Here's a question...

[misanthrope]

...Let's say on November 3rd we all awake to find that, yes, indeed, Dub has been re-elected. The states fall in nearly identical patterns as in 2000, with Kerry grabbing the popular count and Shrub edging him in electors...but with a slight difference.

This time, the "red" states are tighter. Rather than Repubs winning by laughably large numbers in the South, the Dems close the gap almost to single digits. In the Heartland, Kerry loses by slimmer margins than Gore did.

So, then what happens? Kerry ends up with an even greater mandate maybe even beating Bush by nearly a million votes or so, but, Bush takes the prize.

What's the mass reaction?

What does Europe say?

What does the world say?

What happens?

Postulate, if you please.

[abrownz]

1. One word...

CHILLS

[SammyBlue]

2. Answers

The mass reaction will be split: The hard-liners will be rubbing it in, and the rest of the country will not take Chimpy Seriously. He will viewed as impotent and his 4 years will be filibustered to death.

Europe will view him without and respect, even less than now.

The world will wonder why the one the people in America wanted by 1,000,000 votes isn't the leader.

And what happens? Hopefully, the electoral college will be amended out of the constitution. But we'll be stuck with Mr. McFlightsuit for 4 more agnozing years.

Hopefully, we'll take the Congress though.

[psyntist]

3. Arg

Why postulate that which will not happen?

[Nevernose]

4. Riots

No that I'm advocating violence, but we took it pretty easy in 2000. I don't think we'll let it slide again -- there's too much anger, too many emotions for everybody to just "get over it" again.

[misanthrope]

5. Riots?...

...Where? How many involved? What happens as a result of them?

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

6. Fuck us. eom

[Drifter]

7. We would be "Cheneyed"

Cheers
Drifter

[MichiganVote]

8. Bush election? Time for what should have happened-Impeachment

You have to remember that in the last four years certain segments that have been hankering for an increased power base have been allowed to positively glut themselves at our expense.(Right wing fundies) Others such as politicans have grown complacently inactive fighting for out rights. (Repub's and Dem's)The wealthy are smug, and the super wealthy are already working to forestall a Kerry presidency.

Each of these groups has a vested interest in controlling us. Us being average citizens with a little more smarts and willing to use them.

Bush loss?

Fundies? They will profess shock, pain, tribulation, threats and oaths to live another day, every person who voted for Kerry will be judged a baby killer and so on and so forth.

Politicians? All they are going to do is wait and see who escaped the gallows and check out which lobbyists will pay them a call

Wealthy? Find another place to invest for their money

Super wealthy? Start more trouble, resist any effort to be brought under control including using all of the groups above to do their dirty work.

The election of Kerry is a bare beginning. The aforementioned groups must know that the Democrats mean business. We're "Mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!" Enough with the ass screwin'

[misanthrope]

9. kick**nm

nm

[sandnsea]

10. Non-voters

If non-voters hate Bush as much as we do, riots. I just can't think of living in this country under Bush for four more years. I really can't.

[Gregorian]

11. I don't know, but I commend you for asking.

Only a bright person asks distasteful questions. Don't let people persuade you to ever stop. I have questions I am unwilling to ask, and they haunt me.
Albert Einstein once said- "The important thing is not to stop questioning..."

[gauguin57]

12. I'm moving to New Zealand.

Beyond that, I'm not sure what will happen.

[Pabst Blue Democrat]

13. I haven't decided my personal reaction yet

I know that it's beer if we win, scotch if we lose. What conclusion the scotch would lead me too is undetermined at this point.

But this is why I think a Nader vote is dangerous, even in "safe" states. Not only do we need to win, but we need to ensure a larger gap in the overall popular vote than last time.

[misanthrope]

14. Bingo!...

"Not only do we need to win, but we need to ensure a larger gap in the overall popular vote than last time."

That's why, to me, this election is about "instilling democracy" more than anything else. THAT singular fact, especially if Kerry loses, is what will set the course toward truer democracy.

I'm tired of living around like-minded people who steadily vote for POTUS every four years and their votes NEVER count. This has to stop.

[americanwomanone]

15. Major Mental Depression

The thought of four more years of him actually depresses me. I can't look at him and can't even listen to his voice. I am serious.