Introduction

It is difficult to speak of any political topic here in the United States without mentioning the 2004 Presidential Elections.

Here's an interesting article from Ron Fournier, AP Political Writer (article). It lists, from his point of view, the winners and loosers in the election. One interesting line is:

. . . the 59.3 million happy Bush voters and 55.7 million grim Kerry voters . . .

This "popular vote" is not the one which actually elects the president, but it does bode something for moderation. The difference of 3.6 million is 3.13% of the 115 million citizens who voted. For representing the feelings of the "American people", this amount is not statistically significant and it might as well be a 50/50 split.

The "American people" is a constituency that "spin doctors" really like to talk about. It is much more diverse than most of these pundits would have you believe.

-- Updated: 14-Nov-2004

Red and Blue States

Comentators talk about "red" states and "blue" states. Here's a quote from the article:

Winner: Red states, where Bush carried the day. The political map is awash in red and growing redder, particularly if Democrats can't slow GOP momentum in the Upper Midwest.

Loser: Blue states, and there's so few of them already. The West Coast and the Northeast are the only havens for a Democratic candidate.

But, what is the real story? Obviously, everyone in a "red" state is not a right wing conservative Republican while everyone in a "blue" state is not a left wing liberal Democrat. The electorate in those states is much more diverse than that. The real story is presented by the following "loser" line:

Loser: Moderates, who are being crowded out of politics by extreme elements of both parties.

I really believe this. It is why I believe we need militant moderates in our country. We need to take back politics from the radicals on both sides.

-- Updated 14-Nov-2004