After 98% had reported in Florida, Bush was declared the winner. He was leading Gore by over 50,000 votes, at that time.
Now that 99% have reported, Bush’s lead has dwindled to a measley 10,000 votes.
Where on earth did those 40,000+ Gore votes come from?
-David
Still at 99% in Florida.
Now CNN’s reporting a 6,000 vote lead for Bush.
Yahoo’s reporting just a 1,500 vote lead.
Is that last 1% being counted almost totally Democrat, or is something odd going on?
-David
It’s possible that a heavily Democratic area’s results came in. In 1996 my precint votes something like 400-3 in favor of Clinton.
Any way, I can gurantee you there is going to be a recount. This election might not be decided for quite some time.
Ha! Gore just retracted his concession.
If THIS isn’t proof that every vote counts, nothing is!
Man, what a ride…
-David
1931 votes as a few minutes ago is all that seperate Bush and Gore in Florida. If the news media has to retract twice on Florida, they are going to look even stupider, if that is possible.
Correction-1831, my math isn’t too hot at 4AM
Well, CNN and YAHOO have just retracted their online headlines.
They’ve moved Florida BACK to the “Undecided” category, and changed the “Bush Wins” headlines to “Projected Lead”.
I know what you mean, Jimpy–it’s been a long night!
-David
CBS just pushed it back to “undecided” too.
The Bush lead is confirmed at 1,210 now, with over 5,000 absentee and overseas vote yet to come in…
According to the Florida Secretary of State, with all precincts counted, Bush won by 629 votes out of over 6 million cast. However, since that announcement, ABC has changed it’s vote total to say that Bush has expanded his lead to a little over 3500. Five precints in Dade county are currently recounting their votes due to “irregularities” and that appears to be all of the outstanding votes (although technically those votes are already in the results, it’s just that they could change).
OK, what happens now, you ask. Well, there will be a general recount that will take place later this week and will be more rigerous and perhaps take several days to do. Both Republicans and Democrats will watch the recount closely and EVERY SINGLE even remotely suspect ballot will be challenged by the party that would benifit most by voiding the ballot. If the loser could make a strong enough case, the challenge would end up in the House of Represenatives, which is controlled by the Republicans so you know how that would turn out. Don’t rule out a court challenge either although that wouldn’t stop the winner from taking office (someone has to be President).
Also, despite what the Florida Secretary od State said, there are “a few thousand” outstanding votes.
The latest Florida vote count according to CNN:
Bush: 2,902,733
Gore: 2,902,509
Difference: 224 Bush lead
This has got to be the closest presidential election ever in American history, or even world history; a mere 112 people could determine out future for the next four years…
The popular vote count by the way:
Bush: 47,063,088
Gore: 47,123,818
Difference: 60,730 Gore lead
Oh this is going to be interesting…
My girlfriend just yelled upstairs that Gore had taken the National Popular vote. I couldn’t get down there in time to see the figures.
Can anyone confirm?
-David
Heh…thanks Zor!
David
Gore took the nation vote, but with 100% of the Florida vote counted, Bush won by 224.
I wouldn’t be so sure Jumpy, err… Jimpy 
There are still absentee and overseas votes, plus the recount…
The United States is 224 years old, and it’s future hinges on 224 votes 
That’s true. 100% of the precincts are counted. In theory the precincts should have all their absentee ballots counted by now. In practice, who knows. Overseas ballots (which typically are military people living abraod who tend to vote slightly Republican)may not all of reach the proper precinct yet.
(I see that ABC just now decided that the race was too close too call).
Bush has just expanded his lead to 906 votes.
Currently from CNN:
Gore 47,660,074
Bush 47,418,413
Nader 2,583,924
Fucking shit!
–Tim