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The Republicans temper their enthusiasm, saying the stay does not bring an end to the election fight.
©Associated Press
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 10, 2000
AUSTIN, Texas -- From the seclusion of his Texas ranch, George W. Bush on Saturday cheered the Supreme Court order halting Florida's election recount. But his team remained cautious.
"Subdued exuberance," was how Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer characterized the mood in the Bush camp after the court intervention.
Republicans were clearly buoyed by the latest development but sought to temper their enthusiasm, suggesting the stay was just another sharp turn on what has become a post-election emotional roller coaster.
Asked if the action would end the drawn-out process, James A. Baker III, head of Bush's legal team, responded: "Of course not."
"They haven't ruled on the merits. This is a stay," Baker told reporters in Tallahassee. The nation's highest court will hear arguments Monday in Washington.
"It changes from day to day. One day you're up, one day you're down. It's taken a lot of twists and turns," Baker said. Still, he said the Supreme Court's intervention was "gratifying to us."
A roar went up at the Bush outpost in Tallahassee as the decision was announced; and the attention of the few workers at the near-deserted campaign headquarters here was soon riveted to television sets.
Bush was briefed on the development by both Baker and Don Evans, his campaign chairman.
He got the first word from Evans while driving his sports utility vehicle on his ranch.
"Great, good news," was Bush's response, said Bush spokesman Dan Bartlett, who said Bush then called Evans back for more information, and spoke with Baker later.
Earlier Saturday, Bush had dispatched both Evans and his chief campaign strategist, Karl Rove, to Tallahassee to help shore up his forces there after Baker asked for reinforcements.
After receiving his daily national security briefing from the CIA and talking to Baker about the legal battle, Bush and his wife Laura retreated to their 1,600-acre ranch, about a two-hour drive north of here.
In McLean, Va., a Washington suburb, running mate and transition chief Dick Cheney went to the movie Proof of Life with his wife, Lynne, and a half dozen staff members.
"All of a sudden their cell phones started going off" in the theater when the Supreme Court order came down, Fleischer said.
Bartlett said an "enormous effort" was under way in Florida "to try to get some sort of objective standard out of a very subjective process." He estimated the Bush camp now has up to 100 representatives in Florida.
Bush had no public appearances scheduled and no meetings planned. He was to return this afternoon to Austin, where he was to be the host of a previously scheduled holiday party for his staff at the Governor's Mansion. Aides said the Supreme Court decision would not affect his schedule.
Andrew Card, Bush's choice for White House chief of staff, remained at campaign headquarters in Austin. It was the first time in recent days that he did not accompany Bush to the ranch for transition planning.
Cheney, who met earlier Saturday at transition headquarters with Republican Jack Kemp, the 1996 GOP vice presidential contender, told reporters he was still optimistic about the election. Kemp described Cheney's spirits as fabulous.
"He is confident of the outcome, as well he should be," the former New York congressman and housing secretary said. Kemp said he told Cheney "how hopeful I am that the Supreme Court will clear up this modest little discrepancy in Florida."
The two discussed the transition, Kemp said. Asked whether there might be Bush administration job for him, Kemp said, "No. Don't want one. Too old. I'm in recovery from politics."