Reasons why GW Bush deserves a second term?

I'm clueless as to any merit assessment that has a second term warranted. I hear " there's no alternative" quite frequently, but that argument takes as its base the assumption that any alternative would be a 'less than' gambit to our current state of affairs. It also assumes that things will be a grand degree better the longer the current policies are in place.
I have not come to any of those conclusions and would really like to see a fact heavy breakdown on what I might be missing. It could be across the board, or niche ( economy, global US security, etc.). Whichever one chosen, please do it void of comparison to a potential-could-be-no-presidential-term-under-his-belt candidate, but solely on this administration's policy merits.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, I think that he will be re-elected. Bush has some very powerful people. Think about it, do you think these ridiculously rich CEOs of these large corporations who have benefited enormously from Bush's tax cuts and lack of corporate regulation are going let this guy go? Hell no, they will do whatever it takes to ensure he will be back for a second term

I can only respond tongue in cheek.

Say Dean wins, things don't get better, and we end up with 8 years of President Jeb Bush starting in 2008 as a result.

Let W have all the rope he wants. Then come 2008, we get a new Clinton for a whole 8 years. Maybe 12 or so with a good VP in the wings to run.

If Bush wins 2004 (which he will) there's not a Republican alive that could run for President 2008 and win. IMPOSSIBLE.

The RNC will be such a mess come 2008 I can't wait. All this 9 dwarves and wannabe stuff the Dem's are getting for the "audacity" to have a primary will result in hell to pay next time around.

The Dems will be organized and unstoppable, while the RNC debates between a Cheney or Jeb or whatever Frankenstein they can piece together from an old Dole or McCain. I hope AT LEAST 9 Republicans run in the primary against the obvious choice Cheney, further indicating that the prior administration was more a misadministration than anything.

You think Dem's like bashing Bush? Just wait until around 2007....there won't be a Republican on the hill that doesn't sound like a life long democrat when it comes to Bush bashing.

It's all a game, but I love it. I can't wait. I just want a fast forward button to gloss over 2004 - 2008.

Originally posted by RANT
I can only respond tongue in cheek.

Say Dean wins, things don't get better, and we end up with 8 years of President Jeb Bush starting in 2008 as a result.

Let W have all the rope he wants. Then come 2008, we get a new Clinton for a whole 8 years. Maybe 12 or so with a good VP in the wings to run.

If Bush wins 2004 (which he will) there's not a Republican alive that could run for President 2008 and win. IMPOSSIBLE.

The RNC will be such a mess come 2008 I can't wait. All this 9 dwarves and wannabe stuff the Dem's are getting for the "audacity" to have a primary will result in hell to pay next time around.

The Dems will be organized and unstoppable, while the RNC debates between a Cheney or Jeb or whatever Frankenstein they can piece together from an old Dole or McCain. I hope AT LEAST 9 Republicans run in the primary against the obvious choice Cheney, further indicating that the prior administration was more a misadministration than anything.

You think Dem's like bashing Bush? Just wait until around 2007....there won't be a Republican on the hill that doesn't sound like a life long democrat when it comes to Bush bashing.

It's all a game, but I love it. I can't wait. I just want a fast forward button to gloss over 2004 - 2008.

The world will be such a f@%ked up place if Bush gets re-elected. What other countries will he "free", how many more jobs will be lost, how many more soldiers will die? The Dems need to get off there a$$es and get moving.

January 2001
Clinton staffers vandalize and sabotage the White House leaving behind unusable computers, pornography on the computers and walls, and unusable telephone systems from the cutting of cables and wires.
Executive order by President Bush establishes the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
Energy crises hits the western part of the United States- rolling black outs hit California and energy costs soar.

March 2001
President Bush proclaims Education and Sharing Day, USA
President Bush proclaims National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
President Bush signs resolution repealing ergonomics regulation that repeals burdensome and broad regulation dealing with ergonomics.

April 2001
A Chinese fighter jet downs a US spy plan causing an international incident. China held the crew for 11 days, until the Bush Administration negotiated their release without admitting responsibility.
President Bush proclaims National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
President Bush proclaims National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
President Bush proclaims National Day of Prayer.
The Mississippi River experienced severe flooding of historic significance - the river rose to its highest level since 1965 affecting residents in 4 states and causing billions in damages.

May 2001
President Bush signs Medal of Valor Bill.
President Bush announces National Parks Legacy Project.
President Bush Signs World War II Memorial Bill.
President Bush sign Executive Order: Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.

June 2001
President Bush signs tax cut bill reducing Federal Income Tax Rates and sends a refund to millions of Americans.
President Bush proclaims National Child's Day.
President Bush proclaims Parents' Day.
President Bush Signs wildfire bill into law.

July 2001
President Bush meets with the Pope John Paul II
president Bush speaks to troops in Kosovo

August 2001
President Bush signs Export Controls Executive Order
President Bush speaks at Little League World Series
President and Mrs. Bush unveil new White House Web Site

September 2001
President Bush proclaims Family Day.
President Bus proclaims National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 over 3000 innocent Americans are killed.
Anthrax laced letters cause several deaths, closing post offices and delaying the delivery of mail across the US.
President proclaims National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.
President Bush salutes heroes in New York at the site of the World Trade Center disaster.
President Bush addresses a Joint Session of Congress and the American People after the attack on September 11, 2001- The Bush Doctrine on Terror
President Bush released $5.1 billion dollars to assist in the humanitarian, recovery, and security related to 9/11.
President Bush authorizes additional disaster funding for New York
President Bush signs Airline Transportation Bill to assure the safety and stability of the nation's commercial airlines.
President Bush signs executive order freezing the assets of terrorist organizations.

October 2001
President Bush initiates military action in Afghanistan dismantling the Taliban regime and liberating 25 million people.
President Bush Proclaims Child Health Day.
President Bush Proclaims National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
President Bush announces, "America's Fund for Afghan Children".
President Bush signs the Patriot Act.

November 2001
Airline crashes in Queens New York killing 255 people on board.
President Bush proclaims National Adoption Month.
President Bush proclaims World Freedom Day.
President Bush signs Presidential Records Act Executive Order.
President Bush signs Military Construction Appropriations Bill to improve quality of housing for military personnel.
President Bush signs National Emergency Construction Authority Executive Order
President Bush Acts to make holiday travel safer.
President Bush authorizes transfers from Emergency Response Fund.
President Bush signs Interior Appropriations Bill.
President Bush signs Internet Access Taxation Moratorium so the growth of the Internet is not slowed by taxation.
President Bush issues military order -Detention, Treatment, and Trial of Certain Non-Citizens in the War Against Terrorism

December 2001
Dec. 2, 2001: Enron, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. He is attacked by Democrats wanting to know his involvement and then attacked by Democrats for not getting involved.
President Bush proclaims Human Rights Day & Bill of Rights Week.
President Bush signs Afghan Women and Children Relief Act.
One of the worst winter snowstorms in 100 years leave ice and snow from Texas to New York.
President Bush empowers communities in the fight against illegal drug abuse.
President Bush signs Defense Authorization Act - authorizing the funding necessary to defend the United States.
President Bush signs Intelligence Authorization Act authorizing appropriations to fund US intelligence, including activities essential to success in the war against global terrorism.

January 2002
President Bush signs Landmark Education Bill.
President Bush signs Brownfields Bill.
President Bush proclaims Religious Freedom Day, 2002.
President Bush signs Terrorism Relief Act providing tax relief to families of those killed in the attacks on September the 11th, the anthrax attacks and the Oklahoma City bombing.
President Bush increases the budget for border security.
President Bush announces substantial increases in Homeland Security budget.
President Bush signs Executive Order establishing the USA Freedom Corps.
President Bus signs Investor & Capital Markets Fee Relief Act.

February 2002
President Bush announces plan to strengthen Peace Corps.
President Bush Opens 2002 Olympic Games.
President increases funding for Bioterrorism by 319 Percent.

March 2002
President Bush launches quality teacher initiative.
President Bush signs Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002.
President Bush signs Campaign Finance Reform Act.
President Bush outlines U.S. plan to help world's poor- proposes $5 billion plan to help developing nations.

April 2002
President Bush calls for Crime Victims� Rights Amendment.
President Bush Promotes early childhood education initiative.

May 2002
President Bush signs Farm Bill.
President Bush signs Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act.
President Bush and Russian President Putin Sign Nuclear Arms Treaty.
President Bush commemorates Memorial Day at Normandy.

June 2002
President Bush signs Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Bill.
President Bush signs Export-Import Bank Act.


July 2002
President Bush signs Corporate Corruption Bill.
President Bush announces adoption initiative.

August 2002
President Bush signs Trade Act of 2002.
West Coast Port workers strike lasts two months and costs the US economy one billion dollars a day.
President Bush signs Born-Alive Infants Protection Act.
President Bush signs Executive Order prescribing regulations relating to the safeguarding of vessels, harbors, ports, and waterfront facilities of the United States.

September 2002
President Bush addresses the United Nations General Assembly.
President Bush sends Iraq Resolution to Congress.

October 2002
The Beltway Sniper paralyzes Maryland, Virginia and Washington.
President Bush and House Leadership Agree on Iraq Resolution.
President Bush signs historic election reform legislation into law- Help America Vote Act.
President Bush acts to protect pensions and retirement security for all Americans.
President Bush signs two bills improve health care. The first to increase the number of community health care centers and the second to provide faster access to safe and effective medical devices.

November 2002
President Bush Signs Homeland Security Act.
President Bush signs Terrorism Insurance Act.

December 2002
President Bush signs Executive Order: Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-based and Community Organizations.
President signs National Defense Authorization Act.
President signs E-Government Act.
President Bush signs Wetlands Conservation Act.

January 2003
President Bush Signs National Flood Insurance Act.
President Bush proclaims Religious Freedom Day.

February 2003

President Bush signs Executive order transferring certain functions to Homeland Security.
President Bush releases national strategy for combating terrorism.
President Bush attends Memorial service for Columbia astronauts.
The Space Shuttle Columbia breaks up over the United States upon reentry into the atmosphere killing all aboard.

March 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom. President Bush initiates military with Iraq dismantling the Saddam Hussein regime and liberating 22 million people.
President Bush signs Executive Order Establishing the Global War on Terrorism Medals.
President Bush signs Executive Order: Blocking property of persons undermining Democratic processes in Zimbabwe.

April 2003
President Bush proclaims Loyalty Day.
President Bush speaks to the people of Iraq.
President Bush signs Protect Act- Amber Alert Bill expanding nationwide a rapid-response network to help find kidnapped children.
President Bush proclaims May 1, 2003, as a National Day of Prayer.

May 2003
President Bush Announces Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended.
President Bush signs U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
President Bush signs Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
President Bush signs The United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003.
President Bush signs Executive Order establishing the Bob Hope American Patriot Award.
President Bush lands on USS Lincoln. It was the first time a sitting president has arrived on the deck of an aircraft carrier by plane.
President Bush signs Executive Order protecting the Development Fund for Iraq and other property in which Iraq has an interest.

June 2003
President Bush and Russian President Putin sign Treaty of Moscow
President Bush proclaims June 2003 as National Homeownership Month.
President Bush signs "Keeping Children Safe Act"
President Bush signs Welfare Reform Extension Act of 2003, which extends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program and certain related programs.

July 2003
President Bush speaks at Goree Island in Senegal.
President Bush highlights health and fitness initiative.
Uday and Qusay Hussein are killed during raid in Iraq.
President Bush discusses new initiative to stop illegal logging
President Bush honors 2003 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
President Bush names Randall Tobias to be Global AIDS Coordinator

August 2003
President Bush signs executive order blocking removal of Iraqi property from that country by the former Iraqi regime, its senior officials and their family members
President Bush proclaims August 26, 2003, as Women's Equality Day
President Bush proclaims September 22, 2003, as Family Day
President Bush Promotes Healthy Forests in Arizona

September 2003
President Bush signs Chile, Singapore Free Trade Agreement Bills
President Bush signs Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003
President Bush proclaims September 11, 2003, as Patriot Day
President Bush unveils Nation's Founding Documents at the National Archives
President Bush addresses United Nations General Assembly
President Bush meets with Russian President Putin at Camp David
President Bush signs Do Not Call Registry

Originally posted by RANT

If Bush wins 2004 (which he will) there's not a Republican alive that could run for President 2008 and win. IMPOSSIBLE.

Can you say Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. I really don't know how many people out there would really want another Clinton in office.

In all honesty the first Clinton Administration was just a big mess. If it wasn't for Clinton we would not have to worry about North Korea because he is the one that gave them two Nuclear Reactors to play around with. Let us not forget that Clinton also bombed Iraq outside the bounds on the UN. He also gave Nuclear Weapons to China. By the end of Clintons 2nd Term is when the economy started to nose dive before Bush was elected President so I can't understand why so many idolize Clinton.

The world will be such a f@%ked up place if Bush gets re-elected. What other countries will he "free", how many more jobs will be lost, how many more soldiers will die? The Dems need to get off there a$$es and get moving.

To an extent I agree, but I think Bush goose stepping the RNC to the far reicht will end up being the best thing to happen to the Dem's in a long time.

I've resigned myself to the fact Dean won't win...I'm looking ahead though, and it's just as easy to see 2008 will render a Democrat in the White House. Beyond just partisan politics though...a level headed, MODERATE Democrat.

Everyone is saying ha, ha Dean is moving the Dem party left. So what? His main base of support will be 4 years older then...and the DEMS will be the heir apparent to the MODERATE vote. In other words, landslide time.

This little left versus moderate war in the DNC now is nothing compared to the ensuing chaos in the RNC come a few years. The NWO types, the Religious fanatics, and the old school Republican moderates will be beating each other with sticks. REAL conservatives (not a dirty word) will have no where to go but toward Dems. Clinton was a conservative.

Anyway, Bush can't screw up much more. It will be 2008 thinking time as soon as this election is over. The anti-Bush shift will begin. He'll lose all this "support" almost immediately...first in small doses as career politicians jockey for their existence come mid term elections, then in full blown fashion. Nothing happens in second terms...well rarely. It's more the time for leaks, and scandal, and Bushipoo is ripe.

He'll be a lame duck SITTING President by 2006. It won't be that bad. Come on, we survived Reagen and that guy was insane. Seriously demented. Bush is just following God and making money for friends. Whatever. More of his real insanity isn't in the budget. He shot his wad and most of his credibility with the war on invisible WMD's.

He would need incontrovertible proof now to say well anything. He couldn't get a vote saying Sex Slavery is evil now if he wanted to. No one believes a word he says, and soon anyone that wants to remain in politics will be distancing themselves.

Look for another HUGE incumbent turnover in 2006 and 2008.

Originally posted by BlackJackal

Originally posted by RANT

If Bush wins 2004 (which he will) there's not a Republican alive that could run for President 2008 and win. IMPOSSIBLE.

Can you say Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. I really don't know how many people out there would really want another Clinton in office.

In all honesty the first Clinton Administration was just a big mess. If it wasn't for Clinton we would not have to worry about North Korea because he is the one that gave them two Nuclear Reactors to play around with. Let us not forget that Clinton also bombed Iraq outside the bounds on the UN. He also gave Nuclear Weapons to China. By the end of Clintons 2nd Term is when the economy started to nose dive before Bush was elected President so I can't understand why so many idolize Clinton.

Why do so many idolize Clinton? I have no idea but they do. And that's what I mean by another "Clinton". I'm not debating right or wrong or Bush versus Clinton years... just voter mentality.

As for a Powell/Rice ticket....go for it! Actually alot of people still think Colon is a Clark type and would run as a Dem in a heartbeat, but I believe him when he says he's done. He's retiring in 2004, we'll quitting the Bush administration anyway. And to me, that signals either retirement, or distancing himself.

Even if he ran as a Republican that would be FINE with me...I'd vote for him. That's like people getting upset about Schwarznegger getting in to Cali. He's like the biggest liberal that state has seen in years, and all he had to do to win was call himself a Republican and do a little tax pandering. I care about social programs and my own wallet, so I don't care what you call yourself if I agree. A socially liberal- fiscally moderate President Powell works if he called himself a Klingon... but again, I don't see ANY of this happening.

Bush will be selling Rice down the river soon...there's a big scandal coming, and she's taking the fall. (Call me a misguided prophet if you like...) But she's gone. And Powell wants out 2004. He's mad about WMD's and his role in selling lies to the UN. The rest of the rats will either jump ship or try to take over.

It's a liberal world come 2008 baby! Sorry.

I still think he can cause quite a bit more damage. He is really dragging his feet with turning over power to the Iraqis and bringing our troops home and isn't doing much for the environment. Another 4 years of this and we could be up #s creek without a paddle, sort of speak.

Originally posted by AgentOrange
I still think he can cause quite a bit more damage. He is really dragging his feet with turning over power to the Iraqis and bringing our troops home and isn't doing much for the environment. Another 4 years of this and we could be up #s creek without a paddle, sort of speak.

It's good to be scared of Bush. I do agree, but I'm specualting that as long as this is the prevalent opinion, his own party will castrate him after the 2004 election.

He's an impotent dictator as long as people complain. On some level we know this and Bush bash. The opposition knows it too, and says don't Bush bash.

I'm just asserting a theory that helps me sleep at night where a failed businessman, fake cowboy, bad father, alcoholic, 'save me Jesus' Frat boy is the most powerful man on the planet.

I'm just asserting a theory that helps me sleep at night where a failed businessman, fake cowboy, bad father, alcoholic, 'save me Jesus' Frat boy is the most powerful man on the planet.

Very well said, you hit the nail right on the head

"Never interrupt your enemy while he is making a mistake." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte.

Let�s face it Bush has destroyed everything. The next president no matter who it is will inherit a Depression, horrible foreign relations, a huge deficit, thanks to Bush. The republicans control all branch�s of government. It�s their fault and the people will see it as such, a balanced budget and good economic policies is not what republican policies bring the country. Sometimes people have to loose everything and suffer massive death to realize there is more to the world then just themselves. If Bush does get re-selected it�s not the end of the world but the beginning. You have to hit rock bottom sometimes to move forward.

Democratic Camp of Disillusionment.......

Here's a few:
"he would roll back Mr. Bush's entire $1.7 trillion in tax cuts, including the child tax credits, the marriage-penalty repeal and the lower income-tax rates."
Link:
www.washtimes.com...


Oh....and that article doesn't mention that Dean will also raise tax approxly. $2,472 a year on a typical middle-income family of four, $1,933 on a average family of less than four:
Link:
www.opinionjournal.com...



Nor does it mention that Dean will raise 'death tax rate', divedend tax rate, the payroll tax rate, and the capitol gains tax rate. The population of the US is very close to 300 million.....Dean's tax proposal would raise taxes on approxly. 110 million Americans.
Link:
www.clubforgrowth.org...

"The Howard Dean Tax Calculator"
Link:
www.clubforgrowth.org...


This amounts to:
.............................................Current........Dean tax
Capital gains tax.....................15%..............20%
Dividend tax............................15%.............39.6%
Income tax rate (highest).......35%.............39.6%
Income tax rate (middle).........25%.............28%
Income tax rate (lowest)........10%..............15%
Per child credit........................10%..............15%
Marriage penalty Eliminated Reinstated
Death tax in 2010....................0...................55%

The man himself.......
I mean geez, quote-unquote: "I will propose the repeal of every last dime of the Bush Tax Cuts."--- Howard Dean

Isn't it amazing how Democratic Presidential candidates of the past few decades and currently have been advocating high to huge tax increases?
John F. Kennedy even said: "that higher tax rates will never produce enough revenues to balance the budget, nor enough jobs to put Americans back to work."
Link:
www.house.gov...



regards
seekerof

[Edited on 2-1-2004 by Seekerof]

Isn't it amazing how Democratic Presidential candidates of the past few decades and currently have been advocating high to huge tax increases?

To my knowledge Gore advocated none. Why would he?

Bush 41 rasied taxes to keep the government from shutting down after Reagen spending. Clinton did what was required to balance the budget and usher in a record breaking economy. Are you sure Gore wanted to raise taxes higher? I KNOW Bush won on the promise of a tax cut, but that doesn't mean Gore would raise them.

But come on, Bush has increased government spending per household from a Clinton high of $16,000 to an all time high of $21,000. It's all cyclical...at some point, it has to be payed for. If Dean doesn't raise taxes, even a 2008 Republican President would.

I don't believe the recovery assertion that an ever increasing bull market will save us for all eternity.

Reagen got lucky. Clinton got lucky. The 2008 President probably will too. But every other president has to actually work for it. Again...cyclical. How would Republicans even have a platform were it not for Democrats? Cut taxes (from what, to what?) less government (than who?) Cyclical.

As a moderate, I actually like a Republican in the White House every eight years or so. To not see the big picture, and shortcomings versus strengths of both parties would be real disillusionment.

How did Reagan get lucky? I guess everyone forgot about the interest rates and job loses under his administration. Not to mention huge budget defects. Reagan didn�t have a good economy no republican administration has had a good economy since Eisenhower. Reagan wasn�t lucky about not having to raise taxes he didn�t care long as his rich buddies could make millions off the sky high interest rates and deregulation of business at our expense. Reagan was a joke of a president he stopped the cold war lmao are we any safer? HELL NO!!!!

Oh I hate Reagen DD. Growing up Reagen convinced me I'd be dead from nuclear war by 16, if the Evil Empire itself didn't swim the Atlantic to poison my Boy Scout rations first.

But he got lucky in comparison to Carter's economy.

Cyclical.

Carter's economy you can actually thank Johnson and Nixon for that one. Can't blame Ford wasn't his fault.

Okay, I'm just answering you from my personal point of view. I feel more "safe" with the current administration than with the challengers I see. The tax break DID help. And I have 4 more years with a President that I feel good about versus voting for 4 years with a draw-out-of-the-hat contender that I absolutely don't feel good about.

Originally posted by DiRtYDeViL
Carter's economy you can actually thank Johnson and Nixon for that one. Can't blame Ford wasn't his fault.

I tend to agree. But then again, the President is among the least important of factors among many in any given economy. We'll see full blown prosperity around 2006 no matter who is President I believe. All things being equal: war, etc. And THAT is why I dislike Bush.

I see the economy arguements for tax cuts as back door. It's primarily about votes. The big business party wouldn't be long for this world if they didn't find some way to pander to the middle class. It was once a respectable mission...fighting the New Deal when America's two classes were more proportionate. Now it's 98% versus 2% in my opinion, and those that serve the 2% first buy armies of support for $400 refunds. BFD.

You have to look no further than the Republican/ pharmaceutical/ healthcare/ insurance scam to see which party puts more money in your wallet, and which serves those that seek to drain it.

Originally posted by Valhall
Okay, I'm just answering you from my personal point of view. I feel more "safe" with the current administration than with the challengers I see. The tax break DID help. And I have 4 more years with a President that I feel good about versus voting for 4 years with a draw-out-of-the-hat contender that I absolutely don't feel good about.

Thanks Val, you came the closest to actually answering the question" Why does Bush deserve a second term"?

Jackal went into some Pat Roberstson calendar of events & Seek, well, he was being Seek!

All teasing aside, it's not a loaded question. I'm simply asking for the policy, practice or doctrine issues by the current administration that have you saying " I've done my analysis, this is a good plan, I'll support it"?