Short Answer 
The Supreme Court’s ruling during the 2000 Florida recount halted the process, allowing George W. Bush to secure the presidency and raising concerns about electoral fairness. The variability in recount standards highlighted the complexities of election processes, suggesting that different methods could have led to significantly different totals.
Step 1: Understanding the Supreme Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court intervened in the Florida recount during the 2000 presidential election. This decision effectively halted the recount process, which played a critical role in determining the election outcome. The ruling indicated that there were significant legal and procedural issues with continuing the recount, impacting public perception and the legitimacy of the election process.
Step 2: Implications of the Ruling on Election Results
As a consequence of the Supreme Court’s ruling, George W. Bush secured the presidency. This outcome was largely attributed to the inability to finalize the recount, which could have altered the election results. The abrupt ending of the recount raised questions about electoral fairness and left many pondering how the election might have turned out under different circumstances.
Step 3: Variability of the Recount Standards
The potential results of the Florida recount varied based on the standards applied during the counting process. Notably, different recount methods could yield significantly different totals, with some estimates suggesting discrepancies as small as three votes. This variability underscores the complexities of electoral processes and how they can dramatically influence the final outcomes in closely contested elections.