In No More than 5 Sentences Describe the 2004 Election

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

On November 2 2004, a deeply divided America went to the polls to elect a new President in the first election since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, incumbent president George W. Bush ran on a platform of national security, as did the Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. While national security issues were his strength, Pres. Bush was weakened by a percieved economic downturn, which was affecting states vital for his re-election, such as Ohio; Senator Kerry had to attend to slanders from the so-called "Swift-Boaters for Truth" which attempted to besmirch his Vietnam War record (no reputable proof has been able to to verify this). The polls were a rollercoaster, with Kerry only getting moderate bounces from his convention (Bush got a much greater one) and Bush got one of his worst slumps after his poor performance after the first debate. The results showed just how divided the Nation was, the Electoral College vote of 286-252 was a net increase of 15 electoral votes to the President, however, the 2.4% margin Bush recieved was the lowest for a relected President.