Episode 165: Hanging Chads & Butterfly Ballots? Bush v. Gore, 25 Years Later
Description
It's been 25 years since hanging chads, butterfly ballots and dozens of lawsuits thrust Florida into the international spotlight, with the presidency of the country hanging in the balance. In the first of a two-part series, Dara sits down with two key players who were at the epicenter of Florida's Bush v. Gore battle: Craig Waters, who was the Florida Supreme Court's public information officer, and Barry Richard, the lawyer who represented George W. Bush's campaign and managed 47 lawsuits around the state. Craig reveals how he balanced the media's 'need to know' with the deliberative court process under the spotlight. Barry takes us behind the scenes of the Bush campaign's legal war room, sharing insights into the most pivotal arguments that turned the tide. Dara provides her perspective as one of the hundreds of journalists covering the story of a lifetime. The trio also weigh in on the lasting historical impact of Bush v. Gore, misconceptions about legal decisions and the subsequent fundamental changes in election litigation. Join us for Part One of this unforgettable look back at a moment that redefined American political and legal history. Did a reporter really get run over by another reporter? Tune in and find out!



