there is a belief gore lost more votes to patrick buchanan than to his opponent. that conceivably could have made a different. but it was just a very strange ballot form they had. it was hard for the voter to use. >> time for one more question. >> i wanted to ask about your thoughts on the equal rights amendment. i know it wasn't addressed in your book and i was wondering if you could talk a little bit about if you think it' been an effective means for change in the women's rights. >> state your name please >> shawlon. >> you have to repeat it for me. >> so the question is, in your book, you don't talk about the equal rights amendment >> that's right >> so should the equal rights amendment have been adopted and what difference would it make? >> well, that was an issue when i went through the confirmation process. i made the i guess tactical error saying i did not think the equal rights amendment was necessary because i thought if the equal protection clause was properly construed that gender discrimination could be curtailed. and that the national organization for