Tuffgong4 said:
It's over. Nothing is going to change. What should be more worrying to the democrats is their loss of seats in the house and senate. That will have more of an effect than the president.
You are correct. It is over. And though many won't say Bush was given a mandate something clearly shifted.
I don't believe Bush got a mandate but the Democratic party definitely was handed a message.
[beginning of a somewhat lengthy statement and not just a reply to Tuffgong4]
The Democrats lost their senior-most Senator in Texas. Yes, he was screwed because they re-districted and he was stuck in a Republican district but he did lose.
Daschle lost and he was the Minority Leader. I don't think much needs to be said on this. It's a telling sign to see this happen.
The Democrats lost multiple seats and they lost the election for President. This comes down to many issues and beliefs and it goes beyond abortion and gay marriage even if most of the media wants you to believe that.
I am in my early 30's, I'm Caucasian, I'm pro-choice [as long as it is not used as a repeated birth-control method by morons], I'm pro letting gays get married if they want, I'm pro death penalty [with limitations].
I didn't vote for Bush just because, gosh golly, he's fighting terrorism. I looked at both candidates and I read up on things. I listened to interviews in their entirety. I listened to what they didn't say when answering questions. I looked at issues independently and didn't group them together and decided which issues meant more or less to me. Bush didn't win my vote so much as Kerry lost it and he lost it majorly.
In the end each person is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that and people who don't agree with me.
Tuffgong4 said:
If we talk politics we should start talking about who is going to be the candidates for 2008. Barack Obama for the dems, or the awful idea of Hillary Clinton.
Obama has thoroughly impressed me. I watched his speech at the DNC and was extremely interested. He has a bright future ahead of him but he also has a few hurdles. He needs to be part of a rebuilt Democratic party that can give him the Southern and Mid-Western support that he needs and he needs to age a bit and gain some more experience. The final hurdle and one that I find to mean nothing at all is the most obvious one of all... he isn't Caucasian. Sadly, there are still idiots out there who wouldn't vote for him due to this.
I wouldn't vote for Hilary, period. She's not the person they need to raise up as the next President and it has nothing to do with her gender.
Tuffgong4 said:
Maybe McCain for the Reps, only problem is that he has tried and failed but I really would like to see him gain support.
By 2008 I will likely be a registered Republican and I will definitely vote for McCain if he runs again.
The most surprising thing I saw this election year was among my Democratic and Republican friends. Both sides had such solid lines drawn in the sand about issues when it came to Bush and Kerry but if McCain's name was brought up every single person said they'd vote for McCain. I won't speak for people outside my group of friends but that was an amazing statistic. McCain might be able to do what no one has in far too long... bring everyone closer together.
rotjong