The main problem, that gets people like Bush elected, is that the 'average' voter doesn't dig too deep into the issues.
Remember Gore got blasted after his first debate because among other things he was rattling off too many stats and going too far into issues? He was supposed to just smile and provide cute soundbites. Bush acting cocky and smartarse won, though if you read a transcript he hardly answers a single question properly. Gore nailed him on everything, but he'd shoot back with a smartarse line and it turned back to the old 'nerd' vs 'funny guy' thing and people went with the guy who had 'personality'. Of course for the next debates Gore turned down the issue talk and went with 'personality' and because he didn't really have one, he lost and the US voting public so decided that an extremely narrow minded, simple guy who is good at putting people down was way better than a very intelligent guy who seemed to have a great deal of vision for your country. A mind numbingly stupid decision.
Most voters will vote on only one or two issues that immediately effect them, and won't care about anything else, won't even pay attention. There are plenty who will just vote on image, their traditional affiliation, 'personality' etc without any real care for looking deeper into what they are choosing. Very few try and find out about as much as they can in as many areas as they can - people who visit FYM aren't 'typical voters' from any country.
I can only think of that as the main reason why Bush got in. He certainly had nothing else going for him back then, and he doesn't seem to have done a positive thing since (although obviously my US domestic awareness isn't great).
If only your Democrats campaigned as dirty as your Republicans do instead of focusing on those stupid 'issues'. Tearing Bush to shreds should be a piece of cake. His slogan is "Steady Leadership in Times of Change" !!! Are they going to point out that the "Times of Change" are mostly because of him and his shaky leadership?
From the other side of the world, it appears the Republicans appear to have a problem with sex. They spent so long chasing Clinton for a blow job, claiming moral superiority on the matter, while so many of the hunters were doing the exact same thing (Gingrich etc), and they tried to make Gore look bad by just tying him to Clinton so much, and chasing him on bogus funding issues. Well, why don't the Democrats play the same game? Again it'll be sex all the way through the campaign, but this time gay marriage. They'll play on the fears that are still out there over homosexuality, make it seem like gay marriage is the end of all civilisation and make the supporters of it look like they are pure evil or 'disgusting'. I hope the Democrats are taking a leaf out of the Republicans book and know a few prominent Republicans who are in the closet. Leak a few to friendly press. Sounds harsh, but you know the same would happen in reverse.
Is Kerry an arse kicker? I hope he is. Bush couldn't match someone with personality and intelligence in a debate.
Everyone was so disappointed when you voted Bush in the first time, please, please don't do it again.
) in Congress, then you don't have to worry anymore.
