Posted 15:24 by Grote 0 comments

I can admit when I'm wrong

Last night at about 7:00pm I gave my good friend Jim Spurrier, blogger of Strange Interlude and predicted a 50 electoral vote Kerry victory. I was going on the enormous turn out, which usually dictates that the incumbent is doomed. I even voted for Kerry, I wasn't happy with Bush, the handling of Iraq, the lack of fiscal responsibility, this dumb defense of marriage amendment (which passed in all 11 states that it was on the ballot).

Let me jump off track, for a second. I voted against the amendment in Ohio, and while it still passed, I have no huge issues with it. The people have spoken, and while I feel they are wrong. The law is the law. However, rather than have a National Amendment, I think this should be a STATE decision. If California wants to recognize it, that's up to California, but Ohio should also be allowed to not recognize it.

I think Kerry lost because he didn't show that he was that different than Bush. Everyone knew that we were going to stay the course, at least generally. Kerry's double speak didn't help in the long run (I voted for, before I voted against, et al). I believe Bush won because people knew where he stood I things, regardless whether or not they agreed with him.

Now let me address a couple things that fear mongers are spreading. First, there is NOT going to be a draft. The pentagon doesn't want it, it's political suicide for the party, and anyone in Congress who votes for said measure. Second, Bush will probably appoint one or two SCOTUS justices. But I doubt they'll be the neo-cons everyone is panicking about. Remember you need a 60 vote count to break a filibuster in the Senate. That means 5 Democrats and all of the Republicans (including moderates like McCain) need to vote to break the filibuster.

In closing, 3 years from now is going to be reall exciting. For the first time in almost 60 years we will not have the incumbent or his Vice President running for the Presidency. So we'll have a whole new cast of characters on the national scene. Neat. However, I'm thankful that it's over. I wanted a clean election (check), a clear winner(most likely check) and a change in the oval office (not so much).

Although, we will have four more years wondering if the curse is really broken. Attn Secret Service: Not a threat, just saying.