Seems like all political threads head for the pit at some point, so let’s just start here.
I voted for Mr. Bush, and I’m happy he’s won (winning, techically I guess). And of course I’m happy for other Republican gains.
I really hope the next term can be more inclusive. I don’t expect many on the far left (and you know who you are) will be happy no matter what he does. But I hope we can get a little closer to the center, and find common ground for all.
Inclusive as in how? Bush reaches out to the 49% percent of Americans that don’t support him, or the 49% of Americans that don’t support him fall in step behind him no matter what he does? Or both?
Do you honestly think that Bush has any interest in governing from the center? Has he shown any sign of inclusion of all citizens?
It seems to me that the door is open for the far right to reshape the country to marginalize everyone left of Cheney.
Its not that easy to predict; anything can happen.
Who knows?
The NY Times is running a story on how Bush is likely to perceive this win as a “mandate.” I hope I’m wrong, but I think the next four years are going to be remembered darkly.
Bill, put down the fucking crackpipe.
Inclusive? Hardly. As Bush advances his far-right agenda, and the Conservative Christians gain more power, this may push the moderate Republicans over to the Democratic side. Maybe John McCain?
Bush did make a good effort at trying to work with both sides. In the beginning of his presidency he tried to make good on his “uniter, not a divider” promise by working with Kennedy on the no child left behind act. However, it blew up in his face. Kennedy regularly makes over the top accusations against Bush and villifies him.
Bush would be well served to simply ignore those on the left who are going to hate him no matter what he does. He should push his agenda through without even giving the left a seat at the table.
Just out of curiosity, why did you vote for Bush Bill H?
He stated his reasons in this thread.
Are you serious? 
I hope I get a magical pony.
Daniel
I agree that the next four years should be more inclusive.
Therefore, I’m calling on the Democratic Party to abandon certain positions the American public does not want, and work with the Republicans on matters that concern all Americans.
If you want more inclusion, wou have to be more inclusive yourself. Otherwise, you will be marginalized, like you are now.
The Democratic Party went from America’s majority party to this sorry state in only a generation. They can turn themselves around again if they want to. But they have to work at it.
Why bother? Let’s jump to the goal that the Pubs really want–a one-party state with Bush as president for life.
…and just think about what rightwingers the Democratic party was, back when we were in control. That crazy JFK, what a John Bircher he was!
Strangely, Republicans always seem to want the Democratic party to go more to the right. Strangely, it just sdoesn’t seem to get us elected.
Many apologies if I take your advice with a grain of salt.
Daniel
I supported Bush 100% after 9/11, and after he decided to attack Afghanistan.
As of right now, I support him 0% (if you really need to ask “How?” then clearly this is your first time ever being in a political thread).
I really don’t see there being any way of him gaining back my trust. But then again, I would LOVE for Bush to prove me wrong.
<shaking head>
I don’t even have words for the stupidity in this post.
This would be a good idea – except that “the American public” is quite badly fractured. There is quite literally no consensus opinion on a lot of controversial issues.
And as long as Mr. Rove’s strongly partisan governance policies are in place, that’s just where things will stay – unless the paranoid pipedreams of some of the more extreme Lefties actually have some validity, and a forcible or coerced standard of opinion in public utterance is put in place.
Alternatively, the Republican party went from >500 electoral votes with Reagan to two near-landslide losses followed by two <300 EV squeakers in less than a generation. Following on from your other comments, Mr. Moto, I fully expect the GOP party to “work with” the Dems on, say, federal funding of stem-cell research, which polls suggest a majority of Americans support. Bipartisanship takes both sides, you know.
Bill, I like your style, and I think you’re an honest guy. But it’s going to take both sides to bridge the growing polarity in America. I just don’t see the GOPs doing it for the next four years, and, if they don’t, it really doesn’t whether the Dems do or not. Lame-duck presidents have no historical reason to move towards the center.
You’re right. And the way to do this is to actually stand up to the Republicans and differentiate themselves intelligently. To define themselves and their goals, rather than let the Republicans do it for them.
I know, I know - it’s the right-wing dream to watch the left-wing give up and decide to march into lock step behind them, thus securing their hold forever. But it’s not going to happen.
The country is basically split 50/50.