No doubt. But honestly, I don't understand it. I just don't see Bush as the type of figure who should arouse such strong emotions. Clinton, for a multitude of reasons, yes. But George Bush?
Check back in 10 years, then you might see what really happened. Right now, you are fully in denial. Bush is just as bad as Clinton in his own way, just that you agree with his politics.
Interesting little snide neocon remark which is frankly beneath you AAA, implying that non-conservatives would vote for Osama. Indeed. As to issues being important, did you mean the issues of 3 million lost jobs, crushing federal budget deficit, plummeting dollar, close to 550 American lives lost in Iraq along with thousands more American soldiers wounded and injured, intelligence community in disarray after 3 years under Bush's watch, etc etc. Were those the issues you had in mind? I agree, he's the likely candidate for VP. And I think his good looks and youthful energy will help balance out Kerry's general demeanor, and counterpoint Cheney assuming he's the Repub VP again. Not sure what "media" you had in mind (Communist?), was it the #1 most-watched news service Fox TV? Or Rush Limbaugh and the overwhelmingly conservative talk radio? Ann Coulter? Drudge Report? The O'Reilly Factor? As ART observed, it's very similar to the Republican visceral hatred of Clinton. With Bush I think it's more of an arrogance that is always conveyed whenever he speaks, never the slightest hint of humility or genuine compassion. Same for Cheney. Which is very different from Reagan who had tremendous warmth and charm, and also quite unlike Bush Sr. who never evoked personal dislike the way his son does.
Well, I'm not denying the hatred is there, I'm just saying I don't understand it. Isn't it possible just to disagree with someone? Why the hatred? With Clinton, there was something for everybody. Right off, he raised taxes, angering lots of people. Then he was such as obvious sleazeball but so sanctimonious. Plus, he was a master at demonizing legitimate opponents or deflecting criticism by demagoguery. My favorite Clintonism was when he was at a White House affirmative action roundtable and patronizingly dismissed criticism from a respected academic by saying her position would have kept Colin Powell from rising to his exalted rank. In one sentence he not only put her down with a non sequitor but he also trashed one of the most prominent Republicans, Powell. Brilliant stuff but infuriating. The other presidents I recall being really hated were LBJ and Nixon, both mainly over Vietnam. (You may not be aware of this, but John Kerry served in Vietnam. Ironic, isn't it?) FDR was also despised, but that was before my time. All were rather titanic figures, at least compared to Bush. Maybe I am slighting Bush, but I just don't see him as significant enough to generate such passion. He's no Jesse Helms, that's for sure.
Ok, he does kind of have a cocksure attitude that seems inconsistent with his perceived abilities. Kind of like he's aware that people think he lacks gravitas and he's trying unsuccessfully to compensate. To me that is kind of an annoying personality trait, like Kerry's impossibly pompous demeanor, not a reason for vein bulging rage against him. Whatever.
The hatred began with the 2000 election, or didn't you forget? Seriously, try to look at it from a liberal's point of view rather than pure party line of a right wing conservative. I am capable of seeing what was wrong with Clinton, and I am not a great supporter of him or Hillary (I don't trust her at all) although I do think Clinton was a better politician than Bush, and would have handled the 911 situation with more skill in the process and kept our relations with our allies stronger. Seriously, why can't you really see what is going on with this adminstration and how they have abused the spirit of the constitution in the name of "national security" all the while companies like Halliburton get rich in the process? Just follow the money, see who is really better off. Bush doesn't serve the will of the people, he is about the business of carrying forth the Rove/Cheney vision. Can't you see how the tax cuts have done zero for the economy? If tax cuts had been designed to actually stimulate growth and jobs, that is one thing, but the trickle down is just trickling into the pockets of those who own stocks, and they aren't spending that money on job creation. I honestly believe you have to be smart enough to see what is really happening here. Bush does not run the country, can't you see that? He is a dupe, a puppet. I don't think he is a bad guy personally, but face it, he isn't that bright or intellectually curious a fellow. Here is the litmus test: Imagine for a moment Bush was a liberal democrat. How would you feel about him? If Bush was a liberal democrat, I still couldn't get behind him to be president in a big way. He doesn't read newspapers, had no vision of the future before he got into office, really has none now. I am not saying Kerry is all that great either, but it really is going to be a choice betweenn the evil of two lessors who gets in. And I am not just some party line voter. I probably would have voted for Bush if Dean was the nominee, or stayed home on election day. I was one of the first "liberals" here to trash Dean. That guy is dangerous. At least with Bush, we know his limitations. Dean is a wacko not to be trusted at all. I can support Kerry because he is part of the system corrupt as it is, but I do trust that he won't do something entirely stupid. You may not agree with his politics, but he is not a bad man per say. All in all, the lack of real leadership in this country is very disheartening.