We're lawyers. We present the arguments, and the court sorts out the merits.

In any profession, whether it's teachers or doctors or lawyers, the more we say we're not going to evaluate those people on the merits, I think that's when the profession goes into decline.

It's terribly important that we extend the promise of equality that the Supreme Court and that the district court articulated in the DOMA case and in the Perry case to all Americans in all 50 states.

This is the first case that I am aware of where, in a ballot contest, the court has refused to look at any ballot,

In addition, I am instructing my attorney to continue to defend me in court on the merits of the case and to only use strategies that are available to any Georgia citizen. I do not want to be treated differently because of my status as a state legislator.

The court heard Judge (Charles) Burton (of the Palm Beach County canvassing board), called by the defendants, testify that they had been able to identify the clear intent of the voters such to add a net 215 votes to Vice President Gore.