Recount

matclone · 05-23-2008, 11:36 AM

There was an interesting discussion of this new HBO film on Charlie Rose last night--which you can probably find at his website. Kevin Spacey (actor), Jeffrey Toobin (wrote a book on the subject) and David DeBois(?) (Gore's lawyer) were guests. Those who are interested in the 2000 presidential election and subsequent court rulings (I know BB for one is), might want to watch for the film.

ban basketball · 05-23-2008, 12:07 PM

If the film even remotely focuses on the only thing that mattered, the Court's ruling, it ought to be required viewing for all Americans. I still am astounded by how few people even know what the Court "ruled."

Cyclone85 · 05-23-2008, 11:43 PM

Ok I give. What did the court rule?

Originally Posted by ban basketball

If the film even remotely focuses on the only thing that mattered, the Court's ruling, it ought to be required viewing for all Americans. I still am astounded by how few people even know what the Court "ruled."

furches · 05-24-2008, 03:23 AM

The film does not delve into the "politics" of the situation, but apparently gives a fair representation of one of Gores advisors and workers, the part played by Spacey. The film is actually getting pretty good advances by both Democrats and Republicans so if looking for a witch hunt, simply won't be found in the film.

Regarding the courts decision, the Supreme Court decided that the method of recounting votes by Florida was unconstitutional by a vote of 7-2. By a vote of 5-4 they voted that there was no alternative method that could be established within the timeframe established by the Florida Legislature. This decision opened up in some ways a whole new can of worms as it didn't really answer many of the questions raised. In fact, some of the questions was on the legitimacy of certain ballots, and the complaints of why some ballots could or should be counted and others not. It did not give a clear cut opinion that Bush won the vote count as many would speculate. In effect, the decision actually stopped the recount of ballots. I am not certain but believe an independent group actually did complete the recount and in that recount Bush actually gained votes and this did not include the recounting of Military ballots that had been attempted to be suppressed.

Certainly an interesting time in the history of the political system, and I do believe the movie deals with that end of things as opposed to being a political propaganda piece.

zappacy · 05-24-2008, 07:56 AM

18 counties were not actually recounted.

furches · 05-24-2008, 09:06 AM

Three questions, sincere in them

Were the military votes recounted?
Was all of Florida involved in the recount?
Did an independent group on their own do a recount?

matclone · 05-24-2008, 08:57 PM

According to the panel on Charlie Rose, the recount was halted before it was completed--by the U.S. Supreme Ct. and, as zappacy suggests 18 counties apparently didn't do anything.

They showed a short clip of Scalia on 60 minutes pooh pooing the whole controversy--"get over it" or something to that effect.

There were also short clips from the film. Laura Dern as Kathryn Harris really stood out.

ban basketball · 05-25-2008, 02:35 PM

In short, the court ruled that the method of recounting violated the 14th Amendment's equal protection under the laws clause, as the differing methods of recounting were making it possible where some votes may be counted twice. Well, ok, fair enough I guess...

...but here is where the problem lies, and why not one attorney will back this ruling: How do you rule based on the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause, yet willfully thrown out thousands of other votes and not count them?

That is the problem, and few people (1) even know what they rule or (2) don't care, as they got the result that they wanted.

Zapp Brannigan · 05-25-2008, 11:32 PM

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/flo...ries/main.html

Special study commissioned on the matter. Not the end all be all, but it puts some things in perspective.

ban basketball · 05-25-2008, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Zapp Brannigan

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/flo...ries/main.html

Special study commissioned on the matter. Not the end all be all, but it puts some things in perspective.

That's irrelevant. The ONLY relevant point is that the USSC intervened during a legal recount, made a bogus argument based on the 14th that people weren't getting an equal vote, and then simultaneously decide to say that thousands of votes won't be counted.

Anything else is irrelevant. This ruling ended everything, including all speculation. I've met no attorney yet who has said that this ruling was just or logical.

Recount

Politics & Religion