In No More than 5 Sentences Describe the 2004 Election

[Jake]

With the backdrop of an increasingly unpopular war in Iraq, incumbent President George Bush, of the Republican Party, faced Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. Throughout the summer, the race remained close, with neither candidate gaining any advantage in the race. However, in September, President Bush gained a slight advantage from the Republican Convention and negative campaigning by interest groups, and rode that advantage through the final months of the campaign. On Election Day, President Bush defeated Senator Kerry with 286 Electoral Votes to Kerry's 251. Bush was helped by large Christian Conservative turnout propelled by gay marriage initiatives on the ballot in many states and by his image as a strong wartime president.