Hard-Core Gore.

• Author: Phillips, James
• Position: Letter to the Editor

I found Jeff Greenfield's article on the contested 1876 election and recount battle ("Hayes's Ride," March) very informative. I must disagree however, with the portrayal of Al Gore in a bad light. The article's subtitle--"In 1876, A Democratic candidate won the presidency, but through lack of nerve lost the recount. Sound familiar?"--is a simplistic and, I feel, inaccurate reading of the events surrounding the 2000 election.

At the time and in several books since, Gore was accused of trying to steal the election from Bush. Though I also disagree with this interpretation, it does imply that Gore worked to swing the recount his way. His nationwide address to accept a statewide recount in...