Concession

Since Kerry doesn't seem to want to concede, I will.

Bush won 51% of the popular vote to Kerry's 48%.

That's a win. A narrow, but clear, win.

The Gotham Gal and I are having a hard time dealing with the fact that we are a minority here in America, but the fact is that we are.

Here are the exit polls and Jeff Jarvis' commentary on them:

The top issue (21%) was "moral values"; 78% of those who cared about that went for Bush, 19% for Kerry. That's a huge difference.

Next: economy/jobs at 20%; 81% preferring Kerry, 17% Bush. So Kerry got much better marks on the economy.

Terror comes in third at 18%; 85% preferring Bush, 15% Kerry. That's the one that amazes me -- not in the Kerry/Bush split but in the importance voters gave it. Bush ran on terrorism; it wasn't No. 1 in the minds of voters; yet he still won.

Iraq comes in next at 15%; 75% preferring Kerry, 24% Bush. No surprise.

This is very revealing. Bush's signature issues are "moral values" and "the war on terror". Kerry's are "the economy" and "Iraq". Both candidates won big on their signature issues. But "moral values" are slightly more important to Americans than "the economy". And "the war on terror" is slightly more important that the mess in "Iraq".

So Bush wins. I think its really that simple.

The "moral values" thing bothers me. I've said it was the Preacher vs the Professor and clearly the Preacher was the preferred choice.

The Gotham Gal told me this morning that "anti gay marriage" referendums won in 11 states last night. I have no idea if that's right, but if it is, it's one more signal that the faith-based platform looms large in this country. We've got a huge swath of the country between the pacific coast and the northeast and parts of the industrial midwest where faith and moral values matter most.

That's the political reality in our country this morning along with four more years of George W. Bush.

As I said last night, I'll do my best to support him, but it's going to be tough.

Comments

[Tony Alva]

My belief is that this election and associated media overexposure have created a divide amongst Americans that in reality is nowhere near as wide as most people think. In the coming months with the holiday season upon us perspective will be gained and life will feel more normal again. New York will always be more liberal than the greater part of the country and that is part of what makes it so interesting of a place.

I have truly enjoyed the political sparring we've had on this blog and others. I have learned quite a bit from engaging in it. My hope is that for those of us who know each other beyond that of our blog exchanges, that it has not altered the respect and friendship that we've shared through the many years. This I believe is the truest example of democracy and the American spirit. Nobody is poorer for having cast his or her vote yesterday. I will certainly take Jeff's pledge as well.

The most regretful reality in my view of the world is waking up to find out that the predictions of a Georgia constitutional referendum banning same sex marriages passed by MORE than what was expected (77%). Shame on the other states as well. It is now time to rally the weight of the Libertarian and DEM political power to strike these laws down.

[Duncan]

I don't think the division on the war is overblown, but I don't think it's the President's fault, despite what the media said. It's a war, and that will "polarize" a group every time. Always has and it always will as long as some people think war is never required, and some people don't.

It wasn't just the Pres though... the Senate went from 51-49 to 55-45 in favor of the Republicans, and they picked up more House seats. How about trying to understand why? In the past you said your reaction to these things, in your own words, is to get sad and angry. How about trying to think about it? Maybe there's something you're missing? And no, it's not that everyone that sees things another way is ignorant.

[Helmar]

Well, well... looks as if America will continue to carry the title "most hated nation" for another 4 years - with all its "perks".

It's a sad day indeed, because not only can this little fascist and his spiritually deprived cronies continue to trample on individual nations, he will also ensure that America retains the title of the world's largest environmental polluter and trade bully.

I had really hoped that America had woken up after 9/11, but not so. With its support for Bush, they've given any anti-American a free ticket for new attacks - in any shape or form. But then again, ignorance, stupidity and blind patriotism have never paid off. It most cases it's lead to death and obliteration, and I'd be surprised if it was any different this time round. On the other hand, I don't think any so-called "terrorist" needs to get his hands dirty again - yesterday America has decided that it'll do the job itself. Give it another 2 GOP administrations, and the country will be ready for collection to the slaughterhouse.

The only hope I have is that some states now decide to leave the union and claim their independence. Not only is that the only logical conclusion of this election disaster, it's IMO also the only way to avoid future terror attacks - be it the unexpected ones from some Afghan cavement of Saudi origin, or the more sophisticated ones from some underexposed wannabe oil baron without any respect for human life or the environment.

At the end of the day, any nation gets the government it deserves, and if more than 50% of the people - irrespective of their reasons - think Bush is the better option, then let them have it. It'll be a Big Brother life in constant fear, not only of attacks, but of losing the job, getting drafted again, going deeper into debt, being drowned in mindless entertainment, controlled, manipulated and lied to at every conceivable opportunity, and thus living a life that can be called anything but. It's a miserable existence in the false belief of being the greatest. The perfect illusion paving the way for an increasingly advanced, mindless killing machine set out to conquer ...uhmm... "help" the world. Luvely times ahead! Thank you, America, you really know how to stuff things up!

Fred, thanks for the commentary and the links leading up to the election - it's really appreciated. Particularly enjoyed Eminem's Mosh video.

[Stacy]

I don't understand why you have to support him, or even try to support him. Are we as citizens obligated to support the president that we disagree with? I hardly think so. Unless you mean something else by "support."

[jackson]

America will survive. We will get through this very dark era, or at least many of us will, many will not. We have religious fanatics in control of our country making war on other religious fanatics. Moral issues indeed. The right has scared the middle Americans into thinking that; A) Our very existance is threatened by terrorists, and B) Our very existance is threatened by the homosexuals.

[ronan]

The VC industry sucks for 4 years of Bush presidency, but the VC community sticks with him. Check this out today's PE Week Wire.
---------------
Winner: The National Venture Capital Association, which made over $842,000 campaign contributions via its political action committee (VenturePAC). Of this total, approximately $542,000 went to GOP candidates or causes. In the Senate, VenturePAC-supported candidates won 23 of 26 races, although its largest contribution went to loser Tom Daschele of South Dakota. On the House side, VenturePAC picked correctly in 140 of 146 races, although the group did also back a small handful of folks who never made it out of the party primaries. The largest VenturePAC House contribution went to winner Richard Baker of Louisiana, but the bigger surprise were a pair of late checks to Tom DeLay of Texas and Barney Frank of Massachusetts. The NVCA traditionally avoids particularly polarizing candidates, but apparently didn't mind so much this time around. More in depth analysis of the VenturePAC results in the next print edition of PE Week.

[hey]

k things here are a bit overwrought... mainly, we have bigger fish to fry "over there" rather than focusing on rounding up leftists here...

also, fascist doesn't mean what people here seem to think it means... it does have an actual meaning, above and beyond "someone to the right of myself whom i do not like"

as to NYC: it opposed the civil war (riots, lynchings and burnings of blacks and their neighbourhoods, etc), the cold war, the world wars... it will always oppose war, since so many people there do not live in the actual real-world, despite claims to be in the "reality-based community". NYC has corrupt machine politics, and it will be ever thus. epater les bourgeois doesn't play well in a bourgeois country. thinking that bourgeois is an epithet doesn't play well either...

look forward to your great blogging on vc and your projects.

[jackson]

War get's in the way of the two things we're primarily concerned with here in NYC; making money, and having a good time. I am happy that there IS a place where I can live the dream.

[jeff]

the "moral" issue really isn't that surprising when you look at the fundamental misinterpretation the Democrats make when considering the definition of "moral". Republicans consider moral to be right/wrong, good/evil, good/bad kinds of determinations, while Democrats appear to view moral in the context of religion.

Even on the issue of religion the Democrats have gone too far nationally to the point that separation of religion and society appears to be the goal of a great many Americans, as opposed to simply separation of religion and government. The fact remains that 95% of Americans believe in the God, whether or not you practice a formal religion is another matter altogether.

Far be it from me to armchair quarterback the DNC, but I will anyways. The moral divide needs overcome, and issues like gay marriage and abortion continue to hurt the Democrats. Case in point, I am a Republican but believe in the right of a woman to have an abortion. I do NOT believe that a late term (3rd trimester) abortion should be legal because that just plain crosses the moral line to being wrong. On gay marriage, while I'm not so sure that I would support an amendment to the Constitution, federal or state, to ban gay marriage, I do believe that the Democrats who push this issue are tinkering with an institution that has existed for a couple of thousand years and shouldn't be tinkered with, it's just wrong to do so. I have no problem with extending the full protection the law to gay couples in the form of civil unions. Take the death penalty, I have no problem with Tim McVeigh or Ted Bundy or someone who kills a cop getting a needle, these are evil people who are deserving of our most extreme measures, but feel that strong judicial review and strict regulation of death penalty crimes is in order.

On all of the above issues I feel alienated from the Democratic party because it's all-or-nothing with them. I honestly believe that Democrats won't be happy until any teenage girl can walk in and get an abortion whenever they want (without parental notification), that the concept of marriage is diluted to the point of being meaningless like it is in Europe, and finally, that killers and career crimminals move in-and-out of prison with ease. It's a perception, but it's MY perception so Democrats are going to have to deal with it if you want my vote.

Finally, the 1960's are long gone, thank God, so it's about time the Democrats realize that the military can be wielded for good, like giving 10 million Afghans a chance to vote. And don't talk to me about the UN either, it's a corrupt and ineffectual organization.

[jeff]

correctio to my above comment:
"...separation of religion and society appears to be the goal of a great many Americans"

should read:
"...separation of religion and society appears to be the goal of a great many DEMOCRATS"

my apologies for not proof reading my comment.

[jeff]

my last comment, I promise.

If you look at the county-by-county election results you will see how marginalized the Democratic party has become.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm

The Democrats just can't expect to have a vibrant national party that is capable of not only winning the Presidency, but also winning seats in Congress, if they don't broadly appeal to voters in a narrow band on either coast.

Consider this as well, California is a dramatically changing electorate and the amount of red in the Golden State is foretelling of the Democrats future here, the Bay Area and LA County are not going to hold CA for the Democrats as the population in the Central Valley continues to grow. CA is 55 electoral votes and while you don't need it to win the Presidency (Bush won twice without CA), the hole that Democrats would be in without CA would be insurmountable, although it is fair to point out that Clinton got elected twice with enough electoral margin to give up CA and still win.

[jeff]

link got cut off
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm

[jackson]

Though I agree with Jeff that we need to reach these disenfranchised would be democrats somehow, but Jeff, look at your own perception of us, it's 'just wrong' in your words. We don't WANT people to get abortions, we want them available when necessary. Are you going to tell a fifteen year old who's father raped her that she has to have the kid? I'm not.

[jeff]

Hi Jackson,
But that's the problem, the Democratic party has made it an all-or-nothing proposition on any of the issues... and if you believe that isn't the case then you should push for a change in the Democratic leadership (although, by all accounts, McAuliffe won't have a job for much longer).

To repeat, as a Republican:
- I want abortions to be a choice, just not in the third trimester, with some exceptions, like life threatening risk to the mother
- I want the death penalty for the mass murderers, cop killers, and particularly heinous crimminals
- I don't want the definition of marriage altered, but I do want civil unions. To expand, I'm also not in support of using the Constitution to restrict rights, so I'm not in support of a Constitutional amendment
- by extension, I don't want the judicial system forcing on me law that my representatives in Congress have not been presented with
- I want separation of church and state, I don't want separation of church and society (although in all fairness, I'm don't practice any formal religion... but I guess you could say I'm religious because I do believe in the concept of God underlying our moral compasses).
- I don't want gun control measures that restrict my ability to own a firearm, but I do support restrictions on assault weapons (which by-and-large are still in effect)
- I do want a lethal military that aggressively protects American interests and brings democracy to those places that don't have it, and I am not about to take my orders from the UN.
- I want low taxes and economic stimuluses and incentives
- I do want tort reform

If the Democratic party as you know it supports my principles, then my vote is all yours, but the Democratic party I am seeing is not aligned with the positions I have on the issues that are important to me.

Apparently I am not alone in my view, looking at the county-by-county results (sorry the link keeps getting cut off) should really frighten the Democratic leadership.

[Sian Peters]

Hi!

The cynics won again because they gulled the faithful. I think that's the way of the world. Worse would be the faithful leading.

Kind regards
Sian