House Democrats siding with Bush

© 2000

As Vice President Al Gore attempts to maintain a positive outlook on his chances of overturning Gov. George W. Bush's victory in the presidential election, Democrats in the House of Representatives are jumping ship and say they will support the Texas governor should Congress be required to choose the next president.

A report in yesterday's print version of Investor's Business Daily by John Berlau and Sean Higgins reveals the breakdown of cohesion within the Democrat Party, despite the united-front exterior being portrayed by the party's leadership.

"The Democratic Party is strongly supporting everything that is being done in this contest by the Gore-Lieberman ticket," House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., insisted after meeting with Gore's running mate, Sen. Joe Lieberman.

A spokeswoman for North Dakota's only House representative, Democrat Rep. Earl Pomeroy -- who spent the campaign season blasting Bush's Social Security plan -- said if the House were forced to pick the next president, the congressman would vote for Bush.

Likewise, Texas Democrat Reps. Charles Stenholm and Ralph Hall said they would support their state's governor in a House vote.

Other Democrats, though not committed to Bush, have put some distance between themselves and the vice president. But a source in the Gore recount committee told WorldNetDaily most Democrats jumping ship are in states or districts that supported Bush on Nov. 7.

Indeed, according to the IBD report, 62 percent of the vote in North Dakota, Pomeroy's district, was for the Texas governor.

"My district voted for Bush 2-1," Stenholm told IBD Friday. "Unless I have a compelling reason, I vote the wishes of my district. As of now, I don't have a compelling reason." A member of the "Blue Dog" caucus of conservative Democrats, Stenholm was one of five members of his party to vote for President Clinton's impeachment.

Hall, also a Blue Dog, said he's trying to persuade others among the 20-plus Blue Dogs to back Bush as well. One convert is Mississippi Rep. Gene Taylor. The Democrats control Mississippi's delegation by one vote. But Taylor's defection would give the state's vote in the House to Bush.

The only House Democrat to openly support Bush before the general election, Hall believes Bush won fair and square.

"When you satisfy the secretary of state, and they certify you, to me, that's it," he told IBD. "That's a states' rights issue more than a national issue."

With Hall and Stenholm voting for Bush, the Texas House delegation would be tied at 15-15.

In the event of a tie in the Electoral College, the Constitution demands the president-elect be chosen by Congress, with each state having one vote.

Those still uncommitted to voting for Gore in a House presidential contest include black liberal Rep. Julie Carson, D-Ind. She said last week she didn't want Gore to ruin his chances in 2004 by earning a reputation as a sore loser.

And "loser" is just about the role Gore finds himself in since Florida Circuit Judge N. Sanders Sauls rejected every argument made by the vice president's lawyers in Saturday's election contest trial. With his legal options dwindling, Gore has just five days left to win a court contest and complete any resulting recounts before the Dec. 12 deadline for choosing electors.

However, a point still being sidestepped by most of the media is the fact that Florida's electors were already named with Secretary of State Katherine Harris' certification of the state's vote. As reported by WorldNetDaily, the slate of names was then sent to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who signed the certificate of ascertainment identifying the presidential electors and then sent them via registered mail to the national archivist on Monday, Nov. 27. Per federal law, Florida's role in the 2000 presidential election has been completed.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Answers

Bob, it is hardly a secret that a number of Southern Democrats would rather have any Republican adminstration than a Democrat administration. Only reason they don't cross the aisle is because they know their districts will not vote for a Republican in Congress.

Ok, its weird. Life is strange.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

"My district voted for Bush 2-1," Stenholm told IBD Friday. "Unless I have a compelling reason, I vote the wishes of my district. As of now, I don't have a compelling reason."

This is a Representative who apparently understands his role. Good for him. Good for his district.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000