Gore Faces Ultimate Decision
Dec. 13 -- Slapped with a devastating U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Al Gore now faces the toughest decision of his political life: Will he concede the presidential election, and if so, how?
With the Supreme Court having overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling that had ordered ballot recounts in Florida, Gore’s chances of reversing George W. Bush’s victory in certified results of the state — and thereby the nation — seem to have evaporated.
Gore, who watched the announcement of the decision with his wife, Tipper, did not speak publicly in the hours following the high court verdict, leaving open the question of when he will address the nation, and what he will say.
“Al Gore and Joe Lieberman are now reviewing the 5-4 decision issued tonight by the Supreme Court of the United States,” campaign chairman William Daley said in a statement released to reporters Tuesday night. “We will address the Court’s decision in full detail at a time to be determined [Wednesday].”
The Supreme Court ruling all but assures Bush of victory. But by sending Gore’s case back to the Florida Supreme Court, it may have left some wiggle room for the vice president and his lawyers — if they have the stomach to carry on the fight.
One source close to the vice president told ABCNEWS Tuesday night, “We’re not depressed. We’re angry.” The source added “He’s speaking [Wednesday], but he hasn’t decided what he’s going to say … Don’t declare a winner before you know there’s a winner.”
Gore has been consulting with his lawyers, analyzing the legal options left for him, and is planning a round of conference calls with top aides beginning at 9 a.m. ET today to chart his course.
But perhaps more important than studying his possible legal remedies, the vice president has little time to evaluate big political questions, including how much longer the public will accept his electoral contest.
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