Defining Moment - A stunning and decisive election, fitting for our times

November 5, 2002 deserves its place alongside September 11, 2001 as a defining moment in George W. Bush's presidency — and our nation's history. The election results are stunning and decisive, suggesting that this country embraces this president and his agenda.

GOP governors in Democratic states: Republicans were elected governors Tuesday night in many places not normally associated with the GOP: Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Hawaii, suggesting a geographic breadth of success for the president. Even the "blue states" that supported Gore in 2000 are blushing Bush red.

The Democrats have a woman problem: The last gasp of hot air was emitted from the decades-long rant about 1992's "Year of the Woman." Female candidates up and down the Democratic ticket who super-glued themselves to feminist favorites "choice" and "gun control" were sent packing. Among the highlights: Jean Carnahan and Jeanne Shaheen (U.S. Senate), Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Shannon O'Brien (governor), and Karen Thurman and Katrina Swett (U.S. House). Candidates endorsed by the pro-abortion PAC EMILY's List continued their disastrous record from the primaries.

Sympathy should not be confused with support: The three U.S. Senate candidates whose "personal story" was thought to help them secure reelection (Missouri, Minnesota, and Georgia) did not cross the finish line. Issues matter; identity politics is passé'.

Free at last: Judicial nominees take to the court: The 17 people who the president has nominated to the U.S. Circuit Courts can get fitted for their robes. Now former-Chairman Leahy will be forced to surrender his gavel and abandon his obstinance, paving the way for timely hearings and full-Senate votes.

Private accounts for Social Security: Too many candidates shied away from this winning issue, but some who embraced it, like Elizabeth Dole and John Sununu, provide a mini-model on how to talk sense about Social Security without losing support among those who now literally get it (seniors), and voters who examine the numbers and "get it" (young folks, many of whom are investors).

Terry McAuliffe must go: The Democratic party that promoted to the presidency a peanut farmer from Georgia and a Boy from Hope seems adrift in the hands of an overnight Global Crossing millionaire who spends more time on the golf course than in soup kitchens. His pre-election public statements and allocation of resources seemed wildly misplaced. And how.

And now for the good news. We wanted this one so bad, and many of us are depressed, shocked and hurt. The gloating of talking heads and Freepers certainly won't help things, but let's keep things in perspective. We really haven't lost anything! Things remain status quo - as they were before Jeffords defected. Even after his defection, there was no way to really stop Bush's agenda as several "Democrats" a la Zell Miller in Georgia were going along with him anyway. Even the Dems who should have had stronger backbones ended up capitulating on Iraq and the tax cuts - Thanks Tom and Dick and Joe. But now is NOT the time to point fingers and backstab, and lay blame. We do need to let the leadership know that they cannot continue appeasing this Administration. They do not know the concept of compromise - give them an inch and they take a mile. Before everyone starts crying about being time to go Green, remember the biggest stakes are in 2004. We need loyalty, organization and support more now than ever. If anything, this should serve as an inspiration to us! Think about it, an unelected Moron with a tanking economy and a far-right agenda made history by winnning his first midterm for his party. If he can do it...

Also, it does no use to claim voter fraud occurred. Not that I think it didn't happen, but without substantial proof, it will taint the one that we do know occurred, 2000.

The good news is that no more "it's all Bill Clinton's fault". If things continue to go sour, as I am sure they will(growing deficits = worse economy), they will only have themselves to blame. If the Democratic Leadership, learns from 2002, they will be in position to actually take advantage of this situation for 2004.

As for me, I will be more of a lurker here for awhile. I will not be watching the News as much. I invested far too much emotion into this election. I am going to continue to better myself in Work and my education - no one can take that away from me. And spend more quality time with my family.

We are good, proud, intelligent folks who stand for what's right, and stand up for the little guy. As long as you are committed to these types of values, as an individual, and hold them dear and true - the success of the idiotic and the corrupt can never truly hurt you. Be strong and true to yourselves and each other.

One point you make that everyone should read and think about. Rainbowreflect Nov-06-02 1
Please LuminousX 11/06/2002 2
I'll do ya one further Jinx Nov-06-02 3

Rainbowreflect (684 posts)
Nov-06-02, 03:21 PM (ET)
1. One point you make that everyone should read and think about.
"it does no use to claim voter fraud occurred. Not that I don't think it didn't happen, but without substantial proof, it will taint the one that we do know occurred, 2000."
If anyone wants to search for facts to show there was fraud great. But without proof it will make people even less likely to believe what we know happened in 2000.

LuminousX (554 posts)
Nov-06-02, 03:32 PM (ET)
Reply to post #1
2. Please
Can we please reiterate this over and over and over. Find the proof first before making the accusations. I'm not saying this was a clean election, I'm just saying we know what happened in 2000, we can't water it down by shouting 'fraud' at every Republican victory.

Jinx (139 posts)
Nov-06-02, 03:42 PM (ET)
3. I'll do ya one further
I think if Jefford's hadn't defected, and we hadn't gained control of the senate, that we probably would have won more in this election. Because it allowed republicans to paint us as stumbling blocks.
Completely republican control of the government for the next 2 years might be a good thing. They will have no one to blame but themselves for the screw-ups that result. They're already talking about expanding the tax cuts. That deficit isn't going to get any smaller.

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