Here are excerpts from editorials in newspapers in the United States in the dispute over the presidential election vote recount in Florida:<!—->.

Tuesday, November 14, 2000

Here are excerpts from editorials in newspapers in the United States in the dispute over the presidential election vote recount in Florida:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Whatever his enemies may say about the man, Al Gore is a fighter. Even now, in the 13th round of a 12-round title fight, he’s swinging away, desperate to claim the victory that he is ohsoclose to achieving.

Up to a point, that’s appropriate. Gore has every right to ensure that every legally cast ballot in the state of Florida is counted, by hand if necessary, to ensure that the verdict of voters is clear. But once that’s done, it has to be over. No court challenges, no legal fights. If George W. Bush has the greater number of votes … Gore ought to publicly acknowledge his opponent as the next president.

That’s a lot to ask of a fighter in the heat of combat, battling for a prize he has sought all his life. But even the biggest prize on the planet can be pursued at too high a price. …

Chicago Sun-Times

The fight in Florida has become far too ugly. Both George W. Bush and Al Gore have roles to play to prevent this close election from escalating into an out-of-control constitutional crisis that damages the presidency and our democratic system.

The Florida vote is too close to call. A fair recount has been concluded, and no further recounting is warranted. Now we wait for the Friday deadline for the overseas ballots. Until they are tabulated, Bush and Gore and their camps should back off and not do anything that makes it impossible for whoever is elected to rule effectively. Given the close vote and the nearly equal division of power in Congress, governing will be tough enough. But someone must govern.

Denver Post

Shame on Al Gore’s presidential campaign for threatening an all-out legal attack on Florida’s election process if Gore does not win the state’s 25 electoral votes in its ongoing recount. Such ”rule or ruin” tactics could trigger a constitutional crisis that would undermine the legitimacy of the U.S. government at home and abroad. …

In short, when Florida’s legal process has run its course on Nov. 17, this election should be over as well. …

Unfortunately, no matter who is elected as the 43rd president of the United States, he will take office under what many regard as questionable circumstances. Prolonging that decision by taking the matter to the courts would only lengthen this nation’s ordeal and add to the ultimate burden facing the next leader of this great republic.