My dad asked me, “if Al Gore really did win in 2000, why didn’t the Democrats nominate him to run in 2004?” Why didn’t the Dems run Al Gore in 2004? Well, first off, Al didn’t want to run. He thought the idea of “Bush v. Gore II” would’ve overshadowed the issues and he’d be made to look like a sore loser. He also thought it would open old wounds and that we needed to get past that debacle.

Second, Gore made critical mistakes in 2000 that cost him the election. Running away from the Clinton legacy — sheesh, we were prosperous and peaceful and he was a beloved two-term incumbent, but we can’t have that whole blowjob thing rub off on Gore! He also made crucial campaigning mistakes, gave poor appearances in the debates, lacked the ability to fight back against the Rove team’s slander of Gore, and didn’t connect well with the voters.

Finally, his demand to recount only four Florida counties was his undoing. In a recount, when you’re behind, you always ask for a full recount. Strategically and ethically it’s the right thing to do. (Of course, ethics don’t count for much when a Supreme Court will overstep its jurisdiction and overrule a state Supreme Court in a state matter.)

But do not fret! John Kerry is a great candidate! Do not believe what the media or the polls suggest — that his candidacy is tanking. It is not. Somebody (the vast right-wing conspiracy) want you to think he hasn’t a chance so you don’t go to the polls. The higher the turnout, the more Democrats win; it’s been that way for decades.

The Bush bounce is history, the polls are neck and neck despite Kerry facing a wartime incumbent with a huge campaign war chest who’s thrown every dirty smear at him. If all the votes are counted and touch screen machines aren’t monkeyed with (BIG IF), it’s Kerry in a landslide.

Unless Rove has Osama on ice. It’s getting close to October; time for the surprises to peek out…

“Radical” Russ — Iva said she was amazed at how apolitical her friends and family in Idaho were… I guess when it’s a 3-to-1 red state, there’s not a lot of need for discussion…

    ____________________________________________________________________

   |                                                                    

_  | "RADICAL" RUSS BELVILLE | Read More at http://radicalruss.net/blog/  

  | Portland, Oregon U.S.A. | Permission is granted for reprint of this      

  | © 2004 by Russ Belville | post, as long as this footer is included.