President Barack Obama’s campaign Wednesday recalled the Florida vote recount that ended with George W. Bush narrowly winning office in a bid to inspire turnout for the November 6 election.
Only 537 votes separated Republican Bush from then Democratic vice president Al Gore 12 years ago in Florida. But in a controversial decision, after a month of uncertainty, the Supreme Court gave the victory to the Bush, cutting short a recount attempt.
Those 537 votes “changed the course of American history,” says the narrator in a new ad from the Obama camp, over archive footage of Bush, his vice president Dick Cheney and war, foreclosure signs and protests — implying the country would have fared differently under Gore.
“So this year, if you’re thinking that your vote doesn’t count. That it won’t matter. Well, back then, there were probably at least 537 people, who felt the same way.”
“Make your voice heard. Vote,” concludes the clip.
Obama, trying for a second term against Republican Mitt Romney, took off Wednesday on a 40-hour, eight-state, cross-country trip, hitting six of the crucial battleground states that could decide who will be the next US president.
As in 2000, the polls show the two candidates neck-and-neck and the results of the election could depend on a single state — this year more likely to be Ohio, where Obama and Romney are each campaigning hard.
Obama camp recalls 2000 Bush v Gore to inspire voting
