He Tells of Uncertainty, Fatigue on Election Night : Bush’s Mood: Tempered Exhilaration

Has the thrill hit him yet?

“Ah, it’s beginning to,” said the man elected to be America’s 41st President.

At his Wednesday morning hometown press conference, the new President-elect hesitated a half-beat and then described his mood:

“Somewhere in between total exhilaration and recognition that the challenge ahead is going to be awesome.”

Whopper of a Victory

For weeks the polls had foretold his destiny, even if the numbers got a little soft in the last days. On-the-scene reports from the key states bespoke not just a victory but a whopper.

Still, George Bush suppressed the tingle.

Even on election night, dining with 22 members of his family and 10 close friends at the home of a one-time next-door neighbor, Bush held back. Doubts fluttered in his stomach later when he returned to the hotel suite that is his voting residence.

“There was still some uncertainty,” he said.

Later, flying home to Washington, his plane festooned with red, white and blue crepe paper, balloons and American flags, Bush amplified. He described an election night scene of confusion, a scene in which aides told him to disregard exit polls and early results were in disagreement.

Nervous Tension

“All of that adds up to the nervous tension, fatigue,” he said.

Only when Dukakis conceded, the four television networks called his victory and he was en route to his election night celebration at the Houston convention center did Bush acknowledge victory. Aides put the time at precisely 10:32 p.m.

“So I’ve been through a tug and pull,” he explained.

On election night, Bush delivered a small and elegant speech. But he did not show the kind of exuberance that some expected at this high end of a 10-year odyssey for the presidency.

“You’re right about last night . . . “ he told reporters Wednesday when it was suggested he was uncharacteristically somber.

‘Shifting of Gears’

“I do think that when you’re elected President of the United States there must be a shifting of gears, a recognition that the path ahead is going to be a tremendous challenge. . . .”

“The exhilaration was underpinning it all but I think the recognition that I’ve got a tremendous job ahead and that I need God’s help to get it done is also part of that.”

Bush, whose moods always seem controlled, described a restless first night as America’s President-elect.

He opened his press conference, telling reporters who had traveled up to a year and more with him: “I hope everyone had a good night’s sleep. I did not.”

This did not seem to bother him as the day went on, however. He flew to Washington and a gala welcoming at Andrews Air Force Base. He had collected his thoughts and clearly wanted to strike a happy note.

“I know it’s autumn--getting on to late fall. But I have a sense of blossoming, kind of a spring. And there are new beginnings and a wonderful new era rich with possibilities and full of hope.

“It is good news and I am very, very happy.”