Attorneys for both Bush, Gore grilled in hearing

The nation waited Tuesday as the nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court prepared a ruling that will either seal presidential victory for George W. Bush or give Al Gore one more chance. Weighing issues of state versus federal rights, and what standards should be used in ballot counting, the justices set no time for their ruling, but it was expected soon given the constitutional deadlines ahead. A RULING against Vice President Gore wouldn't categorically end his chances, but it would lengthen his odds to an almost insurmountable degree. The next crucial deadline in the presidential race comes Tuesday, the date stipulated by the U.S. Constitution for Florida and every other state to have selected their slates for the Electoral College. If that deadline isn't met, the Constitution gives state legislatures the power to choose the electors. Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature, which is meeting in a special session, has said it will likely step into the dispute by doing just that. Though there still are other unresolved election challenges pending before various courts, an aide to Gore, who spoke with NBC News on Monday, made it clear that Gore's camp views Monday's legal showdown as the last chapter. "There would be no alternative" but to concede if the court comes down firmly against the vice president, the aide said. Moreover, Gore running mate Sen. Joseph Lieberman said in a radio interview Monday that if the court rules in Texas Gov. Bush's favor, "That's probably the end of it." Even if the vice president decided to wait until other election-related lawsuits are settled, many of his allies were expected to abandon his cause.