Tim Russert easily envisions a 2004 presidential race that will be closer than the contested 2000 election.
In fact, try a deadlock in the Electoral College.
Russert, a political analyst and longtime host of NBC's Meet the Press , described just such a scenario at Sunday's inaugural Hillsborough Bar Foundation dinner at the Hyatt Regency Tampa. Russert said if President Bush wins the same states he won in 2000, and John Kerry wins the same states Al Gore won in 2000, Bush will finish with 278 Electoral College votes and Kerry will finish with 260.
But if Kerry, the Massachusetts senator, could add New Hampshire and another state, such as West Virginia, each candidate would have 269 votes and we'd be headed for overtime ... again.
In the case of a tie, which has happened only once, in 1800, the Constitution calls for the U.S. House of Representatives to determine the president and the Senate to elect the vice president. Both are Republican-controlled.
Theoretically, however, Democrats could gain control of the Senate on Election Day, delay the vote until the new lawmakers take office in January, then elect John Edwards, Russert explained.
Russert, who was the moderator for Monday night's Betty Castor-Mel Martinez U.S. Senate debate, wove a number of political scenarios into a folksy speech that also drew from his Buffalo, N.Y., roots and close bond with his father.
In his 2004 book, Big Russ and Me: Father and Son - Lessons of Life , Russert chronicles how the senior Tim Russert instilled character while raising four kids in blue-collar south Buffalo.
It was easy for Russert to blend his upbringing with his amazing grasp of politics because he hasn't lost his down-to-earth manner. It's his charm that has helped Meet The Press become the top-rated Sunday morning news show.
While some critics have accused Russert of being biased toward Republicans - maybe they didn't see this summer's Meet The Press interview with Bush - Russert's most important message was bipartisan.
He challenged both Democrats and Republicans to talk about the pitfalls facing today's youth and create a consensus on "what we expect from kids and how we're going to help them."
It was the best point Russert made all night.
HERE ARE TWO political happenings to look for today.
If you're reading this before sunrise, make a point to tune to ABC's Good Morning America . The morning show will interview Tampa Bay Tech health sciences teacher Loretta Hodgdon during the 7 a.m. hour because she's a sought-after, undecided voter.
And tonight at 7, actor Leonardo DiCaprio will be the featured speaker at a Women for Kerry event at Mise en Place, 442 W Kennedy Blvd., to discuss the environment and early voting. Only people with "I Voted Early" stickers will be admitted.
ON FRIDAY, I ENDED UP in one of those desperate predicaments that would embarrass a lot of people. I drove to Tampa without my wallet and, on the way home to Seffner, I realized the gas gauge was dropping below "E."
Of course, I have no shame, so it was easy for me to dig up 15 nickels, 12 dimes and three quarters out of the CD holder and boldly purchase $2.70 worth of gas.
As I explained my plight to the cashier, two people behind me took pity. A woman offered an extra $5, and a man said he could give at least two bucks. I insisted it would be okay, that I was just getting enough to go home and get my wallet, but they shook their heads in disbelief.
I turned and walked away with a forced smile, only to discover an additional $2 had been added to my purchase. I thanked the guy profusely, but as I drove away, I realized I needed to do more. So when I went back to get more gas, I left $2 with the cashier - who remembered my woeful story - and told her to help out the next person who rolls in on fumes and rolls away with only a splash of gas.
Two bucks is a small price to have your faith in humanity renewed.
That's all I'm saying.
-- Times researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report. Ernest Hooper can be reached at 813 226-3406 or hooper@sptimes.com
