The last words

By Times staff

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 14, 2000

All across the Tampa Bay area Wednesday, supporters of Vice President Al Gore struggled with their emotions. Their candidate was about to make the concession speech that could finally bring an end to an election battle that has been riveting, frustrating and downright bizarre from start to finish.

The Times asked several Gore supporters: Would they be able to put it behind them and support Texas Gov. George W. Bush as their president?

"I didn't like it. Every vote should count. It's in the best interests of the country to just accept it."
-- Terry Fedder, 41, Venice

"I still think Gore was robbed, but at this point I don't think it's good for the country to have any more big battles.
-- Mary Arment, 49, Land O'Lakes

"Every vote should count. You're taking people's rights away. I don't think Bush will be there more than one term, anyway.
-- Charles Ashe, 30, Tampa

"I'm upset about the whole thing. The whole time they were making this decision they could have been counting ballots.
-- Vicki Anderson, 46, Tampa

"I think a lot of things went on that were wrong. But that's our president.
-- Herbert Bates, 61, St. Petersburg

"I'm sick and tired of this going on forever. I really don't care who is president now."
-- Dorothy Gay, 69, Palm Harbor

"Oh, yes. I think he's (Bush) a good man. I liked his dad.
-- Homer Anderson, 63, Land O'Lakes

"Bush basically shouldn't have won . . . That man couldn't run Texas."
-- Willie Roberts, 58, Brooksville

"I really don't want Bush to become the president. I feel he thinks hate crimes don't exist."
-- Latisha Madrey, 21, Brooksville

"If there was a vote tomorrow I wouldn't vote no more. Bush'll be a good president, I imagine."
-- Dick Dickerson, 74, Zephyrhills

". . . if they can't come to an agreement , why not just leave Clinton in there?"
-- Judy Moon, 60, Hernando Beach

"The vote was by far the most mixed up thing I've ever seen. I hope they get it straightened out.
-- Helen Deets, 69, Inverness

"I'd have no trouble at all. I was actually on the borderline.
-- Les Marsden, 57, Largo

"I don't have trust or faith in the system. I'm not even sure my vote counted.
-- Lenox Cooke, 52, Tampa

I have no faith in Bush whatsoever. Gore is far superior to him.
-- Elemer Nagy, 71, New Port Richey

" I don't think he was elected by the people. I think the Supreme Court elected him."
-- Mel Godsey, 64, Seminole

"I'll say he's the president. But I won't say he's my president.
-- George Wilcox, 76, St. Petersburg

"We have no choice because he is the president of the U.S. But overall Gore's the dude."
-- Rhonda Caldwell, 46, Largo

"I'm disappointed with the Florida process from start to finish.
-- James Swenson, 60, Brooksville

"I'll always have it in the back of my mind that the guy I voted for did not get in. "
-- Dale Morris, 40, Largo

"I'm just sick over it. I think it's a disgrace and they should have done the hand counts.
-- Mary Ann LaPorte, 62, Inverness

"I don't think Gore should have dropped out, but I have to accept it."
-- Mardy Warnken, 38, Palm Harbor

"I think the deck was stacked from the beginning. And the courts didn't help things ."
-- Donahue West, 54, St. Petersburg

"After watching Saturday Night Live, I don't (think I can support Bush). "
-- Jean Crampton, 73, Brooksville

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