Facebook Twitter Email
DECEMBER 14, 2000

After over a month of political rhetoric, legal acrimony, and intense disagreements, Vice President Al Gore conceded an historic election on Wednesday night, clearing the way for Texas Governor George W. Bush to become the nation's 43rd President.

A gracious Gore addressed the nation first, announcing he had just congratulated Bush on winning the race. Adding in a bit of humor, he said he promised that he "wouldn't call him back," referring to events of the morning after election day.

At the same time, he stated his opposition to Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling which effectively ended his chances for a resumption of the Florida recount. But he also said that he accepted the ruling and its finality.

An hour later, Bush made his first speech as President-elect, addressing the nation from the Texas State Capitol. Given the amount of bitterness and division which characterized the past several weeks, it was natural that Bush focused on bringing the nation together.

"After a difficult election, we must put politics behind us and work together to make the promise of America available for every one of our citizens," Bush said. "The President of the United States is the President of every single American, of every race and every background."

Still, Bush's words muted the problems the nation saw during the battle for the White House. As the recounts got underway in Florida, the country learned of the outdated equipment, confusing ballots, and potentially discriminatory practices towards minorities that characterized the election. The number of lawsuits filed by both Republicans and Democrats added more fuel to the fire.

And although Bush said he was thankful that the country resolved the election in "a peaceful way," many Americans might not see the situation so optimistically, given the legal, academic, and political fallout over the Supreme Court's deep division on the Florida recount.

"I am saddened and concerned, as are several justices, that the majority has dealt the Court a serious blow by taking actions many Americans will consider to be political rather than judicial," said Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

But at least two of the Justices have dismissed the notion that politics influenced the Court's decision. In a televised appearance yesterday, Justice Clarence Thomas told a group of high-school that politics never come into play.

"Don't try to apply the rules of the political world to this institution," said Thomas. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist agreed off-camera with reporters.

The two justices not only voted to stop the recount in the first place, but also argued the Court didn't go far enough in overturning the Florida Supreme Court. Rehnquist criticized the recounts as "elusive -- perhaps delusive."

Gore's Concession Speech:
Video | Text

Bush's Acceptance Speech:
Video | Text

Related Stories:
Divided court hands Bush a victory (Politics 12/13)
Supreme Court decision expected today (Politics 12/12)
Divided court to decide on divided race (Politics 12/11)
Indian Law and the Supreme Court (Tribal Law 12/11)
Supreme Court calls for recount (Politics 12/8)
Lawyers, lawmakers key in Presidential fight (Politics 12/7)