Crystal Luong
Assistant News Editor
Photo Courtesy AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS
President Bush, pictured here at a rally
at Southern Methodist University in Dallas
on Nov. 1
President Bush surpassed the magic number — 270 — winning the electoral votes needed to hold the American presidency for four more years Tuesday night.
Although Sen. John Kerry won the battleground state of Pennsylvania, Bush carried two key states, Florida and Ohio, on his path to securing victory.
“I had no doubts that the president would win the hearts and minds of the American people,” senior Paris Dennard said. “At the New York convention, he articulated his message. I walked away knowing if the people were willing to listen, he would win.”
Throughout the night, returns were extremely difficult to call, as television networks juggled predictions and incoming precinct reports. Pepperdine’s College Republicans gathered to patiently wait for results and to celebrate.
“We had some doubts with Florida and Ohio,” said sophomore Tom Prewitt, a member of the political club. “It was pretty tight, but after Florida, we were confident he would win.”
Now that the yearlong campaign has ended, the president will be able to focus on his duties, his supporters say.
“The president will return to more domestic issues, focusing on healthcare and creating jobs,” said junior Sean O’Neil, College Republicans vice president. “He will carry though the things he talked about during the debates and campaign.”
Election day was historic in terms of voter turnout nationwide. About 121 million Americans voted, the largest numbers since 1960 according to polls.
Junior Josh Banister of the Young Democrats expressed satisfaction with the youth participation.
“Our generation finally recognized that we really need to get involved,” he said.
Although he supported Kerry, Banister said he thinks it is necessary to unite behind Bush.
“In the end, this process is about men and women coming together to decide the direction of our government,” he said.
11-04-2004