12/14/00 10:10 a.m.
The Score
How Bush and Gore did last night: a symposium.

Compiled by Kathryn Jean Lopez, NR associate editor------lopezk@ix.netcom.com

Jana Novak, Republican political consultant and former speechwriter for Speakers Gingrich and Hastert
Surprise, surprise! Yesterday my cynicism ruled, and I even jokingly wrote my commentary on last night's speeches before they happened. Yet in an unpredictable end to an unpredictable election, Gore rose to the occasion — and so did Bush. Gore was eloquent, sincere, and human. Most important, as difficult as yesterday was, he emphasized Bush's legitimacy — especially for Gore supporters. Meanwhile, Bush — cleverly exercising the rule of location, location, location — was a true statesman: gracious, positive, and forward-looking.

So, despite my bitter side being disappointed, there was much to smile about — the aria is over and we can finally, to join the Greek chorus, "move on."

To where? For Gore, to build upon the thought from his speech that "defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out." For Bush, to not only, as every punditeer will solemnly intone, remember that he "was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation," but also to pick people for his administration who believe in something — and have the cojones to do something, too.

Reagan — whose name is always invoked by politicians who have an inverse relationship to his spirit &#!51; was successful because he had clear goals, superior communications skills, and strong people (Republican and Democrat) committed to pursuing his vision. And, at the end of the day, he understood it was more important to be surrounded by smart, savvy, questioning people, than people who just said, "yes, the sky is that color, sir."

Debra J. Saunders, syndicated columnist, and author of The World According to Gore
This is the moment to say kind things about Al Gore. Last night Gore was gracious in his concession speech — he even used the word "concession." He called for America to put aside the rancor his troops had been encouraging, and did so without whining. He disagreed, he said, with the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court; but he accepted his fate, and urged others to accept it as well.

Democratic operatives no doubt will chalk up Gore's defeat to his distancing of himself from Bill Clinton. We Republicans understand that decision showed that Gore has some taste.

Gore supporters must have looked at their candidate last night and sputtered their disappointment in the fact that Gore seemed more sincere tonight, conceding defeat, than he ever appeared during the campaign. He was more convincing telling America that he accepted defeat than he was debating Bill Bradley, debating George W. Bush, or addressing the Democratic convention. Perhaps defeat has given Gore the freedom ambition denied him.

Kathryn Jean Lopez, NR associate editor
Is this Sunday morning? I think I saw Chris Matthews on Saturday Night Live last night playing himself. He was near tears. He was "completely taken" by Gore's speech. It was "breathtaking." He thought it was "majestic." He said it was almost "sacramental in quality," dubbing it the "immaculate concession." "I am totally unprepared for this," he declared. Chris Matthews, who wrote the book on "hardball," was speechless.

Were we watching different speeches?

Yes, as everyone who is anyone has said, Vice President Gore was gracious. His delivery didn't frighten small children like it usually does. But how about what he didn't say?

He didn't say, "This is the end of the election. I encourage all Americans to move on and not to concern themselves with recounts in any state, county, or precinct across the fruited plain. It is important that we leave this election behind us."

Translation: Jesse Jackson, find a new Selma.

And what about what he did say? "Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy."

Mr. Vice President, this didn't just come. The 36 days following Election Day were your doing. This election was over when Florida secretary of state Katherine Harris certified it. And we can all finally acknowledge that now that you have decided to come out of denial and admit it.

Despite all the patriotic rhetoric, we're not going to completely move on with the business of the American people as BC would say, until the Dems call off their attack dogs.