There's a great many people that are planning on voting for George Bush this election. I don't really want to get into debating why one should vote one way or the other, but there's been something that I just don't understand in this election cycle: Why would someone vote for George Bush in this election?
As much as this sounds, this isn't a troll question. I just honestly don't see what the appeal of the current president is. Are the Bush backers going for him because they've always voted Republican and see voting for a Democrat as anathema to their very political beliefs? Is it because these people are single issue voters and Bush conforms to their side of the single issue (and, likewise, his opponent doesn't conform to their viewpont)?
If you'd like, if you are a Bush supporter, is to post why you're favoring Bush over his opponent this election. I promise not to attempt to argue against your statements or attempt to persuade you to change your vote in this news bit. I'm just trying to understand why President Bush appeals to a large number of voters.
Posted at November 1, 2004 11:23 AM
Have you read Sam's post on RinkWorks's homepage (www.rinkworks.com for those who don't know)? That might provide some insight, at least from a Bush-supporter's view.
As for myself I'm still somewhat undecided. I will vote and by tomorrow I'll have a clear decision on who to vote for. But I think part of the thing is that a lot of people are just not fully informed. Not that they'd switch to Kerry even if they were, but that by being uninformed it's a lot easier to go with what your used to than to venture into new waters (a.k.a. voting in a new president).
For instance, if I'd only watched the debates on t.v. I might vote for Bush solely on the fact that I felt like he did better. (I know this is easily arguable, but from a personal standpoint I didn't feel Kerry did a good job of really giving us a clue of his real plans.) Thankfully I'm smarter and have/will research deeper than just a surface debate. But a lot of Americans won't.
I hope this all makes sense. I don't claim to speak for everyone, but that's my take on the situation.
Posted by: famous at November 1, 2004 01:35 PMWhile I'm not a supporter of Bush, I am of the "anyone but Kerry (or Edwards)" camp.
I'm also one of those odd Nevadans who is pro-Nuclear Waste Repository. I think we did the right thing, going into Iraq. I think there could have been things done better... but "WMD's" were not the only reason we went there. I find Kerry's rhetoric disturbing and his plans for America nebulous. Kerry claims he will reduce the deficit... but the only way Democrats know how to do that is by raising taxes and gutting the military.
Kerry and the Democrats want to shut down nuclear power plants... but don't have a clear plan of how to make-up for the power those plants provide. Wind-power and Solar-power won't cut it... they both take up entirely too much space and would have an even bigger enviromental impact than existing power plants.
Bush isn't perfect... but he doesn't scare me. Kerry being President, that scares me.
Posted by: Karen at November 1, 2004 03:39 PMfamous,
Yes I have seen Sam's editorial. While I see his stances about the Supreme Court nominations being valid choices... Well, I said I wouldn't attempt to change people's opinions here or in RW's message forum. I might write more about this tomorrow in a different news bit (or carry on the conversation that's been started in my livejournal account).
Posted by: cartoonlad at November 1, 2004 03:48 PMI took advantage of early voting last week and have since cast my vote. I could delve into many, many reasons why I support Bush, but I believe the simplest one is a look at the two men's earnings.
Bush = $200,000+ (gave $20,000 to various charities).
Kerry = multi-millionaire (gave $1,500 to charities).
The numbers speak for themselves.
Beside that, Bush, IMO, has been a strong leader. Has he made mistakes? Sure, and I have not agreed with every decision he has made, but he has continued to support his decisions. America needs strong leadership if we are to be a world leader.
On the other hand, Kerry over the last few months has flip-flopped so many times on issues it is hard to tell which way the man is going. What kind of signal would such wishy-washy decisions send to the world if Kerry were President?
Therefore, I have to agree with 'Karen' when she stated - "Bush isn't perfect... but he doesn't scare me. Kerry being President, that scares me."
Posted by: Redbeard at November 1, 2004 05:43 PMMy biggest influence in foing for Bush is John Kerry's past voting record. Kerry doesn't mention it because he doesn't want to embarass himself.
Posted by: Asbestosrush at November 2, 2004 01:48 PMTwo main reasons, the rest just fall under these two headings:
1) I have a daughter living in Korea, close to the border. I do not think that in the PRK makes a move, Kerry has the stones to do what needs to be done to keep her safe.
2) Kerry is very much a believer in the government 'helping' people with their problems. I prefer to be left to deal with my own problems in my own way.
I admit, on domestic issues I am not that fond of either candidate, but the foreign issues dominate this election for me and I want a strong leader there.
Posted by: Mike Cody at November 3, 2004 08:05 AMI would like to thank everyone who replied to this thread. As the election is over, I am now closing the comments function for this news bit.
Posted by: cartoonlad at November 4, 2004 11:26 AM