The Ohio Supreme Court candidates, Bill O’Neill, Terrence O’Donnell, Nancy Fuerst, and Judith Ann Lanzinger participate in an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street.

 

Ohio News Networks John Fortney leads the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court race through an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Ohio News Networks John Fortney leads the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court race through an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Ohio News Networks John Fortney, standing, leads the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court race through an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Ohio News Networks John Fortney, standing, leads the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court race through an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Ohio News Networks John Fortney, standing, leads the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court race through an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Ohio News Networks John Fortney, standing, leads the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court race through an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Ohio News Networks John Fortney, sitting on table, talks with the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court race, left to right - William O’Neill, Terrence O’Donnell, Nancy Fuerst, and Judith Ann Lanzinger before an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Ohio News Networks John Fortney, sitting on table, talks with the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court race, left to right – William O’Neill, Terrence O’Donnell, Nancy Fuerst, and Judith Ann Lanzinger before an on air forum sponsored by ONN and the League of Women Voters Thursday night October 21, 2004 at the Court building on Front Street. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Terrence O’Donnell is an American Justice of the supreme court of the U.S. state of Ohio.  He served as a Cuyahoga County, common pleas court judge for 15 years until 1994, when he ran for a seat on the Ohio Court of Appeals for the Eighth District against former Ohio Chief Justice Frank Celebrezze. He defeated Celebrezze and served on the Eighth District bench until his resignation to run for the Ohio Supreme Court in 2000 in a failed attempt to unseat Ohio Supreme Court Justice Alice Robie Resnik. In 2003, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Deborah L. Cook resigned from the court to accept an appointment by the George W. Bush administration to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Governor Robert A. Taft II then appointed O’Donnell to fill the vacancy, effective May 2003. On November 2, 2004, O’Donnell won a special election, defeating Democrat William M. O’Neill with 61% of the vote, entitling him to finish Cook’s term, which ended in 2006. He won re-election in 2006, again defeating O’Neill by almost 20 points, and was sworn in January 2007 to a full six-year term.

Judith Lanzinger is an American jurist. She retired as a justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. She has long been involved in the legal profession. After graduating from the University of Toledo, she attended the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada, Reno, at which she was the second woman nationwide to be awarded a master’s degree in judicial studies; she has taught classes in this field since 1990. Lanzinger’s professional career included many different positions in the halls of justice: Toledo Municipal Court, the Lucas County Common Pleas Court, and the Sixth District Court of Appeals. Lanzinger, a Republican, was elected to the Supreme Court in 2004, taking office on New Year’s Day 2005.

Nancy A. Fuerst is a judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division in Cleveland, Ohio. She joined the court in 1997. Fuerst was re-elected to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in 2014, winning a new term that expires on January 1, 2021.

William Michael O’Neill is an American lawyer, judge and political figure. He was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in 2012, for a term beginning January 2013. He served as an appellate judge on the Ohio Eleventh District Court of Appeals for 10 years. Twice, O’Neill was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative in Ohio’s 14th congressional district. He announced on October 29, 2017 as a candidate for Ohio Governor in the 2018 election.

On October 29, 2017, O’Neill announced that he would join the Democratic primary for Ohio governor. During his announcement, he laid out a platform of minimum wage increases, tax incentives for solar power, mental health care expansion and marijuana legalization in Ohio. Less than a week later he announced that he will recuse himself from new Supreme Court cases and will resign by the February 7, filing deadline due to potential ethical conflicts.

On November 17, 2017, O’Neill stirred controversy by posting a Facebook post responding to recent controversy regarding allegations of sexual assault against U.S. Senator Al Franken. He referred to those speaking against Franken as “dogs of war” and decried a “national feeding frenzy” against age-old sexual indiscretions, and he stated that speaking on behalf of all heterosexual males that he been sexually intimate with 50 attractive females in the past fifty years. In response, his communications director resigned from his campaign. Multiple state officials, including Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, former state representative and fellow gubernatorial candidate Connie TillichDayton mayor and fellow gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley, and Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylorcriticized O’Neill’s comments, with Pillich and Whaley calling for him to resign from his position as associate justice. O’Neill refused to apologize, and told his critics to “lighten up.”

 

Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses.

The 2004 Presidential Campaign “Real People Tour”.  The Real People Tour was a 10 state, 15 day traveling assignment covered by the Columbus Dispatch political team of Joe Hallett and Jonathan Riskind along with photographer James D. DeCamp, who tried to find the real stories and opinions of the ‘real’ people of America by traversing the presidential battleground states in the midwest and finding people in their element.  These are some of those stories.

 

Rosella Orbovich talks with us in the Weirton Senior Center Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Rosella Orbovich talks with us in the Weirton Senior Center Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Hazel Powell talks with us in the Weirton Senior Center Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Hazel Powell talks with us in the Weirton Senior Center Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Bucky Kilmartin shoots a mean game of pool at the Weirton Senior Center Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Bucky Kilmartin shoots a mean game of pool at the Weirton Senior Center Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Danny Warrick offers his opinions from a downtown street corner in Weirton WVa Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Danny Warrick offers his opinions from a downtown street corner in Weirton WVa Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Buck Hawkins paints a fire hydrant on Main Street in front of the International Steel Group - Weirton, Inc. Steel Plant in Weirton WVa Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Buck Hawkins paints a fire hydrant on Main Street in front of the International Steel Group – Weirton, Inc. Steel Plant in Weirton WVa Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

The International Steel Group - Weirton, Inc. Steel Plant in Weirton WVa Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

The International Steel Group – Weirton, Inc. Steel Plant in Weirton WVa Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Gordon Meader talks with us from his van in the parking lot of the International Steel Group - Weirton, Inc. Steel Plant in Weirton WVa Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Gordon Meader talks with us from his van in the parking lot of the International Steel Group – Weirton, Inc. Steel Plant in Weirton WVa Tuesday October 5, 2004 on day 12 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Bobby Brahmer talks with us from the front of his Antique store in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Bobby Brahmer talks with us from the front of his Antique store in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Mayor of Hinton Cleo Matthews talks with us from the counter of the store she runs in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Mayor of Hinton Cleo Matthews talks with us from the counter of the store she runs in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Mayor of Hinton Cleo Matthews talks with us from the counter of the store she runs in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Mayor of Hinton Cleo Matthews talks with us from the counter of the store she runs in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Mary Belle Larson takes a break in the town square in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Mary Belle Larson takes a break in the town square in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Tamara Kentley takes a break in the town square in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Tamara Kentley takes a break in the town square in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Donnie Akins talks with us from his parking meter in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Donnie Akins talks with us from his parking meter in downtown Hinton, WVa, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

A coal mine seen along Coal River Road near Pettry Bottom, West Virginia on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

A coal mine seen along Coal River Road near Pettry Bottom, West Virginia on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Nathan Tapley, Jr., fuels his truck at an Exxon station in Van, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Nathan Tapley, Jr., fuels his truck at an Exxon station in Van, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Michelle Mullins and her father Roy R. Hager talk with us outside of the Big Eagle Gun & Pawn Shop in Danville, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Michelle Mullins and her father Roy R. Hager talk with us outside of the Big Eagle Gun & Pawn Shop in Danville, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Gary Pittman talks to us from inside the Racine Market in Racine, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Gary Pittman talks to us from inside the Racine Market in Racine, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lois Goodwin talks to us outside the Racine Market in Racine, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lois Goodwin talks to us outside the Racine Market in Racine, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Benny Hagger talks to us outside the Racine Market in Racine, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Benny Hagger talks to us outside the Racine Market in Racine, WVa, Wednesday October 6, 2004 on day 13 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Republican signs line the south side of WVa State Route 3 while Democratic signs line the north side in Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Republican signs line the south side of WVa State Route 3 while Democratic signs line the north side in Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Republican signs line the south side of WVa State Route 3 while Democratic signs line the north side in Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Republican signs line the south side of WVa State Route 3 while Democratic signs line the north side in Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Republican signs line the south side of WVa State Route 3 while Democratic signs line the north side in Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Republican signs line the south side of WVa State Route 3 while Democratic signs line the north side in Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Rennie Hill talks with us from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Rennie Hill talks with us from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Bill Roop talks with us from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Bill Roop talks with us from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Bill Roop talks with us from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Bill Roop talks with us from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Julianna Sweatte talks with us from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Julianna Sweatte talks with us from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Dispatch reporter Jonathan Riskind contemplates jumping into the New River Gorge in WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Dispatch reporter Jonathan Riskind contemplates jumping into the New River Gorge in WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Rennie Hill talks with Jonathan Riskind from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Rennie Hill talks with Jonathan Riskind from a street corner in downtown Beckley WVa Thursday October 7, 2004 on day 14 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

 

 

The United States presidential election of 2004, the 55th quadrennial presidential election, was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican President George W. Bush defeated Democraticnominee John Kerry, a United States Senator from Massachusetts.

Bush and incumbent Vice President Dick Cheney were renominated by their party with no difficulty. Former Governor Howard Dean emerged as the early front-runner in the 2004 Democratic primaries, but Kerry won the first set of primaries in January 2004 and clinched his party’s nomination in March after a series of primary victories. Kerry chose Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, who had himself sought the party’s 2004 presidential nomination, to be his running mate.

Bush’s popularity had soared early in his first term after the September 11 attacks, but his popularity declined between 2001 and 2004. Foreign policy was the dominant theme throughout the election campaign, particularly Bush’s conduct of the War on Terrorism and the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Bush presented himself as a decisive leader and attacked Kerry as a “flip-flopper”, while Kerry criticized Bush’s conduct of the Iraq War. Domestic issues were debated as well, including the economyand jobs, health care, and moral values.

Bush won a narrow victory, taking 50.7% of the popular vote and 286 electoral votes. He swept the Southand the Mountain States and took the crucial swing states of Ohio, Iowa, and New Mexico. Some aspects of the election process were subject to controversy, but not to the degree seen in the 2000 presidential election. Bush was the first candidate of either party to win a majority of the popular vote since George H. W. Bush accomplished the same feat in the 1988 election, and the younger Bush remains the only Republican since 1988 to win the popular vote. His victory also marked the first time that the Republican nominee won a presidential election without carrying any state in the Northeastern United States.

The 2004 Presidential Campaign “Real People Tour”.  The Real People Tour was a 10 state, 15 day traveling assignment covered by the Columbus Dispatch political team of Joe Hallett and Jonathan Riskind along with photographer James D. DeCamp, who tried to find the real stories and opinions of the ‘real’ people of America by traversing the presidential battleground states in the midwest and finding people in their element.  These are some of those stories.

 

Jonathan Riskind, right, interviews Kathy Trombacco, Erie, PA, at an anti domestic violence rally in downtown Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Jonathan Riskind, right, interviews Kathy Trombacco, Erie, PA, at an anti domestic violence rally in downtown Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Kathy Trombacco, Erie, PA, talks with us at an anti domestic violence rally in downtown Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Kathy Trombacco, Erie, PA, talks with us at an anti domestic violence rally in downtown Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Chuck Bardwell, left, and Tim Helsley celebrate a Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown at Scorchers Casual Eatery & Draft House in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Chuck Bardwell, left, and Tim Helsley celebrate a Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown at Scorchers Casual Eatery & Draft House in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Susan Jefferys talks with us at Scorchers Casual Eatery & Draft House in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Susan Jefferys talks with us at Scorchers Casual Eatery & Draft House in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Mark Vatavuk, a volunteer, pets one of the rescue dogs at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Mark Vatavuk, a volunteer, pets one of the rescue dogs at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Mary Wolf, holds her 14 year old Doxen 'squirt' at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Mary Wolf, holds her 14 year old Doxen ‘squirt’ at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Cathy Mowery Girard and her pup Junior talk with us at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Cathy Mowery Girard and her pup Junior talk with us at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lilly Abreu, left, talks with Teresa Heinz Kerry at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lilly Abreu, left, talks with Teresa Heinz Kerry at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lilly Abreu talks with us at a democratic political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lilly Abreu talks with us at a democratic political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry signs a button for a fan after she talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry signs a button for a fan after she talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks with fans after she talked at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks with fans after she talked at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry listens to a supporter talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry listens to a supporter talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry listens to a supporter talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry listens to a supporter talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks with supporters at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks with supporters at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Judy Wertheimer talks with us at a political rally for Teresa Heinz Kerry at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Judy Wertheimer talks with us at a political rally for Teresa Heinz Kerry at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Patricia Cefialo talks with us in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Patricia Cefialo talks with us in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Judy Trautman, left, and Kimberly Pinzok talk together in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Judy Trautman, left, and Kimberly Pinzok talk together in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Joyce DiBucci talks with us in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Joyce DiBucci talks with us in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

 

The United States presidential election of 2004, the 55th quadrennial presidential election, was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican President George W. Bush defeated Democraticnominee John Kerry, a United States Senator from Massachusetts.

Bush and incumbent Vice President Dick Cheney were renominated by their party with no difficulty. Former Governor Howard Dean emerged as the early front-runner in the 2004 Democratic primaries, but Kerry won the first set of primaries in January 2004 and clinched his party’s nomination in March after a series of primary victories. Kerry chose Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, who had himself sought the party’s 2004 presidential nomination, to be his running mate.

Bush’s popularity had soared early in his first term after the September 11 attacks, but his popularity declined between 2001 and 2004. Foreign policy was the dominant theme throughout the election campaign, particularly Bush’s conduct of the War on Terrorism and the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Bush presented himself as a decisive leader and attacked Kerry as a “flip-flopper”, while Kerry criticized Bush’s conduct of the Iraq War. Domestic issues were debated as well, including the economyand jobs, health care, and moral values.

Bush won a narrow victory, taking 50.7% of the popular vote and 286 electoral votes. He swept the Southand the Mountain States and took the crucial swing states of Ohio, Iowa, and New Mexico. Some aspects of the election process were subject to controversy, but not to the degree seen in the 2000 presidential election. Bush was the first candidate of either party to win a majority of the popular vote since George H. W. Bush accomplished the same feat in the 1988 election, and the younger Bush remains the only Republican since 1988 to win the popular vote. His victory also marked the first time that the Republican nominee won a presidential election without carrying any state in the Northeastern United States.

The 2004 Presidential Campaign “Real People Tour”.  The Real People Tour was a 10 state, 15 day traveling assignment covered by the Columbus Dispatch political team of Joe Hallett and Jonathan Riskind along with photographer James D. DeCamp, who tried to find the stories and opinions of the ‘real’ people of America by traversing the presidential battleground states in the midwest and finding people in their element.  These are some of those stories.

 

While her six-year-old son, Donald, played some stout defense for his Lightning soccer team on a sunny day in Taylor, Mich. , Kelly Honaker explained why national defense figures prominently in her decision to vote for President Bush - despite her qualms about the state of the economy and size of the federal deficit. "I'm definitely going for Bush,'' Honaker said. "He's not afraid to do what needs to be done'' to safeguard the country from the threat of terrorism. Honaker was photographed Saturday October 2, 2004 on day 8 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

While her six-year-old son, Donald, played some stout defense for his Lightning soccer team on a sunny day in Taylor, Mich. , Kelly Honaker explained why national defense figures prominently in her decision to vote for President Bush – despite her qualms about the state of the economy and size of the federal deficit. “I’m definitely going for Bush,” Honaker said. “He’s not afraid to do what needs to be done” to safeguard the country from the threat of terrorism. Honaker was photographed Saturday October 2, 2004 on day 8 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Peggy Dolson manager of the Taylor, Michigan Heritage Perk Coffee House poses for a photo Saturday afternoon October 2, 2004 on day 8 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Peggy Dolson manager of the Taylor, Michigan Heritage Perk Coffee House poses for a photo Saturday afternoon October 2, 2004 on day 8 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Edric Blackwell works on a shave for Robert Smith at the Final Kut barber shop in Detroit Saturday October 2, 2004 on day 9 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Edric Blackwell works on a shave for Robert Smith at the Final Kut barber shop in Detroit Saturday October 2, 2004 on day 9 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Edric Blackwell works on a shave for Robert Smith at the Final Kut barber shop in Detroit Saturday October 2, 2004 on day 9 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Edric Blackwell works on a shave for Robert Smith at the Final Kut barber shop in Detroit Saturday October 2, 2004 on day 9 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Edric Blackwell works on a shave for Robert Smith at the Final Kut barber shop in Detroit Saturday October 2, 2004 on day 9 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Edric Blackwell works on a shave for Robert Smith at the Final Kut barber shop in Detroit Saturday October 2, 2004 on day 9 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

 

The United States presidential election of 2004, the 55th quadrennial presidential election, was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican President George W. Bush defeated Democraticnominee John Kerry, a United States Senator from Massachusetts.

Bush and incumbent Vice President Dick Cheney were renominated by their party with no difficulty. Former Governor Howard Dean emerged as the early front-runner in the 2004 Democratic primaries, but Kerry won the first set of primaries in January 2004 and clinched his party’s nomination in March after a series of primary victories. Kerry chose Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, who had himself sought the party’s 2004 presidential nomination, to be his running mate.

Bush’s popularity had soared early in his first term after the September 11 attacks, but his popularity declined between 2001 and 2004. Foreign policy was the dominant theme throughout the election campaign, particularly Bush’s conduct of the War on Terrorism and the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Bush presented himself as a decisive leader and attacked Kerry as a “flip-flopper”, while Kerry criticized Bush’s conduct of the Iraq War. Domestic issues were debated as well, including the economyand jobs, health care, and moral values.

Bush won a narrow victory, taking 50.7% of the popular vote and 286 electoral votes. He swept the Southand the Mountain States and took the crucial swing states of Ohio, Iowa, and New Mexico. Some aspects of the election process were subject to controversy, but not to the degree seen in the 2000 presidential election. Bush was the first candidate of either party to win a majority of the popular vote since George H. W. Bush accomplished the same feat in the 1988 election, and the younger Bush remains the only Republican since 1988 to win the popular vote. His victory also marked the first time that the Republican nominee won a presidential election without carrying any state in the Northeastern United States.