Liza Mundy for an article to be published Sunday. "I strongly disagreed with the Supreme Court decision and the way in which they interpreted and applied the law. But I respect the rule of law, so it is what it is."

Gore told ABC's Barbara Walters, in an interview to air tonight on ABC's "20/20," that he "absolutely" believed he would become president when the Florida Supreme Court ordered a recount of all disputed ballots in the state, making the result all the more emotionally difficult to accept. His wife, Tipper, said in the Post interview, "I still believe we won."

[anniegetyourgun]

Poor little headcase.....let's hope he never seeks treatment.

[Jimmy Valentine]

That would be excepting the absentee ballots of our military folks of course.

[MadIvan]

Well ... Tipper's just as delusional - she said, "I still think we won". How stupid is that??

I believe it was dead who said she had the "emotional stability of a gambling chihuahua".

I can't top that description.

Regards, Ivan

[OldFriend]

This man is mentally unbalanced. How terrifying to think of him as Commander in Chief at this time.

[OldFriend]

That Freeper chanting was such a comfort to the rest of us out here waiting, waiting, waiting. You have no idea. There are a few moments during those interminable 36 days when all that saved our sanity was Freeper activity and those right wing thugs down in the Florida building where the counting was going on.....LOL.....

[Honcho]

He will do other interviews, televised and in print, in the coming days, including an appearance on CBS's "Late Show With David Letterman" tonight and NBC's "Saturday Night Live" next month,


New York Freepers, Where are you??? He should be met with a hearty round of boos, especally if he uses it as a platform against the President.

[Always Right]

Somebody please count 'em and shut this fool up...

A court order that the votes were to be counted, but that was on Dec 11th, the same day the US Supremes made their final ruling.

[MP5]

Can't quite place the name. Didn't he teach journalism or sumthin'?
How could you forget? He invented the Internet.

[#3Fan]

...criticizes the 5-4 Supreme Court decision that put Bush in the White House as "completely inconsistent" with the court's conservative philosophy

The Supreme Court didn't put Bush in the White House, the voters of Florida did, as proven by two recounts.

[hellinahandcart]

Yes, they said "count 'em", but nobody ever released the COUNT. I realize they can never be part of the certified total, but I want the damned numbers anyway.

[steve-b]

I believe that if everyone in Florida who tried to vote had had his or her vote counted [EXCEPT FOR OVERSEAS MILITARY PERSONNEL] properly

Well, duh -- overseas military personnel obviously aren't in Florida.

Al has learned the art of parsing from the Master.

[mombonn]

Without reading any of the replies, my reaction is that if the election had gone the other way, you wouldn't hear Bush whining, giving interviews, and generally making a </ expletive> out of himself.

Can't wait to read the replies.

[goldstategop]

The Gorebatross was done in by Jeb last week. I mean he campaigned in the last days to avenge a stolen election and got zip, zero, zilch, and nada to show for it. Apparently Florida voters didn't agree and indicated that President Bush deserved all of Florida's 25 electoral votes back in 2000.

[hellinahandcart]

Without reading any of the replies, my reaction is that if the election had gone the other way, you wouldn't hear Bush whining, giving interviews, and generally making a </ expletive> out of himself.

Especially not two farkin' years later.

It's downright unbecoming...

[grumpster-dumpster]

Ahhh...It brings back such fond memories.

I think I knew algore was toast when, during the trial, Judge Saul sat smiling and was obviously very impressed with the precision of the testamony given by the "plastics-guy." I wish I could remember that witness' name... a National Hero in my book!

[Evil Inc]

Now thats spooky. Please dont add Pelosi;s picture. It'd be like attack of the clones

[SouthernFreebird]

I feel your pain Al

No, not really...lol

[Spiff]

I believe that if everyone in Florida who tried to vote had had his or her vote counted properly, that I would have won," Gore said in an interview with Washington Post Magazine staff writer Liza Mundy

Hey, Al. Get a grip on reality. Every vote was counted again and again and again both officially and unofficially and even by organization biased towards your win. You still lost. Even with all the hanging and dimpled chads, you lost. Even with the crooks down there manufacturing votes, you lost. Even when you threw out the absentee military ballots that went most heavily towards Bush (I thought you wanted all votes counted, Al), you still lost.

Seek therapy, Al.

[nina0113]

Did you see the Clinton version of Whack A Mole? Bill had the mallet & he got points for whacking Hillary, Monica, Ken Starr & a KFC bucket. When he'd whack the bucket he'd stop to eat the chicken. He lost points for whacking Socks. Wish I still had it.