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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Wednesday, November 8, 2000
Sports: Kansas prepares for the Coaches vs. Cancer IKON tournament in New York.
SEE PAGE 1B
Online: For updated election information, see
(USPS 630-640) • VOL.111 NO.52 For comments, contact Nathan Willis or Chris Borniger at 864-4810 or e-mail editor@kansan.cor
www.kansan.com
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Bush hangs on for victory
Republican president-elect George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, attend a welcome home rally yesterday at the airport in Austin, Texas. Bush won the presidential race by a narrow margin. KRT photo
The Associated Press
After a long, seesaw night of vote counting,
George W. Bush snuck past Al Gore to take the
seat in the White House.
It came down to the wire and the race hung in the balance over Florida.
The race was still up for grabs as votes were counted around the nation, and at 1:15 this morning. Bush could finally celebrate a nailbiter victory — one determined by one of the narrowest margins in recent history.
Gore won big battlegrounds in Pennsylvania, Michigan and California while Bush claimed Texas, Ohio and a string of smaller states, including Gore's Tennessee. Florida was pivotal and chaotic; news organizations said on one point that Gore was the winner, but the results were thrown into doubt as more votes were counted and Bush forced ahead.
Green Party candidate Ralph Nader was at 3 percent of the national vote, but doing well enough in Iowa, New Hampshire and Oregon to potentially tie those states to Bush.
Ever confident, Bush went out for dinner and awaited final returns.
"I don't believe some of these states that they called, like Florida," said the Texas governor.
Regarding the vice president, Bush said, "I've run against a formidable opponent."
The presidential race—among the closest in a generation —foretold the end to Bill Clinton's turbulent eight years in office.
As the anxiety mounted, Bush changed his plans to watch the returns with a large group of family and friends at a hotel. He opted instead for the seclusion of the governor's mansion.
Gore aides called for fresh troops for New Hampshire get out the vote operations. The Ted Kennedy campaign sent 250 or so volunteers — all that for four electoral votes.
No vote was overlooked. Party sources say
Interviews as voters left their polling places by Voter News Service said that a candidate's position on issues was more influential than
his personal qualities, and about one in five voters didn't make up their minds until the last week. Many of those tipped toward Gore.
Voters who cared most about Medicare and prescription drugs, Social Security, health care and the economy tended to favor Gore. Both candidates were seen as good for schools.
Individual considerations had an impact: Voters who cared most about a candidate's honesty favored Bush and those who wanted a president with experience mostly sided with Gore.
an issue that traditionally has favored Democrats.
Students have mixed reaction to Bush win
By Meghan Bainum, Kursten Phelps,
Jason Kraall
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writers
As last night's election straddled the tightrope between candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush, students reacted to one of the closest contests in recent history that ultimately hinged on who would take Florida.
"I think it's one of the closest races I've seen since I've been alive," said Marshall Gross, Overland Park senior.
At 1:15 this morning, Bush was declared president of the United States, after taking Florida's electoral votes.
While the pundits pandered to the television audiences earlier in the evening, University of Kansas students showed their support for their sides. KU Young Democrats partied at Milton Coffee & Wine, 920 Massachusetts St. and the KU Young Republicans at a party in Kansas City for Phill Kline, 3rd District House of Representatives Republican candidate.
Eric Ohlsen Utica, Neb., senior and member of the KU Young Republicans kept a tense eye on the election as the results were tabulated. When Bush was announced as the winner, he joined the rest of the enthusiastic
See REPUBLICANS on page 5A
Kansas election returns
(Results updated to time of deadline.)
KANSAS U.S. HOUSE
DIST. 1 Jerry Moran, GOP (I)
186,546 — 89 percent
Jack Warner, Lib 22,323 — 11 percent
DIST. 2 Jim Rynn, GOP (i) 138,187 — 68 percent
Stanley Wiles, Dem 59,225 — 29 percent
Dennis Hawer, Lib 6,670 — 3 percent
DIST. 3 Dennis Moore, Dem (i) 148,985 — 5-percent
Phill Kline, GOP 137,595 — 47 percent
Chris Mine, Lib 9,048 — 3 per cent
**DIST. 4 Todd Tiahrt, GOP (i) 101,046 — 54 percent**
Carlos Nolla, Dem 79,525 — 42 percent
Steven A. Rosile, Lib 6,572 — 4 percent
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DIST. 4
Bill Wagron, Dem (i) 47,056 — 51 percent
Hattick H, Hill, GCP 44,605 — 49 percent
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1 — Kansas Public Employee Retirement System investing (This change would permit only state pension plans to invest in banking stocks);
Yes 450,842 — 81 percent
No 284,910 — 39 percent
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2 — BOAT-PLANE TAXES (This would allow the legislature to decrease tazes on boats and personal aircraft):
No 361,838 — 51 percent
Yes 352,806 — 49 percent
KANSAS SENATE
Dist, 2 Sandy Praeger, GOP 23,520 — 65 percent
Steve Robinson, Dem 12,474 — 35 percent
Dist. 3 Bob Lyon, GOP 6,327 — 60 percent
Mike Gibbens, Dem 4,174 — 40 percent
Dist. 12 Robert Tyson, GOP (i) 11,009 — 60 percent
Doug Walker, Dem 7,427 — 40 percent
Dist. 19 Anthony Hensley, Dem (i) 15,609 — 66 percent
Quintin Martin, GOP 8,077 — 34 percent
Dist. 44 Barbara Ballard, Dem (i) 9,847 — 69 percent
Phyllis Tiffany, GOP 4,395 — 31 percent
Dist. 45 Tom Sloan, GOP (i) 7,951 — 65 percent
Nancy Stubbs, Dem 4,357 — 35 percent
Dist. 46 Troy Findley, Dem (i) 6,093 — 70 percent
Pete Hunter, GOP 2,587 — 30 percent
Dist. 47 Lee Taffanell, GOP 5,751 — 56 percent
Lana Leach, GOP 4,505 — 44 percent
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Commission Dist. 2 Bob Johnson, GOP 6,673----53
**Commission Dist. 2 Bob Johnson, GOP 6,673 — 53**
percent
Dan Gregg, Dem 5,862 — 47 percent
**Commission Dist. 3 Jere McElihaney, GOP 8,011 —**
53 percent
Larry Kipp, Dem 7,098 — 47 percent
Sheriff Rick Trapp, GOP 25,090 — 64 percent
Ron Wilson, Ind 14,077 — 36 percent
**Treasurer Pat Wells, Dem (i) 23,443 — 58 percent**
Diane Kennedy, GOP 17,015 — 42 percent
Singing "This Land in Your Land," Dennis Moore and wife, Stephene, a registered nurse in Lenexa celebrate victory in the 3rd congressional district. Photo by Selena Jabara/KANSAN
Moore fights off Republican challenger
By Rob Pazell and Leita Schuites
writer@kansan.com
Kanson staff writers
Dennis Moore edged Phill Kline for the 3rd Congressional District seat last night in one of Kansas' tightest races.
With 98 percent of the returns in, Moore had won 151,556 votes and Kline 140,200—a difference of 11,356 votes.
Incumbent Democrat Moore supported using the projected surplus for debt reduction rather than tax relief. He also supported local education but said the government needed to play a role in modernizing schools with more technology going into the classrooms. Moore won the seat in 1998, edging Republican Vince Snowbarer in another close race.
His victory speech last night at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park remembered the 1998 campaign.
"I thought nothing could be better than two years ago, and this is even better," he said. "Thank you."
But Moore added that the election's results reflected voter reaction to Kline's campaign tactics.
Moore's speech began after a phone call from Kline, who conceded the election.
"Sometimes he was up and everyone was happy," Sternberg said. "Then it got down to the wire and we all got concerned. When you hear those results, though, you have to realize that Phill fought well and campaigned well."
"I do want to say Phill was very gracious in his concession tonight," Moore said. "I mean that very seriously."
"Voters regret negative campaigns," he
said.
Moore listed tax cuts, reduction of the national debt and HMO reforms as priorities for his new term. He said that Kansans were tired of partisan politics, and that he would work to represent an American agenda.
Edited by Erin McDaniel
Kline campaigned to cut taxes and supported using the budget surplus for further tax relief. He also supported local education and said the federal government should play a limited role in schools. Kline was re-elected four consecutive times to the Kansas House of Representatives.
Kline received the news in his camp at the DoubleTree Hotel in Overland Park and gave an emotional address to end his run.
"Part of leadership is recognizing defeat," Kline said. "I stand here in victory because we stood up for what we believe in."
Kline said that he was exhausted after his campaign and that the time off would serve him well.
"I'm going to get a good night sleep tonight; then I'm going to spend some wonderful time with my family," Kline said.
Joe Walberg, Shawne senior and vicechairman of College Republicans, said the tightness of the race made it difficult to build expectations.
"It was so close you didn't have any expectations of a winner or a loser," Walberg said.
Jonathan Sternberg, Leawood sophmore, worked on Kline's campaign and said the ups and downs of the polls made it a night of mixed emotions.
Student voters turn out strongly
By Kursten Phelps
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
More than 400 students filed through Allen Fieldhouse yesterday, but they weren't there for a basketball game.
The fieldhouse was the official polling site for residents of Daisy Hill residence halls, Jayhawker Towers and Oliver Hall.
Polling judges said the fieldhouse site had about 1,050 registered voters. By 3:30 p.m. yesterday, more than 400 had already voted and a line of about 30 students stretched beyond the voting booths.
"It's going good," polling judge Art Haug said. "They won't let us rest."
The convenient location made the decision to go to the polls easier, said Jason Barricklow, Newton senior.
"I probably would have voted anyway, but it would have been a
lot more annoying," said Barricklow, an Oliver Hall resident.
Barricklow said he voted for Republican George W. Bush because he agreed with the Republican standpoint on the issues.
Barricklow said he was eligible to vote four years ago, but didn't. The difference today, he said, was that he registered in time, thanks to a campus voter registration drive.
"The U.S. is one of the countries where we have the opportunity to vote," he said. "You have to exercise that right."
Psachal Calloway, Kansas City, Kan., sophomore, said she voted for Democrat Al Gore.
"He seems the most honest and will help all people," Calloway said. "I didn't like Bush, and his son seems to act just like him."
Callaway said she voted because it was a way to effect change.
"Especially because I'm African-
Roommates Bethany Duncan and Amanda Baker said they both voted for George W. Bush and made the trip to the polls together.
"I don't really like either of them, but I think Bush is the lesser of the two evils," said Baker, Effingham freshman.
American, we've fought so hard to get the vote. If I didn't vote, what's the purpose?" Calloway said.
Duncan, also an Effingham freshman, said she voted to voice her opinion as a young person.
"It's our duty. I wanted to vote to get my say in so that we don't let all the adults run everything," Duncan said. "A lot of stuff is going to affect us."
Mike Delaney, Prairie Village freshman who voted for Gore, said he probably wouldn't have cast his ballot if he had to go to an off-campus polling site.
"I voted for Gore because we'd be in trouble with Bush," Delaney said. "Bush just doesn't look like a very smart man."
A
A voter drops off his ballot in a ballot box at Allen Fieldhouse yesterday. Daisy Hill residents as well as Oliver and Neismith hall residents took advantage of the convenient poll location. Photo by Thad Allender/KANSAN
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