Will future historians generally agree that Bush stole his first election?
968420
Agreed. I believe that's what voters are for. I mean, think about it: if the Supreme Court was appointed by his daddy, who do you think they'd give (give being the key word) the presidency to? Even if it took longer, wouldn't it've been a better idea if the whole country just re-voted?
405850
If votes actually counted Bush wouldn't have been president in the first place.
1152812
I voted for Bush twice. Does that count?
1095620
What's there to be proud of? Bush screwed up.
626442
THE 2004 ELECTION WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE MOST BULL CRAP ELECTION IN HISTORY.  EVEN REPUBLICANS WEREN'T TRYING TO KEEP BUSH.  ONLY HIS KGB PUPPETMASTERS (WHO GOT KERRY TO RUN A "SKULL & BONES" CAMPAIGN) GOT HIM IN.\n\nQUESTION:  DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THE GOOFY SON OF A GOOF, GOT MORE VOTES THAN REAGAN?
748013
Popularity definately changes over time. While Clinton was president, he was greatly favored. He was intelligent and a wonderful speaker. Now, the majority [but not all] of society looks down upon the years of his presidency. In this sense, I think Bush will be praised in the future for his contribution to the American society. He DID quickly retaliate after 9/11 occurred, much like FDR did after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Within 6 months, troops were sent overseas. He has made foolish decisions, but he also has made intelligent ones. Because of this, I think Bush will be viewed as a good president in the future.
789636
For those who say Rummy resigned, do you really think if Dubya had gotten down on his knees and, after kissing Rummy's butt, said, "Oh please, please don't go!  I can't live without you!"  he would have left? No, he would have stayed.  Now Georgie will have to accept more blame and his legacy continues to grow as the Fool Who Invaded Iraq.  You  know, that, his foolish war in Iraq,  and the fact he was the "My Pet Goat" reader on 9/11 will be all this piece of human offal will be remembered for.
1173830
You're right about all but one point...\nBush stole both the 2000 and 2004 elections!
962106
No, but Bush winning means there are several people who voted for him against their own beliefs and were fooled in to thinking it was for their beliefs.  It proves you can fool some people all of the time.
1007364
That's what I'd like to know . I can't find anyone that will admit that they voted for him . \nWhen the election was decided by Judges , and taken out of the peoples hands , then this country is in trouble !\nPeople seem to believe anything that's told to them , their to lazy to check it out for themselves , to see if it's true or not . \n In 04' they were led ( like sheep following the Judas goat ) to believe only Bush knew how to get us out of Iraq ., when he's the one who put us there .\nAlso i think he had a little help again in Ohio , with the ballots . What are the chances of that happening again .Duh .
932847
Sure!\n\nI bet BUsh's vote felt very insignificant to him today
751284
Yes, but it is by popular vote.\n\nIn 2000 Bush was elected by the Electoral College:  a big mistake but it was the law.\n\nGore actually won the election with the popular vote.\n\nThe election was rigged by Daddy Bush
965080
Actually, I disagree with the first two posts. Bush has had much more power during his term. If Clinton did half of the things Bush has done during his Presidency, Clinton would have been lynched.\n\nTo answer the question, IMO I would like to see a "smarter President" take office. And no, I don’t think any President should have the power to steal an election, send a country to war under false pretences and force their greedy agenda on the country they are supposed to serve.
365835
if you mean his opposing candidate, i don't think he had one at least not in the very 1st election
894030
Actually, Bush called the second election a 'clear mandate'.  So, no, I don't see it changing with HIM.  Hoewever, the GOP will hopefully be smarter in 08 when they realize that we still live in a democracy, and you better give us someone we want, or face another humiliating loss.  Just think, the GOP could have nominated Elizabeth Dole in 2000 instead of Bush...imagine how different things would be...
180160
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!\n\nHere is what happened ... what liberals refuse to see the truth in.\n\nIn November 2000, Al Gore was PROJECTED to win Florida by media outlets using their projection formulas. Only problem was was that they were wrong. George Bush was declared the official winner by a narrow margin - about a 1,000 votes. Due to the closeness of the election, Florida law required a recount. The recount showed Bush won by only 537 votes.\n\nAl Gore disputed the results and asked that four counties be recounted as allowed by law. However, it soon became clear that the recount could not be completed and certified by 5.00 pm on November 14th as required by law. The heavily Democratic counties of Volusia and Palm Beach sued to have the deadline extended. The Bush campaigned countersued claiming it was unfair to change the rules in the middle of the process.\n\nEventually, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of the counties and extended the deadline. The Bush campaign appealed to the US Supreme Court which sent the case back to the Florida Supreme Court for clarification. The Florida Supreme Court again ordered the recount. Bush filed an emergency stay of the recount with the US Supreme Court - which the court upheld.\n\nAt this time (12 December 2000), the Florida House of Representatives voted to certify the original results of the election and voted along party lines. After the certification of the election, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the recount should continue. Later that same day, the US Supreme Court in Bush vs. Gore, voted 5-4 to end the count in accordance with Florida law. They cited different counting standards and no one central authority figure in charge as the reasons for the ruling.\n\nBush vs. Gore effectively ended the recount, and Bush was certified the winner.\n\nNOW, you tell me if George Bush cheated. He followed procedures allowed by law - as did Al Gore. He used the courts to try to get a favorable outcome - as did Al Gore. Al Gore - had the situations been reversed - would have done the exact same thing George Bush did.\n\nWas it a clean win? Absolutely not. Was it legal? Absolutely.\n\nInterestingly enough, the USA Today, the Miami Herald, Knight Ridder and the Tampa Tribune conducted a recount after all was said and done. Under every possible scenario using the conditions that the Gore campaign requested, George W. Bush STILL won the election in Florida.\n\nInteresting facts:\n\n* Some Democrats blamed Ralph Nader for the loss. Had Ralph Nader not run, Gore would have won both New Hampshire AND Florida. Either state would have given him the victory.\n* Had Al Gore won his own home state of Tennessee, he would have won the election.\n* More than 8,000,000 Democrats nationwide voted for George Bush.\n\nThe Democrats have not forgotten the election of 2000, and all of the anti-Bush rhetoric playing today is a direct result of the loss. The election of 2000 is tearing the party apart.\n\nMany liberals claim that "Bush is not my President." As a conservative, this is the most ridiculous comment I have ever heard. It doesn't matter who you voted for or who you think should have won, Bush is still the President for ANY American citizen. Fortunately, only a small percentage of close-minded inviduals think like this, and most of the country thinks they are ridiculous.\n\nEDIT: You libs quote websites like http://www.smirkingchimp.com and http://www.moveon.org and http://michaelmoore.com as credible resources for the news??? Websites that obviously have an agenda? Fortunate that most Americans there, too, see through that garbage.\n\nTo the two of you who said you will never vote again. While I think EVERY American should vote, I am glad to see that two liberals who do not think very clearly have taken themselves out of the election cycle. Nothing like giving up and helping your vowed enemy win again, huh? Hope that make you feel great, 'cause it does me!!  :-)
878834
Look, the Bush people already know they screwed the pooch in Iraq, so their only hope is to run down the clock and handoff to what will inevitably be a Democratic president. That president will have no choice but to extricate him/herself from the steaming pile of dung left in Baghdad.\n\nThen, the GOP will re-write history (in their usual, creepy Orwellian way) and it will forever be re-told as the Dems losing Iraq, thus insuring that Repubs keep possession of the (American) flag.\n\nI am just cynical or what?