Rick's Cafe Americain

I’m not happy about it, and I can’t say I understand it, but it is a fact: a clear majority of American voters want Bush re-elected.  I didn’t want Gore to concede in 2000, but I do think Kerry should concede now.  Like it or not, the people have spoken.

But, but what about Indiana and Kentucky?

I am so depressed.

Yes, I know this is difficult, but there are reasons why this is the result.

Many people voted out of fear.  Kerry and the Democrats did a very poor job of overcoming the decades old canard of “Democrats are soft on defense.”

Many people voted out of a desire for revenge for 9/11.  Those people were always lost to the Democrats.

Some vanishingly few numbers voted on social issues.  Those voted based up what they saw as the “moral fiber” of the candidate.  I do not believe a Senator can ever be elected to the office of President in this day and age.  There are far too many compromises required to be a legislator that do not play well with the sound-bite influenced electorate.

The world hasn’t ended.  It is only four years, and in two years the entire House of Representatives is up for election again.  Time to move on, examine both the essential priorities and what is best for the country, and try our best to move in that direction.

I should note, for what it is worth, that the “mandate” Bush received yesterday represents the support of less than 30% of voting age citizens in this country.

Not trying to be a jerk (really, I am on your side), but that was still more of a mandate than Clinton (or any other president in over 12 years, maybe longer) ever received.

We need to be realistic, cold-headed, and clear-eyed.

Bush and the Republicans in Congress will see this as the biggest mandate in over a decade, because it is, and they will run with it.

As I said, time to examine the essential priorites and what is best for the country, and move in that direction.

As I said, “for what it is worth”.  I just find it stunning that more people chose not to vote than chose to vote for either candidate.

this election was out of fear, but it was not fear of terrorism. 36% said the most important issue was morals, and they voted overwhelmingly for bush. there is a culture war going on, and the christian fundamentalist are winning it. i wouldn’t be suprised if in the next 4 years they banned abortion, reinstituted the anti sodomy laws (or banned gays outright), and did other things. all it takes is 2 supreme court appointments, and the “will of the people”.