RR8042A USA ELECTIONS THE RACE TO THE POST

Background to Story: On November the fourth Americans go to the polls. This year

there are three presidential candidates offering clear choices of policy and

personality. As the race enters its final days it appears that this could be one

of the tightest races in many years.

Film: Rev – Sound: Mag/SOF – Colour– Available in HD

1. Colourful scenes of campaign delegates;

2. Jimmy Carter & delegates at pre-convention meeting;

3. Sen Edward Kennedy at pre-convention meeting with his delegates;

4. Sen. Kennedy SOF on voting according to conscience;

5. Carter/Mondale campaign headquarters;

6. selling Carter election material;

7. scenes of the Democrat convention, Carter and Kennedy delegates;

8. Black Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm on disaffection with Carter candidacy;

9. scenes of the Republican Convention;

10. Ronald Reagan announces Vice-Presidential choice;

11. John Anderson addresses students at University of Michigan;

12. Anderson on radio show;

13. Anderson campaign workers, Anderson addresses open-air rally;

14. Reagan at New York gathering of ethnic voters showing Irish, Korean, Chinese Reagan supporters;

15. Reagan SOF; Reagan TV commercial;

16. Carter TV commercial;

17. Carter on campaign 'trail';

18. Carter presses the flesh;

19. Carter addresses steel workers.

English/Nat

XFA

U-S presidential candidates George W Bush and Al Gore have traded accusations on the last Sunday before election day.

Gore railed against his opponent's planned tax cut and social security plans, while Bush accused his opponent of "scare tactics."

With less than 48 hours to go in the race for the White House, most polls show Bush with a very slight lead over Gore.

Democratic presidential hopeful Al Gore served up a generous helping of breakfast along with the usual campaign talk in Philadelphia on Sunday.

During a visit to a diner, the vice president tried his hand at serving pancakes and hash browns.

The short-order cooks praised Gore's performance and assured him he had "a job for life" if he needed it.

But Gore has his sight set on the most powerful job in the nation - the presidency.

With the race too close to call, Gore has been busy rallying support.

He claimed that his rival would squander the budget surplus on a mistaken tax cut for the wealthy.

Gore said Bush's "fuzzy math" would lead to a "fuzzy economy."

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Now look, I know that one plus one equals two. But one trillion promised to two different groups of people doesn't add up unless you're using what kind of math? (Crowd: Fuzzy Math!) What kind of math? (Crowd: Fuzzy math)."

SUPER CAPTION: Al Gore, Democratic Presidential Candidate

He told cheering supporters that he needed a big turn-out to carry the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I am running for president of the United States to fight for you and to fight for the future of our country and I ask for your vote and ask for your support on the election Tuesday."

SUPER CAPTION: Al Gore, Democratic Presidential Candidate

Meanwhile, U-S President Bill Clinton seemed to be embracing his role as campaign cheerleader.

Returning to his home state of Arkansas, he again made the case for Gore and his White House bid.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"You want to vote for somebody who is experienced, and solid, and proven, who will work hard, who knows a lot, who understands the future - you just have one choice. It's not close. But it needs to be clear. You got two days to make it clear. Please, go do it."

SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, US President

Meanwhile, Bush was working his family ties as he campaigned in Florida.

The contest is tight in the sunshine state, though Bush's brother Jeb is governor.

And Jeb Bush wasted no time in reminding his constituents to get out the vote.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Please go out and get 10 other people to go to the polls on Tuesday. It is very important. We can make a difference for the future."

SUPER CAPTION: Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida

When it was his turn to speak, Bush told his troops not to believe the "scare tactics" from his rival about social security and Medicare.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm running against somebody who is trying to scare people into the voting booth. Where I come from, somebody who tries to scare somebody is somebody obviously not proud of his own programme. If you've got to spend time tearing the other man's programme down, you must not be too confident in your own."

SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Bush also tried to energize voters.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I want to say a couple of things of importance. One, I need your help. In the last days of this campaign I need you all to work your neighbourhoods and talk to your friends and turn out the vote, turn out the vote."

SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Most national polls give a slight edge to Bush, but Gore is running strong in some big battleground states and the two are often crossing paths as they contest the same states.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Little Rock, Arkansas; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA - November 5, 2000

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1. Various Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore cooking at a diner

2. Various of Gore at rally

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Al Gore, Democratic Presidential Candidate

4. Gore addressing rally

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Al Gore, Democratic Presidential Candidate

6. Wide shot of rally

Little Rock, Arkansas

7. Wide shot of Clinton speaking

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bill Clinton, US President

West Palm Beach, Florida

9. Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush waving to crowd

10. Wide shot of crowd

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida

12. Woman cheering

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

14. Various cheering crowd

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

16. Bush at rally

English/Nat

In Austin, Texas Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush sees the end in sight.

At a photo-op during a meeting with his national security aide Condoleezza Rice, Bush told reporters it looks like the court cases are heading toward finality.

And he said he's looking ahead to naming the people who would serve in a Bush administration.

The Texas governor also promised that if he becomes president, he would work with the nearly evenly divided Congress on a bi-partisan foreign policy.

And he issued a warning to terrorists not to take advantage of the current lack of certainty about a U-S president.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Condi and I are in discussion, obviously with other people like Colin Powell about how best to promote the U-S interests and at the same time promote peace. And so we talked about trade, we talked about setting priorities, including making sure our friends know that we are friends, so it's great to welcome her here. I appreciate you coming."

SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I have all the confidence in the world that the Clinton administration and the next administration, which I hope is the Bush administration, will do whatever it takes to send a chilling signal to terrorists, that we will protect our property and our people and the warning ought to be that as we decide this election, people should not try to take advantage of our nation."

SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I imagine I can name a few folk pretty quickly if I so choose to do so. I am spending a lot of time thinking about the Cabinet. I can tell you this, that when it comes to the White House staff, I have pretty much made up my mind on who should serve. Hopefully there will be an appropriate moment to share that information with the people. I know you are anxious for news, but I think there is an appropriate moment."

SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"For the Cabinet I have not. Some of the potential Cabinet are friends of mine, I have made no formal offer in terms of White House staff, I have spoken fairly directly in terms of serving in the White house, and there will be an appropriate moment to name those people and Condi Rice is on the list."

SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Austin, Texas, USA, December 6 2000

1. Condoleezza Rice, Bush's campaign adviser, walking into Governor's mansion

2. Wide shot of Bush and Rice during photo opportunity

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

4. Cutaway of Rice

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

6. Cutaway of Rice

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

8. Shot of Rice

9. Bush walking out of mansion

English/Nat

XFA

The hopes of Democratic candidate Al Gore to become president have taken another legal hit.

Two Florida judges shot down lawsuits filed by Democrats seeking to have thousands of absentee ballots in two counties thrown out.

In rejecting the case, a court spokeswoman says, the judges found that \"neither the sanctity of the ballots nor the integrity of the election have been compromised.\"

In both cases, Democratic lawyers argued that Republicans improperly added voter identification numbers to thousands of Republican absentee ballot applications.

As remedy, Democrats sought to have all Seminole and Martin County absentee ballots tossed out.

A court spokeswoman reading the ruling said the election results are \"a fair and full reflection of the will of voters.\"

Meanwhile, Florida's republican-controlled legislature has begun a special session that could lead to a slate of pro-Bush electors being named next week.

Republicans have drafted a bill that names the electors -- the same ones that were certified after Florida's secretary of state declared Bush the winner last month.

Democrats are suggesting that Bush's team is orchestrating the session.

And in fact, a Bush spokesman acknowledged today that Bush lawyers have given legal advice to the lawmakers.

Speaking in Austin during a meeting with his advisors, George W. Bush expressed optimism that there will finally be some finality in the election.

Still, the Texas governor said he was prepared to appeal an adverse decision to the U-S Supreme Court, even if it would further prolong the process.

Vice President Gore needs at least one of the courts to rule in his favor, in order to keep alive his hopes of overtaking Bush's 537-vote lead.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We have a ruling in both Seminola County case and Martin County case. Based upon the evidence presented and in accord with the controling legal precedent of the Florida Supreme Court the trial courts in both the Seminole and Martin county cases have determined that despite irregularities in the request for absentee ballots neither the sanctity of the ballots nor the integrity of the election has been compromised and that the election results reflect a full and fair expression of the will of the voters. Accordingly all relief requested by the plaintiffs has been denied and judgment entered for the defendants.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Terre Cass, Leon County Court Administrator

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"The notice of appeal is in the process of being filed. We believe we are right we intend to take this up . We respectfully disagree with the judges' findings. She found the act illegal but she found that it didn't reach the level of intentional wrongdoing and we believe that it clearly does. Both on the part of the supervisor of elections and certainly on the part of the Republican party . They knew the law they violated the law and we intend to take this up.\"

SUPER CAPTION:Gerald Richman, Democratic Lawyer

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"On behalf of Governor Bush and Secretary Cheney we are most gratified that the right to votes of some 25-thousand Flordians - Republicans and Democrats alike - has been upheld today and we believe the opinions of the court were extremely strong well reasoned decisions rooted in law and in fact.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Ben Ginsberg, Republican Lawyer

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"We're prepared if need be to take our case back to the Supreme Court but I hope that doesn't have to happen. I believe there'd be a reason to and if that need arises we'll explain the reason but I hope that doesn't take place. I hope the justices in Florida rule in our favour.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Texas Governor George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Tallahassee, Florida; Austin, Texas and Washington, DC, USA - December 8, 2000

Tallahassee, Florida

1. Walk in shot of court spokesmen

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Terre Cass, Leon County Court Administrator

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gerald Richman, Democratic Lawyer

6. Wide view of news conference

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ben Ginsberg/Republican Lawyer

8. Wide pan of the Florida legislature

9. Wide shot of the Florida Senate

10. UPSOUND: Marshall reading the proclamation in the Senate

Austin, TX

11. Wide shot of Bush meeting

12. SOUNDBITE: Texas Governor George W. Bush/Republican Presidential Candidate

Washington, DC

13. Al Gore walking into Old Executive Office building

English/Nat

One day after the revelation that U-S presidential candidate George W Bush was once arrested for drinking and driving, he brought his big political guns to a rally in the battleground state of Michigan.

While Bush was trying to build momentum there, Vice President Al Gore was at a prayer meeting in his home state of Tennessee asking for the help of the state's spiritual leaders.

Gore then went on to visit more supporters in West Virginia.

About 10-thousand people turned out in Dearborn in the state of Michigan to hear the Texas governor ask for votes from both Republicans and Democrats who are still undecided.

Saturday's rally is part of a two-day swing through Michigan in an effort to win the strategically important state in Tuesday's election.

Recent polls in Michigan show the two candidates running neck-and-neck.

Joining Bush was his vice presidential running mate Dick Cheney and the popular retired general Colin Powell.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We know what we are going to do. We know where we are heading. On Tuesday we are going to have a new president, a president we can be proud of. And I am now proud to introduce him to you, the next president of the United States, Governor George W. Bush."

SUPER CAPTION: Colin Powell, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Bush delivered a speech designed to appeal to voters from both sides of the aisle.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"As we're coming down the stretch, I need your help. I want you to man those phones. I want you calling not only Republicans, but open-minded Democrats and independents, to turn out that vote on this next Tuesday so we can send a clear message - America is ready for a fresh start after a season of cynicism."

SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Meanwhile, in Memphis, Tennessee, Vice President Al Gore addressed spiritual leaders and politicians from his home state.

The event, complete with a choir and African-American pastors, resembled a church service more than a political rally.

Gore called on church leaders to make sure he gets the minority vote.

But Gore hasn't proven as popular as President Clinton among black voters, and Democrats are worried that their lack of enthusiasm for Gore could see a low voter turnout.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We each have the capacity for good and for evil. I am taught that good overcomes evil. If we choose that outcome. I feel it coming. I feel a message from this gathering that on Tuesday we are going to carry Tennessee and Memphis is going to lead the way."

SUPER CAPTION: Al Gore, Democratic Presidential Candidate

After the prayer meeting, next stop on the campaign trail for Gore was Huntington, West Virginia.

There he met more supporters from various labour groups.

Later Gore will attend his son's high school football game.

Dearborn, Michigan; Memphis, Tennessee; Huntington, West Virginia, USA - 4 November 2000

Dearborn, Michigan

1. Presidential candidate George W Bush arriving at rally

2. Wide shot of rally

3. Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on stage

4. Bush on stage waving to crowd

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

6. Wide shot of rally

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Memphis, Tennessee

8. Vice president Al Gore walking onto stage at prayer breakfast

9. Choir singing

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Al Gore, Democratic Presidential Candidate

11. Cutaway applause

12. Al Gore holding hands and singing with Tipper Gore, and prayer breakfast leaders

Huntington, West Virginia

13. Various Gore with supporters

English/Nat

The legal teams of both George W Bush and Al Gore have filed briefs on another election-related case that has come before the Florida Supreme Court.

The case is the one that was sent back on Monday from the U-S Supreme Court, seeking clarification of the reasoning used by the Florida court.

The justices set a 1500 EST (2000 GMT) Tuesday deadline for briefs from Gore and Bush, but hadn't decided on whether to hold oral arguments.

UPSOUND: (English)

"We've just filed a brief in that responds to the Florida Supreme Court's invitation to make suggestions as to how it might respond to the United States Supreme Court. That's all I want to say."

SUPER CAPTION: Mark Steinberg, Gore campaign

Despite his legal losses, Vice President Gore says he's still feeling optimistic.

A Florida judge ruled against Gore on Monday, throwing out his bid for hand counts of some state ballots.

But Gore has appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.

At a news conference outside the White House on Tuesday, Gore said he'll make a decision about conceding the race only after the Florida Supreme Court makes its decision.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm not going to speculate on what the outcome will be, what the remedy might be depending on that outcome. Those are hypotheticals on top of hypotheticals, and I'm just not comfortable dealing with hypotheticals like that. I do think that it's likely that all of the current controversies will end up being resolved one way or another in the Florida Supreme Court."

SUPER CAPTION: Al Gore, US Vice President

In Texas, George W Bush had his first national security briefing from the C-I-A, arranged by the Clinton administration.

Bush said the Republican ticket would be ready to make announcements soon about choices for administration positions.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Today, as you know, Secretary Cheney is at Capitol Hill gathering information about our transition. I appreciate the cooperative spirit from the leaders in Washington. Obviously we have got a lot of work to do and the Secretary is doing a very able job of leading my transition."

SUPER CAPTION: George W Bush, Texas Governor

While Bush remains in Texas, running-mate Dick Cheney is working on the transition in Washington.

Cheney met G-O-P lawmakers to set a legislative agenda and seek recommendations for people to fill administration jobs.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"The main subject of conversation that I wanted to hold, again at the request of the Governor today, is to talk to Republican members about the transition about the process that is underway, about our ongoing efforts to get on with the business of trying to put together a cabinet, sub-cabinet and building an administration so we will be ready to exercise our responsibilities beginning on January 21st."

SUPER CAPTION: Dick Cheney, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate

Gore's running mate, Senator Joseph Lieberman, met privately with Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We said some time ago that we wanted this contest, in this closest of all presidential elections in American history, to be decided according to the rule of law in Florida's highest court, the Florida Supreme Court. That is why we are appealing, that is where our hopes rest and I'm very grateful that my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus are with us as we go forward with hope to the Florida Supreme Court."

SUPER CAPTION: Joe Lieberman, Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate

Tallahassee, Florida; Austin, Texas and Washington DC, USA - 5 December 2000 and file

APTN - Tallahassee, Florida, 5 Dec

1. Zoom in to Florida Supreme Court

2. Pan woman delivering Bush briefs

3. Woman leaving Florida Supreme Court

4. Pan man delivering Gore briefs

5. Close-up man leaving

6. UPSOUND: (English) Mark Steinberg, Gore campaign

POOL - Tallahassee, Florida, 20 Nov

7. Wide shot Florida Supreme Court Justices entering court room

POOL - Washington DC, 5 Dec

8. Pan Vice President Al Gore leaving White House

9. Close-up photographers

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Al Gore, US Vice President

11. Close-up photographers

12. Pan Gore walking away

POOL - Austin, Texas, 5 Dec

13. Pan George W. Bush arriving

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, Texas Governor

15. Close-up Bush entering building

APTN - Washington DC, 5 Dec

16. Close-up Dick Cheney walking with Dennis Hastert, House speaker

17. Wide view photographers

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dick Cheney, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate

POOL - Washington DC, 5 Dec

19. Pan from photographers to Joseph Lieberman and Tom Daschle

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Joseph Lieberman, Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate

APTN - Washington DC, 5 Dec

21. Pull out from car to US Capitol

English/Nat

More than three weeks after the U-S elections, the new president is still to be confirmed.

But in Washington, preparation for the inaugural ceremonies is already under way.

Construction began this week on viewing platforms for inauguration day festivities.

Americans plan to swear one man in to lead the nation on January 20th, whether it be Bush or Gore.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Hopefully, we're building it for Gore, but if Bush wins, what can I say? I don't know."

SUPER CAPTION: Alvin Sweat, Carpenter

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I heard we're getting annexed to England. This is for the Queen."

SUPER CAPTION: Art Parry, Carpenter

Just a few blocks away at George Washington University Hospital, Republican Vice Presidential nominee Dick Cheney was pleased with the results of his medical check-up on Wednesday.

Cheney was treated for a minor heart attack late last week, and doctors say he has "rapidly recovered."

He has been busy this week running a transition operation to prepare for Bush's possible presidency.

At a nationally televised briefing, Cheney announced he had arranged for private office space in suburban Virginia, because the General Services Administration can not allocate government office space until the new president is confirmed.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We've now acquired office space in McLean, Virginia, and it will be open this afternoon. The location is 1616 Anderson Avenue - or Anderson Road - in McLean. That will become the site for the transition operation that we announced two days ago."

SUPER CAPTION: Dick Cheney, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate

Cheney said he and retired General Colin Powell would go to Texas on Thursday to talk to Bush about potential administration appointments.

But he said not to expect any announcements.

In Florida, lawmakers held a second day of hearings to determine whether a special session is needed to choose the state's 25 electors.

There is a move by some in the legislature to directly pick electors if the election question remains tied up in the courts.

But since that body is Republican-controlled, the move would favour Governor Bush, and so Democrats object strongly to the idea.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"It's not gonna happen. We will not allow it. And we want you to know, you can't have your rights until we have our voting rights. Our voting rights are in place. Your rights are not in place until our rights are in place. Thank you."

SUPER CAPTION: Paullette Sims Wimberly, Democratic Voter

Democrats in the state legislature say they'll fight a special session.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"There's no reason to have a special session, there's no constitutional crisis. The only reason to have a special session is to appoint Bush electors by the majority. That's the only possible reason to have one, and we don't need to do that."

SUPER CAPTION: Tom Rossin/Florida Senate Democratic Leader

But Republicans insist they have the constitutional right, and responsibility, to carry it out.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"The only reason we would be here is if the primary method fails, then we must have in place some other mechanism, or we lose our chance to vote and that would be more of a travesty than anything, is for us to have all of this thing done and to have 5.8 million votes discounted based on one thing, that we didn't show up for the electoral college."

SUPER CAPTION: John McKay, President of Florida Senate, Republican

Outside a cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, Governor Jeb Bush spoke out in support of the idea of the Republican-controlled legislature's naming its own electors.

But he said he would abide by the U-S Supreme Court if it decides Al Gore has won the election.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think it's appropriate to have these hearings, I think that's the thoughtful way of going about this. The courts may decide this and clear all this up by December 12th, in which case there may not be a need for a session. But, let's face it, if there is indecision about who the electors are by December 12th, I think it would be a travesty not to have electors seated in the Electoral College from Florida."

SUPER CAPTION: Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Washington, DC; Miami-Dade County and Tallahassee, Florida, USA - November 29, 2000

Washington, DC - APTN

1. Various shots of men constructing inaugural platform outside White House

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Alvin Sweat, Carpenter

3. Men carrying huge piece of wood

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Art Parry, Carpenter

5. Construction truck driving in front of White House

Washington, DC - APTN

6. Dick Cheney jumps as reporter asks question as he leaves hospital

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dick Cheney, Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate

Miami-Dade County - Pool

8. Ballots being prepared to be sent up to Tallahassee

Tallahassee, Florida - Pool

9. Various shots of Florida state legislature hearing on special session

10. Wide shot of Paullette Sims Wimberly walking to podium at hearing

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Paullette Sims Wimberly, Democratic Voter

Tallahassee, Florida - APTN

12. Exterior of Florida State legislature building

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tom Rossin, Florida Senate Democratic Leader

14. Wide shot of press talking to McKay

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) John McKay, President of Florida Senate, Republican

16. Jeb Bush at Florida cabinet meeting, pan to Katherine Harris

17. Cutaway of press at cabinet meeting

18. Wide shot of cabinet meeting

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Florida Governor Jeb Bush

20. Jeb Bush walking down hall with press

English/Nat

More than three weeks after the U-S elections, the new president is still to be confirmed.

But in Washington, preparation for the inauguration ceremonies is already under way.

Construction began this week on viewing platforms for inauguration day festivities.

Americans plan to swear one man in to lead the nation on January 20th, whether it be Bush or Gore.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Hopefully, we're building it for Gore, but if Bush wins, what can I say? I don't know."

SUPER CAPTION: Alvin Sweat, Carpenter

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I heard we're getting annexed to England. This is for the Queen."

SUPER CAPTION: Art Parry, Carpenter

Just a few blocks away at George Washington University Hospital, Republican Vice Presidential nominee Dick Cheney was pleased with the results of his medical check-up on Wednesday.

Cheney was treated for a minor heart attack late last week, and doctors say he has "rapidly recovered."

He has been busy this week running a transition operation to prepare for Bush's possible presidency.

At a nationally televised briefing, Cheney announced he had arranged for private office space in suburban Virginia, because the United States' General Services Administration can not allocate government office space until the new president is confirmed.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We've now acquired office space in McLean, Virginia, and it will be open this afternoon. The location is 1616 Anderson Avenue - or Anderson Road - in McLean. That will become the site for the transition operation that we announced two days ago."

SUPER CAPTION: Dick Cheney, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate

Cheney said he and retired General Colin Powell would go to Texas on Thursday to talk to Bush about potential administration appointments.

But he said not to expect any announcements.

In Florida, lawmakers held a second day of hearings to determine whether a special session is needed to choose the state's 25 electors -- the people who will cast Florida's votes in the electoral college which officially elects the new president.

There is a move by some in the legislature to directly pick electors if the election question remains tied up in the courts.

But since that body is Republican-controlled, the move would favour Governor Bush, and so Democrats object strongly to the idea.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"It's not gonna happen. We will not allow it. And we want you to know, you can't have your rights until we have our voting rights. Our voting rights are in place. Your rights are not in place until our rights are in place. Thank you."

SUPER CAPTION: Paullette Sims Wimberly, Democratic Voter

Democrats in the state legislature say they'll fight a special session.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"There's no reason to have a special session, there's no constitutional crisis. The only reason to have a special session is to appoint Bush electors by the majority. That's the only possible reason to have one, and we don't need to do that."

SUPER CAPTION: Tom Rossin/Florida Senate Democratic Leader

But Republicans insist they have the constitutional right, and responsibility, to carry it out.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"The only reason we would be here is if the primary method fails, then we must have in place some other mechanism, or we lose our chance to vote and that would be more of a travesty than anything, is for us to have all of this thing done and to have 5.8 million votes discounted based on one thing, that we didn't show up for the electoral college."

SUPER CAPTION: John McKay, President of Florida Senate, Republican

Outside a cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, Governor Jeb Bush spoke out in support of the idea of the Republican-controlled legislature's naming its own electors.

But he said he would abide by the U-S Supreme Court if it decides Al Gore has won the election.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think it's appropriate to have these hearings, I think that's the thoughtful way of going about this. The courts may decide this and clear all this up by December 12th, in which case there may not be a need for a session. But, let's face it, if there is indecision about who the electors are by December 12th, I think it would be a travesty not to have electors seated in the Electoral College from Florida."

SUPER CAPTION: Florida Governor Jeb Bush

And the Democrats are doing some transition planning of their own.

Al Gore and Joe Lieberman were at the White House on Wednesday for a meeting with transition director Roy Neel and some top Clinton officials who appear likely to land posts if Gore wins.

Gore is trying to shore up public support for his challenge to the vote results in Florida.

In an interview aired on Wednesday morning on the N-B-C television network, he said he had a 50-50 chance of winning the White House in court.

Washington, DC; Miami-Dade County and Tallahassee, Florida, USA - November 29, 2000

Washington, DC - APTN

1. Various shots of men constructing inauguration platform outside White House

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Alvin Sweat, Carpenter

3. Men carrying huge piece of wood

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Art Parry, Carpenter

5. Construction truck driving in front of White House

6. Dick Cheney jumps as reporter asks question as he leaves hospital

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dick Cheney, Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate

Miami-Dade County - Pool

8. Ballots being prepared to be sent up to Tallahassee

Tallahassee, Florida - Pool

9. Various shots of Florida state legislature hearing on special session

10. Wide shot of Paullette Sims Wimberly walking to podium at hearing

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Paullette Sims Wimberly, Democratic Voter

Tallahassee, Florida - APTN

12. Exterior of Florida State legislature building

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tom Rossin, Florida Senate Democratic Leader

14. Wide shot of press talking to McKay

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) John McKay, President of Florida Senate, Republican

16. Jeb Bush at Florida cabinet meeting, pan to Katherine Harris

17. Cutaway of press at cabinet meeting

18. Wide shot of cabinet meeting

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Florida Governor Jeb Bush

20. Jeb Bush walking down hall with press

Washington, DC - Pool

20. Al Gore and Joe Lieberman walk out of the Old Executive Office Building at the White House

English/Nat

Americans began voting early on Tuesday with President Bill Clinton leading in the polls and Republican challenger Bob Dole hoping for an upset victory.

Voters were also choosing 34 senators, 435 members of the House of Representatives and 11 state governors.

Late polls said the Republicans seemed likely to retain control of the Senate, but the 435-seat House of Representatives was rated too close to call.

UPSOUND: (English)

"The polls are now officially open."

SUPER CAPTION: Polling official

In Virginia, voters were heading to the polls before the sun came up.

Polls in this state opened at six a-m eastern standard time.

Voters flooded to their polling places on the way to work trying to beat the crowds.

Early reports show that voter turnout has been high in Virginia this Super Tuesday and the Presidential race here is very close.

Polls show President Bill Clinton and Republican challenger Bob Dole in a statistical dead heat in Virginia.

Trust was one of the major issues.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

I voted for Dole and Kemp

(What was the main issue...?)

Mostly the character issue, there just seem to be a little too much scandal with the Democratic Party and I am a Democrat

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE: (English)

Bill Clinton

(Why is that?)

I think he's turned the economy around, he's done a good job and I trust him a lot more than I trust Bob Dole. I think the 15 percent tax cut is pushing as a joke, we tried in the 80s and it didn't work...

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE: (English)

The episode of the President over the years, both before he came into office and since he's been in office, the way the White House has conducted itself, it has been very disturbing.

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

If President Clinton wins this southern state he could be the first Democrat in 32 years to win all of Virginia's 13 electoral votes in a Presidential election.

But despite national polls showing Clinton with a double digit lead over Bob Dole, voters here weren't convinced that President Clinton had it in the bag.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

I think Bob Dole is going to win

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE: (English)

I think Clinton will win, but I don't think it's going to be a landslide, I think it will be closer than we have seen in the polls lately.

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE: (English)

Who knows...

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

Voters lined up outside the polls early in the nation's capital.

President Clinton is considered a safe bet in Washington, D-C but that didn't stop D-C residents from turning out to vote.

Presidential races traditionally draw heavy turnout in the nation's capital and today was no exception.

Once again, trust was a key issue.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

We've got grandchildren for the first time, so we are looking forward to a party who can carry us into the twenty-first century. We feel that Bill Clinton and his crew can do it.

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE: (English)

I wish there was a better political system in order to generate leadership with a depth in whom we could have more confidence and more trust.

SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

With President Clinton pretty sure to win in the District, residents here are focusing much of their attention on local races like city council and school board seats.

In New York, a record number of people are registered to vote in this election.

The New York Board of Elections says more than ten (m) million voters are eligible to cast their ballots, which is probably good news for President Clinton.

New York City traditionally votes Democrat in Presidential elections.

The White House result should be known by mid-evening local time, but control of Congress may not be clear until Wednesday.

Virginia, Washington and New York, and LA, California, USA, 5 November 1996

Virginia:

1. UPSOUND: Official announcing the polls are officially open

2. Midshot of voter entering booth

3. Interior of booth with instructions for voting

4. Close-up of instructions

5. Wide shot of voters coming in and out of booths

6. Exterior shot of voter coming into polling station at dawn

7. More of voters inside

8. SOUNDBITES, VOX POP (3)

9. Exterior shots of voters going to polling stations

10. Various of voters going into booths

11. Close-up of officials going through lists

12. Pan from fire station to entrance of polling station

13. SOUNDBITES, VOX POP (3)

Washington D-C:

14. Various of man by ballot box

15. Exterior of polling station

16. SOUNDBITES, VOX POP (2)

17. Various inside polling station

New York:

18. Various inside polling station

19. Man coming in and out of booth

English/Nat

XFA

Two Florida judges rejected absentee ballot challenges that threatened George W. Bush's hairline margin in the U.S. presidential race, and the state legislature met Friday in special session to assure the Republican governor gets the disputed electoral votes that would win the White House.

Meanwhile, the state's Supreme Court weighed Al Gore's demand for a recount of the ballots he says would make him the president.

In yet another case, a federal judge could rule on a challenge to overseas military ballots.

The one thing all these cases have in common is time pressure -- but no one is ruling out further appeals.

Meanwhile, Florida's republican-controlled legislature has begun a special session that could lead to a slate of pro-Bush electors being named next week.

Republicans have drafted a bill that names the electors -- the same ones that were certified after Florida's secretary of state declared Bush the winner last month.

Democrats are suggesting that Bush's team is orchestrating the session.

And in fact, a Bush spokesman acknowledged today that Bush lawyers have given legal advice to the lawmakers.

Speaking in Austin during a meeting with his advisors, George W. Bush expressed optimism that there will finally be some finality in the election.

Still, the Texas governor said he was prepared to appeal an adverse decision to the U-S Supreme Court, even if it would further prolong the process.

Vice President Gore needs at least one of the courts to rule in his favor, in order to keep alive his hopes of overtaking Bush's 537-vote lead.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"I'm sure both sides have their repellent papers ready to go instantly whichever way the ruling goes. And we are prepared. We think we're right we intend to take it up.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Gerald Richman, Democratic Lawyer

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"The legislature is convened for the sole and exclusive purpose of exercising its power in resolving its power by resolving or enacting the legislative measures providing for the manner in which electors shall be appointed if the 2000 general election fails to produce a final constitutional choice of electors.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Marshall reading the proclamation

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"I'd like the general public watching us to know that this is our duty and I take it very seriously and very personally. I want them to understand that members can disagree sometimes vehemently without being disagreeable. \"

SUPER CAPTION: Tom Feeney, Florida House Speaker

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"We're prepared if need be to take our case back to the supreme court but I hope that doesn't have to happen. I believe there'd be a reason to and if that need arises we'll explain the reason but I hope that does not take place. I hope the justices in Florida rule in our favour.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Texas Governor George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Tallahassee, Florida; Austin, Texas and Washington, DC, USA - December 8, 2000

Tallahassee, Florida

1. Walk in shot of court spokesmen

2. Walk in shot of Richman and democratic attorneys

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gerald Richman, Democratic Lawyer

4. Wide pan of the Florida legislature

5. UPSOUND: (English) Marshall reading the proclamation

6. Wide shot of the Florida House

7. UPSOUND: (English) Tom Feeney, Florida House Speaker

8. Wide shot of the Florida Senate

Austin, Texas

9. Wide shot of Bush meeting

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Texas Governor George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Washington, DC

11. Al Gore walking into Old Executive Office building

English/Nat

XFA

One day after the revelation that U-S presidential candidate George W Bush was once arrested for drinking and driving, he brought his big political guns to a rally in the battleground state of Michigan.

While Bush was trying to build momentum in Michigan on Saturday, Vice President Al Gore was at a prayer meeting in his home state of Tennessee asking the state's spiritual leaders for help.

Gore then went on to visit more of his supporters in West Virginia.

About 10-thousand people turned out in Dearborn in the state of Michigan to hear the Texas governor ask for votes from both Republicans and Democrats who are still undecided.

Saturday's rally is part of a two-day swing through Michigan in an effort to win the strategically important state in Tuesday's election.

Recent polls in Michigan show the two candidates running neck-and-neck.

Joining Bush was his vice presidential running mate Dick Cheney and the popular retired general Colin Powell.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"The next president of the United States, Governor George W. Bush."

SUPER CAPTION: Colin Powell, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

In his second stop on Saturday, Governor Bush travelled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - a key state for him to win in Tuesday's election.

He emphasised to the cheering crowd the need for new leadership in the country.

He also drew attention to the potential of Dick Cheney as a vice president.

Bush's speech was designed to appeal to voters across the whole political spectrum.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"You're not alone. There are Democrats all around America who understand there is a better day tomorrow. It doesn't have to be the way it is in Washington. We need a uniter, not a divider. Somebody who will bring us together and lead this nation to a better tomorrow. Make no mistake about it, we got tough competition. I'm running against the incumbent seat. I don't know if you remember." (Crowd chants: "No more Gore.") For a long period of time my opponent was trying to escape the shadow of the president. But I was reading in the newspaper, the shadow is back."

SUPER CAPTION: George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

Meanwhile, in Memphis, Tennessee, Vice President Al Gore addressed spiritual leaders and politicians from his home state.

The event, complete with a choir and African-American pastors, resembled a church service more than a political rally.

Gore called on church leaders to make sure he gets the minority vote.

But Gore hasn't proven as popular as President Clinton among black voters, and Democrats are worried that their lack of enthusiasm for Gore could see a low voter turnout.

After the prayer meeting, next stop on the campaign trail for Gore was Huntington, West Virginia.

Thousands of supporters gathered at the airport to show their support for him.

As the race for the White House enters the home stretch, Gore is emphasising the philosophical differences between him and Bush.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Governor George Bush says that he wants to get along. That he'll get along with people in Washington. And that's good. We need less partnership. But there is a question that lingers. Who does he want to get along with? The HMOs (Health Maintenance Organisations)? The big drug companies? The oil companies? Sometimes the president has to be willing to say no to the special interests in order to say yes to the American people."

SUPER CAPTION: Al Gore, Democrat Presidential Candidate

Gore told the crowd that his agenda - targeted tax cuts for working families, universal child health insurance, public school improvements - are what makes him the better choice to become the next president of the United States.

Dearborn, Michigan; Memphis, Tennessee; Huntington, West Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA - 4 November 2000

Dearborn, Michigan

1. Presidential candidate George W Bush arriving at rally

2. Wide shot of rally

3. Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on stage

4. Bush on stage waving to crowd

5. Crowd

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

7. Bush with supporters

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -November 4, 2000

8. Bush walks through the crowd

9.Wide shot of Crowd and stage

10.SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

11. Wide shot of Crowd and stage

Memphis, Tennessee

12. Vice president Al Gore walking onto stage at prayer breakfast

13. Choir singing

14. Al Gore holding hands and singing with Tipper Gore, and prayer breakfast leaders

Huntington, West Virginia

15. Gore and delegation leaving plane

16. Crowd cheering

17. Gore walking past crowd

18. Pan of rally

19. Gore speaking

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Al Gore, Democrat Presidential Candidate

21. Crowd cheering

22. Pan out from Gore speaking

English/Nat

While workers in the United States are getting ready for next year's presidential inauguration, the legal wrangling goes on in Florida.

There are some 30 lawsuits now pending regarding the U-S presidential election.

But it could be Florida's Republican controlled legislature that decides the outcome of the race.

Florida Governor Jeb Bush said he would be willing to sign a bill effectively making his brother, George W Bush, president, if such a bill ends up on his desk.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Hopefully, we're building it for Gore, but if Bush wins, what can I say... I don't know."

SUPER CAPTION: Alvin Sweat, Carpenter

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I heard we're getting annexed to England. This is for the Queen."

SUPER CAPTION: Art Parry, Carpenter

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think it's appropriate to have these hearings, I think that's the thoughtful way of going about this. The court's may decide this and clear all this up by December 12th, in which case there may not be a need for a session. But, let's face it, if there is indecision about who the electors are by December 12th, I think it would be a travesty not to have electors seated in the Electoral College from Florida."

SUPER CAPTION: Florida Governor, Jeb Bush

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"There's no reason to have a special session, there's no constitutional crisis. The only reason to have a special session is to appoint Bush electors by the majority. That's the only possible reason to have one, and we don't need to do that."

SUPER CAPTION: Tom Rossin, Florida Senate Democratic Leader

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"The only reason we would be here is if the primary method fails, then we must have in place some other mechanism, or we lose our chance to vote and that would be more of a travesty than anything, is for us to have all of this thing done and to have 5.8 million votes discounted based on one thing, that we didn't show up for the electoral college."

SUPER CAPTION: Daniel Webster, President of Florida Senate, Republican

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Certainly in Florida there are questions about votes that haven't been counted, so I think those should be resolved and then there won't be any issues or questions that people can raise after it's resolved. But there's no doubt that America's institutions, including the presidency, are strong and resilient, and both of these are experienced men and teams who I think will certainly be able to hit the ground running."

SUPER CAPTION: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator-Elect, New York

Tallahassee, Florida and Washington DC, USA - November 28 and 29, 2000

Washington DC, Nov 29

1. Various shots of men constructing inaugural platform outside White House

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Alvin Sweat, Carpenter

3. Men carrying huge piece of wood

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Art Parry, Carpenter

Tallahassee, Nov 29

5. Jeb Bush at Florida cabinet meeting, pan to Katherine Harris

6. Cutaway of media at cabinet meeting

7. Wide shot of cabinet meeting

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Florida Governor, Jeb Bush

Tallahassee, Florida, Nov 29

9. Shots of legislative committee discussing special session

Tallahassee, Florida, Nov 29

10. Exterior of Florida congressional building

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tom Rossin, Florida Senate Democratic Leader

12. Wide shot of media talking to Daniel Webster

13. SOUNDBITE:(English) Daniel Webster, President of Florida Senate, Republican

Tallahassee, Florida, Nov 28

14. Various of the circuit court hearing on expediting Gore's challenge

Washington DC, Nov 29

15. Wide shot of Hillary Clinton talking to media outside the White House

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator-Elect, New York

17. Construction truck driving in front of White House

English/Nat

The U-S Supreme Court on Monday set aside the Florida Supreme Court ruling that permitted extended hand recounts in the state's presidential election.

The court sent the case back to Florida's Supreme Court for further action.

The justices did not address the specific objections to the ruling raised by George W. Bush's presidential campaign.

Instead, they said that the legal basis for the ruling was so unclear that they could not deal with the question of whether the case even belongs in the federal courts.

The decision was not signed, nor were there any dissenting opinions.

It is not clear what happens to the case now that it has been sent back to Florida's high court.

But a judge in Tallahassee, Florida to put his decision on recounts of presidential ballots on hold - because of the U-S Supreme Court's ruling.

Court officials said Leon County Circuit Court Judge N. Sanders Sauls needed to review the high court's action. One impact of the latest developments could be the margin of George W. Bush's lead in Florida.

If Sauls finds that Bush's lead has now jumped back to 930 votes, that could make it harder for him to justify new recounts.

The law only allows recounts at this stage if a candidate can show there are enough invalid votes or uncounted votes to change the outcome of the election.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, this is just a status update on where we're going, I have had a conversation with Judge Sauls and we are on hold pending our being able to determine whether the US Supreme Court decision has any effect on our proceedings. Any previously announced intent to issue a ruling around two o'clock is on hold pending this review."

SUPER CAPTION: Terre Cass, Leon County Circuit Court spokeswoman

Tallahassee, Florida; Washington DC, USA - December 4, 2000

Washington DC

1. Various exteriors of US Supreme Court

Tallahassee, Florida

2. Set up Leon County Circuit Court spokeswoman Terre Cass being introduced by Public Information Officer Doug Smith

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Terre Cass, Leon County Circuit Court spokeswoman

Tallahassee, Florida

4. Exteriors of Leon County Circuit Court

USA (Presidential Elections)

CMS Jimmy Carter speaking to crowd

CS Jimmy Carter waving

CMS Senator Walter Mondale (VP) in crowd

CS Gerald Ford and family

MS Ford family, Mrs Ford (SOF) in seat

CS Presidential car pulls up

CS Ford steps out of car

CS Ford shaking hands with crowd

MS Ford speaking to voters

MS Ronald and Nancy Reagan shaking hands with office workers

CS Ronald Reagan

MS Jimmy Carter in field

(Jimmy Carter hometown of Planes) Street scene (Georgia)

Jimmy Carter Inn

LS Jimmy Carter speaking to crowd (pans in)

CS Jimmy Carter speaking on election(SOF)

USA (200th Anniversary Celebrations)

American flag being raised

Wagon train (Coast to coast)

(AV) New York harbour full of boats)

USA (Presidential Elections)

CU Ronald Reagan

Los Angeles: Reagan victory scenes including family on podium and crowds of supporters

Walter Mondale on podium

SOT Mondale and supporters

Mondale and Jimmy Carter and wives (casual dress)

Mondale with blue collar

Gary Hart on election trail

Jesse Jackson

Geraldine Ferraro CU

T/I: 10:49:28

American voters turned out in seven states, including Texas and Florida, for Super Tuesday (12/3) - presidential primary election

polling with 362 delegates to the Republican party convention at stake.

SHOWS

DALLAS, USA, 12/3:

WS election signs on grass;

GVs Democratic polling place;

CU ballot box;

MS man & woman register to vote;

CU votes going in box;

Voxpop woman : "The primary level doesn't generate a whole lot on enthusiasm especially at the primary level I don't think."

MIAMI, FLORIDA:

WS man walks to register;

MS woman registering;

MS man turning in ballot;

MS man sticks vote in box.

2.00

English/Nat

Al Gore and George W. Bush are looking to next week's New Hampshire primary following wins in the Iowa caucuses.

Gore trounced fellow Democrat Bill Bradley while Bush notched what he calls a "record-shattering" victory over five G-O-P (Grand Old Party) challengers.

The Iowa primaries were the first test of the U-S public's voting intentions in the upcoming presidential elections.

In the first act, Al Gore and George W. Bush, the leading men of the 2000 presidential campaign, lived up to their billings.

Bush gained 41 point one percent of the vote in a field of six in the Iowa Republican caucuses on Monday night, a G-O-P record.

Greeting his supporters after the final votes were in, Bush pronounced himself humbled by his hard-fought victory.

He said he was now gearing up for the New Hampshire fight, the next step in his quest for the Republican party's presidential nomination.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I am humbled and I am honored by your outpouring of support. And tonight marks the first election night of the new millennium. The beginning of the process by which America will choose the president to lead us through the 21st century. And tonight also marks the beginning of the end of the Clinton era."

SUPER CAPTION: Texas Governor George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

His message of "compassionate conservatism" resonated with the Iowa voters.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think that George W. Bush understands where we need to go with the country. And I think he has some background that can get him there. I think he understands we need to get a little less government in our private lives and a little more government in our foreign and national lives. "

SUPER CAPTION: Dan Bolt, Bush Supporter

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm looking for someone that we can look up to, and that our children can look up to and to bring America back to where it needs to be."

SUPER CAPTION: Kathy Cole, Bush Supporter

Although Bush emerged as the certified presidential front-runner, (m) millionaire publisher Steve Forbes won the role he sought.

He got 30 point three percent of the G-O-P vote, emerging as the prime conservative candidate against Texas Governor Bush and Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Forbes came out closer than expected to Bush, only 10 percentage points behind.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We broke the political rules, we put out positive and bold ideas based on those principles, motivated by Lincoln's words at Gettysburg, that 'this nation under God should have a new birth of freedom.'"

SUPER CAPTION: Steve Forbes, Republican Presidential Candidate

With his 30 percent share, Forbes got more votes than his rivals on the right - Alan Keyes, who ran third with

14 percent and Gary Bauer, fourth at nine percent, a blow to his campaign future.

Senator McCain didn't compete in Iowa, saving his money to concentrate on New Hampshire and later contests, especially the South Carolina primary.

Among the Democrats, meanwhile, Vice-President Al Gore won a resounding victory with 63 point four percent, easily beating former Senator Bill Bradley's 34 point nine percent.

At his victory party in Des Moines, a grinning Gore was clearly savouring his victory, sounding a battle cry to his rival.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Thank you for the biggest victory in the history of the contested caucusus here in Iowa. Wow. Thank you. My message here tonight is very simple: we've just begun to fight."

SUPER CAPTION: Vice President Al Gore, Democratic Presidential Candidate

The Iowa primaries is the first step toward choosing the people who get to whoop it up in funny hats at the national political conventions.

The caucuses trigger a process of selecting thousands of delegates to the conventions.

But the number of delegates selected in Iowa will make a very small dent in the total needed to win a party's nomination.

Even so, the Gore supporters were adamant their candidate would take the top job at the White House.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"When he won, when they said Al Gore, we just got so excited, we didn't know what to do."

SUPER CAPTION: Zinanta Brown, Gore Supporter

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think Gore's gonna go all the way and beat Bush."

SUPER CAPTION: Lou Hockenberg, Gore Supporter

Bradley himself acknowledged he was given a humility lesson in Iowa.

But despite the two-to-one loss to Gore, the Democratic challenger remained unbowed, saying he would move on from Iowa and continue the battle.

As the former pro-basketball player put it - his sights were set on the next game and the next victory.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I've always said that running for President involves a mixture of humility and confidence. Humility because you're only one person and you're running for the most powerful office in the world. Confidence because you have to know that you can lead this country in a world that's still dangerous. Tonight I have a little more humility, but no less confidence that I can win and do the job."

SUPER CAPTION: Bill Bradley, Democratic Presidential Candidate

The front-runners are now shifting to a more difficult stage, the state of New Hampshire where their challengers loom stronger than in Iowa.

For the record, the Iowa caucuses have not echoed into New Hampshire.

Democrat Jimmy Carter won both on his way to the White House in 1976, but since then, only incumbent presidents have done so, usually uncontested.

Various locations, Iowa state, USA, 24 January 2000

1. Bush victory party, zoom to Bush shaking hands

2. Supporters

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Governor George W. Bush, Republican Presidential Candidate

4. Medium shot, Bush supporters

5. Close-up, Bush sign

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dan Bolt, Bush Supporter

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Kathy Cole, Bush Supporter

8. Wide shot, Steve Forbes on podium, zoom in

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Steve Forbes, Republican Presidential Candidate

10. Medium shot, Keyes sign, pan to supporter with balloons

11. Medium shot, Alan Keyes talking to supporters

12. Medium shot, Al and Tipper Gore greeting supporters

13. Wide shot, supporters

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vice President Al Gore, Democratic Presidential Candidate

15. Wide shot, supporters

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Zinanta Brown, Gore Supporter

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lou Hockenberg, Gore Supporter

18. Wide shot, Bradley campaign, zoom-in to mid shot

19. Cutaway supporters

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bill Bradley, Democratic Presidential Candidate

21. Wide shot, Bradley with supporters

XFA

English/Nat

XFA

The Republican-run Florida State House has moved closer to approving 25 electors pledged to George W. Bush, acting even as the U-S Supreme Court deliberates the fates of Bush and Democrat Al Gore.

Demonstrating their political muscle, Republicans easily defeated a Democratic resolution calling on the legislature to stay out of the disputed presidential election.

The vote was 79-41, with Republicans picking up two Democrats.

Everyone else voted along party lines.

With their eyes on the nation's highest court, where the nine justices pondered a resumption of the ballot recounts that Gore believes will give him enough votes to win Florida, and thus the presidency, the House moved the legislature a step closer to action.

Demonstrators chant support for their Presidential candidate outside the Florida State House Tuesday, weeks after the election, which in normal circumstances, should have been decided.

But these are strange times for American voters and the country's electoral system.

As the nation hangs on a decision by the U-S Supreme Court over whether to allow a recount of votes in a Florida county, the state's politicians were pushing ahead with the political process that may decide the Presidency.

During five hours of debate in the Republican-controlled Florida State House on Tuesday, action was taken to name a slate of electors for the state's electoral college.

At stake are Florida's 25 electoral votes.

The winner-take-all slate of electors would give either Vice President Al Gore or Texas Governor George W. Bush enough votes to win the White House.

UPSOUND: (English)

\"79 yays, 49 nays, Mr. Speaker.\"

\"The resolution passes.\"

And with Florida's vote in dispute, Republican lawmakers are leading the move to name a new slate of electors for George W. Bush.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"I would suggest to you that I would hope that the United States Supreme Court would render moot what we did today. I think a lot of people hope for that. I hope the Florida Senate does not render moot what we did today and I hope the United States Supreme Court does.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Tom Feeney, Republican, Speaker of the Florida House

It's a move, they say, needed to make Florida's vote count.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"We've created a legal process here in Florida prior to the election and we believe, and this resolution concludes, that we should take no action to interfere with that process. That it is up now to the Supreme Court of the United States to evaluate the actions in Florida's Supreme Court.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Lois Frankel, Democratic House leader

House leader Tom Feeney says he'll keep a close eye on an expected U-S Supreme Court ruling that could affect the outcome of Florida's vote.

But Republicans say they're also mindful of the view of voters across the nation regarding Florida's voter woes.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"But Americans, this is their election and they are afraid that their votes are being systematically devalued in favor of a languishing debate over hanging chads and pregnant chads and dimpled chads.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Jerry Maygarden, Republican House member

Democrats are outnumbered in the Florida House by 77 to 43.

But they still argued against the Republican-led electoral effort, challenging the authority of the legislature to meet in special session.

They're backing another legal view that Florida's electors have already been chosen, making another group of electors beyond the scope of state lawmakers.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"In the same breath that we are told that this session is about preserving the votes of Floridians, by the majority resolution today we will be dis-enfranchising every single citizen who went to the polls on November 7th. While we are told that the session is about respecting the rules, the majority's resolution will declare irrelevant all of the rules that this legislature has created to govern and resolve elections.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Dan Gelber, Democratic House member

The top-ranking Democrat sought to make the point in an official move.

She offered an amendment directing the Florida House not to act on the elector measure.

Florida's Senate is set to take up the elector matter in their own special session on Wednesday.

The Senate leader says it's likely to take a Gore concession and an end to the court cases to stop their move to name electors.

Meanwhile there have been twin victories for George W. Bush in the Florida Supreme Court

The court ruled on Tuesday that 25-thousand absentee ballots challenged in two Florida counties should count in the state's contested presidential election.

In the Seminole County case, more than 15-thousand absentee ballots were challenged and in Martin Country more than 10-thousand were challenged.

On a pair of 6-0 opinions, the justices upheld the rulings of two state judges, both of whom had said the ballots should count even though local election officials had permitted Republican party supporters to add information to their absentee ballot applications.

The effect of the rulings was to validate votes which - if discarded - would have let Al Gore overtake Bush in the state that stands to pick the next president.

And, if possible, the court's ruling served to heighten interests in the U-S Supreme Court's deliberations in a related case, this one concerning the partial manual recounts in the state.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"In the case of Harry Jacobs versus Seminole County Canvassing Board challenging certain absentee ballots. The trial court in this case found that the evidence does not support a finding of fraud, gross negligence or intentional wrong doing in connection with any absentee ballots. Today the Supreme Court affirms this finding.

SUPER CAPTION: Craig Waters, Florida Supreme Court Spokesman

They also ruled in Bush's favour in the case of Ronald Taylor versus Martin County Canvassing Board.

Taylor had challenged the validity of certain absentee ballots.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"The trial court in this case concluded that there were irregularities but that they did not reach the level of fraud or intentional misconduct. Accordingly the trial court found that the sanctity of the ballot was not impaired. Based on the rule of law explained in the Jacobs case that I just mentioned to you - the Supreme court has affirmed the trial court's order.. \"

SUPER CAPTION: Craig Waters, Florida Supreme Court Spokesman

Tallahassee, Florida, USA - 12 December 2000

1. Various of demonstration outside Florida State House in Tallahassee

2. Wide view of Florida State House chamber

3. Wide of voting indicator with UPSOUND (English)

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tom Feeney, Republican, Speaker of the Florida House

5. Cutaway of members on floor of house

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lois Frankel, Democratic House leader

7. Wide of speaker of the house in the chair

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jerry Maygarden, Republican House member

9. Wide of legislature

10. Tom Feeney, Republican, Speaker of the Florida House

11. Wide view of House chamber

12. Close view of Feeney

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dan Gelber, Democratic House member

Tallahassee - 12 December, 2000

14. Exterior Florida Supreme Court

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Craig Waters, Florida Supreme Court Spokesman

16. Wide of people outside court

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Craig Waters, Florida Supreme Court Spokesman

18. Wide of court house

Eng/Spanish/Nat

Vital battlegrounds are coming into focus as the American presidential race moves into its final stages.

Both President Clinton and Bob Dole are honing in on the key states, with Florida high on the target list.

President Clinton travels to the "Sunshine State" Tuesday to make his pitch to voters. On Wednesday, Dole will fly in to put forward his arguments.

Clinton failed to win Florida by a whisker in 1992 - and Dole by no means has it sewn up this time.

The state's large Cuban community could sway the vote and both Republicans and Democrats are using all their resources to woo the key target group.

It could be mistaken for Havana, but it isn't.

It's Miami, Florida, the next best thing for these exiled Cubans.

Rain or shine they pass their time in Miami's Domino Park.

The city is home to hundreds of thousands of Cubans, who fled their island when Communist Fidel Castro rose to power.

Traditionally the Cuban community in Miami has voted Republican; regarding the party as anti-Castro, while considering the Democrats as pro.

But this year the Cuban vote is not clear cut and it is a vote that could clinch the state for either candidate.

25 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House are up for grabs in Florida, making it a vital state to clinch.

Clinton could virtually checkmate his opponent here as the election race draws to a close, but he still has to change some hearts and minds to do it.

SOUNDBITE: At least I can hope, that is what I am doing, hope that Dole will win, that Clinton is not going to keep on telling us lies and he is going to do this, going to do that and the only thing he does is send the Cubans back to Cuba for Castro to take care of them, give them a bad time, put them in jail and all those things. That is what Clinton is doing right now, how can I be with him? Impossible.

SUPER CAPTION: Manuel Vegas, Cuban voting for Dole

Alex Panelas is a potent reminder of the growing political importance of the Hispanic community.

Newly elected as Mayor of Dade County, he is now one of the most powerful Cuban- American politicians in the country and he is a Democrat.

Panelas underscores the fact the Cuban vote could be the key to Florida.

SOUNDBITE: "When you look at the demographics and when you look at the patterns during the last 4 years, it could be the swing vote in this election. (Q: Do you think Clinton is going to get the state?) "I don't know, we will soon see."

SUPER CAPTION: Alex Panelas, Mayor of Dade County

The downing of two ''Brothers to the Rescue'' planes by Cuban MiG jets gave Clinton the chance to build bridges with the exiled Cuban community.

The planes were used to locate Cubans trying to flee to America on rafts.

In the aftermath of the downings, President Clinton signed the Helms-Burton law.

It strengthened the trade embargo on Cuba and allowed American companies and investors to sue companies using assets, seized by Fidel Castro after the revolution.

Clinton lost some ground by signing a six-month moratorium on the legal actions.

The impact of that decision on these Cuban cigar makers will likely surface at the polls.

Dole also has his work cut out in convincing them to vote Republican.

He does not have much of a record on Cuba and he supported a welfare reform bill that stopped non-citizens from getting grants.

These non-citizens make up a sizeable chunk of the Cuban-exiled community.

But Dole won't have to worry about Ibraim Rodriguez.

He arrived in the States in 1978, swearing allegiance to the Stars and Stripes seven years later.

He has voted Republican ever since and has no plans to change his mind this year.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)

"I am voting for Dole, the Republicans are a better party, I am voting for them."

SUPER CAPTION: Ibraim Rodriguez, Cuban voting for Dole

But Gricel Fernandez is a Clinton supporter.

Issues other than Cuba have won her vote, like the budget deficit and welfare.

If others her age think the same way, the Democrats could begin to smell victory.

SOUNDBITE: "You have to strive for something better, you know, the Republicans in my opinion are just staying in the same place, you know, we are not moving if we vote Republican. We are not progressing at all, so that's the reason why I am doing it and a lot of people my age are doing it, a lot of my friends are doing it."

SUPER CAPTION: Gricel Fernandez, Cuban voting for Clinton

Neither Dole or Clinton have set foot in Miami's Little Havana.

That could change as election day draws nearer.

A likely and symbolic gesture that could help determine the direction

of the Cuban vote.

SOUNDBITE:

"In this administration, Cubans in Miami have made a turn to the Democrats and perhaps President Clinton as a factor that could help to some degree to influence the international community and give us the solidarity to bring about democracy to Cuba."

SUPER CAPTION: Raul Saul Sanchez, Democracy Movement

If returning home to Cuba is the prayer of the exiled community in Miami, the Cuban vote must be high on Bob Dole's wish list.

Without it, he doesn't have a prayer of becoming President of the United States.

Miami, Florida, USA, 3rd, 6th, 16th October 1996

1. C/up dominoes swirled on table

2. WS Cuban men playing dominoes

3. C/up man with sunshades on glasses

4. C/up dominoes

5. WS Domino Park

6. C/up man smoking cigar/Clinton painting in background

7. C/up two men

8. C/up chess set

9. C/up man playing chess

10. WS men playing chess

11. SOUNDBITE: Manuel Vega

12. WS interior swearing-in Alex Panelas

13. Topshot Panelas in crowd

14. SOUNDBITE: Alex Panelas

15. Brothers to the Rescue memorial at sea -APTV file

16. Pan from cigars to Cuban face

17. WS interior cigar factory

18. MW women sorting tobacco leaf

19. MW women faces

20. C/up rolling cigar

21. C/up Ibraim Rodriguez rolling cigar

22. Low shot cigar rack

23. SOUNDBITE: Ibraim Rodriguez

24. Set-up shots Gricel Fernandez smoking

25. C/up cigar making

26. SOUNDBITE: Gricel Fernandez

27. WS interior cigar factory

28. SOUNDBITE: Ramon Saul Sanchez

29. C/up altar boys/priest in Cuban church

30. C/up altar boy

31. MW women praying

32. MW congregation at Communion

33. WS man praying at Jesus statue

34. Reverse man praying