Election+of+2000

 Republican president George W. Bush and his opponent Al Gore ran in one of the closest elections in United States history. Al Gore chose Connecticut senator Joseph Lieberman, who would be the first Jewish person ever to be chosen as a running mate. George Bush chose Dick Cheney as his running mate. On election night, neither candidate captured the 270 electoral votes needed to win. Florida was the only state undecided and would give either candidate the electoral votes needed to win. George W. Bush won over Florida, giving him enough electoral votes to become president of the United States.

**The Controversy** Before President Bush could actually be awarded president, there were several controversies. It was ordered by law that there would have to be a recount of votes due to the close result which slightly favored Bush. Democrats and Republicans argued over how the recount process should work out. Both sides continued to argue that the recounts were not fair or accurate. For 36 days, the nation watched as the court battles took place. By a majority 5 to 4, the justices came to the decision that discontinued all recounts in Florida. This overturned a Florida Supreme Court decision and secured the presidency for George W. Bush.



George W. Bush set aside all of the election controversies and immediately focused on domestic matters. Bush proposed an education plan and a major tax cut. He would eventually have to start dealing with foreign affairs which would have his full attention. Eventually in March 2001, there was a steep drop in the stock market was the start of a recession. As the economic growth fell, unemployment became a huge problem that many Americans had to deal with. +
 * First Months in Office**