U.S.A Presidential Election

[Dark Lillian]

(I doubt that most of you will care, but if you do) who do you think will win the U.S. presidential election. George Bush or John Kerry?

[WaldoMcFroog]

I suspect it is simply too close to call at this stage (in which case Bush will probably get 'elected' again!) but I hope it is Kerry. I don't think that Kerry is a particularly nice or decent man, and I'm not naive enough to believe that the Democrats are a significantly different prospect to the Republicans but anything that gets Bush out can only be regarded as a start.

I do deeply care that Bush is taken out of office. He's a profiteering incompetant, who has shown a scant regard for the lives of Americans, Afgans or Iraqis and I firmly believe that he (and Blair et al) have made the world a less safe place to live in.

In the same way, although I don't want to see the Tory party win here, I very much hope that Tony reaps what he sowed and is turfed out come the election.

[bernardo]

70% chance of George Bush; 30% chance of John Kerry. The popular votes will be GB 52%, JK 46% and the electoral college votes will be c. GB 300, JK 238

[Dark Lillian]

But what about the Fahrenheit 911 movie that just came out, do you think that will effect the election at all?

[WaldoMcFroog]

It might do. It's very difficult to judge the film from a British perspective. The film doesn't give away much new information to someone reasonably aware of current affairs, but then it's not aimed at us. It is manipulative (but then again anyone who cries 'it's biased' is clearly an idiot; surely no one ever imagined it was agenda-free?), and there's a few sections where Moore editorializes unnecessarily - the scene of Bush in the school when the planes hit the WTC is what I'm thinking of. The scene says enough as it is, without necessitating Moore's voice over suppositions of what Bush is thinking. That said, I do broadly agree with Moore's appraisal of Bush, even if I frequently disagree with his methods, and the American population could well do with getting more interested in their own political system. Not that we're immune to disinterest here, of course.

[colinsvan]

difficult question - interesting but difficult. i have been pondering this for some time-and have no answer! Kerry hasn't been exposed for anything appalling (yet)and is rightly (imho) keeping pretty much quiet whilst bush screws up foreign and domestic policy. also, influential (at least culturally) publishing houses such as conde nast have stated that they are anti bush, so that may have an impact... as for michael moore's film i can't comment as haven't seen... but am frustrated that he is being shown up to be 'a bit of a git' as this will possibly negate anything valid he has to say as far as americans are concerned (he didn't exactly ingratiate at the oscars either)humph. worringly, the IMF recently came out with a spontaneous statement that the american economy was absolootley lovely and everybody is going to be very rich (or something like that) which apparently is unprecedented, and according to other economists also widly innacurate. but before one gets one's hope's up lets remember that bush has most industries allied to him, aswell as congress and will do anything to be elected, as we saw last time in california... i agree with W.MC.Froog that kerry in the white house would be a start - but a small one. It is unlikely that he would sign up to the kyoto agreement, or radically change foreign policy.... roll on november

[MoonMama]

Bush stole the first election and there is no reason to think that he doesn't have plans to do it again. Since the last election the US has switched to voting machines with no back-up paper trail. Any ten year old could hack into the results and modify them. After all, the election isn't over until your brother counts the votes.

[saffstar]

Please, please let it be Kerry! I'm not saying that I think he'll be any better, but hopefully, even if he's not, he'll at least be bad in a different way. I think George Bush has already done so much with his ridiculously blinkered view to make the world a more dangerous place that if he won a second term the consequences could be awful. I hope Kerry wins, and that he can go someway to repairing the reputation of the USA (and therefore us, by association) but I've a nasty suspicion that Georgie-boy's bit too rich & popular

[stevie21]

But what about the Fahrenheit 911 movie that just came out, do you think that will effect the election at all? At the minute, Bush's opponents are reluctant to jump on this bandwagon as it is seen as a surefire vote loser to be seen as anti- or un-American. Maybe it'll be issues beyond Iraq which will be the focus?

[TommyC]

I really don't much care, but I have little doubt that, rightly or wrongly, Bush will be buried. Ditto Blair next spring, of which I have absolutely no personal doubt whatever. I might even bet on it.

[Dark Lillian]

bush seems so confident that he'll win the election...i dont see why

[lph]

Please people just vote. Vote with your hearts, and conscience. Lets get our troops out of Iraq. Lets get these darn gasoline prices down! Keep these things in mind......most important....JUST VOTE.