Buyer's Remorse.....without Alternative

Sure, I now wish we had nominated John Edwards. Kerry is a cadaver of a candidate - much as Bob Dole was in '96. But hey, Dole didn't have an opponent hell-bent on self destruction. Co-Presidents Cheney&Rove may still find a way to right the candidate Bush, but for the first time my hopes have risen above the Mendoza line. Kerry has not actively capitalized, but has followed the Lee Atwater's advice, "When your opponent is busy hanging himself - don't interfere." So far, so good.

Reagan told America to ask itself "Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?" The jobs picture is improving but still well over a million below the end of the Clinton era. Stocks are little better. Current deficits make Reagan and Bush 41 look good - no easy feat. Yes, there have been needed increases in defense spending, but this administration abdicated fiscal responsibility long before 9-11.

Look at the 2001 Transportation and Agriculture bills. Look at the unwillingness to include war costs in budget estimates. Look at the shameless tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while the lower classes who make up the ground forces are deployed to Iraq for an elective war (whatever your opinions of the war, there's no arguing who does the grunt work and the bulk of the dying).

I fully expect W. to make up some ground and wouldn't be at all suprised if Kerry finds a way to step on his d**k and blow this important election. But for just a few weeks, its good to have hope again. My Republican friends, I encourage you to chime in on why my hopes are unfounded ( I'll likely agree with you, but please try to do better than "it's early!". I can do that on my own.)

I'll give you a head start - the gay marraige referendums will bring out wack-social Repubs who have been disenchanted with W. but won't fail to vote for him once they've come out to show their intolerance for gays....Redistricting has been accelerated from the usual 10-year cycle (legally?...who cares right? .. it's all about what you can get away with) to grossly favor Republicans.

Other reasons? Hit me.