In a funny way, we should be thankful for this bizarre post-election campaign. Because it has actually allowed us to see George W. Bush and Al Gore so much more clearly.

If Mr. Bush wins the post-election, it will be, in part, because he reverted to his true self, and his party to its true self, after a campaign in which they persuaded voters that they had become a kinder, gentler, more inclusive G.O.P. If Al Gore loses the post- election, it will be, in part, because he was never himself during the real election, but rather somebody else every week. Therefore he could never ignite the enthusiasm of America's young, or his own party, so he had to personally solicit supporters for his post-election campaign.

During the G.O.P. convention in Philadelphia we were treated to the view of a Republican Party that had become less white, less elitist, more multiracial, led by a Texas governor who promised to be a uniter, not a divider, and who would distance himself from the mean-spiritedness of the Newt Gingrich/Tom DeLay era.

During the post-election, however, we have seen a Republican Party dominated by elderly elite white men and women, who will delegitimize any court, any judge and any ruling that stands in the way of Mr. Bush's presumed right to govern. The Bush aides will question the patriotism of anyone who raises doubts about confusing military ballots, but they evince no concern for blacks, Jews and Hispanics who wrongly voted for Pat Buchanan, or no one, because of their confusing ballots. So much for the Spirit of Philadelphia.

The Republican strategy has been consistent. Every Florida official, judge and canvassing board has been given a choice: Either rule for Governor Bush or be labeled as illegitimate. When the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mr. Bush that Miami-Dade County did not have to hand-recount, Republicans praised that court for acting responsibly, and when the same court ruled in Al Gore's favor, it was branded as a Democratic rubber stamp. When pro-Bush Florida officials tilt decisions his way, the G.O.P. says they're just following the law. When pro-Gore county election boards tilt decisions his way, they're accused by the Bush team of hijacking the election.

This is conservatism without compassion, and it's precisely the sort of nastiness that Americans came to detest about the Republicans during the government shutdown and impeachment trial, which forced the G.O.P. to draft a kinder, gentler candidate. So much for that. Any party that is ready to win this way will, in the crunch, rule this way.

Mr. Gore's problem is slightly different. While Mr. Bush has no problem summoning a mob to do his bidding, Mr. Gore would have to rent one. Many Democrats have to be cajoled to speak on his behalf because he ran a smorgasbord campaign - with a daily special for each interest group - that never added up to any larger, inspirational vision that would motivate people to go into the streets for him. He never articulated any ideal for how America could harness its economic success - and build coalitions between responsible social activists, enlightened companies and inspired government - to promote social justice at home and abroad. Mr. Gore couldn't even come out clearly for the environment. So for many Democrats, Al Gore is a walking, talking dimpled chad - someone they prefer, but not enough to push all the way for.

But give Mr. Gore his due: He proposed the only fair solution - the only solution where neither side could have predicted the outcome - hand- counting every vote in Florida by a common standard. Mr. Bush rejected that, and in doing so he guaranteed that there could be no legitimate 43rd president. Mr. Gore can't win - with legitimacy - by counting dimples in only Democratic counties, and Mr. Bush can't win - with legitimacy - by shutting down hand counts that clearly show more votes for Mr. Gore. During the campaign, people said we don't know who Al Gore is but we know who George W. Bush is. Not anymore. If Mr. Bush wins, it will be because much of what he told us he was, he's not. And if Mr. Gore wins, it will be because everything we hoped he would be was sucked out of him by political consultants - everything but what we already knew was there: the raw hunger to win.

NYTimes - 28nov00 - By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN