By Munir K. Nasser
Chief Correspondent, Washington, DC
Albawaba.com
Texas Governor George W. Bush became the President of the United States on Wednesday night after the most chaotic election battle in modern US history.
In an address to the nation from Texas House of Representatives in Austin, Bush declared: "I was not elected to serve one party but one nation."
Bush's speech came less than an hour after Vice President Al Gore conceded defeat in the most controversial presidential election in 124 years, saying: "For the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession."
Gore said he had congratulated Bush by phone, and added that he would "honor the new president-elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends."
Bush, the first president's son to be elected to the White House since John Quincy Adams, praised Gore, and asked for the nation's prayers for all political leaders, including himself and Gore. He said the two men would meet next week in Washington.
"Our nation must rise above a house divided," Bush said in his 10-minute speech. "Americans share hopes and goals and values more important than any political disagreements. . . . Our votes may differ, but not our hopes."
Speaking from a room in the White House complex, Gore smiled and added humor into his
speech. He said he had promised Bush he wouldn't call back and retract the concession as he had done in the early morning hours of November 8. But he also made clear that his narrow defeat, sealed by Tuesday night's ruling by the US Supreme Court, was painful.
"Let there be no doubt," he said. "While I strongly disagree with the Court's decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. This is America, and we put country before party."
Gore's concession speech came 23 hours after the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 that there wasn't
enough time to remedy constitutional problems in Florida's ballot recount process. Gore's last hope of overcoming Bush's reed-thin lead had rested in a possible recount of 45,000 disputed ballots. The Electoral College casts its presidential ballots on Monday, and Florida's 25 votes will give Bush one more than the 270 minimum needed for victory.
Gore said the election's "very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny. . . . I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country. And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one see this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome."
"Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election might hamper the next
president and the conduct of his office," Gore said. "I do not believe that it need be so.
President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities. I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans, I particularly urge all who stood with us, to unite behind our next president."
For the first time since the Eisenhower presidency, Republicans will control the White House and
both chambers of Congress, but by only the smallest of margins. The new Senate will be divided
50-50, but the Republican vice president, Richard Cheney, will break tie votes. Republicans will have a nine-seat edge over Democrats in the US House, meaning a defection of five Republicans on any issue would give the Democrats a majority if they can keep all of their members in line.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
