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Dear Sen. Kerry,

84 comments on Dear Sen. Kerry,

Dear Sen. Kerry,

: Please concede today.

Don’t put the country through the torture of a long, drawn-out, and most likely futile process. Don’t put the party through the torture and the humiliation. Follow Al Gore’s example and be a mensch.

You lost the popular vote and lost the election. Many will dissect what you did wrong but we’ll put that off. The best thing to do now so you don’t look like an utter loser is to be the gentleman and the patriot first and help America move on.

I voted for you. But that was Nov. 2. Now it’s Nov. 3

84 responses to “Dear Sen. Kerry,”

  1. twistedchick Avatar
    twistedchick

    All the ballots have not been counted. All the questions have not been decided. The election is not yet over. It is not time for anyone to concede.
    If you can’t take the heat in this kitchen, go stand in a snowstorm.

  2. Josh Avatar
    Josh

    He should have done this months ago. He should have done it right after Dean vanished.

  3. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    Problem is, you are a bigger and better man than the guy you voted for. I am more disgusted with Kerry today than I was yesterday.

  4. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    If it was reversed what would George do? Didn’t think so.

  5. pele Avatar
    pele

    Every vote counts.

  6. drew Avatar
    drew

    Kat, is that even possible? ;)
    And Jeff, I wholeheartedly disagree. There’s a lot of people who stood in line for hours, and the only democratic thing to do is to count their votes. How are we supposed to increase voter turnout and apathy if they’re told over and over again that their vote doesn’t matter and really doesn’t count? I WANT the people to stand in line for hours if that’s what it takes to vote. I promise you, that’s a non-partisan feeling. Count ’em all; let the chips fall where they may.

  7. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    You can count the votes, but a gracious concession now would gain Kerry some respect. He will lose regardless–why not take it like a man instead of a wimp? Four more years of whining that Bush stole the election–and some blame Bush for dividing us. The division began 4 years ago when Dems could not accept defeat gracefully–nothing has changed. Now Kerry will crawl in a cave and grow a beard.

  8. Leslie Turek Avatar
    Leslie Turek

    The trouble with us is that we always want instant results. What’s wrong with waiting a few weeks to count all the votes? If Kerry were to concede now, we’d be saying that provisional votes don’t count and absentee votes don’t count, so why bother to even cast them. I want to see all the votes counted, and I want to see any instances of fraud or error tracked down and corrected as far as possible. Then I’ll say that it’s time for someone to concede.

  9. drew Avatar
    drew

    But Kat, I’ll just never understand that argument about 2000. Al Gore got more popular votes in the country. He got more votes in Florida when all was said and done. The difference in election was one Supreme Court Justice. Gore would have had to have been insane to concede. Don’t forget who filed the first lawsuit in the Florida debacle, too. Why doesn’t anybody complain about how ungracious and wimpy it was for Bush to take the matter to the courts in the first place?

  10. david Avatar
    david

    God that was disappointing to say the least. Here’s hoping Puuuuhhhhpuuuuuuhreeeesident Bush (there i’ve said it god it feels awful but have to live in reality not in a faith based world)….here’s hoping Mr…ummm I mean President Bush listens more to Laura and Poppa Bush over the next four years then he does to Dick, Karl, and the likes of Grover Northquist.
    Say a little prayer for those in the “lower/middle class” because they are gonna have it tough for the next few (many?) years.
    Thank god NJ is still blue or I’d really be depressed!

  11. Easycure Avatar
    Easycure

    The votes remaining cannot close the gap. He should concede AND they should continue to count the votes. If for some miracle it changes, he can un-concede later.

  12. Brian Perry Avatar
    Brian Perry

    Kerry should concede in the face of extreme improbability of ALL correct provisional ballots and military ballots in Ohio going in his favor.
    If he were to pull it off after they’re counted, what better story for him than canning the concession and ascending the throne completely justified? The sympathy alone would be a big plus, and he’d be viewed as a very honorable man.
    On the other hand, if the decision holds, in my eyes, the man’s a hero for conceding and not dragging us through another 2000.
    One last point- why not wait to count them all? The unknown is harmful to markets, American prestige, consumer confidence, children and all living things.
    Jeff, hope this post is in line with your now-famous pledge!

  13. MDP Avatar
    MDP

    drew: [Al Gore] got more votes in Florida when all was said and done. The difference in election was one Supreme Court Justice.
    The New York Times says you’re wrong about that, not that anyone should trust the Times.

  14. Franz Avatar
    Franz

    off topic:
    would you, Jeff, please comment on the poynter story (http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=73841) which calls bloggers: “Bloggers, in particular, are loose cannons when it comes to information that established media seeks to control. Mostly independents with no corporate masters to abide — and often no traditional journalistic training or standards — bloggers cannot be expected to play by old media rules.”

  15. life is a pop song Avatar
    life is a pop song

    EVERY VOTE COUNTS.
    “Never give up! Never surrender!”
    ~Jason Nesmith, aka Commander Peter Q. Taggart, Galaxy Quest

  16. Lee Avatar
    Lee

    Dear Kat,
    When you say “The division began 4 years ago when Dems could not accept defeat gracefully–nothing has changed”
    you ignore that the popular vote in 200 was about the reverse of what it is today.
    The division was *in* the electorate before the vote count debacle in 2000.
    It is still there, and I hope Kerry will concede today. But note that Edwards said: “we made a promise every vote would count.” Are you suggesting he flip flop?
    The country remains divided EXCEPT that a true majority of people voted for the Pres. and with increaased voter turnout.
    That’s good for the nation.
    What likely will not be is for the clear ruling national party to conmtinue campaign rhetoric instead of governing. Thsu far, the Pres. campaign has been appropriately restrained in its jubilation.
    (What also will not be good for the nation is the bitterness of liberals that is appearing in soem palces aroudn the ‘net.)

  17. notthisgirl Avatar
    notthisgirl

    Jeff: It’s nice to see that some Democrats aren’t acting like spoiled children.
    The MSM should be ashamed of themselves.

  18. John Avatar
    John

    I’d give him at least today to check around with officials in Ohio and with his staff to study all the possibilities, though as of now the gap there for Bush is wider than the gap in Wisconsin or Michigan for Kerry, so any drawn out legal challenge could result in a tit-for-tat response from the GOP in those states.
    What I don’t want to see is some “surprise” revelation today from someone saying their vote wasn’t counted, or they were confused in the voting booth and didn’t cast their ballot correctly, etc. Hearing that after the fact would be just an attempt to muddy the waters so we can go through the same crap for another four years.

  19. chuck Avatar
    chuck

    Hey, tell Kerry to hang in there. I’m not proud, anything that helps the Republicans is a good thing in my book. I can wait as the Democratic party finishes itself off in the midwest. Quick, cheap, and self inflicted. What more could a body want?

  20. Brett Avatar
    Brett

    In answering, why not wait 11 days to finish the count, Brian Perry is right.
    Because the numbers aren’t there for Kerry.
    Because our nation is at war.
    If we were voting for city librarian, we could afford to wait. Not so here – when Kerry doesn’t have the numbers. (Gore had a good argument – he was within 500 votes of Florida. Kerry’s within 136,000.)

  21. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    I think they should all be counted, but I don’t see why it should take 11 days. It would be unrealistic to say that it will turn the election, but in the interest of democracy they should be counted.
    I’ll grudgingly tip my hat to Bush and his supporters, and I PRAY TO GOD AND EVERYONE ELSE I CAN THINK OF that he turns things around in the next 4. I really hope I’ve been wrong about him, because hope is all there is left.

  22. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    It’s over. GWB received a clear majority of the popular vote (not that it matters with our system, but still). Kerry can not close the gap with the provisional and absentee ballots in Ohio.
    Let’s just move on. We don’t need to litigate this, it will accomplish nothing.

  23. Mike G Avatar
    Mike G

    Anyone who thinks Kerry still has a chance:
    1) Kerry would have to win something like 5 to 1 in the Ohio provisional ballots to overcome Bush’s lead. But that’s assuming every provisional ballot is accepted. Throw even 10% or 20% out and suddenly the proportion Kerry has to win shoots up over 10 to 1. That’s just not realistic in any sense. It is over, accept it.
    2) How strong a position is a Democratic president in if he faces Republicans in control of every other branch of government, he litigated his way into office over a significant popular vote loss, and he has to start by explaining why, uh, actually losing the popular vote is a swell thing when I do it, never mind all those bumperstickers we put on our Volvos about “selected not elected” and “Redefeat Bush”….

  24. Eric Avatar
    Eric

    To all who feel Kerry should hang on:
    I guess you are right, if provisional and military ballots break for him 110% KERRY WINS!!!!! Unbelievable.

  25. Steve Talbert Avatar
    Steve Talbert

    The military votes and mail-in votes haven’t been opened yet. It is so divided, it would be better to know for sure instead of thinking it could have been like Bush in 2000 where the electorial votes don’t go to the popular vote winner. That’s our system. The electoral college doesn’t meet until December. Why does someone have to concede before it’s done???

  26. chuck Avatar
    chuck

    And folks, bear in mind that 75% of provisional ballots are usually rejected as invalid and some 79% of the military polls for Bush. Perfect setup for the Democrats to look like pathetic losers. Go for it.

  27. fubarsnafu Avatar
    fubarsnafu

    My first reaction is to hang in there. The concession/unconcession, seems a practicle way to go. The work that needs to be done won’t be aided by carping and recrimination like so many were doing in the early morning hours. I too was bitterly disappointed and felt ovewhelming sense of hopelessness. I’m better now, but I so would like pull the covers over my head and forget for a day ot two.
    The idea of people waiting hours to vote is very wrong, it seems a violation of rights. That is among the first things we have to fix. The people that made that sacrifice deserve our honor and respect. I believe we do everyting possible to count every vote, and if we march to victory after all that would be sweet. In the meantime I agree the best course is to move on.
    My respect for Sen. Kerry grew through out this campaign, I believe he would have been a great and dedicated president. I wish him well, wish him strength and hope he stays in the fight. He has truely inspired millions of people. I will respect whatever decision he makes on concession… he’s a class act.

  28. George Avatar
    George

    Bush would insist they be counted if it was the other way around. Hire extra staff and get it done quickly, Ohio.

  29. Brian Perry Avatar
    Brian Perry

    Steve Talbert,
    There’s counting all the votes, and then there’s hard math. No one, when presented with the numbers, thinks that Kerry can win. Therefore, the honorable thing to do is concede and let the nation move forward. We can count all of the votes, sure- I think of course they should be counted- but when those votes by their nature can’t change the outcome, the election is over.
    I’ll make this pledge- if my vote wasn’t counted yesterday, if it was somehow missed, I now allow it to remain uncounted. The result will remain the same in all the races I voted in. I concede, and accept the results as they stand. It’s about the math.

  30. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    It ain’t over till it’s over. Besides, if it turns out that we are going to have four more years of the Bush administration, I say give em’ as much hell as possible.

  31. chuck Avatar
    chuck

    Bush is a gracious man, as demonstrated in his behaviour towards Clinton and reaction to Kerry’s military record. Bush, I suspect, would concede with class. Kerry is a snarky and classless boor, as demonstrated by his behaviour on the sky slopes and comments on Bush’s bicycle accident. We will see if he can do better.

  32. Brett Avatar
    Brett

    Jesse,
    It would take 11 days because that’s Ohio election law.
    I’m guessing at the rationale, but those who might have requested an absentee ballot but voted by provisional ballot in a booth could in theory vote twice. That gives the snail mail system plenty of time to return absentee ballots.

  33. Elisa C. Avatar
    Elisa C.

    Some of you are missing the point.
    One of the reasons the country feels so divided is residual bitterness and anger over the perception of voter disenfranchisement in 2000.
    I don’t see why anyone feels it would be a great harm to this nation to count every vote. If you really want people to feel their vote counts, you have to count them.
    And on a less grandly philosophical and more practical note: Kerry has to send a message to groups from the Democratic base that their votes do count, or the Democrats will risk alienating those who got fired up this time around. Then the future of the party will look really bleak.

  34. Brett Avatar
    Brett

    Elisa,
    So you don’t support exit polling, or declarative calls on electnio night at all? If that’s so, then why not wait for two weeks to give absentee ballots every chance to return home? Is that the system you believe to be right?

  35. John Avatar
    John

    Jeff,
    You wrote: The best thing to do now so you don’t look like an utter loser is to be the gentleman and the patriot first and help America move on.
    This is excellent advice for the Democrats to take to heart.
    To bad they didn’t use this as a strategy on which to base their campaign, the election may have ended differently.

  36. BarCodeKing Avatar
    BarCodeKing

    Elisa, the future of the Democrats ALREADY looks bleak. They just lost the presidential race AND they lost seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives. And as soon as Senator Kerry finishes his concession speech (whenever that may be), the knives are going to come out among the Democrats as their moderate and leftist wings battle for the soul of their party and the agenda for 2006 and beyond. It’s going to be a major bloodletting…

  37. Tom Villars Avatar
    Tom Villars

    I think Kerry is playing this about right so long as he doesn’t delay the concession speech past the end of today. If he tries to turn this election into another 2000, the Democratic base is going to spend the next four years acting like moon bats instead of undertaking the difficult, even painful but absolutely necessary task of re-engineering their party to be competitive again. The Republicans are becoming the dominant political force, and this is very unhealthy for America to have such a lopsided distribution of power.

  38. Robert S. Avatar
    Robert S.

    I voted for Kerry. I think he should concede at this point. And they can still count the votes. It’s just silly to ignore the reality of the Bush win. And I reserve the right to be sad about the loss.
    That Bush won *more* of the popular vote than last time just boggles the mind. And the senate and house got redder.
    I guess Karl and Co did a great job of scaring the country into submission. That and Kerry was a Senator running against a former-Governor during a war. That and apparently the religous right thought we’d all wake up gay today if Kerry won.
    Four more years . . . of regression.

  39. Reid Avatar
    Reid

    Just to make it clear, Gore’s great sin in the 2000 election was NOT in demanding a recount in an incredibly close election. It was in calling for a recount ONLY in those counties which would benefit him and trying to disqualify the votes of our men and women in the armed forces overseas.
    It positively reeked of Chicago gangland tactics of the prohibition era and was far, far beneath the dignity of the office to which he aspired. If you want a taste of what that was all about, take an evening to watch the Bogie and Bacall movie “Key Largo”, starring Edward G. Robinson as the gangster Johnny Rocco:

    “I made ’em. Yeah, I made ’em, just like a… like a tailor makes a suit of clothes. I take a nobody, see? Teach him what to say, get his name in the papers. Yeah. Pay for his campaign expenses. Dish out a lot of groceries and coal, get my boys to bring the voters out, and then count the votes over and over again until they added up right and he was elected.”

    That was what Gore tried to do. It was disgusting.

  40. David Avatar
    David

    Uh Gore in his gentlemanly way waited what 6 weeks before conceding after some legal processes went thru and youre saying Kerry shouldnt even wait a day?! INSANE!!!!! Its not over till its over! Lets not add to Bushs already overdose of hubris.
    Promise to what? Support Bush?! No way! If Bush wins there will be so much work to oppose all his efforts to ruin the environment and the FDA etc etc. The work is cut out for those who want a sane America. The fight must continue. Never give up! Never surrender! Work democratically to uphold civil liberties for all, human and civil rights for all citizens. Dont let them take that away from us. The focus will shift from an election to issues that must be fought to protect the rights of people who would be trod upon. What kind of world will Bush make for our children and grandchildren to inherit? We must work collectively to ensure a sane America.

  41. chuck Avatar
    chuck

    What kind of world will Bush make for our children and grandchildren to inherit?
    With your help, he is going to make a Republican world. Thank you so much!

  42. Lee Avatar
    Lee

    On the State of Parties
    Bloodletting and “Ground War” are really inappropriate metaphors for an election, esp. when more than a hundred thousand US troops actually have life and limb at stake.
    Moderate and left Dems already battle fairly publicly– tho less so in this election, because Dems could agree “too much was at stake.” Keep in mind: Kerry was their consensus candidate, not the favored son or one or another branch.
    The Senate minority leader is GONE. Pelosi may be soon, also.
    Still, the trouble is really not so much within the party, as it has long been a loose configuration; but how the party represents itself to a country sufficiently more conservative (whether large or small C) than Dem primary voters that a national election can go about 3.5 million to Repubs over Dems. Not a large margin, really, but a convincing one.
    There is actually the same problem in reverse in the National Republican Party– that is, Repub. primary voters in the agrregate are sufficiently more conservative than the national electorate that Repubs run to the center to retain their base their base AND BEYOND IT for defining issue(s) or personality in order to win an election. (Note: the places actually affected by 9/11 voted overwhelmingly for Kerry; so I don’t beleive the vote on the WOT was in fact about “feeling safer”; it was about an approach to national security in the face of new perceived threats.)
    There is to be– read Glenn Reynolds on this– a national debate among moderate and conservative Republicans about the future of the party, too.
    Parties will have to decide whether they will be ideological or pragmatic and where to stand on principle to lead and when they will “pander.” (I would argue that Republican congressional spending has involved quite a lot of pandering, for example.)

  43. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    I’m just glad its over. Perhaps now our government can go back to governing…

  44. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    It’s over. Kerry has called Bush to concede. Thank God there will be no long litigation.

  45. Andy Freeman Avatar
    Andy Freeman

    > Pelosi may be soon, also.
    She easily won re-election (she got almost 85% of the votes) and the political center of congressional Dems moved towards her (because the Dems that lost were to her right), so why would she lose her leadership position?

  46. Reid Avatar
    Reid

    David – and, this is you sane, is it? I ask merely for information.
    PS – wipe that fleck of spittle off your chin.

  47. David Avatar
    David

    >What kind of world will Bush make for our children and grandchildren to inherit?
    >>With your help, he is going to make a Republican world. Thank you so much!
    No you are wrong. Not my help.
    Your help maybe.
    Enjoy Your Brave New World.
    Reap the harvest of the seeds you have sown.
    That harvest which will be increasingly poisoned
    as the environment is and the FDA is dismantled.

  48. Dishman Avatar
    Dishman

    Echoing others, as a Bush backer, I’m ok with Kerry taking most of the day. I also think I understand where Jeff is coming from, both emotionally and intellectually.
    I will say, though, that I’m a bit anxious for the message of this election to be sent to the Iraqi people. I was hoping for a stronger one, but this should suffice. The message is, I believe, not to expect a significant backing down on our part for four years. Those who think that terrorism will work just had the bar raised.

  49. David Avatar
    David

    >David – and, this is you sane, is it? I ask merely for information.
    Who me?!
    Im sorry my response was to Jeff in his statement on which these comments are based. Next time I will preface my comment as a response to Jeff so there is no confusion.

  50. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    The message is, I believe, not to expect a significant backing down on our part for four years. Those who think that terrorism will work just had the bar raised.
    Whatever. So a slim majority of people thought Kerry would go sit in the corner and curl up in the fetal position instead of fighting the war on terror. The fact that people believed that BS just proves the Republican spin was successful.
    The bar hasn’t been raised. The standard has just been lowered.

  51. Charles Avatar
    Charles

    “With your help, he is going to make a Republican world. Thank you so much!”
    That sounds alarmingly militant.

  52. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    That sounds alarmingly militant. Or fascist.

  53. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    Love the fact that he thinks it’s more important that the world be Republican (big “R”) than democratic (little “d”).
    That truly is frightening.

  54. David Avatar
    David

    Bob, yes indeed. Facist.
    Be afraid.
    Be very afraid.

  55. David Avatar
    David

    I’m looking for the blogosphere.
    Would someone please point me in the direction of the blogosphere?
    Thanks!

  56. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    Be afraid. Be very afraid. I’m not capable of being afraid of Bush. Just dismayed.

  57. Josh Avatar
    Josh

    Four years ago I was a leftist bush basher. Now today I’m right of center. Don’t blame Bush for that.
    I dunno why but something just happened that changed everything. I can’t say why or what, its like everything was one way, and then suddenly it was all different. Does that sound odd?
    I didn’t choose to be a conservative. I still don’t consider myself a right winger, but since I don’t still constantly bash my home country for stupid unimportant reasons I am not considered liberal by others anymore. It’s gotten to the point where 4 years of bashing the president no longer makes me laugh(!).
    Fuck the left, they deserve to lose. Whenever someone loudly whines about how we will all be drafted, then I laugh.

  58. pele Avatar
    pele

    I met a traveler from an antique land
    Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
    Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
    Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whos frown,
    And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
    Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
    Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
    The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed;
    And on the pedestal these words appear:
    “My name is Ozymandius, king of kings:
    Look on my words, ye Mighty, and despair!”
    Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
    Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
    The lone and level sands stretch far away.

  59. David Avatar
    David

    >Fuck the left,
    Josh’s attitude is indicative of many on the right who are right not for ideals but for the modern age mantra of for example tmobile: GET YOURS AND FUCK EVERYONE ELSE! There are people who have thrown away consideration of other people or the greater good in favor of embracing the short sighted message from the right of I’ll do what I want and get mine, fuck everyone else. They dont care who they step on in their climb up the ladder to the “top”.
    They are more concerned about the “R” of Republican as opposed to the “D” in Democracy as someone said.
    Well Josh I hope you get your wish of “winning” by dying with the most toys. Good luck.

  60. anon Avatar
    anon

    Enjoy your amputees warmongers.

  61. Franky Avatar
    Franky

    God what a disaster.
    Oh well, four more years. I guess as a journalist I’ll get a lot more work – do I start learning Arabic for a Syrian invasion or Farsi for the confrontation with Iran?
    I feel like popping Dr. Strangelove in the DVD and learn to stop worrying.

  62. Franky Avatar
    Franky

    God what a disaster.
    Oh well, four more years. I guess as a journalist I’ll get a lot more work – do I start learning Arabic for a Syrian invasion or Farsi for the confrontation with Iran?
    I feel like popping Dr. Strangelove in the DVD and learn to stop worrying.

  63. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    Well at least we’ll have 4 more years of Bushisms. See? A silver lining…

  64. Franky Avatar
    Franky

    On your post, Jeff, I don’t think he should’ve conceded until he knew what those votes were. What are we to do, just chuck out hundreds of thousands of individual’s votes? No, that’s silly and totally against the democratic process
    (However, I think it’s kind of lame of Kerry to then concede and say he’s doing to avoid division in the country – he conceded because he must have had some preliminary results that showed him he was going to lose).
    So we know liberals and the left will be crushed by this. They’ll attempt a long slow reconstruction of the party.
    But I wonder what happens now to the rabid wing of the Republican party, who carried on the campaign as a struggling minority fighting against an all-encompassing mainstream media determined to elect Kerry. What do these people do when they control congress, senate and White House? How do they maintain cohesion when their enemy is now vanquished?

  65. annette Avatar
    annette

    I’m with you, jeff. today is november 3. we’ve had a stirring election with committed, honorable voters. time to practice what we preach, despite bruised feelings, by working to unite. no sniveling. no gloating. let’s work together to improve our future.

  66. Dishman Avatar
    Dishman

    I don’t see us sending troops into Iran unless things turn ugly after the mullahs fall. I count Iran as a matter of time and demographics. The mullahs made a strategic error in asking for a baby boom, ignoring what the boomers did in the US.
    To those throwing around the word “fascist”, I believe now would be the time to invoke Godwin’s Law and point to the election.
    For the record, I’m a Discordian/neo-Pagan, which is about as far from fascist as you can get without being an anarchist.

  67. Lee Avatar
    Lee

    Andy,
    Pelosi might lose leadership (not her district) for ethics violations. See http://hillnews.com/news/110204/memo.aspx
    On the other hand, Tom Delay (R-TX), who’s been censured multiple times, has not. he also wins big in his district.

  68. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    The “fascist” label went not to Bush (learn to read) but to Chuck who wants the whole world to be Republican.
    But, if the shoe fits, go ahead and wear it.

  69. david Avatar
    david

    On the day after reading the following article by the Grover Norquist written in September 2004 made me feel even worse
    The Democratic Party is Toast
    By Grover Norquist
    ——————————————————————————–
    The modern Democratic Party cannot survive the reelection of President George W. Bush and another four years of Republican control of both Congress and the White House.
    No brag. Just fact.
    …
    http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0409.norquist.html

  70. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    David, two words: pendulum effect.
    The Democratic party ain’t going nowhere.
    Norquist is full of it.

  71. Robert S. Avatar
    Robert S.

    Here’s some more to ponder (and, no doubt, this’ll seem extreme to Bush supporters):
    I think we’re looking at the beginning of the end of the United States as a great nation.
    Our citizenry has reacted in fear to 9/11 and the (still)current administration has taken advantage of fear to implement reactionary policies which increasingly ostracize us from the rest of the world.
    We now live in an age where money is power and the number of strategic nukes you have is becoming increasingly irrelevant. China and the EU are quickly mobilizing to become economic powerhouses. So, it may take a decade or two, but, folks history ain’t static.
    Nations rise and fall. I’m sure the citizens of Rome imagined no time in which that city would cease to be in a position of power. So, it may take a decade or two, but it’s almost inevitable that we’ll cease to be the world’s sole superpower.
    Maybe when we lose our big kid on the block complex (and when some of us throw off our superstitious belief systems), the United States will become a nicer place to live again.
    Until then.

  72. DavidW Avatar
    DavidW

    I see there is another david here so I am changing my moniker to DavidW.
    In the end I think it all boiled down to many voters just not being able to make a connection with John Kerry. I like Kerry and believe that he is an extremely intelligent and capable man, but he is no Bill Clinton. For the people who look at appearance and charisma and image, they could not get a handle on Kerry and that was it. Kerry was not my choice personally but neither was Dean. The democrats need to find someone who is more than anyone but Bush. They need to refine their message. Perhaps all is not lost, it just seems like it, they can rebuild and rework and keep the faith. This country has switched back and forth between the parties in the last 100 years and it will happen again. Demographics are changing and we will see the results of that in the next 25 to 50 years. It’s going to be interesting to say the least.
    An excellent documentary about the candidates is the Frontline episode called The Choice. You learn a lot about both men. Bush and Kerry had high SAT scores with 15 points of each other. They both went to Yale. They both got into Skull and Bones. Cleary neither is a dummy. Theyre just very different people and politicians. You can see from years ago that Bush did much better in his debates against Ann Richards and Gore. My theory on this is that he was more relaxed because he had no record and nothing to lose. In 2004 he had a record which was a bad one and everything to lose. Therefore he was very nervous and came off really badly in the debates compared to his prior performance let alone all his Bushisms because he watches so carefully everything he says now (for one thing).

  73. Lenny Avatar
    Lenny

    Yeah Norquist is full of it. It’s a typical media reaction to a set back. I haven’t given up on my ideals. I still believe in a different political view. The republicans will squander an opportunity and squabble among themselves. Bush will not learn to govern. He will continue to push his right wing agenda until a good majority get fed up and boot him out. The next big race will be Hoeffel against Santorum. I am ready to rumble. I can blog and write checks. Get the Kerry followers to vote against Santorum and he is a goner. I

  74. Cog Avatar
    Cog

    I was hoping that Kerry would concede before my birthday [Nov 3], but I will settle for 11 AM pacific time.
    Now I would like those on both sides to find an outlet, source, or website and follow the Arab media for the next week. Arabnews.com, Memri.org, English.aljazeera.net, memritv.org, etc.
    Follow the Arab press for a week, and we need to start coming together to address the hate that is being promoted and celebrated in the Arab world against us. Address or confront.

  75. Dann Todd Avatar
    Dann Todd

    Robert,
    The seeds for such a decline were planted decades ago with the popular election of Senators, the imposition of the income tax, and the regulation/banning of certain plant extracts. Those seeds grew quickly and bore fruit in the 1930s as we attempted to tax and regulate our way from poverty into wealth.
    Every problem our society has faced since then and now can be traced back to those changes in our government and our society.
    The decline will most come as certainly as the sun rises in the east. We have exchanged our lust for freedom with the desire to safe and comfortable. Safety and comfort are fleeting, but a republic dedicated to freedom was once ours and we failed to keep it.
    Whether a Republican or a Democrat is at the help during our decline is nothing more than music played while deck chairs are re-arranged on a sinking ship.
    Regards,

  76. david Avatar
    david

    Unfortunately BOB the political pendelum swings very slowly. I’d be a bit less worried if we had any good candidates out there for ’08 and ’12. Please no Obama fantasies we have no idea what kind of Senator he will be. We have no decent Governors in the South, or in the north where we’ve got too many “liberal” Republicans, and I’m not that excited for a Bill Richardson run are you?
    We need to stop voting for people like Pataki in the north, I have nothing against him…he hasn’t been as polarizing as Rudy was in nyc…Dems just can’t afford to give away any positions in the north to even “liberal” Republicans or empty suits like McGreevey. Where are our Hispanic and African American Senators and Governors in the NORTH? Where?
    Sigh I’m getting depressed thinking about this…let’s hope the ideas that the likes of Norquist, Delay, Gingrich, etc. have been itching to implement for the last twent/thirty years actually work out for ordinary people…because the pendelum is going to take too long to swing back for the least amongst us.

  77. Lenny Avatar
    Lenny

    Good points Robert S. What if China invades Taiwan and claims it was a preemptive strike to prevent Taiwanese aggression. What does the US do? We could maybe send over some volunteer fireman or postal workers or DRAFT people. What if India lobs a few nukes into Pakistan and invades it claiming it was following the Bush preemptive doctrine. What do we do then? Boycott curry or DRAFT people. The Chinese could tell us to blow it out our redneck asses and refuse to sell us small appliances. What do we do when some drug cartel, subcontracting for Al Qaeda, uses their tunnels under the Rio Grade to smuggle in some yellow cake and explode a dirty bomb in Austin. What do we do then? Offer Karl Rove as a sacrifice?

  78. Robert S. Avatar
    Robert S.

    I agree Dann. Seems like Bush is greasing the slopes though.

  79. Jim Treacher Avatar
    Jim Treacher

    Buzzmachine gets results! Jeff, could you demand that Salma Hayek come over to my house and provide certain to-be-announced services for no less a term than 1 calendar month?

  80. John Avatar
    John

    I find it hysterically funny to listen to self-described urban sophisticates carp about the ignorance they deem prevalent in the red states.
    In the words of Bob Dylan, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows”
    Or even an overpaid network news reader.
    Did it ever cross your minds that red state residents love where they are?
    That they love their country likewise?
    That many such as myself are grateful not to have to rub elbows with the likes of you on a regular basis?

  81. david Avatar
    david

    Did it ever cross your minds that red state residents love where they are?
    That they love their country likewise?
    That many such as myself are grateful not to have to rub elbows with the likes of you on a regular basis?
    ————————————————-
    Did it ever cross YOUR MIND that people in blue states love where they are?
    That they love their country as much as you?
    I won’t mention your last statement because I’ve lived in the south (NC) for a few years and had no problem rubbing elbows with SOME of you southerners.
    Did it ever occur to you that people in BLUE states are as “moral” as you?
    Did it ever occur to you that the people who died on 9/11 came from blue states and those who rushed into those towers to try to rescue them also came from the same blue states that many of you despise. (Robertson said we got hit on 9/11 because of our immorality…you think we forget that?)
    Did it ever occur to you that the BLUE states pay more in taxes than you…while getting back less from the federal government…even though you people in the Red states think we are all a bunch of welfare cheats.
    Did it ever occur to you….yada yada yada…enjoy your “mandate.” Let’s hope you won’t screw it up as you did the last four years.

  82. Eileen Avatar
    Eileen

    Having survived(!) living in red and blue states from sea to shining sea, still looking for stars in your eyes.
    Civil War, 2004? (chanting) I prefer to be California Dreamin’ (And) in a NY State of Mind while driving down my Country Road. Better than seeing red while singin’ the blues.

  83. James Stephenson Avatar
    James Stephenson

    David, those men who rushed into that building supported Bush.
    I hate no American, I hate no person.
    I do not believe that America was headed to hell with Clinton in Office, or that a Kerry election would destroy this country. Hell we survived the Carter years, we will survive the next 4 years.
    Chill out, the people have spoken.

  84. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    Being a young, female, lower/middle class (demographics who are supposedly oppressed by this administration) Bush supporter, I have a hard time understanding how people feel so betrayed by the President. It’s simply amazing that someone can examine the terrible situations that President Bush inherited and not see that he’s done a terrific job.