President George W. Bush cast his ballot in Crawford, Texas, shortly after 7:30 a.m. on 2 November 2004, made a brief voter outreach stop in Ohio, then returned to Washington to await results alongside roughly 25 to 30 family members and close friends.
The gathering at the White House included his twin daughters Jenna and Barbara, along with his parents, former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. Guests shared a buffet dinner while televisions carried live coverage in one of the sitting rooms. Chief political strategist Karl Rove tracked incoming results separately in the Old Family Dining Room.
Bush said he hoped the contest would be settled before midnight, a contrast he drew deliberately with the 36-day recount that followed the 2000 race. Senior aides confirmed that legal teams were standing by. Rove told Fox News he was encouraged by Florida's absentee returns and turnout numbers, calling the state's 27 Electoral College votes winnable. A candidate needed 270 of the 538 total votes to claim the presidency.
Bush also spoke briefly about his Democratic opponent, John Kerry, saying both men had campaigned fully and wishing the senator well.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in November 2004, in its own words.