BUSH ELECTED: Shortly after 11 a.m. ET Wednesday, President George W. Bush received a phone call from Sen. John Kerry, to concede the 2004 presidential election. "Congratulations, Mr. President," a "very gracious" Kerry reportedly told Bush. The president delivered a brief victory speech later that day, telling the public, "We had a long night and a great night." Thanking Americans for their support and for their record turnout at the polls, the commander in chief said, "I am humbled by the confidence and trust of my fellow citizens. … I will do my best to fulfill that duty as your president."
EDWARDS DIAGNOSED: Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer Wednesday – the same day her husband and Sen. John Kerry conceded the presidential race. Mrs. Edwards, 55, found a lump in her right breast last week while on the campaign trail, said spokesman David Ginsberg. Despite the news, spirits among the Edwards's family are high. Said Ginsberg, "Everybody feels good about it, that this is beatable."
PETERSON DECISION: Defense attorney Mark Geragos finished his closing statements Wednesday in the double-murder trial of Scott Peterson, while Stanislaus County Deputy District Attorney Rick Distaso gave his rebuttal before the jury was sent off to decide whether the former fertilizer salesman murdered his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson and their unborn child, on Dec. 24, 2002. He has pleaded not guilty. The panel of six men and six women will remain sequestered until reaching a verdict. Should they decide to convict, jurors may choose between a first- or second-degree murder verdict. The latter would spare Peterson, 31, the death penalty.
LOVELY LACHEYS: Despite rumors that their marriage is on the rocks following a wild bachelor party attended by Nick Lachey on Oct. 12, Newlyweds stars Lachey and Jessica Simpson say that all is fine at home. "Our relationship is better than it's ever been," says Simpson, 24. "We are absolutely not breaking up," adds Lachey. As for whether Lachey, who turns 31 on Nov. 9, is jealous of his wife's popularity: "There's no bigger supporter in Jessica's life than me," he says. "Her success is my success."
RAPPER SUIT: Making their spat official, R. Kelly slapped former concert costar Jay-Z with a $75 million breach-of-contract suit Monday. The lawsuit alleges that Jay-Z's "spite and jealousy" prompted the rapper to use violence to force Kelly off their 40-city "Best of Both Worlds" tour that was to have run through Nov. 28. Legal papers for Kelly, 37, suggest that Jay-Z, 34, was perturbed because Kelly was being paid more for their tour. The documents claim Kelly's profit split from the tour was 60 percent of the first $15 million earned, compared to Jay-Z's 40 percent.
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