IT'S OVER. Lessons learned ..... (my last election post, I promise) (1005 hits)
Category: Politics -> Election 2004Rating: 1.88 on 16 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Whew, it's over now ... why do I still feel Great Angst! (View user info) at 2004-11-03 12:23:08 EST
Sure I'm disappointed, but I am hardly surprised with the election results. I will not concede that the better candidate won, but certainly the *better equipped* candidate won.
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My takeaways from the election:
*BE LIKEABLE*
Our country has been leaning to the right for decades ... so how did Bill Clinton get elected twice? He was charismatic. People liked him.
When it comes to electing a president, Middle America wants someone who they feel comfortable with on a personal level. All those Southern and Midwestern "Red" states want someone who knows what Macaroni-and-Cheese-out-of-a-box tastes like.
If you get nominated by your party for the presidency, most voters (informed or not) will assume that you have the skills neccessary to lead the country. People then vote on personality. Intelligence, experience, speaking ability are great, but they are secondary to how the candidate makes you FEEL. In this election, Kerry was highly qualified ... but he wasn't likeable. People couldn't relate to him. George Bush made a lot of bad decisions, and he made most people wince when he speaks publicly, but millions found him the more charismatic choice.
*AMERICA KICKS ASS*
War rules, whether it's well-planned (or justified) or not. We started this nation fighting, and we've been doing ever since. Middle America doesn't want to sit around waiting for shit to happen, especially in a post-9/11 world. We want to take the offensive ... kick ass and ask questions later. George Bush did just that, and more than half of all Americans agreed with him. I can't even count the times I've heard people (in favor of the invasion of Iraq) say "well, at least Bush did SOMETHING!"
*SHUT THE FUCK UP*
Americans want a first lady like Jackie O ... or Nancy Reagan. Pretty dress, nice hair, soft-spoken, loyal wife and mother, and controversy-free. Personally, I loved Teresa Heinz Kerry .. but I like intelligent, outspoken women. Middle American didn't like her opinions, her extravagant wealth, and her foreign accent. I hate to say it, but tape her mouth up, dress her up in an apron and oven mitts, and send her on stage holding a casserole. That should have been the Kerry team's strategy for her.
*JESUS IS LORD*
I have long maintained that the evangelical vote with be the key to this election, and sure enough, it was. VALUES turned out to be the defining election issue for a lot of voters. In times of crisis, the average American turns to Christ ... and God knows we have had our share of crisis during George W. Bush's presidency. America is one of the most religious countries in the Western world (at least when it comes to religion influencing politics and government). The Republican party has done a masterful job of cornering the market on God. We Democrats keep preaching "God at home, not in government," and the GOP has cleverly recruited the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost as political advisors. If you want to reach Middle American voters, you need Jesus on your side.
*WOW, DEMOCRATS CAN GET ORGANIZED*
Although we failed in winning the election, the Democrats did actually come together as a cohesive unit this time round. We proved that Liberals can take time off from hugging trees and burning flags ... and wage a structured, effective campaign, with fund-raising and campaign-spending that can rival the GOP.
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Even with these lessons learned, I'm not sure how successful we (the Democrats) can be in the future. America appears to be moving even further to the right. Soon all three branches of the government will be dominated by conservatives. War will remain part of our culture. And Jesus just signed another 1,000 year lease.
At an election party last night, I heard several people say "Hillary 2008". Bullshit. Hillary is a brilliant woman, and she will thrive New York (and New England) politics. But she is not a viable presidential candidate in my opinion. Too many people dislike her ... much more so than Teresa Heinz Kerry.
My own political hope lies in Barack Obama, the newly elected senator for Illinois .. and the brightest star for the Democrats. He is intelligent, articulate, an excellent politician, and has shown tremendously sound (and mainstream) morals and family values. His keynote speech at the DNC blew me away. He -- in my opinion -- is the next best chance we have at taking back the White House. That said, c'mon now ... this IS America. I've in the South all my life, and I'm still not sure that the country will be ready for a President of color ... even in 2008. Or 2012.
It's going to be a long, painful road for us Democrats.
GO XANAX 2004 WOO!!
User Reviews
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-11-04 04:12:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i didn't read this because my vision is a bit blurry right now, but i just wanted to say i voted for Obama, so i'm giving this a +2.
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2004-11-04 03:57:35 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by lucid (user info) at 2004-11-03 14:30:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Now that we've completely compromised the ideals our founding fathers built this nation upon I invite each and every one of you to join hands with me as we spiral down the toilet bowl, too late to escape our fate in the overflowing sewer of the New American Democracy.
Why the people would not hold their leader accountable for his lies and deceit escaped me momentarily, but I recaptured my faith in the proven stupidity of this once great country as I watched the states changing color last night.
I want so much to rend those of you who accept the lies and deceit and ignore the truth of what's happening, but you are not worth the blood stains on a rusty knife. The only comfort I have now is that I will be able to tell you "I told you so" when we are stuffed into concentration camps to lick envelopes for George W. Bush's "King of the World" campaign.
You fucking monkey, maggot muther fuckers. You didn't rock the vote, it rocked you and you're too stupid to know it.
Un-fucking-real.
(ahh I feel better now)
Submitted by great_angst (user info) at 2004-11-03 14:11:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2004-11-03 13:03:04 (#)
Ranking: 2
That's funny. I mentioned very similar things and I get hammered. I guess it is okay to observe these trends, just not support them.
But don't lose heart. These things go in cycles. A Democrat will win in four years. It is a virtual lock. If Dean decided to run again, do you think Democrats would get behind him? I do.
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I wish you were right ... but Bush has made numerous mistakes and inflicted tremendous damage in this term, with no repercussions. Unless he finds a new more devastating way to fuck up, I think we're going to be under Republicans for a long time. Maybe John McCain can get the nomination in 2008 ... at least he is intelligent, and level-headed.
Submitted by ScoutCJustice (user info) at 2004-11-03 14:03:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Yup, that pretty much sums it up. If only we could turn Obama white and give him a name that is not one letter away from Osama, then we would be golden.
Submitted by Random Joe at 2004-11-03 13:06:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"
I do kind of like this Obama guy.
The fact that he wouldn't be elected President because of his race is just one small sign that the majority of America is selfish, ignorant, and gullible.
Of course, Nader is more qualified to be President than anyone who is currently a governor or in the House or Senate. "
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Yes but middle america seems to think otherwise, hicks rule (no pun intended)
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2004-11-03 13:03:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
That's funny. I mentioned very similar things and I get hammered. I guess it is okay to observe these trends, just not support them.
But don't lose heart. These things go in cycles. A Democrat will win in four years. It is a virtual lock. If Dean decided to run again, do you think Democrats would get behind him? I do.
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2004-11-03 13:00:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Nadar is a dipshit.
Submitted by Vermin (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:57:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I personally think Bush is going to fuck things up so badly in the next 4 years that the religious nutbars would vote for a gay arab next time around just to get the republicans out.
Watching the news should at least be entertaining with Bush in there however.
Submitted by Wiggles (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:50:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I do kind of like this Obama guy.
The fact that he wouldn't be elected President because of his race is just one small sign that the majority of America is selfish, ignorant, and gullible.
Of course, Nader is more qualified to be President than anyone who is currently a governor or in the House or Senate.
Submitted by great_angst (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:47:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:43:01 (#)
Ranking: 2
Exactly! Did you see the results on Gay marrige amendments, none of them were even close.
__________________
As soon as I saw the results of the Ohio marriage ammendment (early in the evening) .. I knew it was ALL OVER.
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:43:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Crudite (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:33:03 (#)
Ranking: 2
Of course you're right. But as far as a man of color in the White house?
Yea, that'll happen about the same time as a woman becoming President.
When pigs fly.
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Exactly! Did you see the results on Gay marrige amendments, none of them were even close.
Submitted by Helpertin <me.at.fake.com> at 2004-11-03 12:34:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I can't believe that a 218 billion surplus to 418 billioin deficit didn't motivate us materialistic americans to vote bush the hell out... this is a sad day for the entire world.
Submitted by Crudite (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:33:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Of course you're right. But as far as a man of color in the White house?
Yea, that'll happen about the same time as a woman becoming President.
When pigs fly.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:30:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
sorry, meant +2
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2004-11-03 12:30:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Very Good
You forgot:
BE AN IDIOT
Since most of the general population is idiots, they need someone to relate too. Make sure you fuck up your life doing coke and becoming an alcoholic. Don't worry, all you have to do is say: "Duh, I fucked up...sorry!" and the people will forgive you. Most idiots make simple mistakes right? Also, make sure to talk like some hillbilly Christian fuck, even though your brother (who you grew up with) can speak perfect english.
4 more years of having to listen to this guy is going to be torture.....