So... what now?

[Daradon]

So what does the Bush victory mean to the U.S., to Canada, and to the world? Will there be a strong backlash from Democratic supporters and Bush-haters in the States? Can the division in the States be healed or is it going to get worse? Will we see more wars or invasions? How will the international community react? What will define Bush's second term? What policies will he persue? How will he leave his mark on his country and the world?

[RougeUnderoos]

Good question.

We can only hope that he tries to move to the center. How many people voted for him, 50 million? It's not exactly a strong mandate in a country of 300 million.

That being said, they are going to get a lot more conservative with the social issues. Abortion, gay marriage, Christian versions of morality, all that good stuff. The Patriot Act might get toughened up to include random cavity searches and maybe some tax incentives for book burnings.

I don't know about any more wars though. Maybe not because he's stuck in one right now and unless they turn tail and run, they'll still be there by the time the next election rolls around.

[moon]

I would say that Bush did get a great vote of support by the people. He easily won the popular vote, the Republicans gained seats in both houses and defeated some high profile democrats/democratic seats.

I think the American public made it clear that a majority of the population (I know that 50 isn't a majority of 300 but if you don't vote too bad for you) support the Republican platform.

[sbailey924]

Dumbfounded is the only word that can describe what I'm feeling right now.

I never honestly believed that Bush had a chance, much less to do better this time overall with the popular vote. I honestly don't know what to say. I didn't want to get out of bed this morning. In one of my classes, two sorority girls were talking about "how proud they were of the American people" before they talked about what they were going to wear to their date party tonight. I normally would have made a little response, just to try and get them to be a tad more considerate of others--but I just feel so alienated right now, that it didn't seem real.

Dumbfounded. 100% dumbfounded.

[Pagal4321]

I'm with sbailey on this one but I've heard many people contemplating how Americans could re-elect this guy.
I'm just intrested to know how this will affect Canadians really.....not much into politics so am not too sure how this affects me other then I have never liked what Bush has done.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally posted by moon@Nov 3 2004, 03:01 PM
I would say that Bush did get a great vote of support by the people. He easily won the popular vote, the Republicans gained seats in both houses and defeated some high profile democrats/democratic seats.

I think the American public made it clear that a majority of the population (I know that 50 isn't a majority of 300 but if you don't vote too bad for you) support the Republican platform.

He won but it was pretty much half and half of those that voted. Not a ringing endorsement to do whatever he wants IMO. The country is pretty evenly divided. I hope to hell he takes a more moderate stance on pretty much everything now that he's won the election, but I won't hold my breath.

[sbailey924]

Originally posted by RougeUnderoos+Nov 3 2004, 05:47 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (RougeUnderoos @ Nov 3 2004, 05:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-moon@Nov 3 2004, 03:01 PM
I would say that Bush did get a great vote of support by the people. He easily won the popular vote, the Republicans gained seats in both houses and defeated some high profile democrats/democratic seats.

I think the American public made it clear that a majority of the population (I know that 50 isn't a majority of 300 but if you don't vote too bad for you) support the Republican platform.

He won but it was pretty much half and half of those that voted. Not a ringing endorsement to do whatever he wants IMO. The country is pretty evenly divided. I hope to hell he takes a more moderate stance on pretty much everything now that he's won the election, but I won't hold my breath. [/b][/quote]
Yes, but he also won this election more significantly than he did the last one. If anything, I think he goes more extreme.

Dumbfounded. 100% dumbfounded.

[Igottago]

I predict the relationship between the US and the rest of the world will deteriorate significantly in the next 4 years, as if it already wasn't bad enough. Obviously people voted out of fear... I feel sorry for those those American people who have a shred of intelligence and didn't vote for Bush, because obviously you are outnumbered in your own country...scary stuff. We're in for trouble now.

[arsenal]

Originally posted by Igottago@Nov 3 2004, 04:34 PM
I predict the relationship between the US and the rest of the world will deteriorate significantly in the next 4 years, as if it already wasn't bad enough. Obviously people voted out of fear... I feel sorry for those those American people who have a shred of intelligence and didn't vote for Bush, because obviously you are outnumbered in your own country...scary stuff. We're in for trouble now.

Who's fear mongering now?

[Igottago]

Unfortunatley I have 4 years of a Bush regime to base my prediction on...I hope I'm wrong, I really do

[Bingo]

Originally posted by RougeUnderoos@Nov 3 2004, 02:44 PM
Good question.

We can only hope that he tries to move to the center. How many people voted for him, 50 million? It's not exactly a strong mandate in a country of 300 million.

That being said, they are going to get a lot more conservative with the social issues. Abortion, gay marriage, Christian versions of morality, all that good stuff. The Patriot Act might get toughened up to include random cavity searches and maybe some tax incentives for book burnings.

I don't know about any more wars though. Maybe not because he's stuck in one right now and unless they turn tail and run, they'll still be there by the time the next election rolls around.

I hear you ... 51% is a pretty divided country.

But I was surprised to hear that Clinton only achieved 42% and 49% in his two election wins, so the last President with a strong mandate was Bush Sr. with 53% of the popular vote in 1988.

In fact the last Democratic President to top George W. Bush's electorate share from last night was Lydon Johnson in 1964.

Is there such a thing as a strong mandage in American politics?

[Calgary Flames]

I can see something very dramatic happening, ala 9/11... sadly. Just a gut feeling.

[moon]

Originally posted by Igottago@Nov 3 2004, 03:34 PM
I predict the relationship between the US and the rest of the world will deteriorate significantly in the next 4 years, as if it already wasn't bad enough. Obviously people voted out of fear... I feel sorry for those those American people who have a shred of intelligence and didn't vote for Bush, because obviously you are outnumbered in your own country...scary stuff. We're in for trouble now.

A shred of intelligence means that you have to vote for Kerry??

That is such a bitter and silly remark, I have no idea why you would make it.

I have no problem with people supporting Kerry, are they wrong to do so in my opinion yes, but it is their right.

But I don't understand why many Kerry supporters seem to be left with only calling Bush supporters names?? Is that all that you have left?

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally posted by Bingo@Nov 3 2004, 05:09 PM
Is there such a thing as a strong mandage in American politics?

I don't know either. It doesn't seem like they worry about those kinds of things. He didn't even win the popular vote last time but he apparently thought he had enough of a mandate to do exactly as he wanted. I'm sure now they'll be emboldened further and they won't have any pesky re-election issues to worry about.

[CrzyCanuck]

Canada kept the liberals in power, so I believe we are living in bazzaro world.

Closing rate 1.2121 to USD and all the markets are up? Seems a bit confusing/contradicting.

[Igottago]

Originally posted by moon+Nov 3 2004, 11:19 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (moon @ Nov 3 2004, 11:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Igottago@Nov 3 2004, 03:34 PM
I predict the relationship between the US and the rest of the world will deteriorate significantly in the next 4 years, as if it already wasn't bad enough. Obviously people voted out of fear... I feel sorry for those those American people who have a shred of intelligence and didn't vote for Bush, because obviously you are outnumbered in your own country...scary stuff. We're in for trouble now.

A shred of intelligence means that you have to vote for Kerry??

That is such a bitter and silly remark, I have no idea why you would make it.

I have no problem with people supporting Kerry, are they wrong to do so in my opinion yes, but it is their right.

But I don't understand why many Kerry supporters seem to be left with only calling Bush supporters names?? Is that all that you have left? [/b][/quote]
I'm not necessarily a Kerry supporter, i'm just anti-bush...and I see a Bush vote as an extremely unintelligent thing to do...to vote for a regime that has constantly lied to you is unintelligent...and I agree, its their right....but it was an ill advised decision, in my opinion

[Daradon]

Originally posted by Bingo+Nov 3 2004, 05:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Bingo @ Nov 3 2004, 05:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-RougeUnderoos@Nov 3 2004, 02:44 PM
Good question.

We can only hope that he tries to move to the center. How many people voted for him, 50 million? It's not exactly a strong mandate in a country of 300 million.

That being said, they are going to get a lot more conservative with the social issues. Abortion, gay marriage, Christian versions of morality, all that good stuff. The Patriot Act might get toughened up to include random cavity searches and maybe some tax incentives for book burnings.

I don't know about any more wars though. Maybe not because he's stuck in one right now and unless they turn tail and run, they'll still be there by the time the next election rolls around.

I hear you ... 51% is a pretty divided country.

But I was surprised to hear that Clinton only achieved 42% and 49% in his two election wins, so the last President with a strong mandate was Bush Sr. with 53% of the popular vote in 1988.

In fact the last Democratic President to top George W. Bush's electorate share from last night was Lydon Johnson in 1964.

Is there such a thing as a strong mandage in American politics? [/b][/quote]
That's because the thrid party ticket got such a large percentage of the vote.

Kinda the same as our minority government up here, only once elected, the president doesn't have to worry about the opposition and the third party being able to gang up on him and his policies.

[Flame On]

That is such a bitter and silly remark, I have no idea why you would make it.

I have no problem with people supporting Kerry, are they wrong to do so in my opinion yes, but it is their right.
I think calling me "wrong" is just as silly and offensive as rating intelligence.

[moon]

I said in my opinion you made the wrong choice, which you obviously feel I did as well. How that is offensive I have no idea.

Calling not only someone, but a whole group of people you have never met stupid is offensive