Yes, Bush being awarded the presidency, rather than earning it from the votes of America's citizenry, will have an extremely uncomfortable term of office.
Not only will he be bogged down legislatively with the 50-50 Senate split, he'll be investigated very, very thoroughly much like what the GOPwingers put on Clinton. The free ride the media gave him during the election process won't exist once, and if, he assumes the presidency using connections and the courts, rather than the votes of the people.
Also noteworthy, is it's gonna be very tough for Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms to hang on. Should either of 'em become unable to serve in the Senate, Democrat governors in their states will appoint Democrat senators to replace them, thus changing the balance. Also, about 1/3 of the senates seats which come up for reelection next time around are Republican seats.
With an Ugly American President, and a well perceived illegitimate as well, Republicans aren't going to have it easy. They'll, retrospectively, collectively wish they never did what they did on behalf of Bush.
I still contend that had Bush conceded once he realized that Gore had more votes in Florida, once Buchanon came on national television to content that he got Gore's votes, had Bush conceded then he would have instantly become a national hero and would have placed the Republican Party in the highest respect possible. This would have helped the party in the next cycle of elections and would have assured that Bush would become a future president.
Unfortunately, however, the GOP, behind Bush, made a hard-nose decision and ploughed on against the will of the people. And it is the will of the people to count all the votes when electing the president. |
