Issues Seen As More Personal Than in 2000

By PAULINE ARRILLAGA, AP National Writer

Four years ago, when 105 million Americans cast ballots for George W. Bush or Al Gore (news - web sites), there was peace and relative prosperity. Airport security meant a quick zip through an X-ray machine, not a shoeless pat-down. Iraq was a place where a fast war was fought and won. Florida was about Mickey Mouse, not hanging chads.


What were the issues then? some voters now ask. A few need prompting to even recall whom they voted for.


In the next breath, in voices full of passion, they explain why things are so different this time. Why voters so closely monitored the race between President Bush and John Kerry. Why citizens endured lines at election offices to ensure they were registered. Why the debates drew more viewers than baseball.


Why, this year, the presidential campaign is America's pastime.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=533&e=3&u=/ap/20041101/ap_on_el_pr/america_votes