Posted on 12/02/2004 12:02:02 AM PST by kattracks
"I hope that in this term," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., "President Bush will fulfill his renewed promise to be a uniter, not a divider."Don't look now, but Bush is doing some uniting.
Notice, for example, the absence of hysteria when the so-called ban against assault weapons expired. Sure, candidate Kerry, on the campaign trail, warned that the expiration of the ban makes "the job of terrorists easier and made the job of America's law-enforcement officers harder." But, for the most part, Kerry did not make this into a campaign issue. Why? Democrats know that, in 2000, presidential candidate Al Gore lost his home state of Tennessee, in part, because of Tennesseans' opposition to further gun control.
What about the divisive issue of abortion? "I am prepared to filibuster, if necessary," said former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, "any Supreme Court nominee who would turn back the clock on a woman's right to choose or the constitutional right to privacy, on civil rights and individual liberties. . . . The test is basic -- any person who thinks it's his or her job to push an extreme political agenda rather than to interpret the law should not be a Supreme Court justice." Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, stated, "I am and always have been pro-choice, and that is not a right any of us should take for granted. There are a number of forces at work in our society that would try to turn back the clock and undermine a woman's right to choose, and [we] must remain vigilant." And the 2004 Democratic Party platform says, "Because we believe in the privacy and equality of women, we stand proudly for a woman's right to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of her ability to pay."
But with whom do the Democrats intend to replace the defeated liberal outgoing Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota? Harry Reid, D-Nevada. Who is Harry Reid? He calls himself pro-life. NARAL, formerly the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, gives Reid a mere 29 percent favorability rating. Contrast that with Daschle's 50 percent. Reid even supports mining interests against environmentalists.
Whether soon-to-be outgoing Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe realizes it, the Democratic Party seems to be shifting toward the center -- Bush's center.
Even more telling, a recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll gives President Bush a personal favorability rating of 60 percent, and 55 percent now approve of his job. And what about "divisive," "extremist," "lightning rods" like National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and especially outgoing Attorney General John Ashcroft? The poll gives Rice a 63 percent favorable rating, versus 26 percent unfavorable; Rumsfeld a 51 percent favorable rating, versus 39 percent unfavorable, and Ashcroft received a 50 percent favorable rating, versus 37 percent unfavorable. Indeed, White House legal counsel Alberto Gonzales recently praised his outgoing boss, "I will work hard to build upon [Ashcroft's] record."
Some called "hateful" Bush's proposal for an amendment to ban gay marriage. But most Americans -- 62 percent, according to recent polls -- oppose same-sex marriage. Forty-three states passed laws that restrict marriage to opposite sex couples, while an increasing number allow civil unions or domestic partnerships (something the president says he supports).
Even on the War in Iraq, most Americans believe that, having started down this path, a failed Iraq poses more risks than it solves. Current polls show 48 percent of Americans support the War in Iraq, and 46 percent oppose it. Our commitment in Iraq figures to be long-term, but Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the terrorist who authorities believe plays a major role in the Iraqi "insurgency," recently posted a message on an Islamic Web site. Zarqawi blamed what he called the Fallujah "slaughter" on the failure of Muslims to rally against the "occupying infidels": "Hundreds of thousands of the nation's sons are being slaughtered at the hands of the infidels because of your silence. You have let us down in the darkest circumstances and handed us over to the enemy. You have stopped supporting the holy warriors."
Americans intend to stay the course. For we recognize, as Rice put it, the War on Terror promises to be a generational one.
What about the rest of the world? Yes, polls show that many French and Germans loathe Bush, dislike America's dominance and foreign policy, and even boycott American products and services. But the Bush administration just successfully pressured the 19 member nations of the Paris Club -- including Germany and France -- to forgive 80 percent of the $39 billion owed them by Iraq. The Bush administration also got Jordan to assist in the training of Iraqi military personnel.
Not bad for a divider.
I think we will look back in the years ahead to the Bush presidency as a very good one. He has been a man of his word, not shy of stepping up to lead in a time of trouble, and he has refrained from libelous accusations and even a lot of truthful ones he could've lobbed at his opposition...had he chosen to. While not perfect, his leadership has steadied our nation's way in this sea of turmoil that we call our present age. It doesn't appear that it will get any better. I pray, even now, that the man who replaces him in 4 years will have the same characteristics and traits. But these are big shoes to fill. We'll see.
I have never before understood why people would say that they loved a President. but somehow George Bush has wormed his way into my heart, and I can truly say that I love him as a President. I don't agree with the big spending altogether, but I agree with you that history will be very kind to George Bush 43, unlike his predecessor whose main goal was to achieve a legacy. He will be remembered alright, but not for the reasons that he would like.
There is the possibility that George W Bush could be one of our greatest presidents-only time will tell.
Yes, those will be big shoes to fill. We have to keep the democrats out so they don't have a chance to undo anything Bush has done. If they loose in 08, that will be the end of the democrats as we know them. The last of the old party will die out. What reforms will be interesting. The loony left will probably jump ship and go green party.
Except for the DUers, but they're eating each other alive.
Seems Olberman's latest blog criticized their beloved Black Box Voting, and Bev Harris.
Now it's an all out war over who to believe.
Poor DU, Nader's recount in NH proved nothing, Olberman (their hero) is criticizing one of their crusaders, Kerry threw them a bone by seeming to join the Ohio recount effort,but everybody's trying to get them to donate to recounts when Kerry has money he could donate collected for just such an occasion. .
I can truly say that I love him as a President. I don't agree with the big spending altogether.
I love him as a President and I love him In Christ. And as far as the spending goes, freedom does cost!
I believe he will end up uniting the world. His trip to Canada was FANTASTIC and he left this country abuzz.
Althought the analogy isn't perfect, it's like the Founders, who put into the Constitution and Bill of Rights enough personal liberty protections that it was inevitable that slavery be abolished down the line, even though they knew they couldn't do it at the time. I think 15 years from now, when the public sector starts to shrink steadily (though probably not past a certain point), people will go, "that tricky Bush!"
I agree with you, and Jonathan Rausch understood Bush's audacious strategy to fundamentally change the demand, not merely limit the supply, of government as a way to manifestly shrink government:
Yet another classic W brand Rope-a-Dope. :D
You won't get blasted by me, who agrees with you about the "long view" of Bush's privatization policies. They contain the hope and salvation of this country from the corrosion of the "gimme" mentality.
And yes, this is the first President that I admire enough, respect enough, and care about enough to actually love. (And to brag just a little, oh, okay, a lot, I just got my Christmas card from President and Laura Bush! I'm so honored!)
My experiance was similar, as I had to convince my husband and others in 2000 that Bush was the right choice. He is now first to voice praise of him.
I got my card yesterday! Fun Stuff
Some things you know are just the right. No pun intended. George Bush was one those. I had no doubt from the first time I laid eyes on him. Maybe it was his beating up on Ann Richards that was my first clue.
:)
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