Exit Pols
Beer didn’t work. Neither did a long walk. Now I?ll try writing. It’s midnight and sleep is not an option. It’s clear now that Ohio will determine the election and the state is trending toward Bush. How could the early exit polls have been so wrong? I?m not sure how other Democratic voters are feeling right now, but my gut feeling is telling me that Bush has this one. As a Kerry supporter, I’m really discouraged.
Two big disappointments so far:
1. How could Kentucky send Bunning back to the Senate? I am stunned. Bunning’s gaffes are now national news, but they’re worth repeating. He said that his opponent looked like one of Saddam Hussein?s sons. He claimed that his was wife was “black and blue” after she was assaulted by a member of Mongiardo’s staff. He has proudly stated that he doesn’t keep up with the news?unless it?s from Fox. Incredibly?this is just unbelievable?at a recent appearance at a small Kentucky Catholic college, he referred to the Sept. 11 events as “November the 11th”.
Kentucky just sent this man to the Senate.
2. The youth vote. The idea that young people rejected Eminem’s instructions to mosh their way to the polls doesn’t bother me. Vote or Die fizzled. Fine. And I’m a little encouraged, actually, that the Kabbalah crowd didn?t connect. But some early reports suggest that 18-29 year-olds voted the same as in 2000?that is, not in large numbers. And sadly, 30-44 year olds voted in less numbers than in 2000 (according to the same exit poll). After the 2000 election, 9-11, the Iraq War, terrorism, etc. it is just inexcusable that young people are at home playing Grand Theft Auto instead of voting. Pure apathy. Keep the gadgets, ringtones, and pop-culture goodness coming and they?re stoked. Rock on, kids.
It’s time for Democrats to do some serious soul searching. What does it mean to be a Democrat anymore? If you ask five different people, you will get five different answers. I don?t think the same is true for Republicans. “Low taxes” will be mentioned by those five people. Republicans have clear principles (regardless of whether they adhere to them) and successfully stayed on message during the campaign. Democrats don’t have a coherent vision. Are you fighting for the working-class coal miner? Or latte-swilling urbanite? Often I will hear a list of issues and policies rather than core values and guiding beliefs. Yeah, yeah, it?s a big tent. But If everyone is let inside the tent, then what do you stand for? I?m tired of Democrats just looking for new blocks and constituencies, such as Hispanics. Stand for something!
November 4th, 2004
Brian Noel
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
This could be the Democrat’s Barry Goldwater moment, but w/ a twist. I dont mean the moveon.org/michael moore wing will be the foundation of the party like the Reagan, Buckley, Goldwater wing became the foundation of the GOP. But that Democratic Party will have to rethink what their party actually stands for w/ a coherent ideology, philosophy, and principles. I’m not sure where I’m going w/ this? I was up until 3:30 last night and I’m now at home watching Ben & Caroline eat their breakfast. I think I heard Wolf Blizter say that the white evangelical vote carred OH for Bush. (something like 25% of the vote in OH) These are the people Democratic voters are forced to ignore due to the abortion lobby. It’s the republicans that have a more open party on divisive issue like abortion. Compare the conventions, Arnold & Rudy–both are pro-choice. Compare that to Dem refusing to let pro-life Bob Casey speak at the 92 convention. Hillary just may be the real moderate here. You can see this in her foreign policy. Hillary in 08 for the dems. Carville was very negative last night. Did anybody see him? He had basically given up before midnight. They want to get back in the swing of things in 08 w/ the Clintons. It’s the Kennedy wing vs Clinton wing in the Dem party. Clintons= 3rd way dems, Kennedy/Kerry= liberal wwing
Polly Benzing
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
In regards to young people not voting, yesterday at work I asked a guy (about age 25) if he’d voted. He lethargically said no but, hey, maybe he could leave at 3pm that day and say he’s voting! What an idiot. I was infuriated. I vented to my buddy and he pointed out that it’s really better that those people don’t vote because they don’t know what’s going on. He said that that his sister wanted to vote for Bush because “he’s like a cute old man” and she didn’t like Kerry because he “does those annoying hand gestures.” Needless to say, my buddy was hoping his sis didn’t make it to the polls. This rationale made me feel a little better but it would be tough to lift my spirits today.
Darin
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Why are the only choices for president anymore for either party always family members. First Bush, then Clinton, then another Bush, then the Dems will put up another Clinton for ‘08. Surely to goodness there’s more than this available to choose from!!
Billy, I did my part in not voting for Bunning. I can’t figure anything out anymore. Nothing is logical.
In 2004 the presidential election comes down to abortion and Vietnam? Are you sure this isn’t 1972? And I’m tired of one party taking the banner of spiritualism and moralism and claiming it as exclusive to them and no one else.
P Diddy challenged the youth to “Vote or Die”. I guess they chose death.
Billy
Thursday, November 04, 2004
I had a really similar experience, Polly. This person was voting on the basis of W’s daughters being “hot.” No joke… I think one of the great things about being young is that you’re not consumed by all of this stuff. No one is asking for a commanding knowledge of all the issues. But with what has happened over the past few years, it is disturbing young people weren’t even interested enough to vote.
Now, what would not have surprised me at all was if teens, college students, early 20-somethings voted in record numbers–for a Republican. From informal research I have done for a project at work, I’m convinced that the worldview of many kids coming up does not align with their older brothers and sisters.
Polly Benzing
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Billy, if someone you knew was voting for Bush because his daughter is hot, you should have reminded them to take a look at Kerry’s oldest daughter. She’s a hottie, too.
Brian Noel
Monday, November 08, 2004
I received the Newsweek election issue in the mail on Saturday. Great stuff! I found it to be the pefect wrap-up and summary of this crazy campaign season. cool behind the scenes stuff on both campaigns. check it out.
As for the candidate’s hot daughters: Karenna Gore wins hands down