Volume 84, Number 8
Be
ggÂťng "Oh-Me-Oh Oh-My-Oh Oh-Help-Us-Ohio" Since 1920
November 4, 2004
Bush Re-elected to Second Term Kerry concedes early; Busk says he will need to "earn trust of Kerry supporters Shawn Garrett \tu:t Editor
President Bush won his bid for reelection yesterday morning after challenger John F. Kerry conceded the election in a telephone call at 11 a.m. A few hours later in Boston's Faneuil Hall, Kerry gave a televised, public concession to his supporters and the nation. About an hour later, Bush gave :\ victory speech from the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington. As of press time, Bush had won 51% of the vote with 58,884,611 votes to Kerry's 55,329,147, or 48% (with the final 1% divided among other candidates). In the all-important electoral college tally, Bush garnered a projected 274 at press time to Kerry's 252. To win, 270 of a possible 538 are needed. The day's events ended a very long, sometimes contentious and often uncertain night of vote counting and electoral math, hinging for both candidates on
the outcome of Ohio's final vote 136,000. \n upbeat and optimistic John tally, which, due to the ten-day "We wanted to wait and see and Kdwards spoke first for the period under Ohio law that the be as careful as we could about Democrats, vowing to "fight for state can take to tabulate all votes, what the reality on the ground every vote" even though the race may not be known until next was," Kerry strategist Joe had effectively ended. week. "John Those in Kerry is i the Kerry great camp, and American," indeed most said Kdwards. of the net"You canwork pundits not fight 18 covering the hours a day, minute-byseven days a minute week unless precinct you love this reports, origcountry, and Lnallv sugJohn Kerry gested there loves might be A triumphant President Bush waves to supporters after his victo- mencaenough pro- fy speech inside the Ronald Regan Building in Washington, D.C. Kdwards visional balPhÂŤobyKtuurs mentioned lots"-ballots the high turn cast by voters not on the official l-ockhart said, according to The out (60% of registered voters, the registration rolls-to win in Ohio. Washington Post. highest since 1968) and promised In the end however, it was decid"When we had a chance to do that "This fight will continue in ed that the estimated 150,000 that, I think we made the judg- our homes and in our union halls, provisional votes would not hold ment that the time was right for in our churches, and in our enough in favor of Kerry to sur- John Kerry to call the president schools, in our offices and over pass Bush's margin of roughly and concede." the Internet. We will keep march-
Miller Resigns As SGA Treasurer Felt responsibilities leit no time to enact necessary reforms Shawn Garrett News t:ditor
Student Government Association (SGA) Treasurer Jon Miller unexpectedly announced his resignation from office this week, disclosing candidly that the high volume of day-to-day responsibilities kept him from his primary aim, drafting and introducing new SGA finance reform bills. Miller, a senior who has repeatedly found himself the center of attention concerning recent allegations of misappropriation, said he has found it too difficult to devote himself fulltime to the duties of treasurer and spur the kind of legislation he feels should be enacted in order to revamp the SGA's aging financial by-laws. Miller said the resignation
would take effect immediately and that SGA President Alicia Moody would begin soon the process to appoint a new treasurer to replace him. As word got around that Miller had decided to give up his post earlier this week, it was it was assumed that he was succumbing to pressure from the constant rumors of financial scandals swirling around the SGA. While Miller allowed that "a lot of factors" played into his surprising decision he asserted that he did not feel pressured to resign. "I didn't quit because of mistakes," said Miller. Miller explained that dealing with the daily duties required of the student body's treasurer "you don't have time to write bills and get them through." When asked
if the resignation was affected by any kind of bad blood within the SGA or finance committee, Miller said no. "I have a very good relationship with everyone," said Miller. Many asked Miller to reconsider his decision and assured him that nothing that had gone wrong was wholly his fault. While he accepts this, Miller noted that he takes at least some of the responsibility for all the financial dealings within SGA. He has refused a position in the Senate. Through an email SGA President Alicia Moody commented that she "and the SGA support Jon's decision in his resignation." "He has served the SGA to the See MILLER p. 4
ing toward that one America and we're not going to stop until we get there." Kerry, looking haggard and sounding hoarse, standing at times somewhat shakily before a bust of Massachusetts native and founding father John Adams, thanked his many supporters, joking "I'm sorry that we got here a little bit late and little bit short." Seemingly holding back tears. Kerry described his admiration for his supporters. "I wish that I could just wrap you up in my arms and embrace each and every one of you individually all across this nation," Kerry said."I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Campaign staff for the President had already planned a victory announcement for Wednesday afternoon, but Kerry's surprising concession brought a quick end to the overnight and early morning debates, and abolished any possibility the election would become a repeat of the
See BUSH p. 4
Lon$wood Reacts to Election Results Patrick Trate Copy Editor
As the 2004 general election approached, polls were showing the country closely divided between the two candidates and experts were predicting an extremely high turn out. November 2nd indeed saw the highest voter turnout since 1968. After an extremely close electoral race, Democratic candidate John Kerry conceded the battleground state of Ohio, and thus the election, to Republican incumbent George Bush. As with the rest of the nation, reaction here on campus is mixed. Some students are glad with the result. "I'm ecstatic," said junior Bobbi Thibo. "Not only because Bush won, but because we [Republicans] now have control of the House and the Senate."
As Dr. William Harbour, Chair of the History, Political Science, and Philosophy Department here at Longwood explained, the Republican Party did many things right in this campaign. "After the 2000 election, Karl Rove, Bush's head campaign strategist, evaluated what happened to make the election so close. He came to the clear conclusion that there were large numbers among demographics of people that traditionally voted Republican who didn't show up." Dr. Harbour gave Evangelical Christians as a prime example. "Rowe realized that the Republicans had to do something. This election they've worked hard on establishing grassroots organizations to raise money, find volunteers, identify potential voters and
See REACTS p. 4