ITAA Congratulates Bush ? a Bit Early

By Gail Repsher Emery, Staff Writer


NOV. 8 ? The Information Technology Association of America congratulated Texas Gov. George W. Bush for his "hard-fought victory" in the presidential election shortly after the television networks declared the Republican victorious early this morning. Bush, however, hadn't actually won.


"Heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Bush. We are excited to work with the new administration as it harnesses the power of the information revolution to the purposes of the American people," ITAA President Harris Miller said in a press release distributed via e-mail at 2:37 a.m.


Bush and Vice President Al Gore ? and the nation ? today were awaiting the results of a vote recount in Florida, which would determine the victor.


"Next time we're going to put out a press release that says 'Dewey won,' " said Bob Cohen, a spokesman for the Arlington, Va., association.


The association's message of congratulations last night would have been similar if Gore had been declared victorious, Cohen said.


"In the high-tech arena, their positions are very similar. We feel strongly we'll be able to work with whoever wins," Cohen said. "Both appreciate the benefits information technology has brought to the economy and the competitive advantage we have over other industrialized nations. Both will help the U.S. maintain that advantage."