It may seem a shadowy legal battle, unfolding in courts and back rooms, but the prolonged race for the White House remains above all else a battle for public opinion.
George W. Bush and Al Gore are sailing in uncharted waters. By now, a week after the election, both hoped they would be preparing for the Oval Office as president-elect. Instead, both are struggling to appear aloof and above the fray as they risk being tarred with some of the partisan viciousness breaking out among their teams - something which may dog their early days in office.
Monday gave a good indication of just how nasty things have become. Florida's Secretary of State Katherine Harris - a Bush Republican - announced she would follow the law and certify the election result at 5pm on Tuesday. That result would be final, pending the inclusion of absentee ballots on Friday or Saturday, she added.
Gore spokesman Chris Lehane immediately denounced her as 'Commissar Harris' and a 'lackey' who was simply trying to deliver the state - and the White House - to Mr Bush.
Despite such tantrums from his staff, Mr Gore probably has a natural advantage in the public perception stakes as an incumbent Vice-President.
The weekend saw him keen to look relaxed and jolly, tossing a football around with his family. On Monday, the suit was back on and he was talking to the nation from the steps of the White House. Trying to look his most presidential, he warned 'democracy was at stake' to justify his battle to overturn Mr Bush's Florida lead.