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lil'babykitten · Sep 28, 2003, 05:18 PM

Interesting opinion here

So lets do a little gathering of opinion in a friendly and non-flamebaity manner on where we think the Bush presidency is headed. Do people think Bush Jnr may follow in his fathers footsteps and only serve one term? Is this just a bad turn?

I shall post my take in due course but for now feel free to Discuss!

Also keep this in mind when you click on that 'reply' (to poster) button: he/she is entitled to his/her opinion so don't flame him/her-focus on the points raised...please.

Spliffdaddy · Sep 28, 2003, 06:15 PM

I can pretty much guarantee another four years for Dubya.

Still over half the population agrees that liberating Iraq is the right thing to do.

The Democrats have nobody to compete with Dubya.

The economy is not getting worse.

World opinion has never meant jacksquat to Americans.

Developer · Sep 28, 2003, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by Spliffdaddy:
Still over half the population agrees that liberating Iraq is the right thing to do.

MacGorilla · Sep 28, 2003, 06:41 PM

Bush is vulnerable. If the democrats play they're cards right, they can beat Dubya. Thats as big IF (look at the 2002 elections and cringe).

kvm_mkdb · Sep 28, 2003, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by Spliffdaddy:
World opinion has never meant jacksquat to Americans.

No wonder America has so many enemies - By Eric Margolis

Recent polls show that even among traditional friends abroad, America is no longer regarded as a champion of freedom, democracy and human rights, but increasingly as a dangerous aggressor bent on imperial domination and exploitation.

America's most precious and proudest asset, its moral reputation, has been gravely damaged by the Bush White House. The only positive note: rising anti-Americanism is largely associated in the eyes of non-Americans with the persona of George Bush, a man who projects almost all the negative stereotypes foreigners hold of Americans.

Bush's blinkered core supporters in middle America simply don't understand or don't care what the rest of the world thinks of their nation, which, since 9/11, has wrapped itself in a cocoon of xenophobia and self-righteous rage.

pooka · Sep 28, 2003, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by kvm_mkdb:
...has wrapped itself in a cocoon of xenophobia and self-righteous rage.

Which is exactly why Clark needs to step off with the whole "I will kiss the world's ass so they like us again" silliness if he wants to win the primaries. The world needs a boogeyman. I for one think the US is perfect for the role. Here's to increased global arms sales and shitty independent films documenting "da troof".

Uday's Carcass · Sep 28, 2003, 07:46 PM

worldwide inaction forces the US to take action. however, there are many countries helping in Iraq, and there are lots helping in Afghanistan.

Absence of a UN mandate does not make one's actions unilateral. Multilateral action exists, but without the obstructionism and rabid self-interest of certain countries on the Security Council that care not for American security, but only for their bottom line.

OldManMac · Sep 28, 2003, 08:55 PM

Bush is NOT a shoe-in in 2004!

It's the economy, stupid! The economy is NOT recovering; your neighbors and friends are still being laid off, and the only major impetus for the economy right now is the war effort.

quandarry · Sep 28, 2003, 09:35 PM

i believe the support for bush by the amerikan people is not really for the man himself but support for his office (how can it be for the man?)...they believe showing this kind of support is the same as showing support for anti-terrorism...you can't blame them tho because the people have been in a state of shock from which they are just now recovering from...

but as the iraq business implodes and becomes a nightmarish quagmire that sucks money the u.s. doesn't have...so goes dubya...stumbling, umming and ahhing into the abyss...

the next president will be an ex general...

kvm_mkdb · Sep 29, 2003, 12:58 AM

Originally posted by quandarry:
but as the iraq business implodes and becomes a nightmarish quagmire that sucks money the u.s. doesn't have...so goes dubya...stumbling, umming and ahhing into the abyss...

exactly

Uday's Carcass · Sep 29, 2003, 01:31 AM

It's so lame how the liberal pukes all think they're freaking Nostralamus.

Lemme tell you something about your predictions. I'll just check my crystal ball. oh, that's it! that's it! I'm gifted! I bless you with these words:

Outlook Hazy.

Spliffdaddy · Sep 29, 2003, 02:09 AM

Originally posted by KarlG:
Bush is NOT a shoe-in in 2004!

It's the economy, stupid! The economy is NOT recovering; your neighbors and friends are still being laid off, and the only major impetus for the economy right now is the war effort.

I guess the Democrats can count on getting the 'unemployed vote'.

And the Republicans will get the other 95% of the vote.

Troll · Sep 29, 2003, 04:36 AM

Originally posted by Uday's Carcass:
It's so lame how the liberal pukes all think they're freaking Nostralamus.

As a liberal "puke", can I just say that I don't think I'm freaking Nostralamus.

Looking on our predictions for the outcome of US foreign policy over the past few years, some of us probably deserve to be compared to freaking Nostradamus though!

lil'babykitten · Sep 29, 2003, 05:59 AM

Of course all of this is just speculation, I tend to agree with the guy in the article when he says the poll results are inconclusive. It all seems rather reminiscent of when Bush Snr was in office-high approval ratings during Gulf War 1 but then a loss of support as a result of the economy.

The economy I think is the sticking point. It seems to be one of the deciding factors on the Presidency in America. It all comes down to domestic issues on voting day, and at the moment things do look bleak in that respect.
I'd say if things don't change and quickly, Bush may actually lose the vote. This General Wesely Clark character looks like quite a promising alternative.

OldManMac · Sep 29, 2003, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by Spliffdaddy:
I guess the Democrats can count on getting the 'unemployed vote'.

And the Republicans will get the other 95% of the vote.

FYI, the Republicans only got 24% of the vote in the last election! Not all eligible voters vote.

I don't know what planet you live on, but the economy is not picking up. We are stealing our children's future, with the enormous budget deficits we're racking up. Sombeody, somewhere, has to make up that deficit someday, and some of that is going to come about through an increase in inflation. State governments are in crisis mode, laying off workers and cutting back on essential services, such as repairing their infrastructure, and fire and police protection. You don't get anything in life for free!

boots · Sep 29, 2003, 10:58 AM

The jobless recovery is going to be a problem. Sure, the economy doesn't appear to be getting worse, but its not getting any better for most people either.

I don't know at this point. I think the "war support" crowd are showing support for our troops...even if they think it was the right thing to do at the time, the sentiment is quickly turning to "lets get out and let someone else handle it."

But that won't be the issue that decides the vote. It will be domestic issues.

Problem: There hasn't been a democrat that has strong enough appeal to pose a threat. General Clark may. Howard Dean may. We shall have to wait to see how more of the primaries shape up.

Prognostication: Ask again later.