>Trust me, the degree of anger felt by those opposed to Bush is very new. I suggest you might be making a big mistake thinking its business as usual.
I agree. I didn't vote in 2000 (which I vastly regret, but I was only 20 and was worried more about my midterms at the time than about the elections). If I had, I likely would've voted for Bush. Not based so much on platforms, but until 2002, I fancied myself a Republican ('cause in Albany, NY, EVERYONE'S a Democrat, and I always liked being the one Republican in the room).
I was watching the SoU address the other night, however, and realized that this was the first year that I had a solid understanding of all of the issues that the President was discussing, and I found myself wholeheartedly disagreeing with his stances on every single one!
I had an intense dislike for the Clinton administration right on through. I rooted for Bush against him in '92, Dole against him in '96. However, now that I look back, I appreciate him, because I agreed with many of his policies.
My anger against the Bush administration has been generated by its policies and practices, and not by something irrational (as my distaste for Clinton). The Democrats around me in Albany did not dislike Bush in 2000, but they most certainly do these days.
The country is SOOOOO polarized now. The incumbency could prove to be a weakness this time around.
-Z |
