I’m still trying to figure out how Bush won the election. When more voters turn out, traditionally it is in the favor of Democrats. But this time it turned in favor of the Republicans. Those in the heartland voted for Bush, while those in big urban areas went for Kerry. I’m being told it was the religious right which helped win it for Bush.
Like I said before, Kerry supporters must be more vocal. While the Republicans, except for Foxnews and talk radio, are more silent. The rest of the world hates Bush mostly, but Mr. and Mrs. America (think “American Gothic” Painting) like him. What was this election about? The war in Iraq? Family Values? Kerry’s flip flops? The war on terrorism? The economy? I’m not even sure myself. I didn’t watch the debates, I don’t really pay attention to mainstream news. I refuse to watch Fox News because it is so biased.
Was it really about family values? Were churches across the country subtly telling their members who to vote for by preaching pre-election sermons on moral political issues? Is this a trend among the electorate? Are the very things that the Democrats support killing their party support among middle America? I remember the first issue Clinton took on when he took office was lifting the ban on gays in the military. I didn’t understand this because I felt there were more pressing issues when should be addressed. Likewise this killed any support he wanted to achieve among mainstream Americans.
Was it about the war in Iraq? I thought it was. I’m sick of the war. It shouldn’t have happened. It was a bad idea, yet I do feel that Saddam was a bad man and needed to be detained somehow. Invading another country without global support sets a bad precidence. No wonder the world hates us. And it is a quagmire which we might not be able to get out of easily. I support our troops, but I’m not so sure this war is jusitified.
Bush may not be perfect, but he did what I felt was impossible. Gain re-election.