Why I, Koch, Am Bolting for Bush

Forward via World Tribune ^ | January 8, 2004 | Edward I. Koch

[quidnunc]

I am a lifelong Democrat. I was elected to New York's City Council, Congress and three terms as mayor of New York City on the Democratic Party line. I believe in the values of the Democratic Party as articulated by Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson and by Senators Hubert Humphrey, Henry "Scoop" Jackson and Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Our philosophy is: "If you need a helping hand, we will provide it." The Republican Party's philosophy, on the other hand, can be summed up as: "If I made it on my own, you will have to do the same."

Nevertheless, I intend to vote in 2004 to reelect President Bush. I will do so despite the fact that I do not agree with him on any major domestic issue, from tax policy to the recently enacted prescription drug law. These issues, however, pale in importance beside the menace of international terrorism, which threatens our very survival as a nation. President Bush has earned my vote because he has shown the resolve and courage necessary to wage the war against terrorism.

-snip-

[e_engineer]

Why Not?

[miltonim]

Vote for President Bush Bump

[BenLurkin]

^

[Tim Osman]

You are correct.

If somehow Dean gets elected, the GOP congress might BE Republicans again, and be strong opposition. But Democrats would probably get more of the Democratic agenda accomplished if they'd vote for Bush in 2004.

They're getting what they wanted with illegals, CFR, AWB, the education bill, and more - if they were smart they'd dump Dean and go with the sure bet, Bush.

[MegaSilver]

The Republican Party's philosophy, on the other hand, can be summed up as: "If I made it on my own, you will have to do the same."

The rest of the article's great, but I can't get past this statement. In reality, the Democratic Party philosophy is, "If you need a helping hand, we'll steal from someone who earned it to give you a helping hand."

[Tunehead54]

The two recent assassination attempts against President Pervez Musharraf highlight the dangers we face. Should Musharraf be removed or killed, no one knows who will ultimately control Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. It would have been negligent for President Bush to allow our hands to remain tied at a time when we need to be exploring every option to defend ourselves.

---

This is the reason behind the attacks on Musharraf. If he is killed, Pakistan may be our next front. :-(

[Chu Gary]

Very good news for GWB; this should translate into some additional NYC votes for GWB. Gee, I wonder when Hitlary will endorse GWB - oh, that's right she likes the other bush.

[livius]

Yesss! Koch was a good guy who was totally undermined by his own party while he was mayor of NYC - I'm glad he's gotten off the reservation. I lived in NYC while he was mayor, and every time he tried to do something to solve the problems there, the embedded Dems and the ACLU came out to knock him back.

[Ex-Dem]

Didn't this guy have one of those courtroom shows a few years ago? The name looks familiar.

In any case, it's an interesting trend...

[livius]

Oh, please. You must never have lived in NY. Koch was not a liberal, but he was a Jewish New Yorker, and by default, they have always been Dems.

This is a very bold and significant move, and I think a lot of other Jewish New Yorkers - and many non-Jewish ones, as well - are going to follow him.

There are many conservatives in NY, but the Republicans have never had the cojones to go after them. When I lived there (until about 3 years ago), there weren't even any Republican candidates on the ballot for most races.

This is a fault of vision and courage on the part of the Republican party. Maybe Koch is going to energize them a bit - I hope?

[f7Oshawn]

But the radicals who dominate the primaries love the red meat that is thrown to them, even when it comes from a mad cow.

Ha...I love it!

[Clintonfatigued]

Thanks for the posting. Koch and Sen. Zell Miller are probably not the only Democrats endorsing Bush this year. Can you find the remarks of others who are?

[goldstategop]

Edward Koch is who Democrats used to be. He's straight talking, funny, and classy. No wonder New Yorkers loved him. The reason he doesn't like the Nine Dwarfs is he doesn't think they have the gravitas or class to be President. President Bush is in a league all by himself and that's why that life-long Democrat is voting for him this year.

[JohnnyZ]

Dick Gephardt's longest longtime supporter is voting Bush in 2004. I don't know who, I think it's just some guy who's been givin' him money every two years.

[JohnnyZ]

Koch. Bush.

Seems like a good match.

[uncbob]

Too bad you supported Clinton Koch

Now that Bush is a friend of Israel you jump on his bandwagon

Just wish you did it for your own country's sake

[plain talk]

They're getting what they wanted with illegals, CFR, AWB, the education bill, and more - if they were smart they'd dump Dean and go with the sure bet, Bush

Sounds good and logical but the problem is many of them are more concerned with power than their issues. Bush could sign on to all their initiatives and they'd still whine.

[polemikos]

This will provide cover for a lot of New York Jews to move to Bush. However, NY is NY. Not sure it will make a practical difference in the electroral college or in state races.

[Tim Osman]

Bush could sign on to all their initiatives and they'd still whine.

You are 100 percent correct. It's all partisanship.

The converse is also true - Bush could sign onto all their initiatives and most Republicans would still support him. They'd say "It's strategery, he's stealing Democrat issues" or some such nonsense, and berate those on their own side who raised concerns.

Ah! The 2-party system: gotta love it!