Alternate reality question

[TXlib]

Nevermind that this is impossible, and therefore totally moot, but it does relate to our questions on the 'evilness' of the GOP.

Suppose you could have shown the American voting public two possible future realities on the eve of the 2000 election.

One is the current reality: Bush as pResident, economy in the toilet, 9/11/01, several expensive wars, the world hates us.

The other is the alternative in which Gore became president: for sake of argument, let's assume in this reality, the economy is much better, 9/11/01 either never happened or was averted, no wars, and the world hates us no more than it did under Clinton.

Let's also assume that there is no question in anybody's mind about the truth of these outcomes; everybody who sees it knows it is true.

How many republicans would have either changed their vote, or chosen not to vote?

[supernova]

1. Interesting question

I suspect at least the pat robertson contingent would have stayed home b/c it would disprove their contention that all things good come from the right.

[TXlib]

2. Would they?

I mean, if you asked anybody to choose between those two alternate realities, and didn't mention who was president, everybody would choose option B.

But once you point out that the better alternative results from a democratic president, I think many GOPers would balk, and would still vote R just out of pig-headed stubborness, or if they thought they, personally, would benefit under Bush.

I'm sure most would not, and Gore would be elected. But I'm certain there's a non-zero percentage who would still have voted for Bush.

[supernova]

4. Sheer speculation

But the degree to which a candidate seems to be so popular with the public, it can demoralize and depress turnout in the opposite party. Opposing voters start to think "That nutjob is gonna win anyway, I'm not gonna waste my time standing in line to vote."

That's why political consultants always worry about who has the "big mo", momentum. The appearance of winning turns into winning. That's why Bush's "aura of invincibility was so effective.

[TXlib]

5. Yeah, it's sheer speculation

But it's fun to think about.

[soupkitchen]

3. I thought those were the choices in 2000

Hasn't Bush turned out to be exactly what you thought Bush would be?

[regularguy]

6. How many republicans would have either changed their vote?

I think none. Why? Well to get the answer add some guns, abortions, and heaping spoonful of the son-of-G-d. Mix with two cups of hate radio rhetoric and viola!, you get the slightly-less-than-half the votes that it apparently takes to play president. Personally, I think we (dems, progressives) oughtta talk with these folks; at least about guns.
-RG