Gore Keeps Support of Congressional Democrats, for Now

A loyal phalanx of Democrats in Congress continued to stand behind Al Gore’s fight for the presidency despite the bruising legal setback he suffered Monday, but many are steeling themselves for the prospect that his fight soon will end in defeat.

Most congressional Democrats supported Gore’s decision to appeal a Florida circuit judge’s refusal to overturn the Nov. 26 decision declaring George W. Bush the winner of the state’s 25 electoral votes. But some candidly acknowledged that they held out little hope Gore would win that legal fight.

“He’s got one last shot,” said Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) of Gore’s hope that the Florida Supreme Court will overturn the judge’s ruling. “He’ll probably lose it and then it’s over.”

Said another House Democrat who asked not to be identified: “I think it’s pretty much over.”

Although other legal options may be available to Gore if he loses his appeal, some Democrats said his political support will drop off dramatically.

“I really question the merits of continued legal action” beyond the Florida Supreme Court appeal, said Rep. Calvin M. Dooley (D-Visalia).

Seminole County Wild Card

Dooley suggested that more dissenting voices would emerge among Democrats if Gore were to push his legal challenge beyond the state high court. “If Gore does not prevail [in that appeal], I think his alternatives are very, very limited and that will be the time for him to consider conceding,” Dooley said.

One wild card remained that some Democrats said could dramatically turn the tide: a pending lawsuit in Seminole County over irregularities in absentee ballot applications that could result in the rejection of thousands of ballots--enough to reverse the outcome.

But most viewed such a scenario as a longshot. And one grim silver lining emerged for Democrats weary of this protracted postelection legal battle: The end seems to be in sight.

“This will be over soon,” said Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.).

Said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.): “You get past the lower court ruling and it comes closer to closure.”

Republicans stepped up their demands that Gore concede defeat.

“America needs to move forward, not be bogged down by the desperation of one man’s obsession,” said Rep. J.C. Watts Jr. (R-Okla.).

“Psychologically, it’s a tough blow,” said Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.). “Legally, it’s a tough blow. [Gore] is already on the ropes and reeling.”

In the view of Republicans, an initial blow was delivered Monday morning when the U.S. Supreme Court voided a Florida Supreme Court ruling that extended the time for manual recounts in several of the state’s counties.

Democrats largely took that decision in stride, saying it was inconclusive. But they acknowledged that it was a setback in a process in which time is not on Gore’s side.

“Al Gore cannot afford to lose a matter of hours in terms of getting these votes counted,” said Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) on CNN. “This has eaten up some time.”

The bigger blow came when Gore’s effort to void the certification by state officials of a Bush win in Florida was struck down by Circuit Judge N. Sanders Sauls.

In their public comments, Democrats rallied behind Gore’s decision to appeal that ruling--if only because they believe he and the party have little to lose by fighting for the presidency a bit longer.

“Democrats have everything to gain and nothing to lose,” said Rep. Norman D. Dicks (D-Wash.). “We’re hanging in there.”

Said Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-Sacramento): “I think Democrats will not tell the vice president it’s time to stop. It’s got to be his decision. But it’s getting to the point now where we’re starting to stretch our credibility.”

One dissenting voice came from Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. (D-Ohio), a maverick who has often sided with Republicans. He said: “It is time for the courts and the lawyers to get out of the way and to certify George W. Bush as the 43rd president of the United States.”

The Gore campaign moved aggressively to shore up congressional support in the wake of the day’s decisions. Shortly after the Supreme Court ruling was announced, campaign staff members called Democratic leaders in Congress to tell them the decision was not a significant victory for either side, one leadership aide said.

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.), Gore’s running mate, placed telephone conference calls to House and Senate Democrats. He thanked lawmakers for their support in the face of mounting political pressure on Democrats--especially those from regions that went heavily for Bush--to call on Gore to concede.

Lieberman is expected to travel to Capitol Hill today to meet with Democrats. Bush is sending his running mate, Dick Cheney, to address a meeting of House Republicans.

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Times staff writer Richard Simon contributed to this story.