# Revisited 3.5 years later. Bush: Uniter or Divider **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 7, 2004, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007 "2004-07-07T20:59:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/1 "2004-07-07T20:59:39Z")
Three and a half years ago a debate was started by **Jorge** about a motto that Bush was standing on, that he was a [uniter and not a divider.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=56417&highlight=bush+divider+uniter). Here’s one mention of Bush saying that from [Salon.com](http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/05/06/bush/index1.html) > [@](#): > > Second, I showed the people of Texas that I’m a uniter, not a divider. I refuse to play the politics of putting people into groups and pitting one group against another. From gay marriage, to military spending and tax cuts, to the war on Iraq, there seems to be a lot of issues that have kept him and a lot of the country divided. So, has Bush’s presidential term put him in the position of getting the moniker “Uniter”? ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/2 "2004-07-07T21:42:33Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > So, has Bush’s presidential term put him in the position of getting the moniker “Uniter”? I think it’s patently obvious that he has not. I’m just a young thing, but I’ve never seen both political parties so bitterly antagonistic-- Even Clinton didn’t inspire such hated and vitirol. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/3 "2004-07-07T21:46:45Z")
About the only thing he has united is the Democratic Party (and even a few disenchanted Republicans) in opposition to him [which is a feat deserving of some respect 😉]. Other than that, he has been a very divisive president. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/4 "2004-07-07T21:50:00Z")
I concur, he IS a divider. And I see plenty of conservatism from him and no compassion. Lots of lip service. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/5 "2004-07-07T22:10:33Z")
The country seems about as evenly divided as it was in 2000 (in that it is predicted to be a tight election, odds favorign Kerry slightly but increasingly) - but the sides are more “extreme” in their opposition to each other. I can’t really say “uniter” to that, now can I? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/6 "2004-07-07T22:12:59Z")
Just about the only way he could divide us up more thoroughly than he as so far would be to split us individually in half from skull to pelvic bones with a big ol’ axe. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/7 "2004-07-07T22:17:41Z")
This one’s a no-brainer. How apropos! ---
**Author:** ![MrFantsyPants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MrFantsyPants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFantsyPants)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/8 "2004-07-07T22:42:29Z")
divider. divider, divider, divider. You might be able to argue that Osama bin Laden is a uniter though, although good ole George undid that damage too. ---
**Author:** ![AZCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/97f17d/32.png) [@AZCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AZCowboy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/9 "2004-07-07T22:43:54Z")
If you were tasked with presenting the arguments that support the position that Bush is a uniter, what would you point to? > [@Mockingbird](#): > > And I see plenty of conservatism from him … Certainly not fiscal conservatism. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/10 "2004-07-07T22:54:25Z")
If you all will excuse my snarkiness… Osama did more to unite America than Bush. Bush took Osama’s work and destroyed it, though. :-/ ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/11 "2004-07-07T23:10:29Z")
He’s united those Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq… ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/12 "2004-07-07T23:15:39Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > He’s united those Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq… Only on the surface. They’re still shooting at each other as much as us - our media just doesn’t report that par because no Americans are dying. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/13 "2004-07-08T02:25:41Z")
He has united the Islamic world, he has united the Democrats, he has united Europe. As GWB might say, he’s a “unificator”. ---
**Author:** ![EsotericEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e274bd/32.png) [@EsotericEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EsotericEnigma)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/14 "2004-07-08T03:47:50Z")
> [@Zagadka](#): > > Only on the surface. They’re still shooting at each other as much as us - our media just doesn’t report that par because no Americans are dying. If our media isn’t reporting it, where are you getting that information from? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/15 "2004-07-08T04:00:29Z")
> [@EsotericEnigma](#): > > If our media isn’t reporting it, where are you getting that information from? You sort of have to look for it [in the nooks and crannies](http://www.juancole.com/2004_07_01_juancole_archive.html#108881713816777371). ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/16 "2004-07-08T05:22:58Z")
Well, he’s united most of the world in their opinion that he’s a complete tool-does that count? 😉 The whole “if you’re not with us, you’re against us and the terrorists will win and you are EVIL!” schtick isn’t helping either. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/17 "2004-07-08T05:45:23Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > You sort of have to look for it [in the nooks and crannies](http://www.juancole.com/2004_07_01_juancole_archive.html#108881713816777371). Right. Mr. Cole has my undying gratitude for his insightful analysis and reporting (biased though he may be at times). Riverbend, too. Lots of bloggers. Iraqi, Iranian, European, American. The news does get through, eventually. I also like Fark, for all of its baggage. I have a TotalFark account and it is a pretty decent way to catch little bits of news. It is also funny to see the partisan headlines, like the recent desperate scramble for WMD news. But mainly, you see some stories days before most people see them. If it is online, it is on Fark. So there you have it. The secrets of the ages. Bloggers and Fark. They’ll tell you everything you don’t want to know. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/18 "2004-07-08T06:10:46Z")
Bush is a divider par excellance. People have mentioned the **issues** that Bush has fostered (Iraq, etc.) that divide the country. But there’s also another BIG division that only seems to have gotten worse since 2000. Basically, the division between the hillbillies and the multiculturalists, the so-called Red and Blue areas. The hillbillies have a totally different vision of what America should be. Basically, they are the ignorant, anti-intellectual, Christian, conservative white people who would easily vote for GWB because he claims to believe in Jesus and stand up for “family values.” The hillbillies don’t want gay marriage, they don’t want “under God” taken out of the pledge, and who cares if the Pub are screwing them economically, cuz this other stuff is, like, _important_ you know?! Those are GWB’s people. They are only the audience he plays to. And, as GWB would say, “make no mistake”: these people really, really think Bush is great, a savior of our country and culture. My mom, an otherwise intelligent woman, speaks of GWB as a “great man,” etc. It’s truly Twilight Zone to hear her talk, so different are our realities when it comes to politics. There was a good article about this in [Salon](http://archive.salon.com/books/int/2004/06/28/tomfranks/) recently. At any rate, Kerry and Edwards **do** have something to offer the hillbillies: economic justice. The “two Americas” theme. We really ARE dividied in a crazy-quilt sort of way. GWB hasn’t helped matters at all. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/19 "2004-07-08T06:18:29Z")
Some sites for Iraq and defense specifically: [http://www.occupationwatch.org/](http://www.occupationwatch.org/) [http://www.g2mil.com/](http://www.g2mil.com/) [http://www.iags.org/](http://www.iags.org/) [http://www.d-n-i.net/](http://www.d-n-i.net/) Things like that. Better sources than CNN. :-p Also, the official government sites can be surprisingly informative, because they have to be. Juan Cole’s site I visit every day, though. Definitely the best site for info on Iraq. And of course [Riverbend](http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/), whose URL I forgot earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007/20 "2004-07-08T06:23:26Z")
Is it really possible to unite America, politically? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisited-3-5-years-later-bush-uniter-or-divider/254007.md?page=2)