Remarks welcoming the audience to the Post-Election Roundtable at the University of Hawaii (2000)
"MAKING SENSE OF THE NONSENSE OF 2000"
Robert P. Watson
It was truly an election like no other. Although the nation had experienced snafues with the Electoral College four times prior – in 1800, 1824, 1876, and 1888 – the United States had never quite elected a president like it did in 2000. Following the election on November 7, 2000 , a 36-day drama ensued complete with intrigue, suspense, and scandal.
It is doubtful Hollywood writers could have written a more exciting script than that produced by the election officials, voters, and candidates in Florida . It featured ugly allegations of racism that harkened back to the pre-Civil Rights days of the Deep South, heretofore unknown election workers – some honest and well-intentioned, others colorful and scandalous – thrust suddenly into the spotlight, and, seemingly at every turn, a new plot unveiled spoiled ballots, faulty voting machinery, miscast votes, and gross incompetence.
What started off as a ho-hum campaign between two uninspiring presidential candidates, turned into a textbook scenario after Election Day insofar as each vote literally did matter. Although the lawyers and courts took control of the election, the process bogged down in a legal "terra incognita." The experts seemed befuddled and unable to either predict or explain the outcome. The media got it wrong – twice – first calling Florida for Gore, then later for Bush, then correctly rescinding both reports.
And so the public was treated to a national civics lesson about the Electoral College and the Constitution. Perhaps befitting of the unprecedented events surrounding the contested election, Election 2000 ended in even more controversy.
Several worthy books will eventually be produced by prominent authors telling the story of the 2000 election and politicians, pundits, and prognosticators will continue to fill the airwaves in the weeks and months to come trying to make sense of it all. But they tell only part of the story, for the events of the 2000 election are still unfolding, and the ultimate impact of this historic and, if I may, unsettling election remains to be seen. Indeed, I believe we have yet to fully assess the significance of the 2000 election, as its meaning is still being debated and its effect will continue to be felt in future reforms and elections.
Election 2000 is fast becomming both the focal point and impetus for an array of interesting and important electoral reforms. Reformers march under the mantra of "The Florida Effect," while critics jeer "Flori-duh." Indeed, in the wake of the 2000 election, a host of reforms are already being proposed that would fundamentally change the way public officials are elected. Yet, I am doubtful much at all will come of it, for we Americans tend to have short memories. Much more will need to be done and it will likely take many more years of hard work... and misfired elections. And I am not at all confident that the same political process – and politicians – that produced the Florida 2000 election, now entrusted with the reigns of government and the responsibility of reform, will respond any different than, oh, say, the way they did after the 1876 election!
Indeed, what did we learn from 2000? We have learned that our democracy is still a work in progress and that we must continue to endeavor toward that "more perfect union" envisioned by the Framers. And we learned to ask questions! Are elections conducted in a fair and accurate manner? What of the integrity of the ballots, voting technology, and officials that make up our electoral system? What reforms are needed?
In my humble opinion, a dose of public skepticism toward the political process and our elected leaders, as reflected by these questions, will truly define the legacy of Election 2000. So, with the memory of 2000 still fresh in our minds and the possibility of another 2000 looming in 2004, 2008, and beyond, let us remember that two things we all share are our status as participant and as stakeholder in the electoral process. The challenge before us then is to demand that our elected officials do the job by enacting aggressive, progressive reforms to ensure the accuracy and integrity of our electoral system... and, until they do, to ask tough questions. Then – and only then – will voters truly be empowered and our Union be made more perfect!
Thank you.
