Reply #45: I'll never understand how Bush couldn't be seen for what he was, upfront

[quiet.american]

I didn't even know what a blog was in 2000. I followed the 2000 campaign through newspapers and newsmagazines, and I keenly understood what a doofus, and dangerous man-child Bush was, even with news coverage of him that was so controversy-averse it had the taste of plain oatmeal. Bush's record of incompetence, cronyism, racism and murderous policies as Governor of Texas still came through loud and clear. And to hear the man speak erased any benefit of the doubt I may have given him.

I'll always remember him in the aftermath of the campaign -- lurking behind James Baker during press conferences with an arrogant and curious smirk on his face, like a difficult teenager hiding out behind his dad while his dad speaks to the grownups.

I'll never understand why ANYONE voted for him, other than that they saw and celebrated in him the worst aspects of themselves.

That said, it would have been an even greater tragedy if Kristen Breitweiser had contined to place her faith in him after losing her husband in 9/11, as some have done. She does us all a tremendous service with her activism.