 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Lawmaker plays part in election drama
By JIM ROSS © St. Petersburg Times, published December 13, 2000 TALLAHASSEE -- The U.S. Supreme Court didn't send word. Neither presidential candidate conceded. Florida's election saga was standing still Tuesday, if only for a moment, and the next move belonged to Nancy Argenziano and her colleagues in the state House of Representatives. Argenziano, like all of the House Republicans, voted to select 25 presidential electors who are pledged to George W. Bush. The measure passed 79-41 and today goes to the Florida Senate, where Citrus County's two other legislators -- Republican Anna Cowin and Democrat Richard Mitchell -- will consider it. "My heart was pounding when I was about to speak," Argenziano said moments after the historic House session adjourned about 3:40 p.m. "I realized the enormity of what we were going to do." Argenziano addressed her colleagues for about two minutes during the lengthy debate, drawing a few giggles with her introduction. "I am not an attorney. I do not slice baloney for a living," she said. A few more laughs came when Argenziano held a piece of paper to her forehead and compared some counties' canvassing board members with Johnny Carson's old Carnac character, the one who could tell what was written on a card without looking. She said board members sometimes resorted to such "ocular acrobatics" to discern voter intent. But humor was the exception Tuesday, from Argenziano and everyone else. Although Democrats and Republicans tried to keep the mood light, they recognized they were playing a key role in this unprecedented civic exercise. "History will be watching us," House Speaker Tom Feeney said. From the beginning, Argenziano has supported legislative moves to select an electoral slate. Like Cowin, she has argued passionately that Florida could be in jeopardy of losing its voice in the national presidential race if the election lawsuits and contests persist. House Republicans on Tuesday cited the U.S. Constitution, federal law and a few prior court decisions to support their theory that the Legislature can -- no, must -- step in to preserve the Sunshine State's electoral votes in the face of all this uncertainty. Otherwise, the Electoral College might not accept any say from Florida. Democrats, including Mitchell, have been equally resolute, noting that Florida already has designated its Bush electors because he is the state's certified winner. They said the only move that could jeopardize the state'e electoral voice would be to appoint an unnecessary second slate -- exactly what the Republicans intend to do. "I believe that it is unlawful," said Lois Frankel, the House minority leader. "We do not have a right to be doing this." Argenziano stepped onto the House floor a few minutes before the 10 a.m. starting time. Like other representatives, she hoped the Supreme Court might make her job easier -- and maybe even unnecessary. The high court heard oral argument Monday in Bush's appeal of the Florida Supreme Court decision that would allow a statewide manual recount of so-called undervotes. A definitive ruling in Bush's favor likely would seal Bush's victory, especially since the state's high court later Tuesday upheld Bush victories in the Seminole and Martin county absentee ballot cases. "We all kept asking" about the news from the U.S. Supreme Court, Argenziano said. "We'd go back and see what we could hear in the members' lounge." But the many TV screens around the Capitol building, almost all tuned to cable news channels, yielded no news. Argenziano listened attentively during the five-hour session, during which Republican and Democratic representatives gave relatively brief statements. Her seat was in the second row of the middle section and she occasionally would rise to chat with a colleague or fetch some paperwork from clerks. "My concerns still remained after listening to all their arguments," Argenziano would say later. The press gallery was full and many national media members sat in seats typically reserved for the public. Argenziano's time in the spotlight came early in the debate. She stood and decried what she considered meddling by the Florida Supreme Court. Specifically, Argenziano was upset that the court extended the vote certification deadline, infringed on the secretary of state's discretion, ordered the statewide manual recount of undervotes and usurped the power of Miami-Dade County's canvassing board. "You and I would have to file a bill to affect such changes," Argenziano said. Because of the court, "the rules keep changing. You can't keep doing that." Like many of her colleagues, Argenziano said she would do her duty and protect the state's electoral representation. There has been a lot of talk about what do to with uncertain votes, she said. But "we should, and must, be concerned with those certain votes." Later, a reporter asked Argenziano what would happen if the high court restarts the manual recounts and Al Gore emerges the winner. She quickly responded that Florida officials would certify a new slate of electors, replacing the existing pro-Bush slate. But what about the Bush slate that the Legislature wants to send up? "Then it will go to Congress," Argenziano said, "and they have criteria" for resolving such conflicts. Outside the House chamber, as dozens of reporters and photographers swamped Feeney for interviews, Argenziano stood to the side. The U.S. Supreme Court might yet step in and make the Legislature's moves unnecessary, she said. "We're still kind of hoping."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times election desk Top stories Around the state Around the nation From the AP national wire  |
