Discuss the US Presidential Election Here

[ElPietro]

But be very careful. If you think you can't stay calm, don't even bother reading anymore posts. If you have something inflammatory to say don't. If you have something informative, nice, not directed as an attack, not calling someone a name or telling them they were right or wrong, the feel free.

Post in this thread at your own risk and know that if you cross the line there will be consequences.

Discuss.

[MixmasterNash]

I'll go off topic already and discuss another issue on the ballots in a number of states, though closely related to the presidential election.

It's really, really sad how biggoted most of this country is about homosexuals. Karl Rove is smart as hell, and he knew that gays were the issue that would drive Bush supporters to vote. So, Bush supporters, take solace in the fact that hatred of gays and lesbians is a strong reason Bush may/will/someday win.

And there is no doubt that it is fundamentally hatred. A deep, fearful hatred of these abominations that will destroy American families, molest children, and have sex with animals.

[MixmasterNash]

Here's another sort-of-off-topic post:
The media has basically completely failed us as a nation. Whether you're left or right, I think we can all agree that the media sucks.

The Daily Show remains a shining beacon of hope, however. Their show last night was hillarious.

[galileo]

Not to comment on the accuracy of exit polls, but the data that was presented told a very interesting story about what demographics vote a particular way...

[Tryska]

Well, all i can say is, the thing that blows my mind the most is how so many people were willing to vote against their own best interests. In essence, we Americans:


Voted NO to equal right for all people

Voted NO to being a respected leader of the free World.

Voted NO to a clean environment where people can hunt and fish and not be poisoned by their catches.

Voted NO to lower healthcare costs.

Voted NO to a balanced budget.

Voted NO to a minimum wage increase

Voted NO to civil liberties.

Voted NO to the Seperation of Church and State

Voted NO to cheaper Higher Education

Voted NO to a decrease in Global Terrorism



this boggles my mind. i had no idea so much of America was more interested in ensuring other people don't have rights than protecting their own.

But for all of you dubya supporters, this is on your heads.

[galileo]

If you're against Bush, you're against God.

[galileo]

Kerry Conceded - http://www.cnn.com/

[Tryska]

yup.

the Ground Game Starts Now.

[galileo]

I hope there's a draft so I can go dance on a ****ing landmine.

[Tryska]

i certainly hope you don't get your wish, but i think that's tantamount to pissing in the wind.

[Roark]

what can you say

the people have spoken

it's democracy at work.

personally, i'm glad that more people decided they'd like to work for theirs than have the government hand it to them.

and props to kerry for not turning the race into another 2000.

and big props to michale badnarik for running a great campaign for the libertarian party.

[meltedtime]

60% voter turnout = 31% support for bush. What a shame so many people choose not to vote.

[meltedtime]

Tryska, your post reminded me of an email I was sent recently:


Things you have to believe to be a Republican today:

Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.

A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but
multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.

Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness, and you need our prayers for your recovery.

You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

Feel free to pass this on. If you don't send it to at least 10 other people, we're likely to be stuck with Bush for 4 more years.

[ElPietro]

Does anyone have any info or link to how Badnarik did? I know it probably wasn't anything too significant, but I'm curious how the libertarian party has progressed from the past election.

[galileo]

http://www.sfgate.com/election/2004/...d_states.shtml

George W. Bush 58,607,421 51.0 %
John F. Kerry 55,076,962 47.9 %
Ralph Nader 489,735 0.4 %
Michael Badnarik 391,282 0.3 %

[Minotaur]

I'll go off topic already and discuss another issue on the ballots in a number of states, though closely related to the presidential election.

It's really, really sad how biggoted most of this country is about homosexuals. Karl Rove is smart as hell, and he knew that gays were the issue that would drive Bush supporters to vote. So, Bush supporters, take solace in the fact that hatred of gays and lesbians is a strong reason Bush may/will/someday win.

And there is no doubt that it is fundamentally hatred. A deep, fearful hatred of these abominations that will destroy American families, molest children, and have sex with animals.

This is exactly the tactic Hitler used in uniting Germany. He used a scapegoat issue to divert attention from the real issues.

[abwowang]

badnarik.org

LP did very well yay! and it was significant.. every vote counts.

[Minotaur]

what can you say

the people have spoken

it's democracy at work.

Yes, democracy = rule of the majority over the minority = tyranny.

[sublime99]

OMG here we go again with the Hiltler thing

[Tryska]

Yes.


How do we go about protecting cyberspace btw? What legal recourse and loopholes do we have?

next on the PNAC agenda (right after wars with Syria and Iran) is "securing cyberspace".


how do we block this? this is the last place that American's have for getting any sort of real news or data these days.

[Minotaur]

OMG here we go again with the Hiltler thing

No, it's my first time using the analogy. But can you deny it?

It's also not unlike the bread and circuses of the Romans, and persecuting Christians (ah, the good ol' days!)... divert the peoples' attention from the real problems and focus on some national boogeyman.

[sublime99]

LMAO.........It doesn't matter to me anymore I can sleep good at night.

[BigNic]

i give many props to badnarik for running a good campaign. And although i cant stand kerry, I will also give credit to him for taking his defeat in a very graceful way.

[SalahG]

Really, you liberals need to chill out. Life isn't all that much different than it was in Clintons era, or Reagans era, or what ever. No one is losing their right to free speech, no there is not going to be a big catastrophy. We're all going to keep chugging along as usual.

Also, you guys should really rethink the way you support the USA. If Kerry won, than I would have said, the people of America have spoken, and Kerry is our new commander and chief, and we need to support him. But no, instead we get crys of facism, and how Bush is going to be the next Hitler. Use some common sense please.

[Focused70]

I tuned out the 2004 election the moment Kerry sealed the Democratic nomination with his showing in the primaries. I knew he would prove to be unelectable and I was right.

I'm wondering how Gephardt would have done, but we'll never find out because it's a bit unlikely that he'll run again. Pity, since I would have voted for him in a heartbeat.

All my energy now is focused towards the 2008 election. The Democrats just do not have a viable candidate at this point. Maybe the next electable Dem candidate will come from one of the governorships, but I don't see it. Our problem was that most people who voted for Kerry voted against Bush and not for Kerry. I feel that Kerry failed to connect with the people to a major extent, and couldn't shake the liberal dog tag that framed his image.

Let's face it folks, an electable Democrat cannot play the same old tired tune that we usually associate Democrats with. Centrism is the key, and being actually right of center helps, as Clinton demonstrated when he was in office.

I'm not entirely convinced that Hillary will run in 2008. She has just too many things on her platter such as being an effective advocate for a state that was one of the epicenters of 9/11. To abandon that for an inconclusive run at the presidency strikes me as entirely out of the realm of the responsible.

Stash