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20 years ago today, Bush v. Gore, a thread:
I was in my first job out of law school: Assistant Counsel to Vice President Al Gore. I got up and went to work crestfallen that SCOTUS had stopped the FL recount in Bush v. Gore. 1/
I was in my first job out of law school: Assistant Counsel to Vice President Al Gore. I got up and went to work crestfallen that SCOTUS had stopped the FL recount in Bush v. Gore. 1/
Around midday I got word that the VP would make a concession speech in the Ceremonial Office in the Old Executive Office Building. Harkening back to our pre-law school advance roles, John Donoghue and I set up the flags, etc. for the speech. 2/
I then left the office, grabbed my car, and drove to Annapolis, MD to be sworn into the bar — I became a licensed attorney that day.
I drove back in time to witness VP Gore’s speech from the hallway. Tears were shed. 3/
I drove back in time to witness VP Gore’s speech from the hallway. Tears were shed. 3/
Our boss, Al Gore, told America:
“I accept the finality of the outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College” he said. “And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.”
4/
“I accept the finality of the outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College” he said. “And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.”
4/
And he told us, his staff (many of whom wanted to keep fighting), that it was our patriotic duty to help him calm the nation’s waters, assist the Bush team solidify their legitimacy, and facilitate the Bush-Cheney transition. 5/
That was the right, honorable path under our democratic system, even for an election that, unlike 2020, was actually razor close (537 votes in one state that had material voting problems). Gore later presided over the electoral vote counting in the Senate over objections. 6/
Frivolous Dec. 13, 2000 addendum: We drowned our sorrows at NavObs that night with some special guests, including Tom Petty, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Jon Popper & Tipper Gore on the drums. 7/fin
