New Hampshire flips to Gore but Iowa flips to Bush.
Iowa farmers and small town residents are upset with Kerry's military service record, and vote more strongly for Bush, giving Bush the state.
Bush wins Florida by a margin of approximately 100,000, so there is no question as to who wins Florida, and there is clearly no recount. Without Lieberman on the Democratic ticket, this brings down Jewish turnout in Florida, hurting Gore's chances in that state.
Cheney is up to debating anyone in public life, including Kerry. Cheney emphasizes his foreign policy expertise and contrasts it with Kerry's lack of experience in this field.
Not in the debate, but on the campaign trail, Bush does not make the reference, but it is left up to Cheney to make the reference to the "elitist northeastern liberal," and Cheney uses this to great effect.
Kerry may have helped with some of the Nader voters, however, by the same token, more independents and moderates decide to go with Bush, balancing out the Nader voters who went with Gore.
Bush/Cheney 274
Gore/Kerry 264
In 2004, John Edwards wins the Democratic nomination, picks Dick Gephardt for Vice President, and the two go on to be demolished in the election by George W Bush and Dick Cheney.
