Inside the counting rooms, its supporters challenge every ballot that might have been cast for Al Gore. The challenges, which are their legitimate right, also slow down and complicate the count. They pretend that Democrats just sit there, undisturbed, making up votes for Al Gore. But if the process weren't open, they wouldn't have the grist for many of the charges they throw around on television. Republicans crow when the recounts don't immediately produce as many votes for Gore as Democrats hoped they would.
All recounts are difficult.
Many in the past have devolved into shouting and even fistfights. So do Republicans who find themselves behind in other close races held the same day as the Bush-Gore contest. Take the case of Republican congressional candidate Dick Zimmer in New Jersey, who is seeking a recount in his narrow race with Rep. Rush Holt, a Democrat. As of Monday morning, Zimmer said he was running 400 to 500 votes behind. Roughly 290,000 votes were cast.