Blogcritics: Comments on Thinking About Why Bush Lost (even if he really doesn't)

Comment by Mac Diva

Wed, 3 Nov 2004 03:13:15 EST

It is interesting that you have evaded responding to even one of Rice's liabilities.

Comment by Harry Forbes

Wed, 3 Nov 2004 02:17:41 EST

SIncere thanks for the comment, Mac. While I cannot claim to represent the "party of bigotry" (would you call that hate speech if I said the same about you?), I believe that as a running mate Rice would have cost Bush near zero of his current support, and maybe helped him by virtue of her far superior skills in articulating policy. I also think that she would make an excellent, though accidental, president. If one can rise to the top of the cut-throat world of academic administration, then politics probably seems easy by comparison.

Comment by Mac Diva

Wed, 3 Nov 2004 01:05:35 EST

Well, observing you take a break from kneeling before Bush is refreshing. But, as I've come to expect, you've blundered. One obvious candidate is national security adviser Condi Rice. It is distressing to think what a huge positive contribution Rice could have made to the ticket. Placing a woman many people consider a war criminal on the ticket would not have helped Shrub. Nor would raising the hypocrisy against homosexuals problem of the GOP, already in play because of the Mary Cheney publicity, a second time. And, no, Rice could not have run without declaring herself one way or the other. Last, you insult the intelligence of people of color with your assumption we would support Rice. People have a very low opinion of her in the African-American community, with she has gone to great lengths to separate herself from. She would not have attracted minority voters to the ticket in any substantial numbers. And, since the GOP is the party of bigotry, some of the people you represent, white conservatives, would have stayed home or defected to the Libertarian or Constitution Party had a 'nigra' (as Southern Republicans still say) been a candidate. You reveal a significant lack of knowledge about the minority vote. But, then, your interest in that vote is only in regard to trying to use it to reelect a president who has caused minorities particular harm during his four years in office. You assume too much. Most of us are not so stupid that we would allow ourselves to be used by George Bush.

Comment by aacool

Wed, 3 Nov 2004 00:54:52 EST

That's a great piece on (first) second thoughts