True about Bill Clinton, but even with all of Kerry's shortcomings he barely lost. My point was that the war of terrorism won the election for Bush because it was such a big issue.
To be honest, I didn't plan on voting for Bush again a year or so before the election. I was fed up with empty promises on immigration and gov't reduction and his love for big expansion of government programs like No Child Left Behind and the prescription bill. I was also upset about how Bush caved on the TSA unionization.
Its true that a democratic president would have done even worse, but at least we could hold that against him and try to vote him out. I believe that Bush spent his entire term buying votes.
I did end up voting for Bush though and not halfheartedly. The war on terrorism was just too important. Bush kind of understands the WOT but the democrats are on a different planet with their approach.
Sadly, after today's interview where Bush said that he made a mistake in talking tough and promised to be more diplomatic, I wonder if we really gained anything. He seems to be devoting his new term to fulfilling Kerry's campaign promises.
There is a huge contingent that vote GOP because they want a smaller intrusive gov't, respect for property rights, an embracement of capitalism over socialism and a strong defense coupled with a foreign policy that emphasizes American interests and sovereignty. This contingent couldn't really care any less about moral issues.
Its this huge contingent that reelected Bush. Family values and moral values had nothing to do it.