Reply #6: Honestly, I don't think re(se)election [View All]

[charlie]

is critically important to them. I believe the reason they moved like a scalded cat right out of the box (reversing sunshine laws, allowing their buddies free reign to game energy and fund markets, decimation of the treasury, LIHOP, Patriot Act, gutting FCC ownership rules, etc, etc... ) was to ensure that the radical changes they were making would have enough time to become intractable.

PNACers have their MidEast presence (and the more chaotic it becomes, the more likely the US will be drawn into further conflicts, requiring expanded occupation and growth of empire). Defense contractors have bounteous long-term commissions. Tax Patriots/Fundies are happy the government is hobbled with a wrecked budget. The public is properly cowed with the malleable spectre of Terrorism. Everything is roses if you're a Bushite.

It would take years, if not decades, for a Democratic administration and all-Democrat Congress to turn this mess around.

The Bushites have won. If they pull off a rapprochement with NK, and win re-election points for statesmanship, great. If they screw things up, there's always golf.