Chapter 10 Blog Assignment

              The presidential election of 2000 came down to Florida’s electoral votes. The candidate who won the state’s electoral votes would win the election. The early counts were close, due to the closeness of the race, and automatic machine recount took place. Bush led Gore by 537 votes out of 6 million cast. Gore went to state court in Florida, asking for a hand recount. Bush then filed a suit in federal court, claiming that the standards of the intent of the voter that Florida used , which could mean different standard by different officials, was so arbitrary as to violate the equal protection clause. Bush ended up winning the election and Gore never got his recount.I believe that a recount was needed for further confirmation, especially when the election is down to one state. Also, out of 6 million voters, Bush was only ahead by 537 votes according to the automatic machine. I personally do not fully trust electronics yet. A hand count would have been more appropriate.

 

                No one could run for president without funding. Huge sums inject inequalities into presidential campaigns, as it seems candidates who lack personal fortunes and established fundraising operations are less likely to be able to compete. I think better candidates want to run but refuse to confront the criticism elections can uphold.

 

                Personally I have never voted, I don’t feel influenced to vote. It is our right, but I choose not vote until a candidate truly interests me. So far not one candidate has earned my vote. I look back at our past presidents, wondering where the great men like those men are at in the United States that we live in today. Most teens vote because their parents vote. This Results in that teenager following their parent by voting Republican or Democratic. If parents do not vote, then the teenager will not be influenced either. I believe many families are like this.