In his Inaugural Address, President Bush on Thursday January 20, 2005 said, "On this day, prescribed by law and marked by ceremony, we celebrate the durable wisdom of our Constitution, and recall the deep commitments that unite our country. I am grateful for the honor of this hour, mindful of the consequential times in which we live, and determined to fulfill the oath that I have sworn and you have witnessed."
5:18 P.M. - At the conclusion of counting the Electoral ballots, the Vice President reported to the Joint Session that the votes would be recorded as follows: For the Office of President of the United States, George W. Bush--286; John. F. Kerry--251; John Edwards 1; and for the Office of Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney--286; John Edwards--252.
The website for the 55th Presidential Inauguration went live today. It is designed to assist members of the public as they seek tickets and information about President Bush's second inauguration and learn more about America's inaugural traditions.
Current Features include:
-- Remembering the 54th Inaugural. This feature includes a video featuring photos, and audio clips from President George W. Bush's first inaugural address.
-- Inaugural history. Learn how our inaugural traditions got started with the story of the first inaugural and facts about each inaugural since.
-- Request tickets online. This feature includes an online form for the public to request tickets to inaugural events.
New features will be frequently added as inauguration day nears.
Although Minnesota is a blue state and the 10 electors were pledged to John Kerry, one elector may be a little red faced. Faithless electors are not unheard of, one DC elector abstained from voting in 2000, but this may be a case of a "Faceless Elector," as no one admitted to voting for John Edwards on the presidential elector slate. So Minnesota cast 9 electoral votes for John Kerry for president and 1 for John Edwards. Edwards received all 10 electoral votes for vice-president.
It may have been nothing more than a simple mistake. The elector in question may have thought that the first round of voting was for vice president or with both candidates having the first name John, it would be easy enough to transpose names.
An interesting side note. Ronald Reagan received one electoral vote from Washington state in the 1976 Electoral College. Four years later he was elected president.
The National Archives Office of the Federal Register coordinates the functions of the Electoral College on behalf of the Archivist of the United States, the States, the Congress, and the American People.
The Electoral College was established by the founding fathers as a compromise between election of the President by Congress and election by popular vote. The electors are a popularly elected body chosen by the States and the District of Columbia on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November (November 2, 2004). The Electoral College consists of 538 electors (one for each of 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 Senators; and 3 for the District of Columbia by virtue of the 23rd Amendment). Each State's allotment of electors is equal to the number of House members to which it is entitled plus two Senators. The decennial census is used to reapportion the number of electors allocated among the States.
The slates of electors are generally chosen by the political parties. State laws vary on the appointment of electors. The States prepare a list of the slate of electors for the candidate who receives the most popular votes on a Certificate of Ascertainment. The Governor of each State prepares seven original Certificates of Ascertainment. The States send one original, along with two authenticated copies or two additional originals to the Archivist of the United States at the National Archives and Records Administration by registered mail. The Certificates of Ascertainment must be submitted as soon as practicable, but no later than the day after the meetings of the electors, which occur on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December (December 13, 2004). The Archivist transmits the originals to the National Archives Office of the Federal Register (OFR).
Washington…December 9, 2004 – Senator Trent Lott and the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) are pleased to announce the launch of the new 2005 Inaugural section of Inaugural.Senate.gov. This enhanced online resource will provide important and up to date information on the 2005 festivities while offering users a repository of historical information about inaugurals past.
The new 2005 Inaugural section will be continuously updated with information about the Inaugural ceremony and other Capitol Hill festivities, tickets, travel, accessibility, security and links to other Inauguration related websites. The site has been designed to provide quick and easy answers to common questions about participating in the Inaugural Ceremony.
The addition of the 2005 section comes on the heels of the launch of an expansive new history section. This section is already popular with teachers, students, and history and trivia buffs around the country. Visitors to the history section learn exciting facts about past Presidential Inaugurations dating back to George Washington in 1789. Links to photographs, video and audio from ceremonies have also been added.
Another new, recently installed feature is the Inaugural Webcam. The camera, located on the west front of the U.S. Capitol grounds, will enable internet users to watch the construction of the Inaugural platform and other preparations for the historic ceremony.
“It is our hope that people will visit this website often for updated information on the 2005 ceremonies and take a fun look back at a rich history of Presidential Inaugurals,” said Senator Lott, Chairman of the JCCIC.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is charged with the oversight and planning of the Presidential Inauguration and related ceremonies on the US Capitol grounds.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you all for coming. We had a long night -- and a great night. (Applause.) The voters turned out in record numbers and delivered an historic victory. (Applause.)
Earlier today, Senator Kerry called with his congratulations. We had a really good phone call, he was very gracious. Senator Kerry waged a spirited campaign, and he and his supporters can be proud of their efforts.
(Applause.) Laura and I wish Senator Kerry and Teresa and their whole family all our best wishes.
America has spoken, and I'm humbled by the trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens. With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans, and I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your President. (Applause.)...
...The campaign has ended, and the United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith. I see a great day coming for our country and I am eager for the work ahead. God bless you, and may God bless America. (Applause.)
Boston, MA - Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. You just have no idea how warming and how generous that welcome is, your love is, your affection, and I'm gratified by it.
Earlier today, I spoke to President Bush, and I offered him and Laura our congratulations on their victory. We had a good conversation and we talked about the danger of division in our country and the need – the desperate need – for unity, for finding the common ground, coming together...
...I'm proud of what we stood for in this campaign, and of what we accomplished. When we began, no one thought it was possible to even make this a close race. But we stood for real change, change that would make a real difference in the life of our nation, the lives of our families. And we defined that choice to America.
I'll never forget the wonderful people who came to our rallies, who stood in our rope lines, who put their hopes in our hands, who invested in each and every one of us. I saw in them the truth that America is not only great, but it is good.
So here -- so with a grateful heart -- I leave this campaign with a prayer that has even greater meaning to me now that I've come to know our vast country so much better. Thanks to all of you and what a privilege it has been. And that prayer is very simple: God bless America. Thank you.
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On Monday, November 1, 2004, Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards returned to Minnesota for a “Fresh Start for America” rally in the Hutton Arena at Hamline University in St. Paul. Edwards discussed the Kerry-Edwards plan to create jobs and strengthen the middle class with Minnesota voters and rallied Minnesotans to get out the vote for Election Day.
Millions to See New Online Video as Part of Unprecedented Last-Minute Internet Push
Washington, DC – Taking one last opportunity to remind voters of the clear choice in this election, the Kerry-Edwards campaign today announced the new video “Your Stories,” and launched a comprehensive online effort to ensure an unprecedented number of individuals view it in the closing hours of the 2004 campaign. Through Banner Ads, Blogs and the Johnkerry.com email list, the video will be viewed by an estimated over 8 million individuals.
“Your Stories” features John Kerry on the campaign trail talking about the people he met along the way and the people he will fight for in the White House.
This morning, the video is being emailed to Kerry’s online supporters, as a special thank you for their support throughout the campaign. These are the millions of individuals that helped Kerry raise over $80 million dollars online, have contacted more than half a million volunteers through Johnkerry.com’s online Phone Corps, participated in thousands of canvasses across the country and tomorrow, will be a vital part of John Kerry’s Get-Out-The-Vote effort.
“Your Stories” can be viewed at www.johnkerry.com
“Your Stories” Script:
JOHN KERRY: It has been a great privilege to run for President. Your stories have become the work of my life. I’m here to put America back to work and live up to the values of our country.
I intend to fight for the middle class. I intend to fight for the people who are getting squeezed. I intend to invest in companies that make jobs here. We deserve a President of the United States who fights as hard for your jobs as he fights for his own job. It’s time for healthcare for all Americans that’s affordable and achievable.
We’re going to put the people back in the driver’s seat. Our true strength in the world comes from ideals, faith, fairness, the truth.
I will understand that the United States of America never goes to war because we want to, we only go to war because we have to. We need a new direction in Iraq, and I can run a more effective war on terror.
I will make America safer and stronger. I’ll never hesitate to use whatever force is necessary to protect the security of the United States of America. We know that we can make this country stronger here at home because we know we can restore America’s reputation in the world. This is a future for us if we have a President who wants to believe in the possibilities of America.
We can do better and we will do better.
NARRATOR: Tomorrow, November 2nd, vote for a new direction for America. John Kerry for President
