THE FINAL COUNT George W. Bush 49,820,518 271 electoral votes Al Gore 50,158,094 267 electoral votes

Bush pledges to serve nation; Gore asks for unity Ending an extraordinary battle that left the nation's highest office undecided for weeks, George W. Bush claimed victory last night in the race to become the 43d president of the United States. Bush's speech: Video | Excerpts VP said no to another appeal The lawyers scoured the US Supreme Court opinion and identified one more avenue of appeal, but when Al Gore awoke yesterday, he decided to end his bid for the presidency. Gore's speech: Video | Text

THE ROAD AHEAD
A key challenge: avoiding gridlock
With George W. Bush's long-sought prize comes a sharply divided electorate, a whisper-thin Republican majority in the House, and a Senate split 50-50 for the first time in its history. Winning the White House was the easy part.
Bush's inner circle loyal, confident to a fault

THE REPUBLICANS Bushes value faith and friends George W. Bush has been sustained during the election ordeal by family, friends, and faith, all three of which are likely to be the emblems of the new Bush White House.

THE DEMOCRATS Pundits, others gaze at 2004 While the 2000 election drama has united the Democrats, it has already begun to divide them about who might best serve the party in 2004.

NATIONAL RESULTS US president, popular vote US president, by state US Senate, by state US House, by state Governors, by state

MASSACHUSETTS RESULTS President, senate results US House State ballot questions Local ballot questions State Senate State House Gov. Council, county races

Bill Mitchell cartoons Think there's nothing funny about politics? You haven't been following Bill Mitchell's award-winning web cartoons, which anchor our Opinion section. INTERACTIVE Test your knowledge of other close calls

If one of these men is declared the winner, would you accept him as president? Al Gore Yes No George W. Bush Yes No

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