Some polling experts believe that even if the court allows the recounts to stand, Mr Gore is not picking up enough votes to overtake Mr Bush's slim lead. Both sides brought their sharpest legal minds to the Tallahassee court to face a succession of tough questions from the five men and two women judges. Tough questions Some observers interpreted the judges' aggressive questioning of Mr Bush's lawyers as a positive sign for Mr Gore, but our correspondent in Tallahassee, Paul Reynolds, says courts sometimes play the devil's advocate during oral arguments. One judge asked a Republican lawyer if manual recounts were allowed in Texas, where Mr Bush is governor. In Florida's biggest county, Miami Dade, a manual recount has started, although it is not expected to be complete until 1 December.
Dimpled ballots show an impression next to the name of a presidential candidate, but no clear hole.
The Democrats are arguing that these ballots should be counted because they give evidence of what a voter intended. Mr Bush currently has a 930-vote lead out of a total of six million cast in Florida. Correspondents say Mr Bush will be encouraged by the results so far in of the recounts which indicate that he is still likely to win Florida, even if the Supreme Court allows the recounts to be taken into consideration. Votes counted so far suggest Mr Gore has picked up some 133 extra votes, and would have to pick up votes at a faster rate to overhaul Mr Bush. Neither the Gore nor Bush campaigns are willing to say what they would do if the court's judgment goes against them, but both sides do still have options.