Bush, Gore Calmly Await Today’s Drama

The public face on both men locked in the ferocious postelection battle for the White House was nearly identical Sunday: smiles and waves, shouted questions from reporters unanswered.

But with the U.S. Supreme Court hearing today, Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore kept their thoughts to themselves.

In belted blue jeans with an oversized buckle, Bush returned to the Texas capital Sunday afternoon after spending the day in seclusion on his ranch two hours away. After pulling into the gated residence, he briefly left the confines, crossing the street to shake hands with boosters.

Under a pale gray sky, the air warm for the season, Bush grinned widely and flashed his trademark thumbs up before heading back inside for the rest of the day.

The mood in Austin among the staff heading to the Texas Governor’s Mansion for a long-planned holiday celebration Sunday evening was one of anticipation and hope.

Meanwhile, in Washington, subdued Democrats made their way to Christmas parties as a light drizzle fell, the temperature barely hovering above freezing. In the afternoon, many paid careful attention when Gore’s lead attorney, David Boies, made it clear the battle would stop at the Supreme Court.

Despite apparently long odds, the Gore camp remained determined--and convinced it had a strong argument to make to the court.

The Gores hosted two parties for their Secret Service agents and their families at the Naval Observatory, the vice president’s official residence.

Earlier, Gore went to his family church not far from his wife, Tipper’s, childhood home in a northern Virginia neighborhood. The Gores lived there until he became vice president in 1993.

During the service, the minister delivered a sermon on the importance of spiritual preparation.

“The Bible is clear: In virtually every time of life, there has to be a time of preparation,” said the Rev. Martha E. Phillips, as Gore, Tipper and daughter Kristin listened from a pew in the rear of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.

Phillips said: “Today, dear Lord, we also pray for our country during this time of turmoil. Let the voice of her people be heard. Hold all of us in the palm of your hand.”

Thirty-two days after the election, with the end finally, possibly, near, there was little to do but wait for either camp’s foot soldiers.

“It’s relatively quiet. The lawyers worked through the night and they’re ready and we think we have a very strong argument,” said Bush spokesman Dan Bartlett. “The only other day I can remember being like this was the last time we were waiting to hear from the Supreme Court.”

It was a different story at their transition offices near Washington, where Bush’s running mate, Dick Cheney, worked for several hours Sunday afternoon.

“Our orders are clear--full speed ahead,” said Bush deputy press secretary Juleanna Glover Weiss. “I’m sure there were people who didn’t have a lot to do today, but we’re still trying to process thousands of resumes.”

Bartlett said the Republican presidential candidate’s mood was “great,” adding Bush had been in good spirits even before the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the recount of Florida’s more than 43,000 disputed ballots underway Saturday.

Gore’s staffers were largely silent on Sunday. While Democratic stalwarts and top campaign spokesmen made the round of talk shows, few others were talking.

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What Lies Ahead

Nearing its sixth week of uncertainty, the presidential election takes a new turn almost daily. But here’s what appears to be upcoming.

Today, Dec. 11: The U.S. Supreme Court hears George W. Bush’s petition to stop further hand counts in Florida, and Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature reconvenes in a special session to appoint electors loyal to Bush.

Tuesday, Dec. 12: Analysts debate whether this date is the deadline, or a guideline, for states to name their electors to the electoral college if they want to shield them from subsequent challenges. After this date, Congress may not be obligated to accept a state’s electors.

After Florida certified Bush as the state’s winner, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the candidate’s younger brother, reported a slate of Republican electors to the National Archives and Records Administration on Nov. 26. But just in case that slate is not seated, because of ongoing legla challenges, Florida’s House is expected to aprove legislation Tuesday granting the state’s 25 electoral votes to Bush.

Wednesday, Dec. 13: Florida’s Senate is expected to pass similar legislation appointing electors for Bush.

Dec. 18: Electors from every state meet in their respective capitals to cast their votes for president and vice president. To win, candidates need at least 270 of the 538 possible votes. Some analysts say states need not name their electors until this date.

Jan. 6: Congress is scheduled to meet in a joint session to officially tally the results of the electoral college vote. If the tally produces no clear presidential winner, the House convenes soon after and votes, one vote per state, for president. An unsettled vice presidential contest would be decided by the Senate.

Jan. 20: The new president and vice president are inaugurated.