Study: Recounts Would Have Favored BushBy Dan Keating and Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, Nov. 12, 2001; Page A01
In all likelihood, George W. Bush still would have won Florida and the presidency last year if either of two limited recounts – one requested by Al Gore, the other ordered by the Florida Supreme Court – had been completed, according to a study commissioned by The Washington Post and other news organizations.
But if Gore had found a way to trigger a statewide recount of all disputed ballots, or if the courts had required it, the result likely would have been different. An examination of uncounted ballots throughout Florida found enough where voter intent was clear to give Gore the narrowest of margins.
The study showed that if the two limited recounts had not been short-circuited – the first by Florida county and state election officials and the second by the U.S. Supreme Court – Bush would have held his lead over Gore, with margins ranging from 225 to 493 votes, depending on the standard. But the study also found that whether dimples are counted or a more restrictive standard is used, a statewide tally favored Gore by 60 to 171 votes.
But luckily most people will just read the headline, which tells the real story.
Recounts are limited by State & Federal election laws which require a certification of results at a date certain. GW was certified.
Any challenge to the result ccertified in Florida would have been determined by the US House.
Upshot? GW was elected by every legitimate consideration. THANK G*D!!