By
Rebecca Missel and Shana Heiser
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The presidential election has proven too close to call as the state of Florida prepares to begin a recount of their popular vote.
Under Florida law, an automatic recount is required if the candidates are within half a percent of each other.
However, members of the University of Arizona's community that support Bush said they are excited by the tentative results.
"I'm feeling ecstatic, like we've died and been raised again" said Justin Rhoads, a Bush supporter and pre-pharmacy sophomore. "This is the most excited I've been in a long time."
For the first time in almost 50 years, Republicans have control in the House, Senate and the Executive office.
"Now we can get some stuff done," Rhoads said. "There will be less inroads fighting."
The results came in after midnight Arizona time and Republican UA students said they were thrilled with the late night outcome.
"This is awesome," said Jeff Quinn, a Bush supporter and marketing and finance freshman. "We finally got a Republican into office."
Besides education issues, gun control and social security were important in this election for Anthony Nelson, a criminal justice sophomore and member of the College Republicans.
"It (social security) is a big deal for us," he said. "We need to fix it now because it will affect us when we retire."
Other students said they thought that certain values of the Republican party better reflected their beliefs.
"I want small government," Rhoads said. "I don't want the government being a part of my life in every area. I want more personal freedom."
While many Republicans celebrated, members of the Young Democrats said they were upset and disappointed.
"I am very scared about the future of this country," said Melinda Mills, Young Democrats president and a political science junior. "The Republicans could control the Supreme Court, which means abortion could be illegal. The American public didn't know which candidate they wanted."
One of the critical issues for the Young Democrats was abortion and possible changes to Supreme Court decisions.
"Women's rights are going down the drain," said Kylee Jackson, a physiology junior. "Bush is going to appoint justices to the Supreme Court who are going to overthrow Roe vs. Wade."
Mills said the indecision in Florida was the primary factor in the election's delay.
"It has to be because the governor is Jeb Bush, Bush's brother," Mills said. "Bush has not gained a percentage point in Florida, in fact he's lost one."
Despite the ambiguity late into the night for the national races, some local races favored Republicans strongly.
"We're seeing marvelous victories in Pima County," said Joe Pennington, chairman of the Pima County Republican Party. "We're electing people that reflect the values of individual freedom and personal responsibility."
With such a close race, Bush's victory surprised the Young Democrats.
"I'm totally shocked," Jackson said. "I did not know this was going to happen."
