But first, the crowd in Nashville had to hear a consolation speech from Gore.

As the crowd in Austin awaited the picture of Gore in Nashville congratulating Bush, the final twist in the plot for the night hit--CNN announced that the outcome of Florida was not certain and was being contested by the Gore campaign. Minutes later, it was announced that Florida's vote totals would have to be recounted.

Gore, who had already conceded the election to Bush in a personal phone conversation, recanted his concession and returned to his hotel, leaving Gore campaign chair William M. Daley to address the Nashville crowd.

"This race is still too close to call and until the recount is concluded and the results in Florida become official, our campaign continues," Daley said.

As the crowd in Nashville transformed from morose to re-energized, the Austin gathering watching on the jumbo screen murmured in confusion and disbelief.

"There's no closure to this night," said one Bush supporter to a friend.

With Bush no longer the certain victor, Bush's campaign manager Don Evans arrived at the capitol in his place, describing to the crowd the situation, while remaining optimistic.

"The latest vote count in the state of Florida shows Governor Bush winning that state by more than 1,200 votes," Evans said. "They are still counting, and I am confident when it is all said and done we will prevail. Thank you again for all your hard work and all your effort and we look forward to a great celebration."

Street crew started sweeping away litter as thousands of supporters remained in front of the capitol building, even after Evans had left.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming," said a campaign staff member over the speakers after 4 a.m.

"That concludes the program."

And the few remaining headed for the exits, still dazed over a false victory that had seemed so real.

--Staff writer Imtiyaz H. Delawala can be reached at delawala@fas.harvard.edu.