How Disillusioning Will Kerry Be?

[Seeker]

Should Kerry win the US elections, I think many anti-Bush types will go through a massive disillusionment.

Kerry will not have the support of the business/mil-ind comp/whatever-u-call-it for a protectionist policy (thank god) he will be FORCED to carry through 'right wing' economic ideas.

Secondly, Kerry was a soldier and an American nationalist. His plans for America's military might may disconcert some anti-Bushers as being a lot like bush's plans, but 'nicer'.

However, I do think Kerry will be significantly better on freedom/social issues for the anti crowd, so that's something at least.

Anyway, my point is that there will be a leftist disillusionment after they realize that bush is just a man, and even getting rid of the gang of extremists in the white house will not counter the powerful forces in America that like and support and encourage bush-esque policies.

[Last Conformist]

Not particularly. I never had high hopes for him.

[Spiffor]

I think most people voting for Kerry will do it because they expect less incompetence and bigotry from the White House.

Anybody who expects more from Kerry is bound to have serious disillusionment IMHO.

[DanS]

I think it all depends on what coalition Kerry is able to build during the general election. Gore pitched a 52% left-leaning coalition and failed. How much of the vote will Kerry go after in earnest?

Like you, I think Kerry will have to try to appeal to the center and would have to govern from the center. The left isn't well organized and is demoralized. No new ideas to carry a leftward movement. Because of this, the left doesn't seem to have the numbers.

But you can never be sure this far away from the elections.

[DanS]

By the way, I totally agree with you that so far Kerry has done a "new face, same policies" campaign.

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

I think most people voting for Kerry just want to give the NRA Republicans someone to shoot their rifles at.

[DanS]

The NRA Democrats are a toss-up this year and could be pivotal in the swing states. Will Kerry pitch for their votes?

[Whoha]

Kerry and bush differ only on the Issues of Gay Marriage and Abortion as near as I can tell. Then there is the fact that the congress will probably still be slightly tilted towards the republicans.

[Jon Miller]

but maybe nothing would get done than

ah, sweet deadlock

JM

[Agathon]

I think there's plenty of people who would welcome a return to the comparative sanity of the Clinton years.

[Zkribbler]

Low expectations = little chance of disillusionment.

All that's desired of Kerry is that he be better than Bush. That won't be too hard.

[Q Classic]

i have no expectations of that fool.

[Monk]

The disillusioning part won't set in before a couple of weeks, and until then, us wishful thinkers will all have a good time

[debeest]

We progressives are so used to disillusionment that it doesn't even feel like disillusionment anymore -- just fulfilled expectations. I never thought a President would do a worse job than Reagan in my lifetime, but Shrub is worse, hands down. Kerry, or any randomly selected Thai peasant for that matter, could not possibly be a disappointment if he does the one thing I want him to -- beat Bush (and have it count this time).

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Zkribbler

All that's desired of Kerry is that he be better than Bush. That won't be too hard.

exactly