Shop Weather Sports Life Money News Homepage

 

  mySimon
Comparison Shop at mySimon!
 
MSDW Online
Trade stocks on the go with your Palm(tm)!
 
Salary Calculator
Compare the cost of living across the USA.
 
   

 
Search
the site  the Web

Powered by Lycos

 
 Guide to Government

Inside News
 Talk Politics
 Nationline
 Washington
 Worldline
 State news
 Election 2000
 Town Hall
 Supreme Court
 Opinion
 Polls and attitudes
 Columnists
 Editorial cartoons
 USA TODAY political writers

 



 
 
 

11/08/00- Updated 05:32 PM ET
 


Bush, Gore speak as Florida begins recount

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — In an election for the history books, George W. Bush cautiously declared victory Wednesday over Al Gore and promised to ''unite the nation'' after the wildest White House finish in decades. Gore promised to abide by the final results but insisted, ''We still do not know the outcome of yesterday's vote.'' It was a fitting finale of tumult and tension for two men who spent eight months and $240 million on the campaign trail only to finish a few thousand votes apart in a single pivotal state.

READ MORE (below)
PRESIDENT - 99 % of precincts reporting
  Popular Vote Percent States Won Electoral Vote
Gore (D)    48,707,413 48 19 255
Bush (R)    48,609,640 48 29 246

Vote returns will appear shortly after polls close in each state or locality (click here for times) and will update automatically. Click refresh button for latest results. Winners of some races may be projected based on exit polls. Winners may not be declared in every race, and results in some races or categories may vary briefly, due to late vote counts or other factors. (i) denotes incumbent. Only one candidate will be listed in uncontested races. Click here for party abbreviations.
More presidential
vote returns
Related stories
Sights and Sounds
Graphics


 

 
Photos  
Audio-
video
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
More info.  

If Gore's lead in the national popular vote held, Bush would be the fourth man in history — the first in more than a century — to win the presidency despite coming in second in popular votes. Calling this an ''extraordinary moment in our democracy,'' Gore noted that the Constitution awards the presidency to the Electoral College winner, not necessarily the leading vote-getter.

''We are now, as we have always been from the moment of our founding, a nation built on the rule of law,'' the vice president said.

Bush was looking ahead to his transition to power, preparing to announce key roles in his administration for retired Gen. Colin Powell and former Transportation Secretary Andy Card.

''It's going to be resolved in a quick way,'' Bush said of the Florida recount set to be finished Thursday. Joined by running mate Dick Cheney in Austin, Texas, he added: ''I'm confident that the secretary and I will be president-elect and vice president-elect.'' Florida was a state of chaos, its 25 electoral votes the margin of victory as both Bush and Gore were agonizingly close to the 270 required.

The AP tally showed Bush leading by fewer than 1,700 popular votes out of 6 million cast in the state. ''Not only is the vice president ahead in the popular vote, he's ahead in the Electoral College,'' campaign chairman William Daley said. Earlier, he said Gore would be prepared to ''move on'' if he lost the recount.

After a long night of suspense, the vice president slept late before his statement on Wednesday. He was confident of victory ''if the recount is handled in a fair and honest way,'' spokesman Mark Fabiani said. Democrats privately said they worried about the objectivity of Florida's secretary of state, Republican Katherine Harris.

Soon after she ordered the recount, lawyers for both candidates flocked to the state, led by two former secretaries of state - Christopher for Gore and James A. Baker III for Bush.

The next president, no matter who he may be, faces a Congress that will be divided deeply by modest Democratic gains.

Voters spoke as if from two worlds - men versus women, parents versus singles, city dwellers versus rural Americans, whites versus minorities - casting distinctly different visions for America and denying the presidential victor any claim of a mandate.

Republicans retained control of the Senate, but lost seats and could be stuck with the smallest possible majority. They lost seats in the House, too, and will cling to a razor-thin advantage.

''It won't be easy for whoever is president,'' said Republican strategist Scott Reed.




(Requires: Real Player.)
Having trouble? Click here.







Front page, News, Sports, Money, Life, Weather, Shop 
© Copyright 2000 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.  
Shop.USATODAY.com
This Week's Hot Deals!!!
 
   
  California Perfect Pair  
  This white/red duo from the Golden State is a perfect holiday gift!
$25 at wine.com.
 
 
   
  Tekno Robot Puppy  
  Tekno is an authentic robot friend who does everything a puppy can do and more!
$34.99 at KBKids.com
 
 
   
  Jacknobber® II Massager  
  This ergonomic massage tool relaxes all the muscles in your body. Only $10 at Brookstone.com!  
 
 
For Other Great Deals
  Click Here!