By Michael Conlon
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - Arguments made before Florida's Supreme Court on Thursday could determine the outcome of a month-long legal struggle between Democrat Al Gore (news - web sites) and Republican George W. Bush (news - web sites) for the White House.
A ruling by the court, possibly Friday, on whether thousands of excluded Florida votes must be counted could hold the answer to who will succeed President Clinton (news - web sites) as the 43rd leader of the world's most powerful nation.
``We have put a lid on it for tonight,'' Supreme Court spokesman Craig Waters told Reuters. The seven justices will start work again at 8 a.m. on Friday, he added.
The legal showdown in the state capital Tallahassee -- one month after an inconclusive vote forced a Florida recount -- could be Gore's last stand in his bid to wrest victory from Bush, the certified winner in Florida.