Bush Claims Mandate for War, Tax Agenda

ABCNEWS ^ | 11/03/2004 | associated press

[bedolido]

President Bush Wins Re-Election Over Sen. Kerry, Pledges to Pursue Agenda on Taxes, Iraq.

WASHINGTON Nov 3, 2004 — President Bush claimed a re-election mandate Wednesday after a record 59 million Americans chose him over Democrat John Kerry and voted to expand Republican control of Congress as well. He pledged to pursue his agenda on taxes and Iraq while seeking "the broad support of all Americans."

Kerry conceded defeat in make-or-break Ohio rather than launch a legal fight reminiscent of the contentious Florida recount of four years ago. "I hope that we can begin the healing," the Massachusetts senator said.

Claiming a second term denied his father, George H.W. Bush, the president struck a conciliatory tone, too. "A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation," he said, speaking directly to Kerry's supporters.

"To make this nation stronger and better, I will need your support and I will work to earn it," he said. "I will do all I can do to deserve your trust."

[LiveFreeOrDie2001]

... and we should not try to mend with the enemy. They just want to not get totally ignored.

Since I put a Bush/Cheney sticker on my newer pick-up, I received door creases, dings and bougars !!!!!!

I will never make nice with DU type people like that !!!!!

[rwfromkansas]

www.fairtax.org

:)

[Racehorse]

"President Bush waves during a victory rally . . ."

Guess Wesley Clark can go back to being a cashiered officer. May he slink back into the oblivion he so richly deserves.

[ex-snook]

"Do you see a pro-life mandate in this election? "

Yes. That's what the Supreme Court preference was all about.

[unspun]

War! Tax!

Did they also call him an "abortion foe?"

[LincolnLover]

"Well, it will be interesting what "overhaul the tax code" means."

The flat taxers won't like hearing this, but the initial thrust will/probably will be eliminating the income tax and using a consumption-based model.

President seems interested, and both Denny Hastert and (almost as importantly) Tom DeLay are strongly pro-consumption tax.

It's the Senate--always the Senate---where danger lurks when it comes to the form legislation will ultimately take. It'll be interesting to see where some of the movers and shakers in that chamber come down on this issue.

[kevkrom]

www.fairtax.org

Well... you know that, and I know that, (and now everyone else knows that too), but I thought I'd be inclusive and encourage those with other ideas to not miss the chance for the biggest tax debate in history.

[Fatalis]

At most that's a mandate to overturn Roe v. Wade, but that was not the clear issue on the ballot in eleven states, the institution of marriage was. There is a reality to this election, and the threat to the institution of marriage was the fulcrum that leveraged Bush to victory.

You don't have to believe me now, but watch, and you will see President Bush move far more aggressively on a CMA than he will on any pro-life amendment.

[kevkrom]

It's the Senate--always the Senate---where danger lurks when it comes to the form legislation will ultimately take. It'll be interesting to see where some of the movers and shakers in that chamber come down on this issue.

It's high time Bush takes charge and sets the agenda for legislation. He was weakened the term because of the 2000 election controversies -- this time he shouldn't be so limited.

[dead]

As much as anything, the Bush Victory is a mandate for the Constitutional Marriage Amendment.

I like the Constitution just as it is, thank you.

Let the states decide their gay marriage laws.

[kevkrom]

I like the Constitution just as it is, thank you. Let the states decide their gay marriage laws

I'd settle for a simple clarification that "full faith and credit" will not compel any state to recognize a gay marriage performed in another state.

[dead]

Agreed. Here's my signature. Done!

[Fatalis]

I like the Constitution just as it is, thank you.

As it is, the Constitution allows for Amendments.

Let the states decide their gay marriage laws.

That's what the CMA would do. As it stands the precedents of Lawrence v Texas indicate that the many states that have defined marriage as being between one man and one woman would lose their prerogative under the DoMA when the Supreme Court applies the full faith and credit clause to the next available challenge by a same sex couple from Massachuessetts.

Most Americans like marriage the way it is, and it's going to take an Amendment to protect it from redefinition by a few judges.

[ex-snook]

"You don't have to believe me now, but watch, and you will see President Bush move far more aggressively on a CMA than he will on any pro-life amendment. "

The problem is I do believe you. Bush is not really pro-life. I got that message when he choose Specter and politics over life. But I think you are right.

[Fatalis]

Specter's a bum, but I think you're oversimplifying that decision.

[ppaul]

[RustysGirl]

President Bush looks so tired in that picture. I hope he hasn't hurt his health. We need him.

[Vol2727]

What exactly is a mandate? I'm being told by a democrat friend that she heard you only get a mandate if you get 55% of the popular vote to which I say BS. I say W got a mandate! So, what exactly is a mandate in the true sense of the word?

[Amish with an attitude]

"He pledged to pursue his agenda on taxes"

A flat tax would be welcomed as an alternative to the current graduated plan adopted from the Communist Manifesto.

[KMC1]

Pretty obvious that he has the mandate considering NO PRESIDENT has ever recieved more votes, and he's the first President since Reagan to get a majority...