Harris recalls role in Florida's balloting battles

Will investigate allegations

Harris told King that she planned to work to improve her state's voting system, which she noted was rated one of the best in the nation. But she said independently elected election supervisors in each county determined their ballot and voting systems.

Harris said to her knowledge no black voter was disenfranchised during the presidential election in her state.

"Florida's always been a very progressive state and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, whether it be for race, or creed, or gender or age. And so, of course, we'll look into these allegations and we will thoroughly follow up on them, we'll thoroughly investigate them," Harris insisted.

The secretary of state said her office was not being eliminated and she would rather be an elected official, accountable to the people, than be appointed to an ambassador position.

Jokes about her

Harris said her lowest point during the controversy came when two counties shipped their ballots by rental truck to the state capital and a comedian said the sight on television resembled O.J. Simpson's slow-motion flight to escape.

"He said all of America sat and hoped, as they watched Ryder trucks going down the road bringing the ballots, that O.J. had murdered me," Harris said. "And that hit very hard."

Harris said she took comfort from her husband and daughter and from the flowers and messages she received from supporters.

The Florida official had a lighter view of the criticism about her make-up, saying most of the men who went on television to slam her appearance were wearing more makeup than she ever did.

She also giggled about the fashion critic, Mr. Blackwell, putting her on his worst-dressed list. She said she loved being called "the brassy lassie from Tallahassee." She also suggested inviting all the other women on the list to a fundraiser at which a before and after makeup contest would be held with Blackwell as the judge.