1) When supporting a presumptive challenger in an election, there is risk because the challenger hasn’t held the job. One can’t really compare records, because the comparison is flawed. It’s like comparing the CEO’s record to a mid-level manager. One might find threads of valid comparison, but on the whole, one can’t compare records.
2) I do remember Clinton. He bombed Bin Laden and was crucified for it by conservatives. Even though he was in the middle of being impeached, he still knew where the threat was and took action. Where was the “liberal” media then? Busy repeating conservative talking points about a Wag the Dog scenario. Clinton was hated by the right far more than the left hates Bush. We were headed in the right direction under Clinton. We were headed out of debt.
3) Bush has had four years and so many opportunities to lead. His misguided leadership has steered policy away from freedom towards something else. I’m going to quote the definition of fascism found on http://www.dictionary.com:
“A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.”
How much of that exists RIGHT NOW? Belligerent nationalism? Stringent socioeconomic controls? How are meetings run in the White House? What political pressures have been exerted on Congress and the Senate to fall in line with President Bush? Bush wanted a Constitutional amendment denying a fundamental right withheld from a portion of the population. It is not a stretch to see seeds of a dark future with four more years of the current administration.
This is why so many progressives sound the way they do. Conservatives who have smack talked liberals have had their chance with Bush, but he has demonstrated a flawed sense of leadership. I think Bush could have been a great leader and one of the most loved Presidents. He lost it with his policy and his focus on Iraq.
I’m not sure yet, but this might be the final pre-election post. I’ve got to write about the crazy weather obsession that the local television networks have in their newscasts.