AUSTIN, Texas-Pending a recount of Florida votes, Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R) appears to have narrowly defeated Vice President Al Gore (D) yesterday, making this one of the closest presidential elections in history.
With each candidate needing Florida to win, Bush was ahead by less than 1,210 votes with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
Florida law mandates a recount if the candidates are separated by less than .5 percent of the state's popular votes. With the results as they currently stand, whichever candidate captures Florida will become the president-elect because Florida's 25 electoral votes would push him over the 270 necessary to secure victory.
At 4:45 a.m. CNN reported that Gore was leading Bush in the popular vote by just under 60,000 votes.
Around 3:45 a.m., national media reported that Gore recanted a concession phone call he had made to Bush earlier this morning.
Florida's 25 electoral votes were conceded to Gore prematurely Tuesday evening. But to the excitement of the crowd, which had braved rain and cold to gather at Bush's victory party in Austin, major media later removed Florida from Gore's victory column and handed it over to Bush.
With wins in key states such as Tennessee and Missouri, Bush was able to compensate for losses suffered in California and Pennsylvania.
This year's election marked an increase in voter turnout from the 1996 presidential election between Bill Clinton and Bob Dole.
Bush's apparent victory coincides with Republican retention of the House of Representatives. Some Senate races had not been called at press time, but it is assumed that Republicans will keep control there as well. This would mark the first time in 50 years that Republicans controlled both the legislative and executive branches of government.
Since this year's election will be decided by a very slim margin in the Electoral College, many have questioned Bush's ability to claim a mandate from the people.
But Bush aides being interviewed on Larry King Live insisted that Bush still would be able to accomplish many things in the name of the American people during his administration.
The apparent Bush victory was devastating for many Gore supporters who wanted to continue what they felt were positive Democratic programs during Clinton's two terms as president.
"I like the Democratic administration," said Austin resident Rock Robinson. "I want things to continue along the same path that they have been."
Other voters supported Gore, fearing that Roe v. Wade would be endangered during a Bush administration.
The new president will be charged with appointing several Supreme Court justices. With a Republican in office, voters said he would be less likely to appoint a pro-choice nominee.
"I voted for the Democratic ticket because I am strongly pro-choice," Austin resident Desirae Pierce said. "I really believe that as president Bush would try to overturn Roe v. Wade."
Still other Gore supporters looked to Bush's Texas record as an indication of Bush's inability to perform as president.
"Bush said that he was going to cut taxes, but mine went up since he's been in office," Austin resident Bob Boyd said.
Despite allegations of a sub par Texas record, many Bush supporters in Texas said they believe Bush's accomplishments as governor bode well for his likely presidency.
Bush "has done a great job in Texas," said Austin resident Regina Bishop. "Everyone has been exaggerating his record, but that is just part of the game."
The apparent Bush victory also comes in the wake of a long campaign season in which the honesty and integrity of both candidates were questioned.
But Bush supporters see him as the most trustworthy candidate because of the manner in which he handled questions regarding his past transgressions. The most recent issue about his past, a 1976 DUI conviction in Maine, was raised only a few days before the election.
Bush "doesn't duck and weave when they ask questions about his checkered past," said Austin resident and voter Jason Stiefer.
Besides feeling that Bush possesses the personal integrity to be president, many Bush supporters also endorse his views on the relationship between government and the individual.
"I want to prevent big government," said Kristi Diemer, a second-year law student at the University of Texas and Bush supporter. "I'm sick of paying for government programs that aren't working."
Bush had not made a planned victory speech in front of the capitol building in Austin at press time.
Bush's victory marks the closest election since Democratic President Jimmy Carter's win in 1976.
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