[lady lawyer]

What is about Bush that they hate?

They compare it to us "Clinton haters." But we "hated" Clinton because we couldn't believe someone with so little integrity could be elected, and I, personally, was appalled that anyone would subordinate our military to a draft dodger who hates the military.

But what, exactly, about Bush inspires so much loathing?

[bimboeruption]

"But what, exactly, about Bush inspires so much loathing?"

They hate him because Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior.

[Tamzee]

But what, exactly, about Bush inspires so much loathing?

Simple political strategy. After 9/11, Bush had enormous popularity with the American public on both sides. Polling data showed that voters considered him to have high character marks for honesty, dependability, care for the country and it's citizens, strong leadership, etc... Not only did Bush look like a lock for re-election, but the voters came out strongly in favor of other Republicans in 2002 elections.

The only way for the left to claw itself back into more power was to destroy the public's perception of him in those favorability issues. They started a vicious smear campaign against him and, if you look at it through time, every SINGLE lie they've promoted is targetted against him in those areas.

[cartoonistx]

But what, exactly, about Bush inspires so much loathing?

I've thought a lot about this and I believe I know the answer.....bitter disappointment. In 1992, we republicans couldn't believe Clinton had won just as in 2000 the dims were dumbfounded by the Bush victory. In both cases the winner didn't get the majority of the popular vote. Each man won despite expectations earlier in the political year. Each man was maddeningly popular during their first term for what their detractors belived were for "illegitimate" reasons (Clinton for his slickness, Bush for 9/11). The democraps are, however, a far more emotional and irrational race and are much more willing to ascribe evil motivations to innocent, even patriotic, acts by their "enemies"! But you have to remember, there were a lot of wacky folks on our side during the Clinton years. I lived in fear of somebody shooting the bastard and elevating him to martyrdom for those entire 8 years!

[Zeroisanumber]

But what, exactly, about Bush inspires so much loathing?

Heh... that's exactly what most Democrats were asking about the our side hating Clinton. They just didn't understand what the hell got us so upset.

Not being a Bush-hater, I'm kind of out on a limb here but I think that I have contact with more liberals/Democrats than a lot of folks on the board so I'll do my best. From the conversations I've had with friends and family (mostly just shutting up and listening) it comes down to is a fundamental lack of trust for his motives, concern over the direction he's taking this country in, and general resentment at having their team be out of power. They want him to be more internationalist, and with the notable exception of Colin Powell they hate his cabinet almost as much as they hate him.

[rootntootn]

There is nothing specific that they hate. They have been whipped into a frenzy by 3-1/2 years of relentless propaganda to demonize a sitting President. That's because they have no real platform. Hatred is all they've got, so they play it and play it well.

The reason people despised Clinton is because he is despicable. Since Bush is not they had to propagandize to make him seem so.

[Sender]

Obviously they are extremely bitter about what they perceive as the "stolen election of 2000", to the point that they are delusional in their own minds, repeating the lies often enough they have become truth.

But it's more than that. Bush is the idealogical antithesis for everything liberal, even their "holiest" causes such as abortion, gays, multiculturalism, UN worship etc. Plus, Bush is (gasp) a Southerner and a Texan, immediate cause for dislike in the minds of the liberal elite, and indeed his worst "sin" in their eyes may be his open expression of his belief in God.

Throw in the fact that Bush sometimes looks goofy on TV and there you have it, the most hated man in the liberal world. I could think of a hundred more reasons but who cares?

The only negative thing that will come from a second Bush term is that the Bush hatred will grow to unmanageable levels by 2008. I fully expect many of the fuming mad ABB crowd to mentally snap and go into full anarchy mode after the November election. The first US suicide bomber may not be from al Qaeda, it may just be an enraged Democrat.