Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Restraint in victory
In any case, it would behoove all Republicans and their hangers-on to extend the hand of friendship to people who supported Kerry and other losing Democrats in this election. We will all be better off if we all avoid chest-beating, fist-pumping, victory-lapping or Rocky-dancing on the
But, lest you be even slightly concerned that you were wrong, spend a few minutes today reading the open comments thread at Atrios. The importance of Bush's victory may be judged in the anguish and rage of the defeated.
UPDATE: Kerry deserves credit for overruling this:
One senior Democrat familiar with the discussions in Boston said Kerry's running mate, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, was suggesting that he shouldn't concede.
The official said Edwards, a trial lawyer, wanted to make sure all options were explored...
Litigation is not just politics by other means.
(OK, I admit that I was not exactly leading by example in picking on Edwards, but since I did it by complimenting Kerry I think I still demonstrated the restraint in victory that I advocated above.)
4 Comments:
By 
The MetaKong, at
Wed Nov 03, 03:07:00 PM:
First and foremost, I'd like to thank you for your objective and honest analysis. It's nice to see another reasonable individual advocating unity when there only seems to be sharp division, even if we voted on opposite sides. Ironically enough, I do currently consider myself more conservative than Bush, yet, I voted for Kerry. Honestly, objectively, Kerry is not as great of a leader as he is portrayed to be, nor is Bush. I hope, for the sake of all, that Republicans and Democrats, politicians and citizens alike, will reflect upon their behavior over the last four years, the last twelve months, and conclude that we all need to rethink our political, social, and religious philosophies and convictions. I know I turned to my Bibles for wisdom a lot over the last four years. And, regardless of your, or our readers convictions, I hope all lean on their faith, whatever it may be, in order to begin growing and compromising; because, we all need to get out of our heads for a while.
Again, though, thank you for a mature and honest message that I hope ALL take into consideration.
Peace and Love,
Sean
By Bren, at
Wed Nov 03, 08:03:00 PM:
But, lest you be even slightly concerned that you were wrong, spend a few minutes today reading the open comments thread at Atrios. The importance of Bush's victory may be judged in the anguish and rage of the defeated.Dude, WTF.
Give us one day, hell, give us a week, THEN you can make broad sweeping judgments about our attitude. Remember how much energy (time, arguments, money, travelling) people put into this race, and the extent to which people are wearing their emotions on their sleeves right now. I know, I'm one of them. Bush got huge honeymoons from scrutiny in 2001, in the aftermath of 9/11 and the run-up to the Iraq war. We've been damn good sports. Give us at least one day, please.
You know, we could always just start a multimillion dollar underground effort to dig up dirt and sleaze on Bush with the intent of embarassing him and setting perjury traps... but we can't do that, we'd be showing restraint. Yeesh.
By 
, at
Sat Nov 06, 01:41:00 PM:
ok, its been a week. well almost. here is a classy picture of Bush waving goodbye to Kerry:
"http://www.imagevenue.com/host/web2//99cc9_bye-bye.gif"
- Crusader
By , at
Sat Nov 06, 07:14:00 PM:
Bush does not embody Republican values. His outrageous spending, increase in government (The Patriot Act, Terrorism Task Force, NCLB (micromanages schools)) and many actions do not embody Republicanism at all. The party has been hijacked by insane neocons.
