However, the miserable Gore economy will be blamed by the media and the left on capitalism, giving the Greens an opening. With the drastic economic downturn, his populist economic message just may gain some serious traction. It will be interesting to see if the determination many social conservatives felt not to be tempted by Pat's siren song in 2000 will hold for 2004. Much may depend on whether Bush and the GOP leadership blame the closeness of the 2000 election on swing voters being leery of the social right. George W. Bush.
Losers often poll well years after their loss.
Goldwater, McGovern, Ford, and Carter were far less controversial and more popular after their defeats. Moreover, Gore would endure sustained hostility and outcry from the GOP accusing him of having stolen the election. Ironically, Bush would continue his theme of easygoing bipartisanship, shaking his head over the continued gridlock in Washington. With the near-certainty of economic misery and further cultural meltdown under Gore, and the significant possibility of a disaster such as a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a ballistic missile strike on the US, or a terrorist weapon of mass destruction in a US city, Bush will look better and better. Next time, I'll look at the 2004 lineup if President-elect Bush becomes the President.