Not too long after that SC decision, she was asked about it at a dinner party in Washington. She called that decision a "no brainer" meaning the decision was clear from the beginning and she didn't even have to think about it.

What I have never understood is why the Supreme Court thought it could constitutionally take that case on appeal. The Constitution delegates the right to decide Presidential elections to the individual states. The highest authority on this dispute should have been The Florida Supreme Court, which when handing down its decision started with the words "The right to vote is paramount."

The United States Supreme Court in taking this case and rendering a 5-4 decision handing the Presidency to George W. Bush* negated the votes of 51 million Americans. So I guess in a way it was a no-brainer (for 5 judges) but not in the sense O'Connor meant it....

Sam