Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.) denied Friday that George W. Bush won Florida in the 2000 presidential election, saying Al Gore won it and the Supreme Court elected Bush to the presidency.
MSNBC reporter Hallie Jackson did not push back on Schultz’s claim. In fact, she agreed. Bush won the state by an official tally of 537 votes after a prolonged recount period that eventually went to the Supreme Court.
A new CNN poll this week showed Donald Trump leading Hillary Clinton among likely voters in Florida, after polling consistently showed Clinton ahead in the critical swing state.
Discussing Clinton’s recent struggles, Schultz, the former Democratic National Committee chair, said that Clinton was actually ahead in Florida and it would go blue as it had for Barack Obama twice. Schultz grew irritated when Jackson reminded her it went red in 2000 and 2004 for George W. Bush.
"In the average of polls, Hillary Clinton is ahead here in Florida," Schultz said. "The reason that Florida will be blue, just like it was in 2012 and in 2008, and in every election since—"
"Not in 2000 or 2004," Jackson said.
"In 2000, it absolutely was blue," Schultz said.
"Of course," Jackson said. "2004, 2004."
"The Supreme Court elected the president," Schultz said. "Al Gore won the state of Florida in 2000, although not the presidency."
Schultz and Jackson are mistaken. Bush won Florida in 2000 and the presidency, going on to serve two terms. Had Gore won the state, he would have been president instead.