'Very upbeat' Bush predicts victory

Bush went from tense and tired to "very upbeat" and confident of victory as he watched his reelection prospects brighten.

President George W. Bush went from tense and tired after voting in Texas on Tuesday to "very upbeat" and confident of victory as he watched his reelection prospects brighten with his family at the White House.

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What had been a nail-bitingly close race with Democrat John Kerry seemed to be coming down to vote-rich Ohio, where Bush led but the challenger refused to concede, setting the stage for a potentially bruising legal battle.

Asked how he felt during a brief public appearance hours before that possibility emerged, Bush straightened slightly and replied: "Very upbeat, thank you."

"I believe I will win, thank you very much. I feel good about it," said Bush. "I'm glad to be able to watch the returns here with my family and friends. And it's going to be an exciting evening."