The case has been vacated and is now remanded to the state high court for "further consideration not inconsistent with this decision," according to the opinion issued at noon today.
For now, at least, the Bush lead is back at a 970-vote margin over Gore, because the ruling has the effect of restoring the original certification that Secretary of State Katherine Harris was poised to approve before being barred from doing so by the state court.
While not in any way a conclusive decision, because the Florida high court must apparently now merely "justify" its controversial decision, it does represent yet more unwelcome news for the Gore campaign.
This procedural posture, at this point in time, could have other more important implications that could well favor President-elect George W. Bush.
With the U.S. Supreme Court now "looking over the shoulder" of its Florida counterpart, the resultant extraordinary ‘sunshine’ and scrutiny could have the consequence of reining in the much-criticized activism by the Florida court in other cases, now in process, which will soon find their way to the Florida Supreme on appeal.
It remains unclear how much difficulty might be involved in ‘curing’ the justification relied upon in the Florida ruling, which must now be clarified for the U.S. high court.
More uncertainty and more time elapsed is not good news for Gore.
And, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Judge N. Sanders Sauls has announced that he is reviewing his decision on the Gore contest lawsuit prior to its expected release today.
Be sure to check back here often, as updates will be posted as they occur.
The sickening roller-coaster ride of Election 2000 continues at the 'unclean' hands of Junior Gore.
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Dan Frisa represented New York in the United States Congress and served four terms in the New York State Assembly.
• Dec. 4, 10:00 a.m. - American Freedom Network in Denver, Col.
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