Every Time I Think About This It Scares Me

[THUNDER HANDS]

If Bush would just say two words: 'I'm sorry' he would probably coast to re-election.

If he just tried to take on one or two moderate positions over the course of his term, he would probably coast to re-election.

If he showed any actual responsibility for his decisions or actions he would probably coast to re-election.

Just little things. Really stupid little things that would make a difference to him he just refuses to do.

If I was a Bush supporter I'd be pissed he doesn't swallow his pride and acknowledge he's made mistakes.

When Clinton had his Monica thing, Clinton SAID HE WAS SORRY and the public forgave him. Judging by the number of people who will bend over backwards for Bush and his mistakes, its not hard to imagine that just enough people would forgive him to get him re-elected.

But he refuses to do that. It's absolutely mind-boggling.

That is what scares me the most. Knowing just how close Bush is to getting re-elected and knowing that his pride and his ego are letting it get in the way. This will be the story next week, when people try to figure out why Bush lost. The incometence had a lot to do with it, but the difference was made by his refusal to acknowledge his incompetence.

[ejcastellanos]

1. Are you sure the public forgave Clinton? NT

[THUNDER HANDS]

4. absolutely

Monica actually improved Clinton's poll numbers. After that episode he was polling in the freakin' 70s!

He left office with a 62% approval rating.

It didn't cost him his job and it didn't make him an evil man in the hearts and minds of most Americans. Don't believe the right wing hype that the country was polarized with Clinton as president.

[cheezus]

2. I think it would COST him the election

their strategy was actually a good one. When things are fucked up that bad,just deny deny deny and claim things are going great. He's only doing so well now because a lot of morans actually believe him. If he were to suddenly change course he'd get creamed.

he lost his chance to apologize way back when richard clarke had to do it for him.

[zbdent]

3. Well, Steve Martin said it

"I forgot".

And when that didn't work -

"Well, EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE ME!"

[annabanana]

5. Don't worry...He CAN'T say it..

The reason he screwed up the "fool me once, shame on you" quote is that he is psychologically incapable of actually saying the words "shame on me".

[ixion]

6. if Bush says he's 'sorry'... he's admitting to comitting

war crimes, which is why they'll continue to deny it.

[UL_Approved]

7. Break the promise

Bill Clinton never made a presidency on absolutism, and he never had this chip on his shoulder about a "mission from God". Bush painted himself into a corner the very day he said he was "unwavering in the face of terror". Besides, Bill Clinton lied only a few times, mostly at press conferences. George Bush has systematically made up his vision of the world and it is falling apart now. More and more details appear in the press, and our wonderful leader is having a hard time keeping up with all this stuff. You can only build a government on lies for so long if you have free people. I don't know if an apology would make any difference now anyway. He's pissed of the world around us and has pissed off a large portion of people in this country. I just hope enough people get tired of this guy so as to remove him.

[calmblueocean]

8. I think so, too.

The primary characterization we Dems have run on is that Bush is an arrogant man who cannot admit a mistake. During the debates, he had a chance to stop us cold. There are mistakes it is easy to admit that voters can empathize with.

For instance:

"One mistake I made was when I called this war a 'crusade'. I mispoke, and immediately regretted it afterwards. I've never used that word again. I'm not always the greatest speaker, but I think most folks know what's in my heart. This isn't a religious war, it's a war of liberty... Yadda yadda yadda..."

Mistake admitted, no big deal, stereotype blown.

And you're right, it's absolutely mind-boggling that Bush can't do this. That he's so committed to his stupidity that he'd rather lose the presidency than acknowledge anything specific he's done wrong.

[Journeyman]

9. It's all about hubris. . .

what I've been saying since 2001 -- what will bring down this malAdministration is its incredible, logic-defying, irresponsible hubris. No scandals, no foul ups, no disasters or treacheries could possibly do as much damage to these people than their own unmitigated hubris will do. And lo and behold, here we are, four years later with the proof of that belief laid bare before the public. And though, as you say, they could reverse it all with a little helping of humble pie, they can't do it. It's the very definition of hubris. . . and it's what has finally worked.

[fugop]

10. Maybe a few months back, not now

I think if Bush had apologized for mistakes a while back, you're right. He would have been forgiven. We're a forgiving group. (Well, not me, but Americans.)

Too late for that now. Now, it opens the door for Kerry to say, "He'll say ANYTHING to get elected!" (Note: Not re-elected)

Many times I thought that if Bush had just been a better man, he could have saved himself. And I breathed big sighs of relief when he failed to do so. (For example: the swiftboats. Had he condemned those ads right off the bat, he would have looked great to moderates. I held my breath in fear that he would do so. Luckily, pride wouldn't allow it.)

Frankly, had he been able to answer that "what mistakes have you made" question in the townhall debate, I think again he could have saved himself. Again held my breath. Again, he failed to do so.

Thank God. Now I think it's far too late for an apology. He is who he is. Let's hope Americans are figuring this out and will kick his butt back to Crawford. (Bonus question: how fast will he sell that ranch after he gets the boot? No way does he keep clearing brush when the photo ops dry up. No. Effing. Way.)

[bloom]

11. Bush* was saying he supports civil-unions this week

so he is trying to be more moderate in that respect.


Not that anyone should ever believe anything he says.