In a dozen swing states that decided the presidential election, moral values tied with the economy and jobs as the top issue in the campaign, according to Associated Press exit polls. Terrorism was close behind.

Bush won among those in swing states who picked moral values by 84-15 and he won among those who picked terrorism by 85-15

No kidding, Stewart
down over vote

President Bush managed to wipe the smirk off Jon Stewart's face - at least for one night.

Having voted for Sen. John Kerry, America's most-trusted name in fake news couldn't conceal his disappointment Tuesday night when he arrived at Comedy Central's "Indecision 2004" party at The Park.

Despite the twinkling donkey-and-elephant-shaped disco balls, "spin-control" roulette wheels with Bush and Kerry's faces, and adoring girls in torn-up "Daily Show" T-shirts, the comic stayed only for a few minutes at the party.

"He's in a really bad mood," one "Daily Show" correspondent told a young staffer.

"Why?" asked the dim minion.

The correspondent pointed to a TV screen with the election returns.

Stewart had suggested last week that Bush, rather than Kerry, would give his show more material. But "Daily Show" correspondent Steven Colbert told us: "It's not worth it. I'd happily be dull for four years instead."

"They haven't counted California yet," his Pollyanna-ish colleague Rob Corddry offered. "Kerry's kickin' ass!"

Correspondent Ed Helms tried to remain fair and balanced.

"I would say there is no shortage of hypocrisy on either side of the aisle," said Helms, who watched the returns with Mena Suvari, Ileana Douglas, Ethan Hawke, Linda Fiorentino, Carson Daly and other guests. "And that's all we need for a good zinger.

It really doesn't matter [who wins]."

Uptown, few people were so sanguine at the party that Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein and cosmetics czarina Georgette Mosbacher threw at the Palm restaurant. Tracking the returns, Democrats and Republicans went through more mood swings than Courtney Love without her meds.

Robert Morgenthau, Alan Cumming, Carl Bernstein, Bianca Jagger, Charlie Rose, Barbara Walters, Ted Forstmann, Tina Brown and Harry Evans, Russell Simmons and Anna Deavere Smith were among those feverishly calling friends on the campaigns and at the networks to get the latest information.

"I've never seen so many distinguished people who don't know what to think," Sony honcho Howard Stringer told us.

Mosbacher, a GOP fund-raising vixen, at first told guests, "It looks like we lost the presidency but we may still knock off [Sen. Tom] Daschle." But soon the Kerry-backing Weinstein was glumly pacing back and forth outside the restaurant.

A GOP acquaintance said consolingly, "In another four years, it could all be different."

Elsewhere around town:

# Howard Dean dropped by Crobar to buck up bummed Dems like Gloria Steinem and Cyndi Lauper. The former presidential candidate even danced to the music of a marching band.

# Bungalow 8 owner Amy Sacco declared that her W. 27th St. hotspot may become "Bungalowland - our own country. We'll secede!"

And where was Bill Clinton? Friends say that the former President, still taking it easy after his heart surgery, watched the returns at his home in Chappaqua.