World News 05-12-2000 Al Gore Vainly Battles On who: Al Gore what: Dealt crushing blows by courts in White House race where: Washington DC when: Yesterday snippet: "Two bells tolled for Al Gore yesterday," says The Scotsman`s Robert Tait, "though it is doubtful whether he heard them. The US vice president is now in all-out battle mode, sworn to fight to the bitter end." First, in a unanimous ruling, the US Supreme Court dismissed the extended deadline for hand-counted Florida ballots that Mr Gore`s Democratic Party campaign needs to reach the White House. The case has been referred back to the Florida Supreme Court justices, who will now rule on it again. And second, the Leon County circuit court in Tallahassee ruled that there was "no credible" evidence for overturning the Florida result. Mr Gore will now appeal against that decision, but it seems increasingly likely that his Republican rival George W Bush will take office next year after almost a month of uncertainty since election day. Yesterday`s events are described by The Independent as "potentially devastating"; it is "a crushing blow," says The Guardian and "Al Gore`s White House hopes hung by a thread last night," says The Telegraph. [... more]

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