DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: One of the very interesting developments today out of Florida: a historic session with the state legislative there. To tell us more about that and give us some insight, here's Mike Boettcher -- Mike.</s>MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'm standing here now with Van Poole, who is a former state senator and representative; a Republican, known well here in the state and former chairman of the Republican Party here in Florida. Van, you heard Bill Hemmer talk to George Sheldon and said, if the court cases go against Gore, then will the session continue? What do you think about that?</s>VAN POOLE (R), FORMER FLORIDA STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Well, I think it will continue. I think they have to, Mike, because there's so many cases pending and, in particular, the Seminole case -- if they rule against him, Harry Jacobs, the lawyer will probably appeal it. And as long as that's hanging out there, I think the legislature has that obligation to exercise their duty under Article II of the U.S. Constitution.</s>BOETTCHER: Now, one interesting fact about this about this is most of the new members here are freshman because the term limits kicked in here in Florida. What kind of pressure on these people, walking in here, the biggest vote in their life is there first vote?</s>POOLE: Well, it's amazing, Mike; the world is watching. And the closest thing that I can think would be when I was here during impeachment of some cabinet members, and that didn't even hold a candle to this. And I think, as a freshman, they're under, you know, an extreme amount of pressure. It also puts pressure on the leadership, but they'll do their duty because they've got to explain to all these people.</s>BOETTCHER: Well, Van, thank you very much. It should be a very interesting session; we've got a lot more questions coming up for you here in the coming hours and days as this session goes on, so we'll continue to talk about this.
The Florida Vote: Former Republican House Member Sees Choosing Electors as Legislature's Duty