Here's the executive summary for anyone who's confused: A district judge (obama appointment) in the Federal circuit felt that that the MI courts' ruling on the matter might come to late for a recount to succeed. Pending the MI court decision, he ordered the recount to begin. The US appeals court above him just ruled that he did NOT exceed his authority in ordering the recount to start, pending the MI courts decision. The US appeals court told him if the MI court ruled, they expected him to dissolve his order, or to act accordingly. Now the MI appeals court has ordered the recount stopped. Most likely, the district judge will not dissolve his order until an appeal to the MI Supreme Court is handed down.
That makes sense to me as a layman. The State Court had they not suspended would have been in violation of the 6th circuit. So now the AG needs to petition the circuit judge to shut it down, which he likely will do unless Stein has an appeal to the State SC which she will likely do. So the charade will continue until the State SC rules.
“Most likely, the district judge will not dissolve his order until an appeal to the MI Supreme Court is handed down.”
So, Stein’s smart move is to not appeal to the MI Supreme Court unless the state asks Goldsmith to vacate his order. Until then, the recount can continue. When Goldsmith is asked to vacate, then she appeals to the state Supreme Court. She can play for time.