Bush once, but not twice

[angus]

To read the papers and watch the talking heads, you'd think George Walker Bush is Love Him or Hate Him sort of candidate, in the sense that he didn't pick up or lose any voters.  But he won by 3 million votes in 2004 and by negative 500 thousand votes in 2000.  So something's got to give.  I'm wondering how many out there are like me, and supported him in either 2000 or 2004, but not the other time.  I use the word "support" rather than "vote" to invite the younger members and foreigners to respond.  I'll start.  I didn't care for him and didn't support him in 2000, but definitely wanted him to beat Kerry in 2004.  What about you?

[Frodo]

Option 3 -I voted for Bush in 2000, then had a change of heart in the middle of his first term, and voted Kerry/Edwards four years later. 

And if Hillary Clinton ever becomes the nominee of the Democratic Party in 2008, I will vote Republican yet again.   

[Dave from Michigan]

I wasn't able to vote until 2002 I voted Bush in 2004, but back in 2000 I really didn't follow politics a lot like now and was basically a conservative (socially) democrat I became a republican in late 2001-02 when I started to really follow politics.  I doubt I will go back I'm quite conservative now

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

To read the papers and watch the talking heads, you'd think George Walker Bush is Love Him or Hate Him sort of candidate, in the sense that he didn't pick up or lose any voters.  But he won by 3 million votes in 2004 and by negative 500 thousand votes in 2000.  So something's got to give.  I'm wondering how many out there are like me, and supported him in either 2000 or 2004, but not the other time.  I use the word "support" rather than "vote" to invite the younger members and foreigners to respond.  I'll start.  I didn't care for him and didn't support him in 2000, but definitely wanted him to beat Kerry in 2004.  What about you?

Rasmussen claims that only 1% of Americans are undecided between approving or disapproving of him. It's a bit higher in other polls, but still very low.

[TheresNoMoney]

I didn't vote for him either time, but back in 2000 I had no idea he would be this bad of a president.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Back in 2000 I had no idea he would be this bad of a president.

Neither did I, and I thought he'd be the worst President ever.

[patrick1]

I voted for W twice and would do so again given the opposition.

[patrick1]

Angus, I am still giving you the finger.  I'm either the thumb or pointer finger;)

[angus]

Angus, I am still giving you the finger.  I'm either the thumb or pointer finger;)

figured that was either for me or for Bush, just couldn't figure out which of us. 

that middle finger's riding pretty high, though, and I'm thinking that's all for Bush.  this poll's going to be skewed, because of all those folks on the receiving end of the Nixon Strategy are still miffed at Bush's supreme court appointments.  Both of them, in fact.  and they're not feeling terribly Bushy at the moment.  Shaved Bush is better than no Bush, I say.

[patrick1]

Angus, I am still giving you the finger.  I'm either the thumb or pointer finger;)

figured that was either for me or for Bush, just couldn't figure out which of us. 

that middle finger's riding pretty high, though, and I think that's all for Bush.

Unlike the 2000 or 2004 election- I was undecided on which fiNger I was.  Some people flip the bird with the thumb wrapped tightly- others with the thumb in the full horizontal setting-  I tend to wrap mine- more forceful, IMO;)

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

Strongly supported Bush both times.  I only wish we could have a third.

[Gabu]

Strongly supported Bush both times.  I only wish we could have a third.

It's okay; you'll still have someone with an "R" next to their name that you can vote for in 2008.

[angus]

Strongly supported Bush both times.  I only wish we could have a third.

I'd think the odds of getting a repeal of the XXII amendment are pretty low right about now.

[Citizen James]

I think the big change was that Rove made an excellent effort in getting out the grassroots among conservative fundementalist Christians and increased their turnout greatly in 2004 over 2000.

I voted against Bush three times - once for McCain over him in the primaries (I was a Republican from 1988-2000), again for Gore over him in 2000, and again for Kerry over him in 2004.

There are very few politicians on the national stage that I have a lower view of than Bush, and even then he has managed to do worse than my very low expectations of him.

[MaC]

Back in 2000 I had no idea he would be this bad of a president.

Neither did I, and I thought he'd be the worst President ever.

Cummon, admit it.  Both of you voted for Dubya twice.

[Platypus]

Vaguely wanted him to lose in 2000; really wanted him to lose in 2004.

[ian]

Option 3

[??????????]

There are very few politicians on the national stage that I have a lower view of than Bush, and even then he has managed to do worse than my very low expectations of him.

And I thought JFern was the only total hack here.

[Platypus]

There are very few politicians on the national stage that I have a lower view of than Bush, and even then he has managed to do worse than my very low expectations of him.

And I thought JFern was the only total hack here.

That's not hackism, thats an honest opinion. He has a very negative view of Bush. That's perfectly valid.

[opebo]

I had a lot of doubts about the religious control of the GOP already in 2000, but was rooting for Bush.. probably as much to piss off my communist girlfriend as anything.  Of course by 2004 I realized what a foolish position that was!  Not to mention I liked Kerry a lot better than Gore.

[minionofmidas]

I obviously wanted Bush to lose both times. Until just before the end of the 2000 campaign though, I really cared more about a good Nader showing than a Bush defeat, although I pretty much wanted both things throughout.
That said, IIRC about 10% of those who voted in 2000 and 2004 switched, and more switched to Bush than away from him.
That doesn't mean Rasmussen's wrong (although I think they are) - just because people once had a different opinion doesn't mean they are not currently true believers in their current position.

[KEmperor]

I am one of those that switched to Bush in 2004.  I voted for Browne in 2000, but due to the importance of foreign policy and the closeness of the election I had to vote for him.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I am one of those that switched to Bush in 2004.  I voted for Browne in 2000, but due to the importance of foreign policy and the closeness of the election I had to vote for him.

Because we all know NY was going to be such a close and important state.

I hated him in 2000 and voted against him in 2004, although my opinion of him actually got lower between those years.

[KEmperor]

I am one of those that switched to Bush in 2004.  I voted for Browne in 2000, but due to the importance of foreign policy and the closeness of the election I had to vote for him.

Because we all know NY was going to be such a close and important state.

I hated him in 2000 and voted against him in 2004, although my opinion of him actually got lower between those years.

Yes, and I'm sure your vote for Kerry tipped your state to him as well.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

My state was a swing state however. I'm just pointing out your claim of the "closeness of hte election" making it important is rather weak.