In the final weeks before the election, NBC's political analyst Tim Russert said the key to Election 2000 could be summarized in three words: Florida, Florida, Florida. The picture of Russert holding a small white board listing Florida is now famous (see Illustration B at right). Russert was correct about the location, but it seems that not even he imagined this outcome. We are in unexplored territory. Only the U.S. effort to set foot on the moon in 1969 compares. As a nation, we now boldly go where no man or woman has ever gone before. We urge each of you to partake fully in this epic event.

The issue of "cheating" is an important topic. For our government to work effectively, there must be a sense of legitimacy with the outcome. Bush supporters believe manual recounts should be disallowed. Yet, George W. Bush, as governor of Texas, signed legislation in 1997 mandating hand counts in closely contested elections (see Illustration C at right). The Bush camp believes the initial machine count on election night followed by the mandatory machine count adequately "measured the will of the electorate." The issue of machine counting is complex (see What Constitutes a Vote?).

We recognize that eventually a winner will surface. Nearly 50 million people may feel cheated; another 50 million will believe their candidate finally received his rightful award. What is most important, that which distinguishes American government from other forms, is that we will accomplish this final decision without firing a shot; without requring tanks to patrol our streets; and without violent protests or destruction. We are a nation where law remains king and queen.

The past weeks seem to many as a rollercoaster ride. Supporters of both candidates suffered emotional pitfalls only to be elated a few hours later by a new turn of events. The battle intensified on Wednesday, Nov. 15th. Florida Secretary of State Harris announced she would not allow the results of manual recounts to be included. In her address to the nation, Harris promised Florida would bring finality to the debate on Saturday, Nov. 18th - once counties completed their counts and certified the overseas absentee ballots (see Secretary of State on a Hotseat).

The situation in Florida forces us to focus on the issue of fairness. One critical topic is the lack of a single "valid" voting method. In a 1988 report, the National Bureau of Standards found that, "It is generally not possible to exactly duplicate a count obtained on pre-scored punch cards..." (see Florida Recount Issue).

During the 2000 campaign, we witnessed a number of unfair attacks on Vice President Gore (see Election Rhetoric). Regardless of who wins, or who each of us supports in this election, we must be able to view the winner respectfully. Without a general sense of fair play in the process, we forfeit that which our nation's founders secured. In Illustration D (at right) Bush supporters demonstrate by calling Gore and Lieberman "sore losers." Can we, as a nation, remember we all are Americans and overcome our political rivalries (see Sore Losers)?

Actual Palm Beach Florida Ballot

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