Is it true that of the people who actually voted for Mister Bush in 2000 many did so because they felt he was?

Question

a guy they could drink a beer with and Al Gore was a dull intelecttual?If yes how big do you estimate that part of Bush voters and how do you see them?What do you think of their attitude?Do you think America is fundamentally changed the last eight years or could this type of thing just as easily happen again?

Answer 1

Often a reason given for why one voted for Bush was that he was a likable guy the average citizen could relate to. He hid his silver spoon well during his campaign and played the "I am a good old boy who knows just what you go through daily and you can relate to me" part to the hilt.
I honestly hope that was no ones main reason for voting for Bush, I would like to think they would make such an important decision based on research of his track record in politics. I see the majority of current Bush supporters as weak and easily swayed by sound bites and fear. They more than anyone fall prey to "group think". Their attitude is frightening and bizarre. They have been shown countless times how Bush has lied and has been wrong and they accuse the messenger of lying, making it up, or just being a "Bush hater". The way they so vehemently despise liberals and Democrats is also frightening, they honestly seem to believe that liberals are the enemy and will be the downfall of this country. They enjoy the benefits of liberal ideology daily yet refuse to acknowledge this.
Yes this type of thing could happen just as easily again, for example look at how much support Fred Thompson has from these people.

Answer 2

I will answer your questions one at a time. Just so you know my perspective/background: I am a registered voter. I tend to lean toward Republican candidates, but lately there aren't many conservative Reps, so I just don't "tow the line". I put some thought into my choices.



Q: Is it true that of the people who actually voted for Mister Bush in 2000 many did so because they felt he was a guy they could drink a beer with and Al Gore was a dull intelecttual?

A: No. I voted for Bush because he had Republican beliefs. He was strong on national security. He promised (and delivered) military increases.
(I was a Marine through Clinton and never saw a pay raise. I was working a second job to pay rent because Clinton could have cared less about the military. Once Bush got in there, the military got three small payraises in an 18-month period, and we got "caught up" with the cost of living.)



Q: If yes, how big do you estimate that part of Bush voters and how do you see them?

A: It wasn't a yes for me (I voted on substance), but I think that 10% is a rough guess. Some people don't vote on substance - they vote on looks. Both sides of the aisle do that.



Q: What do you think of their attitude?

A: Anyone who votes for someone because they are "likable" are frighteningly shallow. I can think of a recent "likeable person" who cheated on their wife and ran the military into the gutter. I can think of a current "likeable person" who has no presidential experience, but people will be shallow and vote for him anyways.



Q: Do you think America is fundamentally changed the last eight years or could this type of thing just as easily happen again?

A: America has fundamentally changed in the fact that the political arena has gotten more fierce and no-holds-barred. America (its biggest change) has finally realized that Al Qaida and their allies have been at war with us for decades and we finally recognized this in 2001 and started fighting back. If you were referring to just in the "vote for me because you like me" realm, then I believe that no, some Americans are still as shallow as they ever were. On CNN, I saw a bunch of women say that they were going to vote for Hillary because she was a woman? Whhhaaattt? What about her stances on ? These women that were interviewed didn't care. She was woman - she got the vote. How shallow. Nothing's changed.

Answer 3

Personally I voted for him because he would appoint constructionist Supreme Court Justices and would not actively promote renewing the so called "assault weapons" ban. I got that for which I voted. Has he been a dissapointment? Certainly. But I do believe leftys are the enemy and will be the downfall of this country and probably the world so I do what I can.

It's interesting that June is happy to label someone a 'redneck' but would probably be offended if someone used the label 'redskin'. And Gray Wolf, you're quick with a stereotype about rural Americans but I bet you would have a fit if someone used a stereotype of rural Mexicans.

How do you celebrate diversity?

Answer 4

I voted for Bush, because he is a great leader, Al Gore is a great liar, he did *NOT* invent the internet as he says he did, he sold of almost half of the US Oil Reserves, known as Elk Hills, to Occidental Petroleum, uh, oh yea Al Gore Sr. (Dad) was a vice President at Occidental Petroleum.

I voted for him the second time because John Kerry is a traitor and a liar though claims to be a war hero.

Note to June, the JACKASS is the mascot of the Democratic Party, everytime one gets elected our taxes go sky high.

Answer 5

Well, Jimmy Jim Bob Buckwell is a Bush voter. You can pick him out in a crowd because he's usually with his sister/wife Loretta Jean. Their kids have three arms and fart through their noses. The collective I.Q. of the Buckwell clan is 2.7--and that's if you include the lame dog and dead parakeet.

Oh, yep. It can and probably will happen again that we end up with another cabbage-brained doofus (or doofette) that has NO concern for America's best interest but care only for their own ego and power trip. If you SERIOUSLY want an end to the insanity? Open your minds and study what a true leader is SUPPOSED to be like!
http://www.dennis4president.com/home/

Answer 6

America has changed a lot in the last eight years. Our acceptance of "Free Speech Zones" and the right of security to shoot violators of such zones would have been unthinkable 8 years ago.

I think people voted for Bush out of fear. I know many people who voted for Bush, and they were keeping caches of water and duct tape at that time - and they thought that my question about WHY terrorists would strike rural Ohio was dumb.

I still see people defending Bush by saying that he makes them safe. They may have liked him because he talked cowboy but they voted for him out of fear.

Answer 7

It's not that I voted for Bush, it's more that I voted against Gore.

Answer 8

You can also apply this logic to clinton. He also had a similar aura. I do not think many people's thinking of electing leaders have changed much just look at general society many people do not know the top 3 people in our president's cabinet, but can tell you how long Lindsey lohan will be in jail.

Answer 9

I don't want a beer swilling moron in charge. I want someone who has the smart to figure out what is the best thing to do and the intellectual curiosity to learn about things.

For example, if Bush was less "plain spoken" and more inquisitive he might have asked if anyone at thought their might be sectarian violence when Saddam's dictatorship fell apart. Lot's of smart people predicted this might happen, but Bush ignored. The right wing pundits like Limbaugh ridiculed them a intellectual snobs, but it turned out they were right from the start.

Answer 10

It just makes for a great story at the time. This is a generational occurence. It happened in the past and will certainly happen in the future. Presidents set precedent both good and bad.