posted by Justin Oldham
If the pundits are correct, we may see the Dems take enough States to make the electoral count quite clear. For most people, the November vote is a
referendum on the war. When I do radio gigs, that's the opinion usually espoused by the callers. [Edited by Don W]
I opposed the Iraq War from the git-go. I opposed the War on Terror from the git-go. I deplored Bush43's speech before the UN. The man is not dumb,
but he is not very verbal either. He is not well read. I’ve seen his transcript from Yale and he took a “soft” curriculum to “get by.” The
number “75" was his most common grade mark, but there was no explanation on the transcript what that meant. He managed the baseball team, which
means he carried the bats.
We know he does not read outside his official duties and we’re not sure if he reads much of that. He does not have a large vocabulary and that means
he cannot think well. He is basically uninformed. When he is not reading his speeches, he speaks in 4-5 word bursts, in incomplete sentences and never
any premise, facts and conclusions. As a man thinks, so he speaks. As a man speaks, so he thinks.
I recently talked with some third party types. In many respects, this is their moment if they can stop fighting with each other long enough to step
in front of a camera and make their case without foaming at the mouth.
Our system is purpose-built to prevent viable 3rd parties. There were only 2 instances in the 20th century where 3rd parties made a difference. 1912
and 2000. Teddy Roosevelt’s Progressive Party gave the election to the Dems and Wilson in 1912, and Ralph Nader’s Green Party gave the GOP the
2000 election. Ross Perot ran a strong race in 1992 polling 18% of the popuar vote, but did not garner a single electoral vote. That shows there is
much opportunity for improvement to be made in our system. And we want to export democracy? Is that conceit or jingoism?
“ . . the average Democrat hopeful running for office just now needs to avoid foot-in-mouth disease and they'll win certain races almost by
default. I'm not the only one who thinks the GOP deserves to lose. With any luck, it'll knock some humility into them. I'm not asking for a
return to classical conservatism because I know I'll never get my wish. All I ask for is for a little bit of Not Stupid. The current state of
affairs for the GOP was not hard to predict. I did it back in 2004 when my book first went in to print. If it takes a Hillary Clinton to make that
lesson stick, so be it. If she can prove me wrong, I'll be more than happy to tender my apologies and offer my services as penance for my
short-sighted views. [Edited by Don W]
Well, there is a lot of things that can happen between now and 2008. But Bush43 is predictable if nothing else. He cannot change his mind in public.
He gets no contrary opinions or advice from those around him, in large part because he views contrary opinions as an act of disloyally. He does not
easily revisit decisions once made. He is not accustomed to compromise - “you are either with us or against us” - and sees nothing in shades of
gray, bur only in black and white. I do not think we have had a man for president less well prepared or mentally equipped for the job. But then, he
is America’s first designated president, gaining his office by a vote of 5 to 4.
[edit on 10/21/2006 by donwhite]
its true its true 
