By
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - George W. Bush and Al Gore campaigned into the final hours in their run for the White House yesterday, seeking last-minute momentum in a costly and exhausting race to become the nation's 43rd president.
The Texas governor said he trusted that Americans had "heard our message" - compassionate conservatism and a less intrusive government. The vice president urged a Democratic vote to maintain the nation's economic prosperity.
Gore anticipated a long count on Election Night, and joked that his first meal as president-elect would probably be breakfast. "But I'm going to make it a Happy Meal from McDonald's," he told an Iowa audience.
In Florida, Bush was confident he would return Republicans to the presidency lost by his father in 1992. "We've laid the groundwork for victory," he said, ``now it's up (to us) to get people to the polls.''
Candidates for the 107th Congress went through their final paces, Republicans and Democrats focusing their energy and money on four or five dozen highly contested races likely to determine control of the House and the Senate.
The polls gave Bush a small edge in the popular vote, a position he gained after overtaking Gore in public opinion surveys during October. But the decisive Electoral College seemed less predictable.
It takes 270 electoral votes, a majority, to win the White House. Key swing states included Florida (25 electoral votes); Pennsylvania (23); and Michigan (18); and an aggressive Bush campaign bid as well for Gore strongholds such as California (54) and Tennessee (11).
Some aides worried that Green Party candidate Ralph Nader would damage the vice president's chances of succeeding Bill Clinton by diluting the Democratic vote in swing states like Oregon and Wisconsin. Under pressure from Democratic liberals to back off, Nader countered: "...The only wasted vote is for someone you don't believe in."
Gore expressed no concern, saying, "I think by tomorrow, particularly with the election this close, most people are going to want to participate in the main choice."
The candidates' itinerary and pace told the story on the final day of a long and costly campaign.
Gore embarked on a 30-hour nonstop journey beginning in Iowa, then heading to Missouri, Michigan and Florida before flying home early today to Nashville, Tenn.
"I think that what is involved in this race is whether or not we are going to have policies that keep our economic good times rolling and extend them to the people who've not yet shared in those good times," the vice president said in an early morning interview on NBC's "Today."
"I have a passion to do what's right for your family," he said later in Flint, Mich., touching on issues ranging from health care to campaign finance reform to targeted tax cuts.
Bush's schedule projected his confidence: from Gore's home state of Tennessee, he flew to Wisconsin, Iowa and Arkansas, four states that Clinton carried twice, before returning to his residence in Austin, Tex.
"My opponent vows to carry his home state," Bush said in Chattanooga. Gore "may win Washington DC, but he's not going to win Tennessee."
Later, in Green Bay, Wis., as he has in hundreds of stops in the past year, he said a Republican victory would mean "a fresh start after a season of cynicism" in Washington.
One survey suggested that Bush headed into Election Day with his supporters more enthusiastic than Gore's backers, a potential advantage in a close race. The poll, by Pew Research Center, found that 32 percent of Bush's voters said they strongly support him, compared to 26 percent for Gore's supporters.
Just beneath the presidential line on the ballot, some of the most memorable congressional campaigns in years were nearing an end. Democrats need to gain eight seats to wrest control of the House; and five in the Senate.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, trying to make history as the first Lady to win a Senate seat, campaigned through New York with comedian Bill Cosby and Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie.
"I know some people say she is from out of state," said Flutie. "Doug Flutie's from out of state but we fight hard. We try to deliver for Buffalo and she will too." Her opponent, Rep. Rick Lazio, sought support in the New York City suburbs.
