Although what you say is correct, the chosen phrase just sounds wrong.
The implication is that the Presidency would have been Gore's had the Republicans not taken the actions that they did (preventing the dems from stealing the election).
Thus the term represents the Dem POV that the election was theirs, inspite of the fact that at no time was Gore ever in the lead in Florida. It smacks of sour grapes and incessant whinning.
I believe that's true. I believe the Presidency would have been Gore's had the Florida Supreme Court's unconstitutional decision been allowed to stand.
It smacks of sour grapes and incessant whinning.
True. :)