|
Bush votes, prepares to wait
07/11/2006 16:30 - (SA)
Crawford - President George W Bush
urged Americans to vote as he cast his ballot on Tuesday in
US elections expected to stiffen Democratic opposition in
congress for his last two years in office.
The voting was largely considered a referendum on Bush's
Iraq war policy and he spent weeks on the campaign trail
defending the war and arguing the United States must stay there
to fight.
Bush and his wife Laura, having spent the night at their
ranch in central Texas, voted in polling booths set up inside
the Crawford fire department building under tight security in
this tiny town.
Bush joked as he went inside that he had "pretty much made
up my mind" how he was going to vote. When he came out, he made
a statement urging all Americans to vote no matter which side
they support. 'Do your duty - vote'
"We live in a free society and our government is only as
good as the willingness of our people to participate. "Therefore
no matter what your affiliation or if you don't have a party
affiliation, do your duty, cast your ballot and let your voice
be heard," Bush told reporters.
He was to return to Washington later to wait for results,
which polls said could give Democrats enough seats to take
control of the US house of representatives and possibly the
senate.
Bush on Monday night in Dallas ended a swing through
Republican areas of 10 states trying to whip up a big turnout
from the party's base.
"Stick with us and the country will be better off," Bush
told thousands of foot-stomping, cheering Republican faithful
at a sports arena in Dallas.
The fact that he spent the last five days of the campaign
in areas generally friendly to Republicans, spoke volumes about
the direction of the electorate during these elections as he
focused more on turning out the Republican base than trying to
persuade swing voters.
- Reuters
|
News
