The US election
Posted by: Justin on 21 September 2004
Well,
It's now almost universally recognized over here that things are going very poorly in Iraq. Bits of even the Republigencia is starting to question the progress and the honesty of this president. Our National Intel. Counsel report is damning at best (and unspeakably pessimistic at worst) at the future of Iraq. AND, FINALLY, Kerry has started to unlace the gloves and go after Bush's war effort - the substance of which has gained traction at least among the punditry. Christ, Porter Goss, the man Bush tapped for the top CIA spot, said yesterday (or the day before) that Bush was not honest with us!!
AND YET, today's polls have Kerry down about 6 points nationwide and down as much in key battleground states such as Ohio and Iowa. New Jersey, a solid Democratic state for what must be eons is now neck and neck.
I cannot understand how things can be deteriorating so badly in Iraq, in the midst of a stalled economic recovery, while Bush continues to hold a nationwide six point lead.
I am growing dispondent.
Judd
ps. No disrespect to Ludders, but I though the other thread wassimply getting to long. Hopefully this new, shorter one will see some renewed action.
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by Bhoyo
Wow, Kerry slaughtered Bush on EVERY question. But still, the pussies, ooops, I mean commentators, on TV tried to portray the debate as being a match between equals. No doubt that's how many in the press will be writing about it tomorrow. But, make no mistake, this was no contest.
If you saw the debate, ask yourself one simple question: Who looked like the President of the United States of America, and who looked like a frightened schoolboy?
Oh, and Ludwig: That comment caused a huge explosion of derision and disbelief in my house too. What is the man on? And did he get it cheap in Canada?
Regards,
Davie
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by ErikL
Style
Bush sounded unconfident and confused tonight IMO. Long silences too. I also found his opening very cold and rude (not thanking Kerry or the moderator). Overall a very odd performance from someone who sounded shaken and stirred, but certainly not presidential.
Kerry sounded very presidential as usual. It seemed that he rarely was given the chance for the final word though. True?
I listened on the radio so any comments WRT how the two looked on TV would be appreciated.
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by ErikL
quote:
Originally posted by Bhoyo:
What is the man on? And did he get it cheap in Canada?
Whatever the substance, it's definitely not from Canada. Bush on not allowing Americans to purchase prescription drugs from Canada:
"I want to help cure people, not kill 'em."
(Which was the most amusing moment in that second debate)
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by Mike Sae
"I want to help cure people, not kill 'em."
Yes I liked that one too, especially the Pause For Effect.
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by Rasher
Told you so. Told you so. Told you so. Told you so. Told you so.
Kerry will win this yet
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by 7V
From what I can glean, Kerry did shade it among the important 'undecideds' and 'swayables'. However, with the demographics being what they are, I doubt whether he's done enough to win the election.
I also have a strange feeling that the next few days may see Bush wheel out a dead or captured Bin Laden, courtesy of Pakistan or whoever. That would cinch it for him.
Steve M
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by starbuck
quote:
I also have a strange feeling that the next few days may see Bush wheel out a dead or captured Bin Laden, courtesy of Pakistan or whoever. That would cinch it for him.
Hi Steve
Can I ask why you have this feeling? Is it due to information that you're aware of which has yet to make it to the public arena, or is it just a suspicion? The reason I ask is that I've had similar suspicions myself (you can imagine that a fortuitous Bin Laden trump card would certainly sway it for the majority of US voters) about possible tactics that will be used.
I have, however, similar suspicions regarding the certainty of Kerry's election, bearing in mind that his running mate (John Edwards) attended a recent Bilderberg conventions(2 weeks before he was announced as running mate, I think). This has led me to suspect that the presidential race is merely for show, and that the winner has already been decided.
In these days of the internet, 24 hour news, spin doctoring, etc., it really is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, I guess, when it comes to information about this kind of thing.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
Kind regards,
Chris.
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by 7V
quote:
Originally posted by starbuck:
Can I ask why you have this feeling? Is it due to information that you're aware of which has yet to make it to the public arena, or is it just a suspicion? The reason I ask is that I've had similar suspicions myself (you can imagine that a fortuitous Bin Laden trump card would certainly sway it for the majority of US voters) about possible tactics that will be used.
Chris,
I'm wracking my brains to think where I heard this. It is just unconfirmed gossip, anyway. However, if you type: "pakistan bin laden bush election" into Google or Yahoo, you'll find plenty of sources.
quote:
... This has led me to suspect that the presidential race is merely for show, and that the winner has already been decided.
I'm sure that the votes will still count. However, if your suspicion is correct, it does beg the question "decided by whom?"
Steve M
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by reductionist
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by starbuck
quote:
I'm sure that the votes will still count. However, if your suspicion is correct, it does beg the question "decided by whom?"
Indeed it does, and it's not a question that I can provide an answer for, I'm afraid. David Icke would say he knows the answer.... but then he comes across as being a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic, IMO.
I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens in November.
Kind regards,
Chris.
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by BigH47
quote:
I'm sure that the votes will still count. However, if your suspicion is correct, it does beg the question "decided by whom?"
The same people as last time. Once they have prevented enough Democrat voters from being able to vote, then they know the result.
Posted on: 15 October 2004 by 7V
Volvo drivers rarely vote Republican
According to the Republicans' "Voter Vault" database technology, which has now been adopted by Michael Howard's Tories, Volvo drivers rarely vote Republican.
Can we now blame the Swedes, whatever the result?
Steve M
Posted on: 15 October 2004 by matthewr
Posted on: 16 October 2004 by Wolf
I watched the debates while visiting my parents and sister in from Colorado with family, she's undecided. Parents are Republican so we all cancel each other out as my mom says.
The debate did little to sway undecided voters I'd say. They seemed to be making the same points they've said before. It never really got into economic reform and environmental issues in any depth. Sad to say Bush has really good chances of being reelected. Bush did present himself better this last debate than the first two when he was hot under the collar. I"m so tired of all the political stuff as it's been a year now since the scene started heating up. 3 weeks to go.
Life is analogue, enjoy it while you can.
Posted on: 17 October 2004 by Jim Lawson
Much speculation from members here on who will win the election, mostly left leaning members claiming a victory for Kerry.
quote:
Told you so. Told you so. Told you so. Told you so. Told you so. Smile
Kerry will win this yet Smile
Wishful thinking aside, is there any evidence to back this up ?
Jim
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by Rasher
Today we hear that the Florida postal votes are going AWOL again.
Surely this inference that Bush if fixing the vote again at this early stage, must alarm Floridian voters? Could this be bad press for Bush, or are the Floridians, and other US voters for that matter, so thick skinned that he can get away with it? Over here in the UK it would be the end of his chances.
What is the reaction in the US?
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by matthewr
An Election Special from the US, the line up being Michael Moore, Sidney Blumenthal (ex-Clinton speechwrite), David Frum (ex-GWB speech writer), Lida Rodriguez-Taseff (Civil Rights lawyer and Chairman of the Miami-Dade Election Reform Commission) and, drum roll please, our very own Dick Littlecock.
For US readers, Richard Littlejohn is a columinst on The Sun a right-wing Murdoch tabloid something like a cross between the New York Post, Fox News and the National Enquirer. He is the hero of the populist mad Right types who like to use the phrase "It's PC gone mad" and is basically an utter twunt/man of the people not afraid to speak his mind depending on your politics. Sort of our version of Bill O'Reilly if you will.
See
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/default.stm which also contains a link to a video of the last programme so non-UK people can probabl watch it tomorrow. It will also be aired on BBC World should you be enlightened enough to have included that in your cable package.
Matthew
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by JonR
Dick Littlecock ??
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by matthewr
Er, Richard Littlejohn.
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by JonR
Oops, pardon me.
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by matthewr
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by Rasher
I've been working till midnight and beyond most days this week and I think I've fried my brain. I dashed past a newstand on my way to a meeting and caught the headline of the Independent, which was a story about a divorce between the footballer Gazza and his missus Sharon. I thought "Bloody hell, the Independant has gone Tabloid". It dawned on me later and I went to check out what it actually said:
"Sharon Wins Historic Vote to Withdraw From Gaza".
I need a day off!
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by Bhoyo
quote:
Originally posted by Rasher:
Today we hear that the Florida postal votes are going AWOL again....
What's gone missing are absentee ballots. It really isn't evidence of fixing. It is, however, evidence of continued rank incompetence at the elections supervisors offices in Palm Beach and Broward Counties in particular.
The only positive to take from this is that Florida allowed early voting this year, which means these problems are coming to light, and possibly being addressed, before Election Day itself.
If the fix is in (and it probably is), it will be done in a different way from last time. There have been four years for some very smart and devious people to plot their mischief.
Regards,
Davie
Posted on: 28 October 2004 by JonR
Posted on: 29 October 2004 by Rasher
I wish we really knew.
Next week is going to be very exciting, and not just a little bit world changing.
