Minority Madness

Wisecracking Democrats in Tallahassee were steamrollered during the presidential contest. But they didn't take it lying down.

A A A Comments By Bob Norman Thursday, Dec 28 2000

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Carlos Lacasa, a Cuban Republican from Miami, utters what may be the most honest words of the day from either side: "Rather than hiding from my partisanship, I will use it like a beacon to guide me in this vote."

Then comes the Democrats' turn. When Feeney turns over the floor, Gelber gives a strong speech that sounds more like an opening argument in a court case than an appeal to the Republicans. Gottlieb's best line: "This isn't about protecting Florida's electors, this is brass-knuckles politics at its very worst. This is about who gets the best seat at the inauguration, who gets the spoils and the Cabinet positions, and who gets to control our nuclear weapons."

Bruce Brewer

Greenstein talks strategy with his fellow Democrats

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Slosberg condenses his ever-present letter to one sentence, the one in which he is called a mensch. He ends by announcing the fat lady hasn't sung yet, which prompts Feeney to ask Frankel if she has a "rebuttal" to Slosberg's contention. The House erupts in laughter and Frankel, who may be a bit overweight but is far from obese, takes what could be seen as a public insult in good humor. "You do not want to hear me sing," she says. "I can assure you."

In the end, there are no surprises at the session, which lasts five hours. Greenstein and Henriquez were correct; it is 79 to 41. Though the U.S. Supreme Court will decide the presidency, the House has made history. Although it is clearly, as Frankel put it, the "ultimate partisan act," a question remains: Would the Democrats have tried the same tactic if they were in the majority? "Crystal ball, I'd like to say no," Greenstein says. "But can I honestly say it? No, I can't."

So goes Tallahassee, where to the victor goes every spoil, from committee posts to the U.S. presidency. While it may set a dangerous precedent for other state legislatures in future contested presidential elections, the Democrats say the special session likely won't make much of a difference when the legislature meets in March for its regular session. The GOP's Pennsylvania Railroad will run over them just like last year.

"My life is over," says Gottlieb after the special session. "Now, it's back to mediocrity."