I post this to you which I largely just posted on the other GWB thread. It should be my opening or closing statement in any debate about Bush Vs. Gore. It's my complete general opinion of this race and the two candidates.
"We're both partisan. The Rand corporation (staying Bush scammed higher scores for his own purposes when real scors were lower) is definitely not. I know Gore and Bush's strengths and weaknesses. Simply put it is personality vs. substance. SImilar to reagan vs. Mondale but Bush is less than Reagan and Gore is more than Mondale. That is why this election is so close. Bush can quip his way around almost anything. He is slicker than so-called "Slick Willy",a great attribute to have. But in terms of substance, veracity and achievement he is blatantly transparent as objective sources like Rand prove.
Don't get me wrong. Bush is a formidable opponent with huge money and power behind him. He also photographs better than Al and talks a great game. But that is why i am here, to add my little voice to the big debate and make sure that at least some of my partisan opponents are checked. They never admit to being wrong, but I know when they are check-mated. Hands-down Gore wins on substance, issues and accomplishment. Gore's weaknesses are in the area of public personna. But he isn't bad on that level either and he does have his own charisma. I have followed him for a long-long time and have always been impressed, though clearly Clinton has more pizzazz. But CLinton also has personal flaws where Gore is completely clean. As clean as any human can be, that is.
So what will win the election? Either Bush's Texan pizzazz and money or Gore's subtance, and a lot of other factors in play from every angle. Today's polls are encouraging for Al, but might be meaningless. Neither candidate can afford any slip-ups.
This Rand Report should really hurt Bush. It's the kind of real meaningful truth which should get through to people. The whole campaign to brand Gore distrustful was mainly just a disinformation campaign. The Rand Report proves that at least by degrees, you cannot trust GW Bush, especially on the issues which really matter to real peoples' lives. To force teachers to tutor kids on a special Texan exam just so Bush can brag about higher scores is a blatant sham and scam. But he is slick. Maybe he'll even get away with it. I won't be surprised if he does.
From both sides' perspectives Reagan and Clinton both got away with a lot because of their personality teflon. Bush has a lot of it but how much we will see. Certainly his Texas record we now know is nothing to brag about. Even a Republican would have to be honest and admit that. Watch Bush now try to change the subject and counter-attack every time his Texas record is brought up. He knows he is no achiever and doesn't really care about issues. But he is a winner. At last so far.
But now the real test will be with the American People. Do they care more about substance or slickness? 40% or so will vote for each nomatter what but what about the other 15-20%? That is where the contest will be decided.
Also on these polls, we never really know. They contradict each oher and change all the time. Right now it's safer to say they are absolutely tied, because it's just as possible Bush could lose Florida as Gore could lose Wisconsin. And either one would be devastating for them. Stay tuned. This is the most exciting race of our lives. There will be surprises almost every day. Dirty tricks will be played.
Mainly by the reuplicans because that is their specialty. But chatractrs like Larry Flynt could even influence the election. Hidden truths will come out. deflections and evasions. Lies will be held up as facts. Anything to win. Anything.
In the end after all the mud-slinging is done and promises are made it will simply be up to each voter in American and especially those few who are truly non-partisan and independent. This is all a battle the hearts and souls of the swayable and indepedents. Which is why both sides sometimes play at being what they are not. But even the independents cannot be cleared of corruption and lies. If McCain were the GOP nominee he would be ripped apart in ways he never imagined. Believe me, he is no angel. Though I do believe he is a finer man than Bush by far.
Therefore maybe it does come down to who has the tougher skin and the most money. And both GHore and Bush are fighters and have money.
Time will tell. Personally, I am on the edge of my seat and neglecting my job to devote myself to fighting lies and disinformation about Al. It's the last I can do for my country. He's a guy I personally respect a great deal, but if you're a die-hard Republican you won't ever agree with anything I say. Or at least you won't admit you do.
God bless American nomatter what happens.
This is truly an epic battle in our history.
And there are real-real things at stake here.
Despite what Nader says, there is a big difference.
My special issue is the environment.
That is the biggest difference of all.
Al is very good on the envionment, Bush is abyssmal.
I personally feel a lot better about American under A gore-type moderate fiscally-conservative Democrat rule.
The social conservatives behind Bush are too harsh, selfish and backward-looking and the ultra-liberals behind Nader are too socialistic, idealistic and naive. To me Gore-Lieberman is just about right. And I do trust those guys. Almost completely. Or at least as completely as anyone can trust anyone running this system. And I take Gore at his word that the first thing he'll sign is campaign finance reform. That alone should solve a lot of our problems.
That pretty much sums up my feelings. Now time to hit the sack. I'm getting very sore keyboard and mouse muscles.
Let's hope the market rallies tomorrow. Grat buying opportunity now in techs. Peace all.
American Spirit |
