In a November 20 CNN.com online chat, she reassured the audience of the soundness of the judicial system.

"The real constitutional lesson is that we have a very stable democracy," she says. "Although it's frustrating, things are working the way they are supposed to in a constitutional system. In many other countries, tanks would be rolling down the streets at this point,"

Gerken was asked in the same CNN.com online chat what lessons could be learned from the election debacle.

"The lesson is that we need to have a better system for running our elections. We need consistent ballots and better machines. And we need clear statutory rules on how controversies like this one should be resolved."

Gerken's extensive commentating on the election gave her a first-hand look at the vast media operation surrounding the election controversy.

"The media played a very bad role in this election," she says. "The coverage was superficial. They played right into the hands of spinners too eager to turn this into a big political game."

Gerken says she was frustrated with the media's lack of respect for the judicial process. Once, she says she was asked whether cameras should be allowed in the Supreme Court.

Gerken said no.