I really think Bush is going to win this one. The Dems got NO bounce in the polls following the convention. Let's see if the Repugs do. If neither party gets a bump, it shows we really all had our minds made up.

This is an election that is neck-and-neck, and the BEST Kerry can do is hold onto that and not lose it before election. One real problem with the Dem platform is that the argument against Bush is basically based on what he has <u>failed</u> to do. Well, Bush now has (1) the list of charges/failures against/by him and (2) 90 days to knock some items off the list and knock the wind outta their sails.

In the coming 90 days arguments Bush has failed to balance the budget will be met with projections for budget surpluses next year. Arguments he didn't work with other nations will be met with a broader effort to incorporate other nations into Iraq and the War on Terror. Arguments he is bad for the environment will be met with new news on the fuel-cell cars, arguments about reducing mercury emissions through "clear skies" (come to me for a thorough debunking of those, if you like). Etc., Etc.

If you are inclined to want Kerry in the WH rather than Bush, you are in for a rough road. You are facing a neck-and-neck race and you are backing for a candidate from the party that traditionally won't put down the bong or the 40-oz. long enough to get off the couch and go vote. This election will come down to 50%+ determined by voter turn out, and Repugs do that better than dems. 100% of the time.

I'm going to vote for Badnarik...

The thing about Kerry is, I wouldn't know who or what the hell I'm voting for. The only reason he's even half as popular as he is is by virtue of the fact that he isn't Bush. If he were Adolph Hitler, so long as he wasn't Bush, people would vote for him.

I won't vote for Bush as the guy is either nuts, under the control of strongmen, or kowtowing to special interests. He may have shown some moral courage (or some of his staff's moral courage) in deciding to depose Saddam, but I doubt he made the decision in a manner that could be construed as independent thought.

I expect no better from Kerry, except he'll kowtow to my enemies, and those who favor authoritarianism, so I won't vote for him either. Besides, unlike the noncomittal Bush, he's rabidly anti-gun, and in favor of making the bullshit laws even worse.

Being FOR the ban on "assault weapons" is NOT the same as being anti-gun. It is simply taking the position that hunting rifles, pistols, and shotguns are fine, but rifles that look like military hardware (even though the don't fire full-auto) are taboo. I'm not saying I agree, I'm just saying that the Brady Bill did not take away most, or even many, of a "no rules" 2nd Amendment right situation. Personally, I prefer the look of an FN-FAL or the feel of a Steyr-AUG, even though there are a lotta hunting rifltes that can outdo them in power and damage. But, I won't let that minor issue put me off regarding a candidate.

Anyone who really wants Bush out should note that a vote for a third party IS in effect a vote for Bush. Ralph Nader's "A vote for Nader is a vote for Nader" is utter bullcrap -- a vote for Nader is choosing to make a statement rather than make a change.

I'd vote vote for anyone for but Bush. Economically he's: run the biggest defciet in history , lost 1.2 million jobs, given huge tax breaks to the wealthy and his coperate cronies, lost many jobs oversees. Foreignly he's: alienated most of America's allies, mislead the country about Iraq and has (arguably) made America no less safer than before 9/11. I could on and on about why I strongly dislike the man, but you get the point.

My vote goes to Kerry, not because I thinks he's the best candidate, it's because I have some respect for him and he's the only other person who has a chance to be president.

I acually think that there should be more than just 2 major parties (Democrats and Republicans) in the United States. Sure, there's some other minor parties like the Libertarians and Greens, but they don't have any chance of coming into power and their percntage of the vote is usually less than 1%. Just my my thoughts.

[ 08-01-2004, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: Gab ]

That's what I like about Kerry :D . To me those "bullshit laws" are needed to make the country better and reduce violent deaths.

It *would* be nice if we could have a 3rd and possibly 4th party with some real power develop. Our current situation forces us to choose between the least evil of 2 big business shill parties. But, their oligopoly on politics is iron, and until we JOIN THE REVOLUTION and overthrow our gummint again, I don't see a change. It is one of those issues where European countries outdo us.

The latest Gallup poll(Saturday) shows Bush with 50% and Kerry 46%. That is an actual loss for Kerry. The first time in over 30 years that a presidential candidate didn't get a bounce after their party's convention.

I think you are right Timber; I don't expect a bounce after the RNC either.

Your generalisations and mislabelling suggest the contrary

Your frequent attacks and persistent derisions suggest the contrary.

NB: Mouse. This is a political discussion. Religion has become a factor in the presidential race. Kerry brought it up in his speech in Boston. Are we able to discuss the presidential campaigns here or not. The "religious right" in America has a huge voting bloc which heavily influences the election. Many of faith are completely put off by Edwards advocacy of partiqal birth abortions for example, and yet also the Republicans lack of social support. (Health care) It can become "the lesser of two evils". Voting against the democrats because killing babies is considered worse than denying the poor proper health care.

The latest Gallup poll(Saturday) shows Bush with 50% and Kerry 46%. That is an actual loss for Kerry. The first time in over 30 years that a presidential candidate didn't get a bounce after their party's convention.

I think you are right Timber; I don't expect a bounce after the RNC either. </font>[/QUOTE]Which poll did you see, Ronn? In the latest poll I saw both Bush and Kerry were tied 48% each. I belive that there wasn't a bounce because of the very low percentage of undecided voters.

[ 08-03-2004, 08:17 AM: Message edited by: Gab ]

Let's not haggle over trivialities -- all these polls have a 3 to 3.5% margin of error, so let's not get our panties in a bunch over minor inconsistencies.