Senator Don Nickles (R-OK)on Election 2000 and the new Congress

Sen. Don Nickles

(CNN) – Two rulings are expected from Florida's Leon County Circuit Court on alleged irregularities in absentee ballot applications in Seminole and Martin counties. The Florida Supreme Court is ruling on Gore's appeal for a hand recount of disputed presidential ballots. The courts’ decisions are expected on Friday, December 8.

Senator Don Nickles is the senior senator from Oklahoma and the first Republican from that state to win election to four successive Senate terms. For the past 10 years, he has been a member of the Republican Senate leadership, currently serving as assistant Senate majority leader.

Chat Moderator: Senator Nickles, welcome to Crossfire chat on CNN.com.

Don Nickles: Thank you.

Question from Thompjac: Senator Nickles, why is it that Governor Bush is against the recount? Is it that he's afraid of the results or is it just plain partisanism?

Don Nickles: I think the biggest issue is not so much the recount, but the fact that the areas in which the Democrats selected for recounts. They're doing more than recounting, but actually casting votes. They're doing it, frankly, in ways that were not counted prior to this election. Prior to this election, they never counted dimpled ballots in Palm Beach County, for example.

Question from Miami: Senator Nickles, thank you for your service to our great nation. Do you think the Florida Legislature can get by with choosing the president without repercussions?

Don Nickles: Well, I think we need to let the process work its way through the state Supreme Court, but likewise, the state Legislature has a responsibility under the Constitution. As a legislator and a former state legislator, you swear to uphold the laws of the state, as well as the Constitution of the state of Florida and the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution provides for the Legislature to participate, and they should certainly act in accordance with the Constitution.

Question from Katswashington: Senator Nickles, do you agree with Bush in placing Democrats in the cabinet?

Don Nickles: I would certainly agree if they were Democrats who believe in his philosophy.

Question from RockModern: According to the Constitution, the Legislature chooses the "manner" of the election. Where does it say they can actually choose the electors?

Don Nickles: I don't have the Constitution in front of me. I don't want to try to paraphrase it. It also could be -- hopefully won't be -- necessary for the Legislature to act to make sure that the state's 25 electoral votes are counted, if the disputes are not resolved by the courts by the 12th of December.

Question from Michigan: Senator Nickles, with a race this close, do you feel that a manual recount of all of Florida is sound judgment?

YOU SAID IT From: Express your Opinion: Presidential race 2000     MESSAGE BOARD Presidential race 2000 Election 2000 The Election process     TRANSCRIPTS CNN.com Chat Transcripts Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) on the latest on Election 2000's courtroom showdowns and the new Congress CNN's Bill Hemmer's chat on presidential election developments in Florida CNN's Gary Tuchman's on Florida absentee ballot trials CNN's Susan Candiotti: Florida Supreme Court considers Gore recount appeal

Don Nickles: No, not really. I don't think a manual recount would be more accurate than a machine count. Manually, particularly with paper ballots with chads, etc., the votes are much more subjective than the counts by machines, and therefore not more accurate, but actually less accurate.

Question from Theoone: Senator Nickles, do you expect the U.S. Senate to challenge the validity of Florida's electors if the Florida Legislature appoints them?

Don Nickles: The Constitution gives the Congress -- House and Senate -- and it takes a concurrent action by both to contest any state's electoral votes. That is an option under the Constitution, and we are sworn to uphold the Constitution. It doesn't demand action. It requires action by both a House member and a senator to contest a state's electoral count. It is seldom done, and I hope that it wouldn't be necessary, and hope that wouldn't happen.

Question from Thompjac: Senator Nickles, do you think that Jeb Bush was premature in signing the Certificate of Ascertainment with the still pending legal cases, specifically in Martin and Seminole counties in Florida?

Don Nickles: No, I think he was correct in his signature.

Chat Moderator: If Governor Bush becomes president, won't he be dogged with questions of his legitimacy as a result of the contest in Florida?

Don Nickles: No, I don't think so. I think it would be the other way around. If Al Gore should happen to win by dimpled ballots, changing the rules after the election to allow dimpled ballots or ballots that weren't actually cast, I think there would be greater questions in that event. I hope that won't happen.

Question from Larry: Senator Nickles, do you feel the Republicans under the administration of Governor Bush will work toward the center a little more than the far right will accept?

Don Nickles: I don't know that I'd say center, but I think we'll reach out to Democrats to try to achieve some positive results.

Chat Moderator: Senator Nickles, do you have any final thoughts for us?

Don Nickles: It was a pleasure to join you!

Chat Moderator: Senator Nickles, thank you for joining us tonight.

Don Nickles: Thank you!

Note: Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) also joined the chatroom following Crossfire: Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Election 2000 and the new Congress

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