But the ruling was far from definitive. Several of its dissents were extraordinarily bitter in tone. After Watergate ended with President Nixon's resignation, many Americans had a feeling that the political system had, to a certain extent, worked. After the Long Election, many may feel that the system simply survived. Even on the part of many of Bush's supporters there is a feeling less of triumph than relief.
Voters are likely to rally around the president-elect in the days to come.
That is a common post-election phenomenon in America. His poll numbers will rise, the choosing of his Cabinet will seem a comfortable and familiar ritual. The trouble may start with his actual governing. It is an open secret in Washington that many prominent Democrats were not sad to see Vice President Gore lose. This is not so much because they had little personal investment in their candidate - although that point is true.