Michael Goodwin has some advice for those who opposed Bush and now want him to enact their agenda rather than his own.
Even before all the votes were counted, dire warnings poured forth from pundits and pulpits that Bush must abandon his agenda and principles. It seems too many Americans are so upset over his win that he must become the nanny-in-chief. Or they're just gonna cry and be really, really mad.
The usual suspects, left-leaning media and Democratic-affiliated groups who daily demonized Bush, are also suddenly concerned about the President's legacy. Why, he'll go down in history as the great divider if he doesn't move to their idea of the middle!
Color me confused. I thought elections were about winning and losing. You know, the old-fashioned idea that you put forth your plans and promises, the other guy does the same - then the voters decide which one to hire. The winner gets the job and the right to carry on with his plans. Indeed, he has an obligation to, since that's what he promised. The loser licks his wounds and accepts the verdict.
Apparently, I'm mistaken. To judge from the blasts of blather, Bush is now obligated to give Kerry supporters exactly what Kerry promised them. Kerry said he would work with allies before making decisions about terror and would appoint judges The New York Times approved of and would raise taxes on the rich, so Bush better do all that or else. And, most important, the openly religious Americans the Democrats despise should be sent to the back of the bus.
Extra, extra! Here's real news: Elections matter. That's why we have them. Bush won. Get over it.
Liberals always seem to define conciliation as Republicans doing what they want. Being hardnosed and arrogant is when Republicans do what they want. Being principled is when Democrats do what they want. If you can interpret this, you'll know how much value to put on calls for Bush to be conciliatory to the Democrats now.
Great oped.
Yeah, what he said! This article pretty much sums up my opinion.
Rush POUNDED this concept (or at least tried) into the thick skull of a lib caller 'Claire' on Friday. It was fun, Rush was dead on and the caller was clueless (an educator).
I would love to see President Bush aggressively pursue a conservative agenda especially in the areas of tax reform and social security. During the last term whenever Dubya extended his hand in a gesture of good will, some scoundrel like Kennedy bit it. Screw all Dems, they played dirty now it's time to hit them back harder and make them like it.
This plays well into my belief (since the 2000 election) that the biggest oxymoron website is MoveOn.org, simply because they can't...
Now lets get on with doing it.
Ask the Kerry supporters about "one man, one vote" and they were all for it before the election. Now that they have lost, the refrain becomes "you have to take our feelings into account". Well, we did. And we rejected them.
This is an excellent column. Outstanding!