Almost Too True to be Funny

[softshoe]

http://www.batemania.com/e110404.jpg

 

[Regis2001]

Hmm. Look, I know it's almost funny, but really, people didn't vote for Bush based on homophobia. Even if you don't mean it like that, I'll still say this.

The reason people voted for Bush was that this became a wartime election. Every bombing attack, every US soldier killed, made people think this was a war. When it's war, you need a strong, firm leader. And Bush may not always be right, but at least he's definite. Every attack on Kerry that was made questioned his strength as a leader of men - everything from the Vets For Truth thing to the ridiculous manufactured 'metrosexual' comments. Bush set himself up as a war leader, and campaigned on that stance from the word go. And that, when all's said and done, is why he won it.

 

[Quint]

Hmm. Look, I know it's almost funny, but really, people didn't vote for Bush based on homophobia. Even if you don't mean it like that, I'll still say this.

The reason people voted for Bush was that this became a wartime election. Every bombing attack, every US soldier killed, made people think this was a war. When it's war, you need a strong, firm leader. And Bush may not always be right, but at least he's definite. Every attack on Kerry that was made questioned his strength as a leader of men - everything from the Vets For Truth thing to the ridiculous manufactured 'metrosexual' comments. Bush set himself up as a war leader, and campaigned on that stance from the word go. And that, when all's said and done, is why he won it.

Yes, and thank you. I have several friends whose intelligence I highly respect, and this is exactly their position.

But damn if I don't believe the first post is true for a disturbing number of Americans. If nothing else, because the anti-marriage state law was up for vote at the same time as the presidency, so it lured them out of their homes. Or caves.

 

[Regis2001]

Totally OT, but 8-Bit Theatre rocks. Totally.

 

[softshoe]

Hmm. Look, I know it's almost funny, but really, people didn't vote for Bush based on homophobia.

Oh, I agree. The hyperbole is the humor of the cartoon. I know that fear and belief that Bush will protect them from the things they fear (things that there is no real protection from) is why they voted for him. But I live in a state where the newly-elected US senator (Republican) publicly stated during his campaign that he didn't believe homosexuals or unmarried mothers should teach "our children" in schools. Instead of sinking him, the statement seemed to boost his popularity.

I guess it's the us vs. them thing that gets to me. Christians vs. heathens, haves vs. have-nots; live the way we think you should or leave. I can't really see an end to it.

 

[deezire1900]

But I live in a state where the newly-elected US senator (Republican) publicly stated during his campaign that he didn't believe homosexuals or unmarried mothers should teach "our children" in schools.

I am use to being attacked, being a lesbian...but he also went after single mothers and won?

Crazy...our past Gov (MN) went after single mothers once (about financial aid for school) and I thought the state was going to hang him on the Capital steps.

 

[The Mutt]

Hmm. Look, I know it's almost funny, but really, people didn't vote for Bush based on homophobia. Even if you don't mean it like that, I'll still say this.

The reason people voted for Bush was that this became a wartime election. Every bombing attack, every US soldier killed, made people think this was a war. When it's war, you need a strong, firm leader. And Bush may not always be right, but at least he's definite. Every attack on Kerry that was made questioned his strength as a leader of men - everything from the Vets For Truth thing to the ridiculous manufactured 'metrosexual' comments. Bush set himself up as a war leader, and campaigned on that stance from the word go. And that, when all's said and done, is why he won it.

The best analysis that I am seeing says that Evangelicals made the difference in this election. Numbers of voters for all groups and sub-groups stayed about the same from 2000. Evangelical Christian voting was way up and voting for Bush.
His cunning plan to float the idea of a Gay Marriage Ban (knowing it would never pass) brought his homophobe base to the polls.

 

[CJontherocks]

I'll have to go with Regis's assessment on this one. I think people who voted for Bush did so for his leadership on the war issues. But I don't think that covers everything. When Bush talks about "moral values," I don't think homophobia and anti-gay marriage. I think honesty and integrity and treating people like you want to be treated. It's hard to argue against a leader you believe posesses those things. And I don't think it's been long enough to forget Bill Clinton. Clinton did a lot of damage to the Democratic party, and therefore, a lot of damage politically to people with more liberal views on social issues.

I don't think the government should have any influence at all on social issues. Their job is to deal with other nations, protect us from "evil doers," and control the country's money. Now, if they would just stick to that...

 

[horatio]

Bullshit

In Ohio we had record numbers of voters, mainly because of the vote on anti-gay mariages. I know for a fact that a lot of people who did not bother to vote before went to the polls just to vote against it. Beung that a lot of them were very conservative, they voted for Bush. Many of the churchs pushed their people harder than ever to get out and vote. I can't beleive that Ohio, which lost a quarter of a million jobs, would vote for Bush based on his domestic policies. I have been criticized over and over for being against the war in Iraq. The Middle East is more unstable now than ever.
Think about it. What is a terrorist? It is someone who goes into anothers territory and commits acts of violence to try to bring about a wanted change. Who are the terrorists in this case? We have the right to defend our home soil, no more, no less. With no true act of Congress declaring war, no definable enemy, and no chance to win, what the hell do we have to gain in Iraq?
Bush won because of underhanded political tactics (all sides use them) which are giving our political races the feel of a Maury Povich show. We need someone to come along and break the streak of mudslinging. Kerry was an unknown and Bush was not. End of story. I voted against Bush, myself.