USA: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ARRIVES HOME TO CAST HIS VOTE UPDATE

(5 Nov 1996) English/Nat

U-S President Bill Clinton has flown back to the place he launched his last presidential campaign - Little Rock, Arkansas - as the nation votes on whether to keep him as president.

Clinton received a big welcome from the town.

Even as the vote went on, Little Rock was preparing one last rally for Arkansas native son, their president and former governor.

Touching down in Little Rock, Arkansas, U-S President Bill Clinton ended his election campaign on a sentimental note.

Arriving in the pre-dawn darkness of election day, Clinton was hoping the polls would prove right and he would continue his reign at the White House.

It was a family affair - President Clinton was accompanied by First Lady Hillary and daughter, Chelsea.

This time, the president is looking for a 50 percent share of the vote, and a mandate to lead America for four more years.

But the vote is still underway and on a fair weather day in Little Rock, voters are lining up to exercise their right at Fire Station Number 10, and around the city.

Clinton and Democrats are hoping for a heavy turnout nation-wide -- in their bid for the White House and to grab control of Congress away from Republicans.

Some voters are with the Democrats, some would rather not say.

SOUNDBITE:
"It was really fun to vote. It was a marvellous time....yes, for Arkansas. My husband was running for the city board and it's great to vote for the candidate of my choice."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE:
"Was it a vote for Bill Clinton? I'm going to exercise my right not to say."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

SOUNDBITE:
"I voted for Bill Clinton. I have been a supporter of his for many years."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP

And in downtown Little Rock, Clinton supporters are setting the stage for what they hope will be a repeat performance of four years ago.

It was here on the steps of the Old State House where Bill Clinton accepted America's call in 1992 to be their president.

In 1996 he's trying to become the first Democratic president to
win re-election since Franklin D. Roosevelt won his fourth term in 1944.

But some on his team aren't waiting.

Looking ahead to a second term, they're setting up a Clinton transition team that may release a round of Cabinet resignations as early as this week.

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