Election TruthWritten by The Independent Voice
Yes, it is true that George W. Bush received most votes of any elected President in our history. He also received more votes against him than any other elected President in history of our country. The margin of difference between those who want Bush as our President and those who do not is a measly 3%. The fact is that electoral map is almost identical to that of year 2000. Bush did win popular vote by 3.5 million votes but he nearly lost election, had just 68,001 votes switched in Ohio. The 3.5 million more votes came entirely from small states that have predominantly rural voters that typically vote Republican or lean Republican but don't always vote. Who voted for whom? If you are young (18-29), a working woman or a non-working woman, black, latino, Asian, or other, belong to a union, make under $100,000, have a post-graduate education, are a moderate or liberal, never voted before, a Jew, a Buddhist, or a Hindu, a single civilian, homosexual, don't own a gun, your values and concerns are education, unnecessary war, health care, and economy, and you believe we are less safe from terrorism, understand that things are going horribly wrong in Iraq, your family economic situation is worse today than 4 years ago, believe that Iraq has nothing to do with war on terror, believe country is headed in wrong direction, and have lost a job, then odds are that you voted for John Kerry. If you are a rich old white male conservative, a religious zealot who has some college, don't belong to a union, a married veteran who goes to church at least once a week, and your values and concerns are taxes, terrorism and "morals", you have a job but don't work more than full time, you think things are going swell, believe Iraq is tied to terrorism, your family is doing better than 4 years ago, you own a gun, think things are going well in Iraq, not concerned with health care, want abortion completely outlawed, hate homos, believe economy is just great, think attacking Iraq made us more secure, and live in a small town, then odds are that you voted for George W. Bush.
| | A Look Ahead to 2008 (Part I)Written by Terry Mitchell
Just as everyone has breathed a sigh of relief at end of 2004 presidential campaign, I would like to take a quick look ahead to 2008. Unless George W. Bush is unable to complete his second term, 2008 will bring third open presidential election (no incumbent running) in 20 years. Even though that's still four years into future, campaign will be unofficially getting underway almost immediately. Therefore, many of potential candidates can already be identified and there should be no shortage of them on either side. Today, I will be taking a look at potential Republican candidates. Among them are Arizona Senator John McCain, Tennessee Senator Bill Frist, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, Virginia Senator George Allen, and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. John McCain is probably in best position to capture GOP nomination, should he decide to run. He was beaten by Bush in 2000 primaries, but he has since been one of President's most loyal supporters, despite some differences of opinion. McCain is one of most popular politicians in U.S. and won re-election to his Senate seat last week with more than 70% of vote! Unlike Democrats, Republicans have a history of sometimes awarding their nomination to someone who has waited his "turn." A case in point is Bob Dole, who was rejected in his bids for nomination in 1980 and 1988, only to finally get it in 1996. Bill Frist is a surgeon is who was first elected to Senate during "Republican Revolution" of 1994. He is now majority leader of Senate and should benefit from GOP's pick-up of four additional seats in this election cycle. Frist seems to be well liked by all factions of party. He would probably have inside track to Republican nomination if McCain decides not to run. Jeb Bush would like to continue a streak that Republicans currently have in place. Since 1976, they have featured either a Dole or a Bush on every national ticket. That's eight straight presidential elections! The fact that he was able to help his brother do better than anyone expected in Florida (winning by five percentage points) bodes well for him. That alone should greatly improve his stature within Republican Party. Having family ties to White House won't hurt either. Dick Cheney has said he probably will not run for president (and there are even rumors that he might even resign before end of Bush's second term). If he doesn't run, or if he does run and subsequently fails to get nomination, 2008 election would be first without inclusion of a sitting president or vice president since 1952. However, politicians have been known to change their minds. I still think he might ultimately decide to run. If he does, unlike most sitting vice presidents, he will have an uphill battle for nomination. However, his popularity with far right wing of party would play to his advantage and could ultimately give him edge he would need. There's still a question mark as to how evangelicals within party would react to his support of his gay daughter. Rudy Giuliani rebuilt his image with his handling of 9/11 aftermath. Previously, he had to withdraw from a potential Senate race against Hillary Clinton, because of health problems. That was official line, but most people believed it was because of a nasty divorce and rumors about extramarital affairs. He is now a very popular politician, but whether he is conservative enough to win Republican presidential nomination is questionable at best. He will likely be opposed by evangelical wing of party.
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