Political Capital or Disaster for George Bush?
Preetam Kher, Special Correspondent
November 07, 2004

George Bush claims he earned political capital that he is going to spend now. Does he realize that he really divided USA into two distinct entities and one (his side) is imposing rule of law and values to the other side. The country is divided between blue (progressive) and red (conservative) states. As a President, Bush lost all the blue states of 2000 and some more (New Hampshire). His gain in Red states were attributable to anti-gay feelings in the South and Midwest. The majority of the US population did not support his policies. People just could not accept the concept of Gay marriage. It is just like hundreds of years back people never could accept non-while people as humans or Women to have intelligence! The younger people who are asked to go and fight against insurgency in Iraq feel violated. The people of northeast and West coast feel all their preferences and values will be overridden by 51% of those who voted. If Nader was not there, Bush and Kerry would have received 50% each and those who voted for Nader are anti-establishment. 

Then where is the political capital Bush is talking about. The apparent political win for Republicans have given way for political disaster. If the pro-choice sectors of the country have their way, Republicans like Rudy Julliani (former NY mayor) and Alan Spector (Pensylvannia Senetor) will get wiped out from Political map of the North-East America.

The forty four Democrats in the Senate and two hundred Democrat Congressmen are actually far too left and the moderate Democrats have been replaced by Rightwing Republicans. It will be difficult for Bush and Republicans to take these progressive Domocrats from Northeast and West coast for granted. 

If unemployment goes up and country dips into a recession, it will not be pleasant to call oneself conservative Republican. If there is another major terror attack and Bin Laden is still roaming around freely, it will be a huge pressure on Bush to catch him sooner than later. If there are more of Iraq type political blunders, it will be difficult for Bush to continue his Presidency.

America today is so divided and some are so outraged that it resembles the situation before first American civil war hundreds of years ago. If abortions are banned, Gays are lynched and minorities are asked to go back into the history, things will not be pleasant. On top that the gap between have and have not is no blatantly prominent that people who are hurt will protest.

Overall, Kerry’s loss is a blessing in disguise for the Democrats. If you ask me who really won on November 2nd, 2004, I will say undoubtedly Nader no matter how small was his share of votes.