Local Partisans Divided In

Reaction To Election Finale

By Steve Bigham

At 9 pm on election night (November 7), Republican headquarters in Newtown was a solemn place. Early reports out of Florida indicated that Al Gore had won the state and most local Republicans figured that spelled the end for George W. Bush. Later that evening, however, it was announced that the initial reports were inaccurate and the media scurried to determine who the next president would be.

And that is where it stood for more than a month…until Tuesday night when the Supreme Court put a stop to all the wondering. Its decision had effectively given Bush the Presidency. Although inconclusive, the decision thwarted Al Gore by calling the proposed Florida recounts “unconstitutional” and concluded that they did not afford “equal protection” under the law.

“It’s over unless Al Gore takes it to the United Nations,” joked Republican Michael Snyder at My Place Restaurant Wednesday morning.

And he was right. Mr Gore conceded the election at 9 pm Wednesday night.

The Supreme Court’s split decision reflected the split in the nation along a fault line that extended into Newtown this week. For the local Bush supporters, it was time to celebrate a victory they said should have come more than a month ago. They are proud of “W” and say business in Washington should and will go on as usual. Democrats in Newtown say they are still trying to come to grips with the fact that Al Gore lost despite getting more votes than his opponent. Their emotions run strong, and they call into question the credibility of the Supreme Court and the legitimacy of the election itself.

The Republicans

“I’m gratified,” said Republican Town Committee Chairman Marie Sturdevant. “I think Gore should have followed his first instinct and conceded on November 7. I think George W. will make a wonderful President and will go in and try to unite everybody.”

“It’s over. It’s over,” proclaimed Republican State Rep Julia Wasserman just in case there were any doubts. “It was not a question of counting every vote. The votes were counted. The machines counted everything that was there to be counted.”

Mrs Wasserman said she plans to write a letter to Senator Joe Lieberman, criticizing him for “flip-flopping” on some of his positions while serving as the Democrat’s vice presidential candidate.

“I don’t know what he’s going to do to get my respect back.”

Mike Trosan called on Gore to “settle down” the county and to end the “partisan rhetoric.”

Still, Bush supporters in Newtown this week were careful not to celebrate too loudly. They, like the Bush camp, hope the closest election in American history avoids the aftershocks that so many have predicted. A divided nation – not to mention Congress – could make if a very difficult four years for Mr Bush and the Republicans.

The Democrats

“He had better reach out to the Democrats. That’s all I can say,” said one local Democrat.

“After all the votes were cast, the only votes that counted were those of the Supreme Court,” noted Newtown’s Democratic Town Committee Chair Earl J. Smith. “I think the Supreme Court will end up losing a lot of credibility in the minds of the people because as one of the justices pointed out, it seemed to be a partisan vote.”

Mr Smith believes the election was “stolen” from the Democrats in Florida, which is governed by George W. Bush’s brother, Jeb. He predicted the “aftershocks” would be felt two years from now at election time.

“If it had been done properly and Bush came out the winner, you can feel disappointed, but at least you know the people have spoken. But when you know the people have not been given the chance to choose, that’s not good,” Mr Smith said.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said it was unfortunate the Supreme Court had to become involved since it could not come to a solid decision.

“They’re just as divided as the rest of the country,” he said.

Other Newtown Democrats say a cloud will hover over Bush’s head because the nation “will never know who won the election in Florida.” As they point out, many of the votes the Democrats wanted recounted were of the poor, the elderly and the minorities. It was their votes that didn’t count, they say.

Both Democrats and Republicans interviewed by The Bee this week were in agreement that the Electoral College form of election should be eliminated before the next presidential election in 2004. A uniform ballot should be created and used nationwide, the said.