BRADENTON, Florida - Katherine Harris, the controversial Florida Secretary of State who spearheaded the 2000 Presidential election "recount" that put George Bush in the White House, lost her bid to unseat Senate incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson in a landslide. But that doesn't worry Harris. Even after the television networks declared her a decisive loser, she claimed she won."In my mind, I have counted the votes," she told her supporters, "and we have won!" The crowd cheered wildly, many with tears in their eyes as they recalled Harris' pivotal role in the 2000 election. Harris told them to pay no attention to the results announced on television. "Remember this: It doesn't matter how many people actually vote for you -- all that matters is how the votes are counted after-the-fact." The crowd stood and cheered for five solid minutes.
On her way out of the ballroom at the Bradenton Park Inn, Harris told reporters that her election night celebration drew in excess of 500 supporters. The Hotel's general manager, however, said Harris was wrong. "There were 25 or 30 people here, tops," said Park Inn general manager Chad Knox. "That lady must not know how to count."
