Am I the only one that can't see Bush conceding this election?

[fujiyama]

I can see Kerry winning it. I can see Kerry giving an amazing inaugaration speech. I can see Bush winning it (too many stupid people out there). I can see Bush stealing it. I can even, as painful as it would be, see Kerry conceding it.

But I can't see Bush conceding it. I can't see them actually LEAVING the WH. I imagine these people to put a fight to the bitter end. Hypocricy be damned, they will tie this election in the courts, if they lose. They speak of "states' rights" and took the last election to the SC.

They will create stories of democrats trying to steal the election. The media will report what they spew. They've already started with the meme that "dems are whining".

Am I the only one? That's why I can't say we've won it, until Kerry is giving that speech in DC in January.

[TimeToGo]

1. I hope you are wrong, but . . .

[luaneryder]

2. I'm optomistic

but, like you, I can't envision * conceding. I can see hell freezing over first.

[salinen]

3. Your not alone

A defeat for * is the equivalent of a defeat for God. And that they will do anything to avoid.

[DemNoir]

4. I dont like this type of thinking but...

I agree with you. I just cannot imagine Bush giving a concession speech. Even if Kerry wins by 5 points it will be at least days before he does.

Its hard to imagine them giving up power, they will not care what another contested election will do to the country.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. There seems to be a lot of grass-roots speculation

about a) a stolen election and b) Bush just not leaving.

Wasn't there a SNL skit years ago about the SS having to pry Bush I & Barb the (W)itch out of the WH when Clinton won?

[fujiyama]

10. That SNL skit

sounds hilarious. I don't think I saw it.

But in all seriosness, I can't see Rove and Co giving up. After all, he's been appointed by God.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

28. No, the SS pried Nancy out of the WH when Bush won (SNL)

Jan Hooks played Nancy, Phil Hartman played "Bar." The premise was that "Bar" had redecorated, Nancy started moving things back where they were when she lived there, finally the SS "escorts" her out.

Phil was a great Barbara Bush.

:toast:

[Jackpine Radical]

32. Ah, that was it.

Couldn't quite remember...

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. I can't see the chimp conceding until he pulls every last dirty trick

in the book and still comes out on the losing end. Maybe not even then. I don't see him going away. :-(

[Orangepeel]

7. you know, that's what the fringe right said about Clinton...

I'm just saying.

[DemNoir]

13. You are right

But I think it has more validity this time

[KittyWampus]

23. The Fringe Right Has A Habit Of Projecting Their Own Fear

onto others.

[fugue]

8. Me, too

After all, he's never wrong, and he's asserted again and again that he doesn't think he'll lose. He wasn't even able to answer a question about what the country would be like under Kerry; his only answer was that he didn't think he was going to lose.

Concede? Not Bush, not in this lifetime.

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. And he doesn't care what we think.

Remember that? I do.

[iamjoy]

16. Remember The First Debate

When he was asked if Kerry were to be President (would the nation be more likely to have a terrorist attack) & Bush said "that's not going to happen."

I do think that was just a normal display of his arrogance, but it does make one wonder if he knows something we don't.

[natrat]

uhh yea ...they own the e voting machines

[NNadir]

11. This pathological creature has not displayed one iota of humanity

in his whole fucking useless and parasitic life.

He may be need to be dragged out of the White House by his collar, cringing all the time in open display of his complete cowardice, but he will be removed nonetheless.

Did I put that too gently?

[smirkymonkey]

33. Nah, it's perfect.

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. He's going to do the phone call ala 2000...."Look my brother says....

:eyes:

[Skittles]

14. no

those neocon bastards are not going to let go; they are not through with us yet

[iamjoy]

15. It's Going To Be Nasty

Anyone expecting to wake up November 3 and know who will be President is niave. I see at least four legal challenges:

First, we'll have to wait for the oversees ballots. Those simply have to be postmarked by November 2, whereas people in the U.S. have to have the absentee ballots IN by election day. Traditionally, people overseas vote Republican. But, although many military families support and trust Bush many are also dissatisfied, as evidenced by two seemingly contradictory polls this week. I would think with foreigners having their lowest opinion of the U.S. in years that might have some influence our way. Anyway, the GOP may still be counting on these votes and will claim all the Democrats last minute legal challenges over Nader delayed the mailing of the ballots to try to give them more time.

Then, there are the problems with the electronic voting machines.
This is a real problem not only because there is no paper trail, but because we have essentially sold our democracy to the lowest bidder and one of the terms was we cannot inspect these machines if there is an anamoly such as 5,000 people showing up to the polls, but only 3,000 votes recorded.

Next, will come the issue with provisional ballots. People told they aren't eligible at the polls can vote via provisional ballot and if their registration can be verified, their vote is counted. But there is no standard for reviewing or determining the legitimacy of these voters or their ballots.

Finally, look for challenges of voter registration fraud like we're seeing in Nevada and possibly Florida. In Florida, voter registration forms are being rejected for technicalities, but some how this is affecting Democratic applications more than Republican.

[asjr]

17. No, he will not concede. He believes he was appointed by God

and will chain himself to the oval office before he leaves. He will have to be physically removed. And that is after every dirty trick in the Repub handbook has been exhausted. There is a truly demented puppet living in our house. Let us evict him.

[jimshoes]

18. They were ready to do it last time

and although I don't have a link for it the * campaign headed by James Baker III was ready with numerous scenarios that would throw up all manner of roadblocks to insure a Gore loss hence a * win. I believe they had a scenario in place if * won the popular vote but lost the EC.

We saw what happened in FLA in 2000, with Gore winning the popular but losing the EC. As were several other scenarios. They left little to chance in 2000, and I'm certain they have left even less to chance this time around.

Do any DU'ers have the story handy, it should be read by everyone.

[SheilaT]

19. I, for one, won't rest easy

until John Kerry actually takes the oath of office.

I do not see this administration going quietly just because they lose in a free, fair, and honest election.

There are many, many ways to steal the election or create a reason to stay in power regardless of the apparent outcome. I can think of several scenarios myself, and I'm sure these guys are way ahead of me.

What I can hope for is that they are so deeply into denial, so thoroughly do not understand how very many people hate them and want them gone, that they're thinking they're simply going to win with little cheating on their part, and so will be astounded by the results and unable to steal the election. And then that they don't manufacture some kind of crisis requiring them to stay in office.

Bush-Cheney04
Because You Shouldn't Change Horsemen Mid-Apocalypse

[highplainsdem]

20. That's what I'm worried about, too, that they'll fake some kind of crisis

as an excuse to hold on to power by extraordinary means.

[amazona]

21. i was told for a fact he wouldn't concede in 2000

Before the election in 2000 a GOP campaign worker -- and not just any worker but one who has participated in GOP dirty tricks and who testified in front of Congress in the attempt to steal Mary Landrieu (D-LA)'s seat -- this person told me flat out that they had lawyers in every state to tie it up in court and that "Al Gore will never be seated in the White House." Everything we saw in 2000 that was such a shock to us that people could be so evil...it was something that the GOP worked for, planned for, intended to happen all along. These people have no respect for rule of law or democracy; their only goal is concentrated wealth and power.

It has become a cliche to state that we've experienced a bloodless coup but I don't think many of us fully understood that we have indeed experienced a bloodless coup and the occupiers of the White House never had any intention of abiding by the results of a fair election. Why would it be any different in 2004 or, ever again, for that matter?

I believe we need to GOTV, have a clear majority on our side, and then be willing to face what comes next because it ain't gonna be pretty. It's a different situation from 2000 when Al Gore conceded to, basically, prevent a war. We're in a war now whether we like it or not. There is no upside to backing down and no lives that will be saved by saying "oh well, if they want it bad enough to cheat, let 'em have it."

[KitSileya]

22. I have no doubt you're right.

One thing that is important this time, tho', as you say, is that the Democratic leadership doesn't bend over and take it! If the dem senators et al fold this time, and go the route of conceeding for the greater good, they will need to go as much as the Bushco admin. This is war.

[diamond14]

24. bush* will be DRUNK/drugged on TV, just like nixon was at the end

bush* has followed the nixonian playbook...and his staff have treasonously HID bush* drinking/drugging from WE THE PEOPLE, just like nixon's staff did....


and now, we will see bush* majorly drunk on TV, like nixon, slurring his words, tilting...the whole bit....it'll scare America to watch bush* at the end, but WE THE PEOPLE will know we made the correct choice by choosing KERRY....

[morillon]

25. I've been worried about this for months.

I just don't see them leaving willingly, even if Kerry convincingly trounces them. Even if the corporate shills in the media say Kerry won.

Over the last four years, every time I've thought to myself or said, "Nah, surely they'd NEVER do that," they have done exactly what I feared they'd do -- and then some. I've never doubted that they'd behave despicably and unlawfully, but I always thought they'd give some minimal consideration to public opinion. I don't think we can assume there's anything they wouldn't do. I get surprised every time I think there's a limit to it.

One can only hope that someone like Powell will have the honor and the love for his country to intervene, if the current residents refuse to leave in January. Or if they try to cook up some kind of crisis between the election and Kerry's inauguration.

[arwalden]

29. Welcome To DU!!! Glad You're Here!!

-- Allen

[peppersnick]

26. If you consider this administration never won the election in 2000...

and all the lies and deceptions they've given the American people over the last 3 and 3/4 years... I can see them doing everything they can to stay in office also. They are slimey wretched nasty politicians in every sense of the word. That's why we have to show them who the majority is in this election and make a statement to say the government particularly the Bush administration will not get away with this election. By the way... I love this site.. being from a heavily Republican area.. it feels good to speak with others who have some smarts hehe...!

[LibDemAlways]

31. Welcome to DU, peppersnick.

You'll like it here.

As for chimp leaving the WH voluntarily, never. Pres. Kerry will have to have him/Cheney/Rummy/Rice and their groupies forcibly evicted. Imagine how good it would feel to see Mr. and Mrs. Chimp's furniture and clothes tossed out onto the street right after they land on their asses.

[SammyWinstonJack]

34. I'd pay to watch that.

:evilgrin:

[UpsideDownFlag]

27. well, he did say he cant imagine kerry winning. in the 1st debate. nt

[arwalden]

30. In The Event Of A Bush "Win" Watch For EffortsTo Repeal The 22nd Amendment

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.amendmentxxii.html

Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.


Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission to the states by the Congress.

[Lerkfish]

35. IS there a provision to remove his access to the "football"?

My biggest fear is that not only will he not concede if he loses, but he's just the sick twisted puppy to hit the final red button out of spite.

What is the ruling, anyways? can a lame duck president start a nuclear war, or will clearer heads prevail?