Election Day ends without ending

AUSTIN, Texas -- Last night, no one went to a victory party. All of Texas Gov. George W. Bush's friends, staff and supporters left the election party with hopes that they would soon be able to address the governor as President Bush. \nAttendants of the rally quickly left the area, anxious to get out of the cold and rain. At 4 a.m. Wednesday, the two candidates were still battling for Florida, Gore holding 14 votes over Bush's head, 260 to 246. The 25 electoral votes from the southeastern state will determine the next president of the United States.\n"The latest polls shows Bush ahead," said campaign chairman Don Evans. "We look forward to a great celebration." Evans thanked the crowd for their support and wished them all a good night.\nBush had been watching the returns with his parents and wife during the evening. Bush could not be immediately found.\nThe media tent was buzzing with reporters on deadline, trying to produce a story that would explain what was happening.\nAustin resident and freelance writer Hilary Hylton was waiting for direction from People magazine. Hylton said People editors in New York had an emergency meeting to decide what they would publish and how to meet their late 9 a.m. deadline.\n"I think it is wonderful, absolutely fascinating," Hylton said, "it is a wonderful drama."\nHylton has been a journalist since the 1970s and said she has never seen a presidential election turn out like this one.\nFirst time voters from the University of Texas were excited by the tight race.\n"It is a really awesome thing that it is so close," said University of Texas freshman Dominick Dina, "I think Bush is going to win."\nEarlier in the campaign, Florida did not appear to be much of a threat because of its strong loyalty to the Bush family. Florida voted for former president George H. W. Bush twice, and its governor is George W. Bush's brother Jeb Bush.\nMedia organizations are speculating that they will probably have to count absentee votes as well, which could help the Republicans. \n"I figure that people who send in absentee ballots are Republicans," said University of Texas freshman Greg Glazner. \nHylton speculates that Gov. Jeb Bush is probably agonizing over the recount in his state that is preventing his brother from taking office. \nAt 8 a.m. Wednesday, Gore held a small lead in the U.S. popular vote, according to CNN.\nNo one seems to know where the election will end up.\n"This has got to be mind-boggling for (Bush)," Hylton said.