Electoral arithmetic that binds Bush to bin Laden

[KurtNilsen]

Henry Porter argues that, despite everything, George Bush is favourite to win in November

Sunday February 15, 2004
The Observer

The demographics never look good for Republicans, but there are three factors that make George W. Bush a regrettably good bet for November.
In reverse order, they are the current lead of John Forbes Kerry in the Democratic race; the failure of most Americans to grasp what Bush has done to the country's economic prospects for the next 10 years; and, of course, Osama bin Laden.

I will come to the demonic synergy of Bush and bin Laden later, but let's first deal with Kerry, the attractive patrician with 30 years' Washington experience, propitious initials, a wife who combines huge money with ethnicity (she is from Mozambique), and a war record that is manifestly valiant compared to Bush's hilarious service as fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. (Quite apart from Bush's alleged absenteeism, it has not been explained why Texas needs its own fighter pilots).

Kerry is a central casting President with a Mount Rushmore jawline. Beyond that I don't buy him, and in the fine print of the studies done after the 13 nomination contests it is plain that even Democrats have instinctive doubts about his political character. There is also the problem raised by Matt Drudge last week, which, given Kerry's war injury, might tactlessly be described as the leg-over issue.

But the crucial revelation of the week went pretty much unnoticed, probably because it concerns a complex psephological paradox. Rapid studies have found that Kerry's success in winning 11 of the 13 primaries is due not to his innate qualities or his opinions, but that he is viewed by Democrats as the man who can beat Bush.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[fearnobush]

1. Well...

So we should just accept this fate? NOT. Bin Laden should have been caught years ago, If and when, or when the BFEE decide to release his body. It shall be stated that our John Kerry loving solders are most responsible for catching him, Not Bush - Bush is a chickenhawk, a reason why Bin laden is still at large. God bless the US armed forces for nabbing Bin Laden, Not Bush.

[KurtNilsen]

2. The chilling factor the author brings up at the end of the piece

is scary to me. Would Al Qaeda or likeminded terrorist care who is in the Whitehouse. Bin Laden used pretty bad language about President Clinton as well. But if they care? Would they prefer Bush? Would they even kill Americans in order to help the "war-time" president be reelected.

It has always struck me about Israel that it seems to be an unholy alliance between Hamas et al and the Sharon government. Each despicable act any of those parties do only serves to strengthen each other.

[MRDAWG]

3. Great Post Thank You!!!

*

[Ziggy_0253]

4. Bush will of course......

have bin Laden caught and doing a perp-walk probably along about September of this year.

[MasonJar]

5. They either have him or know where he is, or the general would

not keep reiterating that his capture is imminent. He has hardly been mentioned in two years. Why would anyone be impressed with Bush if he is caught now? The Bushies made fun of Clinton that he did not get him with one attack. Remember Bush had the intelligence committee lay off of bin Laden and he paid no attention to the Clinton/Gore warnings and he ignored the Rudman info. We have to be sure the American public does not forget these ploys. People are already saying that the Stump will pull him out for the election. It is imperative that all of us keep this notion alive whenever and however we can.