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US presidency hangs in the balance

With almost all the votes counted in the southern state of Florida, Texas Governor George Walker Bush led Vice-President Al Gore by a few hundred votes in the closest contest for the American presidency in 40 years.

Earlier, it was announced that the Republican contender had won the battle, before Florida's tally put a spanner in the works.

Absentee ballots are now being counted in Florida, a state where Bush's younger brother Jeb is governor -- another recount is considered almost certain in view of the narrow margin between victory and defeat.

Gore in fact called Bush at 0230 Eastern Time and conceded defeat before word from Florida came in. He then called Bush again and cancelled his concession!

CNN had estimated that Bush won the presidency by taking Florida, which has 25 electoral votes, but estimates put the difference between the contestants (in Florida) at a few hundred votes of more than 5 million cast statewide.

State law requires a recount when the final vote margin is less than one-half of one per cent.

In Nashville, Bill Daley, chairman of Gore's election campaign, said the race was simply too close to call. "This race has come down to the state of Florida. Without being certain of the results in Florida, we cannot be certain of the results of this national election," Daley said.

"Vice-President Gore and Senator Lieberman are fully prepared to concede and support Governor Bush if and when he is officially elected president. But until the results in Florida become official, our campaign continues," he said.

Bush has won 246 of the 270 electoral votes needed for victory. He has also won 29 of the 50 American states and 48,351,746 votes.

Gore has won 260 of the electoral votes, 20 states and 48,584,415 votes.

A win in Florida for either man will give him the 45th presidency of the United States.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Bush is back in the reckoning
George Bush Jr takes the lead
Narrow lead for Al Gore

EXTERNAL LINKS:
Gore takes Wisconsin, but race still cliffhanger
Gore retracts concession as Florida eyes recount in presidential race
Bush, Gore in dead heat
Election hangs on Florida recount
Presidential race still a cliffhanger

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