So what does it all mean? A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Monday vacated the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to extend certification deadlines in Florida’s presidential election results and ordered the state’s justices to revisit their decision.

It was, at best, an unclear decision on the part of the nation’s Supreme Court.

The decision sparked a legal tailspin on Monday in Florida, where county and state courts are both considering election-related cases.

And it prolonged what has become a month-long ordeal in our nation: the attempted election of a president.

We have said repeatedly that the election is no longer in the hands of the people — or the democracy. The legal wrangling — led most often by the Democratic camp in its relentless pursuit of a victory just out of its grasp — has created a process by which the president of our United States will be selected — by a series of court rulings and legal decisions.

And as voters, it is frustrating to watch the partisan process unfold in the nation’s highest courts.

What we want — and what we need — is a solid, visionary leader for America. And, as cynics have said, the country’s split vote in the presidential race signals not only the absence of a mandate for either Al Gore or George W. Bush, but also the ambivalence over their abilities to lead the country.

And, we continue our call for leadership in this situation. While tenacity can be an admirable trait, Gore’s refusal to concede smacks instead of a sore loser’s reluctance to admit defeat

This is our presidency, not a game to be won at any cost.

We’d like to think the courts will uphold that reality.