rumsfeld

[Stella]

Hmm, I took it a different way, I suppose. The way I heard it, it was that he didn't want to create a distraction from the election at hand, not that he was using it in some way to benefit the Republican party's chances in the election. I should have stated that earlier, but given that it probably would have helped the Republicans more if he HAD taken care of it sooner, I thought it was self-explanatory.

Sorry I didn't make that clear in my original post.

[DCJenn]

Well, moot point that it is, Rummy should have been gone at least two years ago. I thought my husband was going to do back flips when I told him he had a new boss.

New dude seems OK. I just hope he has the common sense to listen to the guys who have actually been fighting the stupid war.

Jenn

it probably would have helped the Republicans more if he HAD taken care of it sooner, I thought it was self-explanatory.

Sorry I didn't make that clear in my original post.

In no way, shape or form is Bush, Cheney or Rove above doing something that they thought would have helped the elections. They were just too arrogant and complacent in their 'dynasty' to acknowledge that it would have made a difference. These are the same people that try to scare folks into continuing to vote for them. People just finally stopped buying their line. Last week Bush said "If you vote for the democrats, the terrorists win."

That is inexcuseable, IMO.

[Sheherezade]

I guess my take on the Bush administration's representation to their base is one of a steadfast, confident, never-erring leader. I was totally blown away in the debates when Bush couldn't think of ONE mistake he'd ever made as a leader. Uhh....not one? I think he plays to the base. Dumping Rummy may have given him swing votes, but I see it as unnerving to the base. I have never felt that Bush does anything to appeal to voters outside his base. That's one of my chief complaints. He doesn't give a da*& about me or my concerns. I'm not republican. Just American.

I think my interpretation was that letting Rummy go would be seen as "failure" (Bush quote) or at least an admission that the war policy was flawed. Hence, he chose to stand by his man till the election was over. He even made the statement that Rummy and Cheney would not leave as recently as Saturday....when he was already in negotiations with Gates. I suppose I think he should have answered those questions differently. His failure to do so - in light of the election - makes me consider the move political.

[Sheherezade]

It would be interesting to see how this would poll. I don't see myself as left. I see myself as middle. Either liberal Republican or conservative Democrat. I definitely saw Bush as right. Right, right, right of me. That's how most of my kindreds here see it. How do you see him playing to the middle? With No Child Left Behind? Or .....what? I'm curious. He seems hard line to me. Electable hard line, granted....but hard line.

[DCJenn]

Tara-

I think he was elected as a Conservative and the True Conservatives (and a whole lot of us liberals to be honest) have been stunned at the Big Government Spending. Wowza. Did you know that there have been more federal jobs added under Bush than under the last four presidents? (Clinton actually shrank the gov't. No lie)

I'm thinking, "dude, who is going to pay for all of this?" See, if he were a medical spouse, he'd know how to manage his money more properly.

Jenn

[Sheherezade]

ITA about the crappiness of 1 and 2. 3 is not on my radar (not in AZ) .

4....again. I'm with you. I think for financial stuff, I'm much more conservative. (Hence, cons. Dem or lib. Rep) The social issues get more touchy. I am not a regular church goer. I am suspicious of organized religion. That's a total wedge issue for me with the current Republican candidates. They have too much faith in churches. (JMHO) I also don't like them legislating a view of morality not shared by 80%+ pf the population. That's my own personal rule, obviously. I think that letting a 60% majority decide what's moral for the remaining 40% is disrespectful to a lot of Americans. They can't all be child-like idiots in need of clear guidelines. :>

I think that letting a 60% majority decide what's moral for the remaining 40% is disrespectful to a lot of Americans. They can't all be child-like idiots in need of clear guidelines. :>

that's exactly what i was just trying to say in the "people that stand for nothing" thread, but you said it much better.

[DCJenn]

The last election truly made me want to have a "nope, try again" option.
It pained me that Kerry was the 'representative of the liberals'. He's so Booooooring. (when he's not sticking his foot in his mouth)


Jenn

[Stella]

Yes, the last election was a big bummer. (I know that isn't eloquent, but I think it works.) If there were someone more "middle of the road" or at least generally appealing, it could have been an easy win.

So... don't people see that it's important to vote in the primaries???