Donald J. Devine

The Election Score
November 7, 2000

Following is an excerpt from Kathryn Jean Lopez's article Advice for Bush and Gore from National Review On-Line.

The underlying reality is that the nation is more divided into liberal and conservative cultures than ever. The conservative theme of lower taxes, less government, and moral leadership trumped the liberal issues of campaign reform, gun control and prescription drugs; but the good economy almost offsets this issue shortfall. Yet, these people made up their minds months ago. The election will be decided by four percent of those who show up today. They are very uninformed and could go in any direction depending upon how they felt this morning. This margin is too small for polls to measure even though this and the reflexive way the choice will be made will not stop the pundits from claiming afterwards that big ideas won them over at the end. The statistician splits the difference even though he knows animal spirits often end flowing way or another. Bush wins with 271 electoral votes to 267 for Gore (popular vote Bush 49%, Gore 46%, Nader 2%, Buchanan 1%), Republicans keep the House but only with a 3 seat margin (218 R, 215 D, 2 independent), and the weak GOP Senate field forces an even balance, 50-50, Dick Cheney breaking the tie.