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Originally posted by cougar23 I am curious to see, even though it is premature, whether everyone thinks Bush will get reelected or not. Keep in mind, this is what you think will happen, not what you want to happen.

alright, i will take a shot.

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Originally posted by cougar23 Will the rift between the conservatives become too much?

no, i think the PNAC will hold together.

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Originally posted by cougar23 Will another International Crisis be drummed up into another "Don't be unpatriotic, support the president" routine?

most likely.

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Originally posted by cougar23 Will Bush's tax cuts stimulate the economy enough?

only the very rich of course, this will stimulate the economy. but the average american who get's little to nothing of the tax cut will still be unsatisfied with the economy, even though the big banks, technology companies, weapons contractors etc will be making money, and the US dollar will probably strengthen. Therefore, i don't think he is likely to vote for bush unless he is making over $100,000 a year.

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Originally posted by cougar23 Will the increased threat of US intervention bring about successful change in the Middle East and North Korea?

define successful. successful for the PNAC, bush and his oil buddies, and McDonnell Douglas? yes. Successful for the people of the middle east and North Korea? no.

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Originally posted by cougar23 Will the patriot act prove to be too unconstitutional?

probably. but so is the RAVE act. so is the first patriot act. so is the DCMA. So is the entire Homeland Security Department.

but i don't think that makes a difference, it will become law anyway.

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Originally posted by cougar23 Will the droves of sheep hearded by Fox News and the likes become too numerous to defeat Bush?

possibly.

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Originally posted by cougar23 Will the vote even matter this time?

I'm not sure. He barely one it last time. and this time, he's made a fool of himself. then again, a large number of americans are happy to see people in turbans being blown up, so he might do well. Maybe he will pull a saddamn and just declare that he got 100% of the votes and dare anyone to challenge him.

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- My prediction .. tan tan tan tan .. Mmm NOOOO! ( I HOPE SO TOO )
We can see the signs today, as a representative for the Republican party sent out "memos" to all the Republican leaders, governors and representatives, to be cautious, as he forsees the acceptance of Bush which as currently at the high 60% and low 70% to drop considerably.
And, I think there's alot more involved in between.

He's not getting my vote. At no time during his term has he shown me that he is a worthy leader.

Well, for a fact I would not vote for him again.

It is possible that he could get re-elected, but only if he doesn't follow the mistake his father did 12 years ago. His father was very popular after the Gulf War, yet he lost the 1992 election due to his lack of work on the economy and environment.

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Originally posted by cougar23 I am curious to see, even though it is premature, whether everyone thinks Bush will get reelected or not. Keep in mind, this is what you think will happen, not what you want to happen.

I expect him to get reelected at this point. His approval rating is high, and the slate of democratic challengers appears weak at this juncture.

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Will the rift between the conservatives become too much?

No. Conservaties, more so than liberals, have the uncanny ability to ignore the obvious and simply declare faith in an individual, such as Bush. That's what I'm observing right now.

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Will another International Crisis be drummed up into another "Don't be unpatriotic, support the president" routine?

I wouldn't be surprised. Alternately, this current one may simply be extended.

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Will Bush's tax cuts stimulate the economy enough?

Not unless he takes a harder stance on corporate fraud. Investor confidence is as low as it's been since the depression, and no amount of tax cuts is going to change that.

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Will the increased threat of US intervention bring about successful change in the Middle East and North Korea?

Unlikely. The administration has already shown their lack of a clear and coherent post war plan in Iraq, and the results are potentially disastrous. I have no reason to believe they would do better elsewhere.

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Will the patriot act prove to be too unconstitutional?

There's no question it's too unconstitutional. The question is whether a corrupt supreme court will choose to recognize that obvious fact.

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Will the droves of sheep hearded by Fox News and the likes become too numerous to defeat Bush?

This problem isn't new, the road to the presidency has always been demagoguery.

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Will the vote even matter this time?

The vote will matter as to who gets to be the figurehead of the demopublican party, but it will have minimal effect on actual policy.

I think he will but I dont think he should.

I guess it's not fair for me not to answer these questions, so here goes:

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Originally posted by cougar23 Will the rift between the conservatives become too much?

I think there is some chance of this happening, although not as dramatically as I would like it to be. The stakes are very high right now, as we are virtually unopposed economically and militarily. Control over this country in the next election will be VERY competitive. Traditional conservatives, however, supported Bush in the first election, given his tame rhetoric on the Middle East and his suggestions that America's days of international meddling were waning. I know a handful of conservatives that are furious at Bush for the way his administration has acted over this war. If the economy doesn't pick up soon (which I don't think it will), I think it can only widen this rift, thus endangering Bush's reelection.

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Will another International Crisis be drummed up into another "Don't be unpatriotic, support the president" routine?

This could be politically risky. The US is already treading on thin diplomatic ice with many countries that we should be allies with. However, this will surely not dissuade the PNAC from trying. Another "conflict" under false pretenses may just rip the thin threads of diplomacy we have holding things together. The American public is very sensitive to the issue of being "liked." They were willing to put up with it for Iraq, as we have had years and years of anti-Saddam propaganda pumped into us, but without that strong propaganda base, a conflict with anyone but North Korea could be widely unpopular. And North Korea is VERY risky.

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Will Bush's tax cuts stimulate the economy enough?

Will monkey's fly out of my butt while riding on a flying pig right after a snowball fight in hell?

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Will the increased threat of US intervention bring about successful change in the Middle East and North Korea?

It is very unlikely. The threat of the US only angers people more, leaders and citizens alike. While this may drive anti-American rhetoric somewhat underground, it will only work to increase the hatred in foreign eyes.

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Will the patriot act prove to be too unconstitutional?

This one may hurt Bush the most. If it's one thing conservatives hate, it's the government interfering with their lives. If it's one thing Democrats hate, it's the government spying on them, trampling over the constitution and abusing its powers. This one is a lose/lose situation.

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Will the droves of sheep hearded by Fox News and the likes become too numerous to defeat Bush?

I hope not. If they do, there's always Canada!

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Will the vote even matter this time?

While the 2000 election was beyond questionnable, I think it raised alot of warning flags, and there are many more people looking out for the election fraud that occurred in 2000. This will not stop people from trying, but any shenanigans the Bush administration tries to pull this time will be heavily scrutinized.

Overall, I hope for the fairest, most democratic election yet. I am doubtful, however, that this will be the case.

I despise Bush, but I had to vote yes in the poll. There was a point where I had faith in the average American voter, and then, after everything was already going to hell, the republicans not only held onto seats, but gained them in the 2002 elections, giving Bush even more power...that election alone was enough to make me shake my head.

I'm not in the mood to go into a lengthy analysis that some on here have already conjured up, but I think it's enough to say that unless something amazing happens the republicans are going to be dictating national policy for some time to come. Their "You're with us or against the country" and similar tactics seem to have struck a chord with the average american for one reason or other...maybe Joe Six Pack will see the light in 2004 and shock me, but I'm definitely not holding my breath...

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Originally posted by CortexBomb I despise Bush, but I had to vote yes in the poll. There was a point where I had faith in the average American voter, and then, after everything was already going to hell, the republicans not only held onto seats, but gained them in the 2002 elections, giving Bush even more power...that election alone was enough to make me shake my head. I'm not in the mood to go into a lengthy analysis that some on here have already conjured up, but I think it's enough to say that unless something amazing happens the republicans are going to be dictating national policy for some time to come. Their "You're with us or against the country" and similar tactics seem to have struck a chord with the average american for one reason or other...maybe Joe Six Pack will see the light in 2004 and shock me, but I'm definitely not holding my breath...

Ah yes ... that's how I got through college, the stupidity of the masses shall render my grades superior . But seriously ... the average ANYBODY across the world are ultimately easily manipulated, simple minded idiots. It's one of the fears that I have about democracy ...

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Originally posted by occrider the average ANYBODY across the world are ultimately easily manipulated, simple minded idiots. It's one of the fears that I have about democracy ...

I concur. The worst part about it is, many people simply don't want to know, as it hurts their brain to think about it. The majority of my friends will often tell me to just shut up about something, and say the old, "It's good that you care, Johnny, but I just don't want to think about it" line.

Avoiding political realities is the single, most alarming threat to democracy today! But that's why I like this board. No matter what your views on here, at least everyone here has the courage and mental capacity to think about it. That's a step up from alot of people in this world...

If god exists, god should be president of the United States. He/She/It seems like He/She/It would be a just and prudent leader. In addition, god is someone/something that everyone can identify with or parish at a flick of god's fingers trying to oppose. In a state of panic, god won't get flustered. Chances are, god knows what to do and what the outcome will be. Also, god has an amazing personality and good looks. Foreign officials would just immediately fall under his/her/it's graces. Ladies and Gentlemen of the US, I propose to you my canidate for the 2004 presidential election, God.

PS- I hope separation of church and state won't be an issue brought up in the debates because I think I have the right person/thing for the job.