Time: Love him or loathe him?

There's an interesting article in Time this week about how Bush has polarized Americans to an amazing extent - he's changed the equation from 40/40/20 Dems/Repubs/Undecided to 45/45/10 - meaning that there's an ever-shrinking pool of neutral or "swing" voters.

The article is also very illuminating regarding the tactics that Bush's folks have been using when he's been stumping on behalf of candidates in various elections this year - tactics that will be used again when things heat up next year.

The Democratic Party, and indeed all of us, will really have to to out-think and out-maneuver the Republicans in order to win this one. I hope that we can get all our ducks in a row in time, and avoid shooting ourselves in the foot through infighting and indecision.

I say "we" knowing full well that it's not just Democrats opposed to a Bush reelection. There are Republicans abroad who have written to me to tell me they abhor Bush, as well as Green Party members who've come on board. Everybody is welcome. But we have to be honest here.

The Republican candidate for President next year will be Bush.

Nader.... Well I hope that people are more sensible this year. Throwing away votes doesn't help anyone, and Nader is downright unelectable.

The only candidate capable of beating Bush next year will come from the Democratic Party. But we won't know who that candidate will be until the Democratic National Convention next year.

Thus, we will have a much shorter relative amount of time to unite behind the chosen candidate - and we need to be ready to put on a full-court-press when that candidate is chosen. We need to have people already signed up as Democrats or committed to voting Democratic when the day comes.

We need to start now. Later today I will post details on how you can sign up to join Democrats Abroad, and get yourself and your friends and family involved as the election year kicks off properly.

For the record again, Expats Against Bush is candidate-neutral until a candidate is chosen at the Convention. We will not be endorsing any one candidate at the expense of any other until the proper time.

Comments

Hmm...All of a sudden there is special attention by your fearless leader on actually doing something constructive that actually makes sense.

Could it be - could it be possible - has the proverbial ‘light bulb’ turned on because of...

NAH Luke would never admit it...

It is good to see and I applaud you Luke son of Edmund & Lee!

Now we can get to some serious debate without harming our nation!

I am looking forward to locking horns with you Master Luke.

Be forewarned – a formidable opponent matches you!

Ladies and Gentlemen: the fun has just begun!

Sir I allow you the choice of your weapons – commence firing!

[Del]

Like Brittney says... Oops I did it again...

It was I Master Luke that posted the above response.

Awaiting your first advance,

DEL

[Informo]

This Economist article would seem to reinforce the case that America has become more polarised:
http://www.economist.com/surveys/displayStory.cfm?Story_id=2172130

[Del]

Greetings Luke,

Just curious you state just above...

For the record again, Expats Against Bush is candidate-neutral until a candidate is chosen at the Convention.

Was this stated somewhere else? Can you please direct me to where one may find it?

Or was it something that was kept internal to your group?

[Luke]

Try the very first post:
http://expatsagainstbush.typepad.com/home/2003/10/expatsagainstbu.html

Sorry, my bad, I actually said "candidate-independent" there. Massive apologies of course.

[Del]

Thank you Luke...

I'm going to be as civil as possible and hopefully you'll understand what I'm getting at...

This is where you come out sounding very hypocritical and maybe your response will change my current view.

Today - those that are vying for the Democratic nomination have different views on the war (one issue). The only one against it from the start is Howard Dean - at least at this point. The others varying views. As a group, considering that this is an extremely important issue – one must decide between one or the other – at least I think so.

Now understanding your position speaks volumes. You state that your selection is the one that wins the Democratic nomination – period. Now let me play devils advocate – what if Hitler won the Democratic nomination? Would you guys blindly get behind him?

As I have mentioned continuously – I am aligned with Bush and support him because I agree with most of his vision. Being completely honest – I do not blindly follow him – if by chance a Democrat that came along sounded more closely to my beliefs – I would back him or her.

Do you see the difference?

What I’m saying it’s dangerous to lead a group that blindly backs one thing or the other… in your case this hatred for Bush.

Your thoughts please…

[Mememememe]

Del,

Hitler's not running this year.

Love,
Me

I believe that you can trust Luke to quit this organization if the person running against Bush proves to be (in Luke's opinion, not yours) a less desirable option.

Although you keep insisting that there are things that Luke et. al. must prove to you, here on this board, this board is for everyone to discuss their opinions - and your continual barking that everyone is supposed to be talking on your topics, answering your questions, and complying with your demands, along with your insults, is not really getting the discussion going the way you say you'd like.

You don't seem interested in the exchange of ideas, you seem interested in the exchange of insults. Don't be surprised if people lose interest in talking with you and you end up posting replies to yourself again next weekend.

[Del]

Memememe,

Evidently you do not understand the concept of 'devils advocate'...

Thanks for your 'confused' reply...

[Del]

To anonymous,

All I am doing is exposing the opposite view of the ‘liberal’ mentality that drives this site.

Much of the rhetoric on this site doesn't make sense too many. When one puts their opinion in a public forum those that do not know any better can easily adopt it – dangerously.

It doesn't matter if anyone answers my concerns. The important thing is those that may approach this site due to advertisement or articles on pubs like Newsweek may need to see the weaknesses on many of the ideas.

My aim is to make sure a different perspective is continued and Luke would be the first one to agree with what I am saying.

You see that didn’t hurt – did it…

[bobo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3234960.stm

[Manic]

Spotted here:
http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=016437

"Flag-burning only hurts you if you let it. It's a piece of cloth - many of them mass-produced outside the country. It's just a symbol - it's not America.

"Personally, I'm more upset about people pissing on the Constitution."

[Del]

Manic,

And this is coming from the 'right'...

Even Luke disagrees with you!

The Expats and Luke may be liberals but there not crazy...

Manic have you taken your medication today?

Ouch!

[Luke]

I think Manic's trying to say that people have the right to express themselves any way they deem necessary.

People have the right to burn American flags.

And I have the right to tell them exactly what I think of that practice should I see it happening in front of me.

[Del]

I've got to hand it to you Luke...

You are definitely a true blue liberal...

No question about it!

[Amused]

Could we plan some sort of get-together to raise a toast to Del who, inadvertently, has become a brilliant source of comedy and entertainment for myself and colleagues? Maybe at the next EAB meeting? It's better than Comical Ali....

ok, enough name calling. i joined this group to do something productive about removing Dubya, not to have a verbal swordfight with Del.

I will be home for 3 weeks over Christmas and I plan on spending most of that time volunteering for get-out-the-vote drives. Let's face it, we Dems need every single vote this year and I will do my best to get as many potential Dems to register as possible. You should too if you a serious about removing King George.

[Amused]

You're right. Didn't mean to go too far into cattyness. Just seemed like we needed a little levity re: Del as some of those posts can really be outrageous. He/she seems to have a burning desire to be annoying in a kind of random and pointless way.

But the issue at hand IS serious, and we DO need to stay focused. Thanks for the reminder and for all the hard work so far!

[Del]

Amused & Company,

Let me know where you guys are going to go and when...

I'll arrange a first round as long as you toast me as your friendly neighborhood troll!

An honor I cherish... really I do!

This is too entertaining...

[Del]

Oh by the way!

Hail to King George!

[Chrish]

Hey Amused,

Let me know where I can donate a few bucks so when you guys gather together you can have a pitcher of ale and have a toast to good Ol' Del's health. Or is that Comical Ali or Saddam's Information Minister, what's his name.... :o)

To all of you on either side of these discussions have a Happy Thanksgiving and do remember the men & women now serving in Iraq and their families.

Del, that includes you as well..... LOL...

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