# What's the worst thing that could happen if Bush/Kerry is elected? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 23, 2004, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050 "2004-08-23T04:50:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Logan84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Logan84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Logan84)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/1 "2004-08-23T04:50:54Z")
For Democrats the worst thing that could happen in the upcoming election is if Bush is elected again. What’s the worst that he could do? For Republicans the worst thing that could happen in the upcoming election is if Kerry is elected. What’s the worst that he could do? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/2 "2004-08-23T04:58:01Z")
> [@Logan84](#): > > For Democrats the worst thing that could happen in the upcoming election is if Bush is elected again. What’s the worst that he could do? Any of the following, I’m not sure which I would count as the worst: appoint a conservative Supreme Court justice or two and set the stage (if not it doesn’t actually happen in his term) for _Roe v. Wade_ to be overturned; start another war; continue with a foreign policy that will breed terrorists and isolate America. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/3 "2004-08-23T05:00:51Z")
> [@Logan84](#): > > For Democrats the worst thing that could happen in the upcoming election is if Bush is elected again. What’s the worst that he could do? I think that the long-term consequences could be the most severe: destabilization in the Middle East combined with the rise of new extremist regimes, leading to more conflicts in the future. He could also work to further weaken environmental standards, and he could continue to stand in the way of scientific progress because of his religious beliefs, all of which have consequences for our decendants. In the short term, he might work on chiseling away at reproductive rights, and other civil librities. He could propose an ammendment to ban gay marriage (though I’m not really afraid that it might pass). There are other issues to which he could exert political pressure: medical malpractice, arctic drilling, logging in national parks, and clubbing baby seals (just kidding.) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/4 "2004-08-23T05:06:27Z")
I expect that, if elected, Bush will concoct a convincing excuse to invade Iran. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/5 "2004-08-23T05:23:22Z")
Picture the current Bush administration minus any restraints imposed by re-election concerns; one whose only concerns are to enact as many long-term policies as possible to entrench their legacy. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/6 "2004-08-23T05:30:51Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Picture the current Bush administration minus any restraints imposed by re-election concerns; one whose only concerns are to enact as many long-term policies as possible to entrench their legacy. Re-read the OP: He wants to know what is the _worst_ that could happen, not the best-case scenario! ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/7 "2004-08-23T05:59:21Z")
The word Armageddon in the Middle East keeps coming to my mind if Bush stays in power. If Kerry gets elected…same thing but here as well. ---
**Author:** ![Gest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@Gest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gest)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/8 "2004-08-23T06:34:08Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Picture the current Bush administration minus any restraints imposed by re-election concerns; one whose only concerns are to enact as many long-term policies as possible to entrench their legacy. Isn’t the general consensus among everybody other than Bush supporters is that he’s a puppet? Sure, Bush mightn’t feel so constrained once he’s into his second term but the people who have _really_ brought us to the miserable situation we have today will still be looking out for their own interests and agendas. Ashcroft, Cheney, Rumsfeld et al. Are we to believe that if they’ve reined in their activities, it was at the behest of Bush? ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/9 "2004-08-23T06:48:02Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > I expect that, if elected, Bush will concoct a convincing excuse to invade Iran. And this would be bad because?.. 😃😉 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/10 "2004-08-23T07:00:36Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > Re-read the OP: He wants to know what is the worst that could happen, not the best-case scenario! Unintentional or not, that may be the darkest post we see all thread. ---
**Author:** ![Gest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@Gest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gest)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/11 "2004-08-23T07:05:51Z")
Squink’s scenario is more specific and way darker. I can imagine it happening though. ---
**Author:** ![Gest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@Gest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gest)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/12 "2004-08-23T07:06:56Z")
… except it won’t be anymore convincing than his other excuses. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/13 "2004-08-23T07:07:35Z")
> [@Logan84](#): > > For Democrats the worst thing that could happen in the upcoming election is if Bush is elected again. What’s the worst that he could do? Help the Republicans maintain control of both houses of Congress. > [@](#): > > For Republicans the worst thing that could happen in the upcoming election is if Kerry is elected. What’s the worst that he could do? Help the Democracts gain control of both houses of Congress. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/14 "2004-08-23T07:08:29Z")
> [@Gest](#): > > … except it won’t be anymore convincing than his other excuses. I think recent history shows that said excuse would only have to be convincing enough to get the armed forces over there. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/15 "2004-08-23T07:13:19Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Unintentional or not, that may be the darkest post we see all thread. Sad but true ☹ I might prefer the Armageddon thing. Perhaps he could get the term limits for the presidency removed…no they’re getting Arnold prepped for POTUS soon as they get rid of the immigration restrictions. Worse thing Bush could do with four more years in the Whitehouse. How about pave the way for the Terminator to get elected…Sig Heil on that. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2004, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/16 "2004-08-23T12:19:17Z")
1- A completely unrestrained raid on the US Treasury. If you think the deficits are bad now, wait until Bush’s backers collect their IOUs from the Treasury. 2- Appointment of radical right justices to the Supreme Court and the overturning of Roe v Wade. 3- More wars under the guise of The War on Terror 4- Further alienation of our allies and withdrawal from the UN 5- Gutting of any and all environmental regulations 6- Suspension of civil liberties in the name of fighting terrorism and institution of martial law 7- Cheney has heart attack and dies, Bush nominates Rush Limbaugh for VP slot ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/17 "2004-08-23T12:22:11Z")
> [@Gest](#): > > Isn’t the general consensus among everybody other than Bush supporters is that he’s a puppet? Sure, Bush mightn’t feel so constrained once he’s into his second term but the people who have _really_ brought us to the miserable situation we have today will still be looking out for their own interests and agendas. Ashcroft, Cheney, Rumsfeld et al. Are we to believe that if they’ve reined in their activities, it was at the behest of Bush? It wasn’t at the behest of Bush. Any restraint they showed was simply because they also wanted another four years. I imagine it’s easier to get more of lasting impact done in eight years than it is in four. As for war in Iran, I think that’s as hard to swallow as the Anti gay marraige amendment. Not many people in congress are likely to vote for something like that after the way Iraq has blown up in their faces. International support will be even harder to come by. As for the op… > [@](#): > > For Democrats the worst thing that could happen in the upcoming election is if Bush is elected again. What’s the worst that he could do? Appoint conserative judges to the supreme court, continued deficit building, continued environmental and scientific ignorance. I’m also not too thrilled about paving the way to get Arnold into the white house. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/18 "2004-08-23T14:04:06Z")
Kerry starts agreeing to terrorist demands. Bush gets Roe vs. Wade overturned. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/19 "2004-08-23T14:57:43Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > Bush gets Roe vs. Wade overturned. Since this seems to be a common fear, let’s not forget that overturning Roe v Wade would \*\*\*not \*\* \* outlaw abortions, but only return the matter to the states to decide. I suppose a few states might outlaw abortions, but most would keep the status quo. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050/20 "2004-08-23T15:07:24Z")
True, but a lot of us pro-choicers don’t want to see a woman’s right to choose restricted by her state of residence. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-if-bush-kerry-is-elected/261050.md?page=2)