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The political genius of George W. Bush
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/08/watson.policy/ ^ | Monday, November 8, 2004 Posted: 2:43 PM EST (1943 GMT)

Posted on 11/08/2004 1:23:57 PM PST by sarasotarepublican

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican or an independent, it is hard not to look at President Bush's re-election victory last week and conclude that he is probably one of the three or four most talented politicians of the last half of a century.

Why do I write that? Think about it. In 10 short years, George Walker Bush has won not just one but three high-profile political races that most able politicians would have lost.

Many people will point out that Bush has enjoyed advantages that most people never dream of -- inherited wealth, a famous family name, unbelievable connections and multiple second chances. But while those are legitimate critiques, the reality is that FDR's sons never won the presidency; there never was a David Eisenhower administration; and Ronald Reagan's kids have never inspired much political fear.

Others will write that Karl Rove deserves much or all of the credit. But do you really believe that you can beat former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, Vice President Al Gore and Sen. John Kerry just by being a "puppet"? Sure, Rove helps -- as all savvy advisers do. Remember Dick Morris, Lee Atwater and Michael Deaver?

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: georgewbush
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To: normy

One more thing, if 70,000 voters changed sides in Ohio but 1500 changed in New Hampshire Bush would still have won, or 4000 in Oregon.


21 posted on 11/08/2004 1:47:13 PM PST by normy (Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.)
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To: sarasotarepublican
This article demonstrates why the liberals still don't get it, actually. George Bush didn't win because he's a great candidate; he's not, and he doesn't have to be. My full response is here.
22 posted on 11/08/2004 1:47:48 PM PST by syberghost
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To: marlon

Bill Clinton IS a more gifted a politician than George Bush.

George Bush was nominated as the leader and spokesman of a movement which is a majority of the Republican Party, and was elected as a result of the Republican Party standing for principles of a clear majority of the American people, despit the efforts of the MSM to distract them.

Bill Clinton climbed a much higher mountain, first, being nominated despite being to the right of the Democratic Party, and, second, being elected twice despite the Democratic Party being well to the left of the nation.


23 posted on 11/08/2004 1:48:51 PM PST by only1percent
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To: CWOJackson
Be generous, all of his detractors on both sides of the spectrum deserve credit as well...for continuing to underestimate the man.

That is *mis-underestimate* to those who know the president well... :)
24 posted on 11/08/2004 1:49:01 PM PST by Paloma_55
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To: marlon

I agree. Slick Willy is the best politician in the history of the Planet. Bush is for his part has a natural political knack without selling out his values or pandering to special interests. Indeed, that is what makes a president great. Clinton had half the skill, he fell short on the policies and the moral stuff, as you may recall. But by recognizing Willy's political Genuis the GOP have come a long way on the path to perminant victory... while maintaining diginity and morals.


25 posted on 11/08/2004 1:55:57 PM PST by MD4Bush (Bush must win)
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To: marlon

I agree. Slick Willy is the best politician in the history of the Planet. Bush is for his part has a natural political knack without selling out his values or pandering to special interests. Indeed, that is what makes a president great. Clinton had half the skill, he fell short on the policies and the moral stuff, as you may recall. But by recognizing Willy's political Genuis the GOP have come a long way on the path to perminant victory... while maintaining diginity and morals.


26 posted on 11/08/2004 1:55:58 PM PST by MD4Bush (Bush must win)
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To: af_vet_1981

My thoughts exactly. Too many bogus references to the greatness of Clinton in this article. I'm also a little tired of hearing 'the Right-Wing Religious nuts did it'. The author should have stayed on topic. They were handed their hats by Bush and the conservative movement in this country. This was a good read.


27 posted on 11/08/2004 1:58:51 PM PST by Jeeper (Virginia is for Jeepers.)
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To: only1percent
Not sure I can agree with you here. Sure Clinton is a good politician but let's face it he had the power of the major media fully in his corner and was taking on a party that had held the White House for 12 years.

GHW Bush was tired and was not up for the fight, especially as it was being fought by a new, nastier generation ala Carville. And as bad as John Francois Fonda Keri maybe at least he's not 75 years old like Dole.

Don't get me wrong I voted for both GHW Bush and Dole but didn't think either was going to win.

W on the other hand had to come from no where to defeat Ann Richards, no slouch she, and was not exactly expected to beat a sitting VP in 2000. And this year, well I've never seen such savagery. I think Evan Thomas was spot on with his statement that the media being in JFFK's corner was worth 15% and thats HUGE.

28 posted on 11/08/2004 1:58:58 PM PST by marlon
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To: sarasotarepublican

1 - we can thank his Mother, not his dad.


29 posted on 11/08/2004 2:00:55 PM PST by XBob (Free-traitors steal our jobs for their profit.)
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To: sarasotarepublican
Not a bad article. One other thing to point out is that Dubya basically has destroyed the Dems in Texas.

Something else for Dan Rather to ponder on cold, windy nights hee hee.

30 posted on 11/08/2004 2:03:11 PM PST by Tribune7
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To: marlon

10 - "Everybody knows that Bill Clinton is the most gifted politician in the history of US politics. Why he's just brilliant."

Everyone knows that Xlinton is the most naturally gifted LIAR among our presidents.


31 posted on 11/08/2004 2:03:14 PM PST by XBob (Free-traitors steal our jobs for their profit.)
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To: sarasotarepublican

This needs to be archived before CNN figures out what they posted and erases it forever.


32 posted on 11/08/2004 2:05:39 PM PST by I'm ALL Right! (Savor...)
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To: sarasotarepublican

read later


33 posted on 11/08/2004 2:07:13 PM PST by lilmsdangrus
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To: I'm ALL Right!
What would W's final tally have been had he received 80% positive coverage from the MSM for just the last 60 days of the election cycle... or six months? George Bush overcame a well funded and organized effort that was clearly four full years in planning. Dems were united by the "anybody but Bush" war-cry. Dracula could have won the nomination with six million bucks at the Iowa caucus.
G.W. Bush has surpassed obstacles never seen in any national political contest. WITH A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD HE COULD BEAT ANY CONCEIVABLE CONTENDER.
34 posted on 11/08/2004 2:20:05 PM PST by hford02 (I have to go rig my quota of black boxes for the 2006 midterms.)
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To: sarasotarepublican

WoW!

They actually said he was smart!


35 posted on 11/08/2004 2:22:14 PM PST by najida (Liberals: Clueless, arrogant, elitist snobs.... Their mama's didn't raise'em right.)
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To: Free_at_last_-2001
Mr Bush has become an act of GOD.
He is doing right by following GODs word.
The Left can ponder (what is President Bushes secret) but
they will never understand.
36 posted on 11/08/2004 2:24:43 PM PST by DaveTesla (You can fool some of the people some of the time......)
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To: sarasotarepublican

Damn... I liked it better when CNN was calling him a moron ALL while stumping for Al Gump... I don't like CNN becomeing normal... I liked them irrelevant..

\


37 posted on 11/08/2004 2:25:30 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to included some fully orbed hyperbole....)
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To: only1percent

"Bill Clinton IS a more gifted a politician than George Bush."

I'll take the other side.

Clinton did whatever he did, with the left-biased media on his side.

Bush did what he has done, with the left-biased media against him.

Bush climbed the higher mountain. I just heard that in the final weeks, Kerry had 70% favorable stories in the old media, whilst Bush had 70% unfavorable. Higher mountain.

I credit Clinton with being a very smart political operative. And results are proving Bush belongs in the same category.

On style, Clinton's flambouyance is newsworthy, while Bush's low profile are not.

Yet the American voters showed 6 days ago that they value the conservative, quiet, direct approach to life and war and policy.


38 posted on 11/08/2004 2:31:26 PM PST by truth_seeker
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To: elizabetty

Very well put!


39 posted on 11/08/2004 2:47:56 PM PST by STARWISE (America has spoken- what part of Bush won AGAIN don't they get? Pray for the troops)
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To: only1percent

Scratch Clinton and what you get is pure politican; Bush is a leader.


40 posted on 11/08/2004 2:53:00 PM PST by STARWISE (America has spoken- what part of Bush won AGAIN don't they get? Pray for the troops)
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