The Bush team won the recount first and foremost because in my judgment, George Bush got the most legally cast votes in Florida that day.

So he won because he won.

Now he could have lost had we not ensured that his victory was recognized.

Florida, Florida, Florida.

This promises to be one of the closest races in American presidential history.

I'm running for President of the United States.

There's no turning back.

Now, for George W. Bush, he will be the 44th President of the United States.

Right here on his head.

As goes Florida, we'll build a nation.

Advisors say the key to a push victory remains Florida.

Tonight a lot of shallow breathing, a lot of forced smiles, a lot of white knuckles.

Please don't know who's going to be the next president.

Florida, Florida, Florida.

I'm Chuck Todd, moderator of Meet the Press.

20 years ago, the presidential election ended in an unprecedented legal, political, and public relations fight centered on the state of Florida.

With Florida a battleground, Gore believes if he can beat Bush there, he can change the whole dynamic of the race.

That voice, of course, was Tim Russell.

Along with the rest of the NBC news team,

both campaigns, lawyers, media, and gockers from around the country descended on Florida for an epic fight with the presidency of the United States on the line.

We live in a different universe with 24 hour cable news, all news, radio going all the time.

At the time, the country wondered, how could our elections be so fragile?

...