http://www.timesfreepress.com/2000/dec/11dec00/webLn11GOREPROTESTSA1.html
Demonstrators keep chanting
BY ANDY SHER
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Brian Strauss spent most of a rain-soaked Sunday drumming up
support for Republican Texas Gov. George W. Bush while standing across the
street from Vice President Al
Gore's official residence on Massachusetts Avenue.
"I'm banging the drum, attracting a little attention,'' Mr. Strauss said as
he snapped out a beat on his U.S. Army-issue snare drum for fellow Bush
supporters, who chanted, "No more lies! No more
Gore!''
Across the street came counter waves of chanting from Gore supporters like
Susan Loftis: "Gore got more! One day it will be counted!''
"All I want for Christmas is a full count,'' Ms. Loftis, a Maryland school
teacher, said regarding the dispute over Florida ballots.
And thus it went on the divided front lines of Protest Central here Sunday
evening, just hours before the U.S. Supreme Court was scheduled to hear
arguments that may end Democrat Al Gore of
Tennessee's post-election ballot challenge.
For weeks, partisans like Mr. Strauss and Ms. Loftis have gathered outside
Mr. Gore's official residence at the Naval Observatory, chanting and waving
signs in favor of or in opposition to the vice
president's continuing battle and various developments.
Partisans said the urgency picked up over the weekend. First, a divided
Florida Supreme Court on Friday first injected new life into Mr. Gore's
attempts to get hand recounts in Florida. Then on
Saturday, a divided U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday issued a stay that halted
the process.
"I think the U.S. Supreme Court called it perfect,'' said Brian Morgan, a
Maryland resident and computer network specialist.
But Mr. Morgan said he feared that even an adverse final U.S. Supreme Court
ruling against Mr. Gore today or this week won't end matters.
"They'll find another way to keep it going,'' Mr. Morgan said. "They've not
yet begun to whine.''
"We're out here letting Al Gore know that we're aware of how he's trying to
steal the election,'' said Kristinn Taylor, who later added, "This is a
death
match for the people behind the fence (Mr.
Gore). They need to get to appoint the next attorney general.''
Fifty feet and a universe away, Gore supporter and Washington attorney Toby
Edelman spoke in fearful terms as well and said the Florida manual recounts
should be allowed to continue.
"I just think it's important that people take this seriously,'' she said.
"We're sort of losing our democracy. It's a big deal. It matters.''
William Soong, a legal aide, was protesting on behalf of Mr. Gore as well.
"I was really surprised to read in the paper that the (U.S.) Supreme Court
kind of stepped in,'' Mr. Soong said. He said if the nation's highest court
goes against Mr. Gore, Mr. Soong said, it's the end
of Mr. Gore's quest.
"I don't know what else we would do. It's hard to appeal above the Supreme
Court.''
Several protesters said they intend to head to the Supreme Court building
downtown today where their numbers may swell to hundreds, perhaps more than
a
thousand people.
About 45 pro-Bush demonstrators and 20 pro-Gore demonstrators were on hand
outside the vice president's home early Sunday evening.
Divided on most matters, protesters even divided over their reaction to a
Tennessee reporter.
"Too bad Al didn't carry Tennessee,'' Ms. Loftis said. "We wouldn't have to
stand here now.''
"He even lost his home state,'' said Mr. Morgan. "That was great."
