Democratic Party leaders pledge to avenge 2000 loss in Florida

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Rekindling bitter memories, Democratic leaders and presidential candidates accused President Bush of stealing the 2000 election in Florida and pledged Saturday to avenge that loss next year.

"Florida is the place where America's democracy was wounded," White House hopeful John Kerry told 5,000 delegates at the state party convention.

Former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek brought the activists to their feet with an angry reminder of the long-count election. "We should be ready for revenge!" she shouted as crowd members blew whistles and cheered.

The Supreme Court halted the 2000 recount of Florida ballots after five weeks, with Bush ahead of Al Gore by just 537 votes out of 6 million cast. The state's 25 electoral votes put Bush in the White House.

Democratic leaders hope memories of Gore's narrow defeat inspire liberal voters to turn out in record numbers against the GOP president. Republicans say voters will reject the strategy of political vengeance.

Speaking for a clear minority of Democrats at the convention, Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri suggested that the party needs to put the 2000 race behind them.

"We can't just dwell on the past. We've got to look forward," he told reporters, adding that Gore "probably won the popular vote." One delegate, standing in the back of Gephardt's news conference, whispered angrily, "There's no 'probably' about it, mister."

None whatsoever, echoed Edwards. "We had more votes," the senator told delegates. "We won."

Dean said, "the person with the most votes is going to the White House" this time.

His enormous organizational and fund-raising advantages were evident at the convention as the campaign spent tens of thousands of dollars -- more than $100,000 by some estimates -- to seat delegates in the event hall and line the hallways with paper and people promoting his candidacy.

Kucinich and Clark also had a major presence, though it was unclear whether the effort would yield lasting benefits to any of the campaigns. Florida's delegates to the presidential nominating convention will not be selected until March 9 primary -- likely after a presumptive nominee is determined.