John F. Kerry shows some class
Much to the regret of his ambulance-chasing running mate John Edwards, John Kerry has conceded the race to Bush, according to various reports from AP, CNN, Reuters and elsewhere. First off, well done Kerry for having the decency to admit the obvious and not prolong this election by taking matters through the courts. The margin of victory in the popular vote—in opposition to 2000, made such a stance unsustainable. Kerry fought a hard race, and I will admit that at one stage I thought he might win.
What next? Well, this is not the time to start guessing in great detail what Bush and his opponents will do next. My initial take is that the result clears the way for a sharpened military assault in Falluja, may bring forward some action on the deficit front – I hope – and maybe lead to a few changes at the Supreme Court, particularly as Rhenquist is seriously unwell.
As for the Democrats, the moral of this result is clear, in my view. Pandering to the Michael Moore mindset may get you plaudits from the MSM and the Hollywood set and parts of the coasts, but renders you unelectable. Perhaps as the Baby Boom generation fades and a younger generation moves into power, the Democrats will start to provide some decent opposition to the GOP. Lord knows, the Republicans need it.
As for the Libertarian Party, it remains a puny force, and not a serious one, which is a shame.
Anyway, well done Dubya!
3 commentsMitch & Co wows em’ at the 100 Club
Mitch Benn & the Distractions
100 Club
London
2 November 2004
Plugging the band’s new album Too Late to Cancel, Mitch and company were scorching last night during their two sets at their only London appearance. Before a full house the band went through new material as well as ole’ favourites. The quality of the gig was even more impressive when we realised that Mitch was having throat problems (bad enough that he was unable to be his normal chatty self during the intermission). It was obvious to all in attendance that he was with friends as the audience knew almost all the words to all the songs…no more so than during the song ‘Crap Shag.’ Mitch dedicated his band’s final encore to the late John Peel, delivering a forceful rendition of the Undertone’s ‘Teenage Kicks’ (a track premiered and championed by Peel). Despite his health, Mitch was still signing away and croaking to fans well after the gig finally ended, as were his two lovely bandmates. As we all finally drifted into the London night, Mitch’s tunes were in our heads as we wore goofy smiles for everyone to see. If only all gigs could be so much fun.
Rating: 5/5
NB: I shall be reviewing his new CD post haste. Initial impressions are that it is as good as his previous efforts.
Comments are off for this postMoronski wraps it up
At this time in Ohio, the President has a lead of approximately 135,000 votes with virtually all of the votes in. Even using the Democrat estimate of “200,000” provisional ballots (votes cast by folks not registered for various reasons) for the counting of additional votes, Kerry would have to win 70 percent of those votes to cast this election into doubt, and that is assuming all of those provisional ballots are valid. This isn’t Florida and 537 votes—then again, neither was Florida this year. Ohio’s 20 electoral voteswill bein the GOP column, assuring the Republicans have claim on 269 votes and no worse than a situation that throws the election into the House (where the GOP controls 30 state delegations).
President Bush also leads in New Mexico and Iowa.
It’s over.
Once we get through the election formalities in Ohio and elsewhere, there will be enough electoral votes to re-electPresident Bush. Four times in our history—1824, 1876, 1888 and 2000—the President won the Electoral College without finishing first in the popular vote. Three times, the incumbent did not get re-elected. History was made in 2004.
President Bush, constantly castigated for finishing second in the popular vote in 2000, finished with the most votes in American history—outpacing his opponent by over 3,500,000 votes nationwide.
President Bush is the first nominee to win a majority of the votes cast since his father in 1988.
Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars invested by various left-wing groups (moveon.org, The Voter Fund, AFL-CIO, NARAL, et al) to assassinate this President’s character, they failed and the results reflect that. More new voters showed up Tuesday, and the numbers show the obvious—they put President Bush over the top.
It was a great night for the President and a strong night for the GOP.
More in the coming days about the dissection of this race and the Senate races.
3 commentsYou want it to be over?
Tell Kerry to concede already.
Comments are off for this postTo the Guardian and the Euro-left
