The U.S. Supreme Court heard 90 minutes of oral arguments Friday in the case that could determine the presidency of the United States.
Legal analysts say the tenor of the justice's questions indicates that court is divided.
The court is being asked by George W. Bush to overturn a ruling by Florida's Supreme Court that permitted a manual recount of ballots. Bush has been certified the winner of Florida's 25 electoral votes by a margin of 537 ballots. But Democrat Al Gore is contesting the certification in the Florida state courts. The gravity of the proceeding was demonstrated by the fact the court provided about 50 percent more time than it usually allows to hear a case. Dozens of spectators waited outside all night for a chance to get inside.