They will vote for Bush no matter what

[question everything]

On occasions some still wonder how things might have changed had Dean, or Clark, or Edwards been the nominee.

I don't think that anyone would have done better. It is clear that there are many, too many, who would vote for Bush even if he ran naked on Pennsylvania Avenue, holding a knife dripping with blood and screaming incoherently. OK, more incoherent than now.

They would vote for him because, as my spouse's boss cried with joy in 2000, they want someone "like them" - evangelists - in the White House.

They would vote for him because life is so much easier with him. Everything is black and white. You are either with us or against us; dead or alive; conservative or liberal... etc. There are no shades of gray, there are never any doubts, not even self introspect. Even though most people know in their own lives that life is not black or white, they are attracted to a "leader" who appears to make life easier and more bearable.

I have been watching the West Wing from the beginning. Yesterday the Martin Sheen character, President Bartlett, was not ready to just attack Syria and Iran, especially Iran, for the death of Americans delegates in Gaza by terrorists. He clearly was thinking and debating and called his staff to a meeting, demanding new ideas. And I could not helped thinking that Bush would never be in such a situation. Would never debate and wonder and seek other ideas...

But this, apparently, is what half of the American voters want.

[Maat]

1. Well, we just got to do our best...

and then our consciences will be clean.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. It's got all the characteristics of a cult.

A co-worker started ranting to me about this the other day; he said, regarding the Chimpinator's er, *special* debate performance, that "Bush could have dropped his pants and taken a dump on the stage and those people would still vote for him." Of course, they are not "reality-based." That's what explains the whole thing, I think...

[Scoopie]

6. It IS a cult

I know many Southern Baptists, Methodists and Catholics who just think he's gone beyond the beyond.

For most in this cult category, it's the fact that they don't question or think that "killing" is OK, as long as it's not the "unborn." Challenge them on the Christian dogma of life - anti-war, anti-death penalty and the fact that the Bible never mentions abortion - and they fall apart, lash out and call the questioner "unpatriotic." Then you point out the First Amendment and Thomas Jefferson and how you're NOT "unpatriotic," and they say you're a sinner. So you say, "Everyone, save Christ, is a sinner." Then they say you're not saved and you say, "I am, but we'll see on Judgment Day," and they lose it - cussing you, red-faced, incoherent - much like Shrub during the debates.

Their little brains fry with knowledge.

:hi: Ocelot, btw.

[question everything]

10. One has to wonder whether they have ever heard of the Renaissance

and whether they consider this era as the beginning of the their troubles. After all, this was the age of the Middle Ages, this was the age when man (and woman, of course) with his capacity to think and to rationalize and to understand the world around him took precedence over the blind belief in "divine force" in fate and mysticism.

No doubt, most of them embrace the major progress that science brought us, yet it seems that given the choice, they would rather go back to those "blessed" days when one did not question "god" and whoever consider himself as god's messenger.

Or, like typical Republicans, they are hypocrites, would embrace most scientific inventions but reject the environment that facilitated them.

[FrankenforMN]

3. On Dean

I agree with you that most, if not all republicans will not change their minds, but Howard Dean has always said that you win an election by energizing the base. Kerry's strategy has been one that reaches out to independents, and possibly a few republicans. Having said that, I do believe the base is VERY energized by Kerry, and Kerry has won over independents. Hopefully his strategy pays off.

[Erika]

4. They Need To Be Reminded Jesus did

not believe in killing innocent kids. No, half do not believe that and more are waking up everyday. Two thirds of Bushies still believe Hussein had WMD's and was involved in 9/11. Plus, there are many deeply religious who cannot accept Bush's war against innocents and more are acknowledging it every day.

[Touchdown]

5. It's not up to them. We are the majority. Never forget that.

They only win when we don't vote and get the rest of us to vote. Republicans ALWAYS lose when turnout is high. They are reliable voters, we need to be too, then they'll be irrelevant.

[farmbo]

7. Only 35% are unsalvagable...the self-described "born again " Evangelists

They are not unlike the Taliban...Muslim fundamentalists who have shut their minds to secular thought.

They have an arrogance and a self-righteousness that makes them beyond logical intervention.

And they are NOT Christians as that term is described in the New Testament.

but they do not constitute 50% of the electorate... just 35%.

Thank God!

[Nordic]

9. yeah, old optimistic me thought by Nov. 2nd Bush's numbers would be 35%

and that only the insane fundies would vote for him.

Well, we got a lot of dumb or insane people who aren't fundies voting for him as well.

People who choose to live in the Bush fantasy world.

[Nordic]

8. oh, Bush would seek ideas ...

He's say, "hey, you got them nucoolar bunker-buster bombs ready for me yet? ...... No? ........ Well, shit, what else you got?"