Ken,

>>>He was quite clear that the objections and challenges should not have been raised until there was a certification.
>>
>>No kidding. That's the first I've heard that angle. Did he happen to mention anything about the Florida Supreme Court intervening without being asked to so do? It seems that they did indeed change the election laws after the fact in this case. Nothing wrong IMO with fighing it all out in court but I thin ka pre-emtive move is probably unconstitutional. Guess we'll see eh?
>
>Doug,
>
>I've seen it repeated several times. The apparent loser can contest the election but only after it is certified. The request for a manual recount is different and must be asked for within 72 hours of the election.

Interesting.

>
>And what laws did the Florida Supreme Court change?

The date of certification. Remember, courts aren't suppose dto write law. In this case the SUpreme Court of Florida without being asked inserted itself into the process. Would it have gotten to thewm ? Sure, most likely. Was it appropriate for them to insert themselves? I don't think so.

>The statute states that the election must be certified on a certain date. But, the statute also allows for the contestants to ask for a manual recount. If the certification date precludes the termination of the manual recount and doesn't require that they also be included in the final total, then it really denies the right of a candidate for a manual recount. Appears to be more of a conflict in the statute which the Court resolved.

Doesn't matter. What matters is what the law is. Now, if someone wants to contest it, fine - but after the fact. Besides.. How many recounts constitute 'a manual recount'? <g>

IOW, let this election stand and then fix the law.

Will that make folks on one side happy? No, I don't think so but by changing things mid-stream you just alienate the other side. So.. How do you handle something like this? Well, seems to me that you just let the process play itself out. In this case GW is certified as winner, everyone swallows hard and we move on. Should this be the way it should happen had Mr. Gore won three counts & recounts? Sure, you bet. Fair's fair.