High water mark prediction.

[Julien Sorel]

Bush hit it in 2001/2002. Congress just slapped him twice in a row, and he isn't even a lame duck. Should he win the election, I predict you will see a weak executive office, especially if he is wounded by the AWOL/coke use stories. He has no agenda, no new ideas: he's an empty suit.

He can still do damage with the SC, but barring disaster, we will hold enough seats in the Senate to Bork any egregious nominees.

A Kerry win is the best outcome, but one way or another, we've seen the worst from Wrong.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I'm not so optimistic

if Shrub is elected, we'll see a wholesale restructuring of this country. I figure many posters here will be rounded up and held without trial for being "terrorists", as that term is redefined to mean anyone who isn't a Repuke. Others will be intimidated-I've already had my Repuke Con-man try that trick on me. Remember, these folks seem to think that the only thing that matters is winning. They have no sense of morals at all.

[murielm99]

2. What does that mean?

Your repuke con-man tried that on you?

[dbt]

3. Do tell, ayeshahaqqiqa!

Wouldn't that be John Boozman? I can't imagine any member of CONgress giving anyone a straight answer to start with, so an intimidation attempt has SERIOUSLY gotten my attention.

Spill! Dish!

:hi:
dbt

[teryang]

4. We haven't seen the worst

An unelected president.

The 911 attack encouraged by machiavellian opportunists

Anthrax attacks on Congress and the Press.

Patriot Act- the undermining of the Judicial check on executive power and the death of the Bill of Rights.

Homeland Security- A wholesale reorganization of the Federal government designed to undermine and weaken traditional institutional sources of power authorized by an intimidated Congress. (incipient totalitarianism).

A war of colonial aggression induced by official fraud and propaganda alienating us from former allies around the world.

A military budget of monstrous proportions motivated by greed and corruption, bankrupting the country.

This is just the beginning.

[ablbodyed]

5. I'm afraid that you're>>>>

only too correct. This country is in dire trouble. Does anyone remember that chimpy was supposed to be hampered by his close 'win' in 2000? That he was going to 'veer' toward the center? Well, it took two hours, at most, before he was using executive orders to 'veer' as hard-right as possible. Another term when they don't have to worry about election and it will be worse, FAR WORSE. As a gay man, I know that my freedom, such as it is in this homophobic 'culture', is very tenuous.
There will be a semi-contested election in 2006 that the rethugs will dominate, and then it's all over: Pseudo-Conservatives locked into power until the long-cherished Armageddon.
Overly pessimistic?: It would have happened by now, if Bill hadn't been so politically astute. Remember the vile 4 years after 2002 congressional elections? That's what we'll be getting and the Dems will be powerless to stop it.

[teryang]

6. Full spectrum gulag on the way

...the significance of phony legal rationalizations for torture, the GITMO travesty, Abu Ghraid torture and "ghost detainees" are lost on poorly educated Americans. This includes many "college educated" as well.

First came Dachau, a showplace of human degradation reserved for conservative aristocrats, homosexuals, socialists and communists.

Then came Auschwitz.

"Many of the later concentration camp Kommandants learned their business in this unit at Dachau, among them Rudolf Hoss of Auschwitz."

"What Hoss rationalized as hatred for the enemies of the state might be better described as a sense of power and contempt for the inmates fostered in the guards by the camp system. Sadists had license and delighted in their ability to cause suffering, especially it their victims pleaded for mercy. As Hoss noted, "they were continually in search of new methods of mental and physical torture."

From Himmler, Peter Padfield, P 129.

Sound like anything we've seen recently?

[BillZBubb]

7. You are WRONG!

A Bush* election would be a disaster. Just because the wingnut congress has blocked a few election year lunatic ideas doesn't mean once the election is over they won't all fall in line.

Remember last time. Bush* stole the election, then ran the country like he had a 90% right wing mandate. And make no mistake he HAS AN AGENDA. He won't spell it out now, Rove know's it's too right wing to win on.

He'll push and even more fascist "Patriot" act. He'll reduce environmental regulations to toothless suggestions. He'll lock in the tax cuts for the well to do in such a way that the Democrats will not be able to undo the mess. He'll go after Social Security and Medicare. There is unfinished business with the "axis of evil". Etc. Etc.

You are SO WRONG!!!!!

[Julien Sorel]

8. He can't do these things without

the Democrats and moderate Republicans in Congress going along with it. They went along with his agenda in the wake of 9/11 when his popularity was sky high, but that's done with now. He's riding the 9/11 nag in this election for all its worth; he wouldn't get much mileage out of it in office. The way he's run this campaign, with the smears and the empty flag waving -- this guy has nothing but the desire to hang on to his office motivating him. He's a spent force.