I have an election-related question

[Kenneth ken]

I hadn't considered this before, nor have I seen it as a topic of discussion, but it sort of fell into my head after thinking about the possibility of the election being postponed, so I will ask.

Given that a postponed election would lead some people to call for a national strike and boycott (me included); and given the uncertainty of Black Box Voting, and its potential for problems; and also given the anectdotal stories of Bush*'s popularity being on the wane; and also given the possibility of illegally disenfranchised voters (i.e.Florida);

my question is this: Is there any scenario in which Bush would be declared the winner of the 2004 election that would be acceptable to you.

General reading around here gives the impression that the only way Bush could be declared the winner is by some fraudulent method.

This question bothers me because I am hard-pressed to find a scenario I would accept, but acknowledging that also seems to prejudice me against the idea that such a thing is possible, yet this is real life, so it does have a greater than zero possibility.

That I don't have an answer for my own question also bothers me.

So what say you?

thanks. I will check back in a couple hours and see if any one else has thoughts on this.

[Droopy]

1. I think Bush can win a fair election

He did it in Texas didn't he? This is why we really must not be complacent when dealing with Bush and the Republicans. But there are the issues you have raised and it brings to mind the point that because of these issues, we really can't tell if it is a fair election. Or worse, that there are outright cases of fraud.

[Kenneth ken]

5. in theory, yes

Bush could win a fair election. My concern is if he were declared the winner in November, how would we be able to "know" or "believe" he had fairly won?

Did he win a fair election in Texas? I don't know; many posters here say most Texans are conservatives, and almost all the Texans I have ever met have been very conservative, so I can say, yes, he probably did.

As a nation, we seem more evenly divided.

[TheFarseer]

2. i still think they could

play some social issue up and get elected or find Osama or if Iraq starts going better. I really think they will try and play the gay card and could win on that

[Kenneth ken]

6. ok thanks

we do have more than a bit of contention even here regarding GLBT issues, so that is certainly a valid factor to consider.

I don't know about finding Osama or improvements in Iraq, but that's part of my problem; I don't have a good sense of what is "main stream" thought, so maybe those points could play on main street.

[tritsofme]

3. My concern is all these anti-gay referendums they're trying to get on the

ballots in battleground states.

This could really help them in their GOTV efforts and they could eek out a legitimate victory.

[Kenneth ken]

7. thanks

that's in line with what The Farseer said, and who I am to argue with a far seer?

I will have to start paying closer attention to that topic, and see what actually makes ballots in which states.

[FloridaPat]

4. If everyone in the country voted for the jerk but me I would still

find it unacceptable.

However, if the people in this country are that stupid then they deserve what they get and I will be leaving the country. Heard about some great places to live in Mexico.

[Kenneth ken]

8. that is pretty much my point of view

and my worry is that when I am reading lounge posts about the shows that are on tv, I really do believe the majority of Americans are possibly that stupid. :scared:

BUt I also know people who watch tv, and remain capable of intelligent thought, so obviously what's on tv is not a sure indicator of the overall level of stupidity of this country.

I guess I'll just have to keep reading and talking to people and make the best guess I can as to how legitimate the election turns out.

Thanks.