Today, we’re going to cut through some political bullshit and confront, head on, the issue of the 2000 presidential election. Using a concept with which those on the other side of the issue might not be familiar: the facts. So, let’s get right down to it, shall we?
Here you have, by legitimate issue, the “Bush Stole the Election”
- Argh! Bush lost the popular vote! He’s not the people’s choice!
It’s an institution called the “Electoral College,” folks… and though it, at first glance, seems pointless and archaic, it actually serves a legitimate purpose. What is that purpose? Consider this: Al Gore received roughly 51 million votes (48.38%); George W. Bush received roughly 50.46 million votes (47.87%). (Note: 48% is not a majority, it is merely a plurality). Despite these numbers, when looked at by county, Gore won 677 counties compared to Bush’s 2,434 — almost four times more. Gore’s counties contained 127 million citizens; Bush’s contained 143 million.
BFD, right? Who cares! Everyone who lives somewhere OTHER THAN a major metropolitan area should care — the electoral college’s primary benefit is to require the candidates to campaign to everyone… it doesn’t allow the election to marginalize more sparsely populated areas of the state. Essentially, it’s another incarnation of our representative democracy.
Besides… those were the rules at the start of the election and those were the rules at the end. Fair as things get. - Gore won the Florida recount!!
No, he didn’t. Every recount that I could find found Bush to have won. CBS, CNN, and The Independent have articles available. Furthermore, quoting the CBS article, “If a more stringent standard had been applied, Republican George W. Bush probably would have gained votes.” - Bush Abused the Court System!!
Pot & Kettle, anyone? Gore was pushing in the Florida Supreme Court to have votes recounted ONLY in the counties that would’ve benefited him, not in all counties. Bush’s use of the Supreme Court was to keep and endless barrage of recounts from confirming the same thing time and time again: he won Florida. - But, ummm….
Oh, and New Mexico, despite being only 5 Electoral Votes, was even CLOSER than Florida. Are the Sheepocrats playing statistical word games with THEIR votes? nope. Why? Well, because they won, of course! - But Bush is a fucking moron!
Well, then I guess you let a fucking moron out-smart you and steal an election from you. How do you feel now? Oh, let’s also keep in mind President Bush’s credentials: BA from Yale and an MBA from Harvard — now, you were saying? - Hanging Chads! Butterfly Ballots!
One group took uncounted ballots from Florida and determined, through magic and statistics, that Gore was shafted a net of 6,000 votes. The only problem is that those ballots were thrown out because the will of the voter could not be determined. So how did they come up with the 6,000 number? Well, they assumed that every ballot that had so much as a dimple on Gore’s name was a vote for Gore! Optimistic, but not exactly brilliant. - The Racist Republicans Disenfranchised Black People!
The bastardization of news that most people base this on is a study, undertaken after the fact, which showed that more votes cast by black voters were disqualified than those cast by non-black voters. That’s right… those folks were allowed to vote, they just failed to do so successfully.
What’s the verdict? Well, what it comes down to is that Bush didn’t steal anything. I invite you, fair Sheepocrats and Howling Moonbats, to comment. You can leave your whining and seething at home, however, I just want to hear facts. Might want to be prepared to back them up, too.
