9781422275641

Too Close to Call

Ambassador: A person who acts as the representative of a nation, organization, or other group in discussions or negotiations with others. Policy maker: A government official or member of an organiza- tion who participates in the shaping of laws. Recount: In election terminology, when the results of a close vote are counted again to ensure they are correct. Words to Understand E lection Day, November 7, 2000: The day on which Americans would choose their next president began in typical fashion. The two candidates—Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore—had returned to their home districts (in Texas and Tennessee, respectively) to cast their votes. Each had spent the past several months crisscrossing the country in an effort to persuade voters that he would be the best person to serve as the 43rd president of the United States. The campaign had been a close one, with different polls showing one or the other candidate narrowly leading the race for the presidency.The two men had certain factors in common. They both were the sons of famous politicians, for whom they had been named—Al Gore’s father, Albert Gore Sr., had been an influential U.S. senator from Tennessee, whereas George

In 1993, Bill Clinton stood in front of thousands as he took the oath of office of the president of the United States. In eight years’ time, he would hand the torch over to the next president-elect. No one knew how tumultuous the process lead- ing up to that handover would be.

How the President is Elected

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