Something that worries me

[mvd]

In the past, Bush has beaten both Ann Richards and Gore largely because one of Bush's few abilities is sticking to a script well. Does this worry others? Because Ann Richards is very witty and tough, and still got frustrated. I think Kerry has had a lot of chance to study what Bush has done, so I'm optimistic.

[BigDaddyLove]

1. If I remember correctly, and I probably don't........

Ann Richards was attacked by Bush's Campaign by spreading rumors all over Texas that she was a lesbian, which didn't help her very much; and Gore beat Bush.

[mvd]

2. That's true about Gore

Bush beat Gore, but Bush didn't really win.

[mvd]

4. Still..

I'm wondering if what I said factored into the closeness of the election. I know the media didn't help Gore one bit, so maybe I'm overreacting.

[WilliamPitt]

5. Ann Richards suffered from Max Cleland Syndrome

Bush's people attacked her so insanely that she felt it beneath her to respond and fight back. Like Max, Ann was overwhelmed by shit. Like Max, Ann didn't stand and fight it.

[mvd]

7. And Gore took slander on himself too lightly

He'd almost egg the media and Bush on. Hopefully, our nominee can get it right and counteract "the script."

[Bucky]

9. Nearly right

Richards did fight back. But the real reason she lost was that 1994 had a huge Republican backlash vote against Clinton. Bush got a sympathy vote for his daddy once everyone got a chance to see that he was a little more like Reagan than Poppy. It was a culture thing, pure and simple. It wasn't much of an ugly fight by Texas standards. And remember that we only elected Richards in the first place because her 1990 opponent was an unscripted moron who liked to tell rape jokes. She won in a squeaker.

[Nite Owl]

3. Bush wasn't the incumbant

when he ran against Ann or Gore. Hopefully his cowboy act has worn off and his record shows that he's all talk when it comes to the compassionate side of the conservatism. Heck with his spending habits he isn't even the comsevative part either. The guy is a pathological liar. That's our part, to get that through.

[mvd]

6. Good point

Bush had to defend his Texas record, but people don't care about state records as much. The lack of any "compassionate conservatism" should be a theme of our nominee's.

[amber dog democrat]

8. I honestly believe its anyone's guess

as to what will end up happening. Bush beat Ann Richards - it reflects the mean streak in Texas politics, but Gore won the election. He just was not appointed by the Supreme Court like the chimp was.

If only I had a crystal ball.

[OneBlueSky]

10. most elections -- particularly presidential elections -- are a . . .

referendum on the incumbent . . . if people are satisfied with how things are going, they'll vote to re-elect . . . if they're not, they'll vote to oust, assuming the alternative is someone they can envision as their president . . . Bush's record is such that everyone who voted for Gore will likely want him out, as will a substantial number of those who voted for him and now understand their mistake . . . I'm feeling good about November, just based on the Bush fatigue factor . . .