Stu neglected to mention Ross Perot.
If GDP drops and the republicans do a good job of explaining why, then hopefully the electorate is smart enough to figure it out. But who knows, probably a third of the voters mark their ballots based on what happened in their lives during the past 2 days before the election anyway.
The economy is larger now, and it is about to get an infusion from the troops coming home from Europe.
Americans will not blame the weather on GWB, only the demonrats will
There is a lot of insurance money that will flowing. That happened after Hugo,and it will happen now.
"Read my lips, no new taxes"
That's what cost Bush the election...broken promises on core Republican issues.
an interesting point, I must admit.
The Myopic are funny on both sides.... You think it'll lose it for Bush.... DU thinks Bush will now ~win~ Florida because of the hurricane.
NO
this is W's chance to drown the entire state with dollars dollars dollars ...
Although it makes no sconomic sense (the fallacy of the broken window), there is a perception among the public and the news media that such disasters are good for the economy because they "create employment" fthrough the need for massive reconstruction.
I remember reading years ago this very idea in Time Magazine, which wrote that the bright side of Hurricane Andrew was that it stimulated the economy by creating work for the construction trades, which then presumable filters through the economy.
As I say, the argument is economic nonsense, but nevertheless many see it that way.
If Bush loses because of the hurricane, it will be because Florida voters are upset at their misfortune and looking for someone to blame, not because of GDP.
Why Bubba won:
1) Ross Perot (19% of vote)
2) Read My Lips
3) Slow reaction to Andrew
Yes, if the Demoists can convince the sheeple that terrorists caused it and homeland security failed to stop it ;-)
Kerry will say, he could have prevented the hurricane with. a "Stress HAARP." Jfk the "Majestic Man."
Hopefully it will make those cowardly Democrats flee back to New York and Massachusetts where their votes won't matter as much.
Does exploding trailer parks help or hurt Bush?
In my local paper today, there is a completely unbiased news article from the AP explaining that Bush would be able to exploit this tragedy for his personal political gain, and that the Democrats had better be on guard.
Well, we all know without him even saying so, that If Kerry had been President he would have tied Florida to a swift boat and towed it out of danger.
President Bush should take time off from campaigning and visit the areas hit by Hurricane Charley. He should take with him (to the extent they are willing to go) the congressional leaders from both parties so that they can see the devastation first hand. (And, Kerry is not a congressional leader: he is merely a candidate who can go on campaigning or not as he pleases). Then President Bush should propose any additional emergency funding (beyond what is already available through FEMA, etc.) on a fast track. Such a bi-partisan approach will give him the high ground and leave it to the Democrats to play politics.