WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Bush was on course to win the 2004 presidential campaign last night, winning 51 percent of the popular vote or 56,732,387 votes to Sen. John Kerry's 48 percent or 53,004,905 votes, as of 4:35 a.m., according to The Washington Post.
While Fox News and NBC predicted a Bush victory in Ohio -- thereby securing enough electoral votes to win the election -- Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards told supporters it was still too early to call the state, as hundreds of thousands of provisional ballots are yet to be counted.
Not including Ohio, Bush held a projected lead of 254 Electoral College votes to the 242 held by Kerry.
Several states had not reported in, however, and most networks would not predict the outcome in New Mexico, Wisconsin and Iowa, which account for 22 electoral votes.
CNN, ABC and CBS refused to call the results in Ohio.
In his statement, Edwards said, "[W]e've waited four years for this victory. We can wait one more night."
With 20 electoral votes and a host of reported voting problems, including long lines in some counties that led to polls staying open until midnight and uncounted absentee ballots, Ohio will most likely determine the outcome of the race.
The provisional ballots referenced in Ohio are a product of the 2002 Help America Vote Act, allowing voters with uncertain eligibility to cast a ballot, which will be counted if state officials later determine the voter was eligible. The process of counting Ohio's provisional ballots will take at least several days.
Neither Bush nor running mate Dick Cheney made any public appearances during the night.
Despite the uncertainty, Bush appeared to hold the advantage late in the night. In Florida, site of controversy in the 2000 election, Bush scored a key victory by repeating his 2000 win with a wider margin -- by over 300,000 votes.
In the hours after polling ended but before complete results trickled in, Washingtonians of all political leanings crowded in downtown bars, watching election coverage on multiple channels.
Bush supporter Sid Hodgson described himself as "engaged" in the turnout.
Many voters said they will hold very different feelings depending on who wins.
Kristen Miller, a Kerry supporter, said she will be "elated" if Kerry wins but "depressed" if Bush triumphs.
"I'm just trying to be optimistic," Miller said.
Despite their political leanings, voters said they could not predict the outcome.
"I'm hopeful, but not super confident," Bush supporter Brittany White said.
Most voters said they hoped to know the winner of the election by the end of the night.
"Like every other voter, I want this to be settled tonight," Hodgson said.
Others, such as Kerry supporter Edmund Caulfield, are willing to wait.
"I'm a little worried, but I'd rather it be stretched out if that's what it takes," Caulfield said.
Read More
Bert Ellis reflects on time as member of Board of Visitors
By Cecilia Mould | 4 hours agoWhile Ellis entered the Board with certain priorities in mind, he said that most had not been accomplished during his term, without a majority of Youngkin appointees on the Board.
Visa status restored for one international student and two recent University graduates
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayAccording to a statement from University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover, the University learned of the visa terminations of the current student and two alumni April 4
Students react to President Ryan signing national letter defending higher education
By Brendon Bordwine | 2 days agoWhile some students praised the move as a stand for academic freedom, others questioned its impact amid recent DEI rollbacks and safety concerns
