Morning Wire Hanging Chads & High Stakes: Revisiting Bush v. Gore 25 Years Later
7 snips
Dec 13, 2025 In this discussion, guest Ben Ginsberg, a veteran election attorney and former national counsel for the Bush-Cheney campaign, delves into the pivotal Bush v. Gore case. He shares insights into the chaotic Florida recount of 2000, detailing the unprecedented legal battle that transpired over 36 days. Ginsberg addresses the complexities of ballot counting, the reforms that emerged post-2000, and speculates on how modern technology could amplify tensions in a similar situation today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
36 Days Of Legal Chaos
- Ben Ginsberg describes the chaotic 36-day legal battle after the 2000 election that involved dozens of courts.
- He recalls scrambling teams and having over 800 people on the ground for the recount effort.
Lawyers' Fantasy Became Reality
- Ginsberg recounts a pre-election lunch where lawyers joked a Supreme Court recount would never happen.
- He notes how that fantasy became reality just days later, underscoring the uniqueness of Florida 2000.
Count Rules Matter More Than Volume
- Ginsberg explains the campaign's view that winning requires only a majority and that counts were valid under existing rules.
- He argues the Gore team's push to 'count more ballots' risked stretching rules to favor their candidate.