On the final day of an extraordinary election, area supporters of both presidential candidates finally found something to agree on: They're glad it's over.

        Hours before Vice President Al Gore made his concession speech Wednesday evening, Greater Cincinnati residents, regardless of party affiliation, said they were tired of the contentious election.

        “I think, like everybody else, I'm just glad it's over,” said Thomas Hedge of Wyoming.

        Jill Dunlap of Butler County's Liberty Township agreed: “It's gone on too long.”

        Mr. Gore's decision to step out should have come “a long time ago,” said Candice Hall of Silverton.

        “I'm a Democrat and Gore should have won. But this back and forth has divided us. When it was initially announced that Bush won, that should have been enough. Now they have to focus on how to unite the country again,” she said.

        Marie Rogers, 70, of Norwood, wasn't sure what the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion rendered Tuesday meant, but she was certain that she wanted a president to be named.

        “I'm really just getting tired of all this,” said Ms. Rogers. Mike Hood of Liberty Township, agreed, saying: “I'm amazed it's taken this long.”

        Sara Mullen of Fort Thomas was surprised that in today's high-tech world that an election could be filled with uncertainty.

        “I would have hoped that with all the up-to-date technology we now have, that the election would have gone much better than it did,” she said.

        Other reaction from around the Tristate:

        • Bennie Doggett, 57, owner of A Personal Touch clothing store in Covington, would like to see the country set a national standard for tabulating votes, and establish a universal closing time for the polls in various states.

        “I think the polls should be open later,” Ms. Doggett said. “In Kentucky, for instance, the polls close at 6 p.m. Working people who don't get a chance to vote in the morning can't always get to the polls by 6 o'clock.”

        • John Sinclair, 40, of Anderson Township: “It's about time. Unfortunately, it put the country through a lot. The long drawn-out process had a negative effect on everyone. Hopefully, the country can unite. But this will affect the presidency and the government. There will be more infighting than ever now.”

        • Joann Caskey, West Chester Township: “I wasn't surprised with the (Supreme Court) ruling. I'm interested and tired of it. I'm one of the few people in West Chester who voted for Al Gore ... but I do think it's time for him to concede.”

        • Katy Krieger, 42, an Anderson Township Republican who voted for George W. Bush, said Mr. Gore should have bowed out gracefully long ago. If, indeed, the ruling means Mr. Bush is president, she said, “It's a nice Christmas present. It's good for our country that we can finally say we have a president.”

        Mr. Hedge, who voted for Mr. Bush, said he hopes the contentious election points out the need to update antiquated voting machines.

        “I think everyone has seen the system has some serious flaws. The whole election process is ripe for stepping into the 21st century,” said Mr. Hedge, who supports computerized voting.

        Anne Carr of Hamilton wondered if Mr. Bush will enter the Oval Office with the usual presidential clout.

        “I don't know if the winner really is the winner with the divided situation,” said Ms. Carr, who blamed the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling. “I wish they could have had more unanimity. It would have spoken a louder message to the American people.”

        Rachel Mabry of Mason said she's been “disappointed with our whole election process. It shouldn't have gone on this long.”

        “There's something fishy going on, but I don't know what. I feel Bush should have won in the beginning.”

        Kristina Goetz, Cindy Schroeder, Terry Flynn, Sue Kiesewetter, David Eck and Jenny Callison contributed to this report.
       

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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Local voters just glad it's over
Lawmakers talk conciliation
Ohio could reap the spoils
Tristate Republicans could win appointments
Kentuckians see friend in Bush
Tristate scholars consider lessons, impact of election
Impact on Abortion
Impact on Education
Impact on Environment/energy
Impact on Health Care
Impact on Social Security
Bush electors in the Tristate