the election

Five weeks after Election Day, George W. Bush at last laid claim to the presidency Wednesday night with a pledge to "seize this moment" and deliver reconciliation and unity to a nation divided. Al Gore exited the tortuously close race, exhorting the nation to put aside partisan rancor and support its new chief executive. "I was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation," the nation's soon-to-be 43rd president told Americans in …

…His statement should be clear and unequivocal that, according to the highest court in the land, George W. Bush is going to be the next president," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. After eight years of Democratic control in the White House, Republicans promised compromise and consensus. "The long trail that has kept the nation in suspense since November 7th is now over," said House Speaker Dennis Hastert. "Now, as a nation, we must come together."