WASHINGTON-- Al Gore surrendered his battle for the White
 House, accepting George W. Bush as the 43rd president of the
 United States. "I accept the finality of this outcome," the vice
 president said tonight.
 In a valedictory from the ceremonial office at the White House
 he will vacate, Gore signaled some of the bitter reluctance to
 concede defeat that propelled his 36-day legal battle for Florida
 ballot recounts.
"Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no
 doubt," Gore said. "While I strongly disagree with the court's
 position, I accept it."
 He called for his supporters to unite behind his Republican rival
 Bush.
"We close ranks when the contest is done," Gore said.
 "While we yet hold-- and do not yield-- our opposing beliefs,
 there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is
 America and we put country before party," Gore said. "We will
 stand together behind our new president."
 Standing behind Gore in the ornate White House office were his
 wife, Tipper, their four children, running mate Sen. Joseph
Lieberman and his family.
 Gore recognized that the 50 million voters who cast their ballots
 for Gore-Lieberman on Nov. 7 were disappointed. "I am too. Our
 disappointment must be overcome by our love of country," he said
 from an armored presidential lectern missing its presidential seal.