People got stomachaches. They cheered and they prayed. They slept with their television sets on.

        Then they woke up to — omigod — still no president.

        Could it get any better than this?

        We have a near tie for the highest office in the land. We're experiencing great political drama; and yet, not one person had to drive his bulldozer through Parliament.

        Nobody had to miss work to start a riot or take over WLW radio, although some of us fantasize about that.

        Instead of soldiers storming the Capitol, we have lawyers scrutinizing numbers.

        Instead of candidates stuffing ballots, we have Floridians making excuses. “Oh dear,” they're saying, “I may have accidentally voted for Pat Buchanan!”

        This is America's democracy, and we're so fortunate to have it.

        Granted the process needs tinkering: No president should be elected on technicalities that supersede the popular vote.

        But this can be fixed. Meanwhile, voters are acting like sports fans, only nicer.

        Consider Tracey Ross, a Covington dentist and Gore supporter. For weeks, she had been urging colleagues to get registered. Then she discovered most were voting for Mr. Bush, including one man who hadn't cast a ballot in 22 years.

        When she woke up yesterday morning, she thought, “Oh, well, maybe I shouldn't have been so encouraging.”

        Recalling this, Ms. Ross chuckles. She has the luxury of good humor, because this is America. Every four years, we get another chance.

        Karen Sxamples is the Enquirer's Kentucky columnist
       

KIESEWETTER: Right or wrong, it was dramatic TV
Enquirer waited all night long for winner
Tristate rides election 'roller coaster'
Ohio turnout called disappointing
BRONSON: A nation divided
PULFER: Women voters
HOWARD: Black voters
SAMPLES: Civics lesson
WILKINSON: Fighting dirty
Bedinghaus lost support in suburbs
Council vacancy attracts interest
SULLIVAN: Bob Bedinghaus
Children know what levy means
City schools will reap benefits as soon as January
Butler leaders see mandate for growth
Covington mayor-elect says issues key to win
Covington schools get fresh faces, fresh start
Democrats licking wounds
Glitches in Kenton slow voting
Lakota levy to add 2 schools
Losing candidate is jailed
Ohio election of '74 similar to Bush-Gore
Ousted mayor unbowed
Piper hopes to smooth feathers
Political types have night of angst
School cuts loom in Norwood
Voters said no; schools changing plans