Oppenheimer Report: Tied- Bush and Chavez Ranked Equally In Popularity with

miamimike says on Jan 21, 2008, 05:52:

LOW APPROVAL RATING

According to the latest Latinobarómetro poll, a survey of more than 20,000 people in 17 Latin American countries, Chávez is -- along with President Bush -- the second least-liked leader in Latin America. The leader with the lowest Latin America-wide approval rates is Cuba's Fidel Castro.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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catherine b says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:01:

No surprise there.

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miamimike says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:09:

CatherineB--that's the Message we will soon send to GW Bush, less then a year now, PTL.Maybe Hugo could use him as a Good Will Ambassador in Venezuela! LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:11:

This couldn't happen to two nicer pieces of human refuse.

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Sr Tertius says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:30:

Isn't it amazing that the last ones to disapprove the most abominable leaders are their own people?

My bet: Uribe will also fall out of grace, but only after he steps down. Or near the end of his fourth period.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:37:

I have despised shrub since he was governor of Texas. I personally think he is an abominable leader and probably the worst president in the last 50 years at least.

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catherine b says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:39:

I beg to differ. Bush never had all that much support except for the months following 9/11 when the country was still in shock and psychologically terrorized. His electoral "wins" remain dubious at best.

I know you don't like Uribe Sr. T and only history will tell how he's remembered, but I think history will be more forgiving and understanding towards Uribe than many of his current critics.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:44:

My main problem with Uribe is his willingness to subvert the Constitution to remain in power. He has definitely done some good for certain parts of the country. The rich in Colombia are better off and safer as a result, but venture outside of the big cities and visit places like El Huila and Caqueta and you will see that things are just as bad as ever. The fact that my wife and in-laws are still awakened by the occasional bomb blast means a lot more to me than lower crime statistics in northern Bogota.

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catherine b says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:48:

True, but you have to start somewhere. Remember the condition Pastrana left the country. As far as subverting the Constitution he's indicated he's not running for a third term unlike his neighbor to the east (whose people already voted NO and he's really trying to subvert their constitution).

Although, I don't doubt that if there were enough support and encouragement from the majority of Colombians Uribe might just try for a third term.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 21, 2008, 13:51:

I guess that all depends on your definition of Hecatombe.

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juancegomez says on Jan 21, 2008, 14:25:

The more time Uribe actually tries to serve, the worse he'll look, I would guess, unless he's exceptionally lucky.

I still won't like the guy though...

ColombianoGringo: Might want to add some context to that though, if you find the time and will to do so.

The "hecatombe" statement was actually made as part of a reelection refusal on Uribe's part, essentially his requesting his supporters to unite and find someone else.

While that may change in the future or behind closed doors or an infinite number of other things...one can't just wave it away in the meanwhile.

I also think it's a bit too simplistic to say that only the rich have benefited or that only "northern Bogotá" has any improved safety statistics. Yes, those improvements are relative and partial, while other areas of the country and other people are either just as safe/unsafe or worse due to the continuing conflict and, of course, several abuses....but I don't think the picture is quite *that* slanted as it initially seems.

Consider the often repeated statement that improved road safety only equals "more rich fat cats going to their fincas", ignoring all the other things and all the other people who also feel the direct or indirect impacts of said safer roads. Almost as if roads were only useful for going to fincas and nothing else at all.

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:03:

Becareful of what you wish for. Billary is waiting in the wings. A disasster in the making. She will make Bush look like an Einstien.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:10:

I would like to believe that Americans will not elect that harpy. I typically tend to vote more liberal, but I can't get behind either the harpy or the hype(Obama), Neither one has the experience or the qualifications to be president.

However, I will be happy as long as we don't end up with a racist, religious fanatic like Huckabee as president.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:12:

Juance,

While Uribe's "Hecatombe" comment was meant to be a denial of his intention to run again, it struck me as nothing more than him leaving himself a door open to another unconstitutional reelection. As I have said many times,. I generally support the guy, but I think his accomplishments have been extremely overblown and despite what he seems to believe, he is not the only one qualified to lead Colombia effectively.

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:16:

rikito ...george w doesn't know the difference between intelligent design... as it's been rephrased...& evolution...this is not me reading anything into it but rather his own words

...he is the 43rd on the intelligence list of u.s presidents.

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:23:

ColombianoGringo I totally agree with you, but of the one's who are runningwho do you think is strongest? Or is it "None of the Above."

diabloblas, why the Bush bashing? He may have an IQ of no more than 2 above a rock...but it's one more than Billary. Why can't the U.S. have a President that is qualified? Not one is running so far.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:32:

I don't think Obama is a bad guy, but he simply does not have the experience. After all, the guy was a state legislator just a few years ago.

I had liked Richardson before he dropped out. He is probably the most qualified candidate on the democrat side.

On the Republican side, I guess I would have to go with McCain. He seems like a reasonable and intelligent man who has proven he can work with democrats. He has also shown support for the Latin American community which is important to me.

Huckabee scares the hell out of me with all his "Christian Warrior" and "Gates of Hell" talk. He strikes me as the typical evangelical fanatic with a hard-on for "The Rapture". I also would be afraid of how he plans to "deport all illegal aliens". While I am in favor of stricter immigration enforcement, I would be greatly concerned about how he would go about deporting people. I have seen too many cases of illegals being deported while their children are left without parents. All while the executives of Tyson Foods, etc. who benefit the most from employing illegals get to drive off to their mansions when they should be arrested for hiring illegals.


I honestly don't know enough about Romney to opine, but his religious affiliation bother me greatly.

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:33:

hillary is 10x as smart as rikito...but so was hitler

gooing from bush to hillary is tyranny of imperialism to social tyranny

...there's nobody but kucinich for me...but he has no chance...hence i don't vote..

...i was fooled when lbj said he would keep us out of war & painted goldwater as an dr. strangelove...goldwater even won the law suit which is pretty hard to do on libel cases since ny.times vs sullivan case.

...then lbj sends me a draft notice...

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:38:

What makes Hillary smart? She lies about almost everything, makes things up to suit her side of the story whether they are correct or not, nad has absolutley no leadership experience or capabilites and no qualifications to be President. To me she is sitting at the same table as Bush. But, Hill has one thing in her favor...she is married to a male with two brains.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:42:

her formal education & rising from middle income family without help from daddy & without affirmative action like bush...without affirmative action bush w would not have been admitted to yale...the same affirmative action he's against...though he makes it out that color is the only affirmative action taken by universities

....hillary lies like everybody...but her lies didn't cause a lot of innocent deaths like george w...fuking chicken hawk that he is...ask any vet from nam...he's a chicken hawk

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:44:

Hillary may not be my favorite, but shrub is an ignorant, dangerous criminal who has damaged the United States and it's interests more than any president in recent memory. He belongs in prison.

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:48:

who is shrub? colombiano...bush?...then i agree with your whole statement

...& the usa does a good job on prisons...they have more incarcerated than any other country in all time history...& they import about one a week from colombia

..land of the free

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MitchAlvarez says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:54:

i think the bigger question is who is more electible? who can cross into the republican party and take away the voters who arent so happy with bush, the direction of the country and the party itself.

i think hillary might be the toughest democrat but i dont think she can get republicans on her side. she is the anti bush and obama is the un bush. if he can keep that going i think he has a better chance of defeating any of the republican candidates.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 10:57:

I agree that Bush is no genius and the U.S. has been hurt by his Presidency, but Hillary is a devious demon. Bush was a legacy to Yale like 1000's before him both Dem & Repub. And I really don't want to hear this puke, "rising from middle income family." That's crap from the liberal play book.

Other than marrying her way into public service, what has this woman (opps! person) ever accomplished. And if she is the President and the U.S. is challenged by another country and war is imminent, just what do you think she would do? How would the military react to someone who is just so unqualified? There are better Dems out there than her and there are far stronger women than Hillary. Just watch the crap she pulls each week before a primary. It's laughable. No it's a cryin shame. Please give a name of someone who can lead the U.S., return the economy to some degree of normalcy, be respected by the military, be respected by foriegn powers. The likes of Thacther (sp?), the Pakistani woman who was murdered, are two. The U.S. had two woman who were qualified: Barbara Jordan and Jean Kilpatrick. Both of these woman would put Mrs. Clinton to shame. Remember, the only reason Hillary is where she is is because of Mr. Bill's popularity.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:01:

yes diablo, shrub is the current resident in the White House.

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:09:

only 2 qualified women rikito...you sound like the guys refuting racism by saying they have black friends....

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:11:

Of da ones runnin...Obama seems to be the person who can be the best leader and who will be able to bring into his Presidency a Cabinent of people who would be willing to put America first over the Democratic party.

Why the need for a strong leader? One of the most important aspects of a person being the President is that unlike any other political party, unlike the democratic congress, unlike the republican congeress, and unlike the Supreme Court, the President is able to put people on the Appellalte and Supreme Courts. This is where you need a strong qualified leader.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:13:

your comments like your bio are redundant rikito

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:15:

don't start shit diabloblas, it gets no where. Read what I wrote. I only gave examples of two women...there are many more. There are also many other non-whites like Colin Powell that are qualifed. I gave two examples...examples. There are obviously many whites who are qualified alos. But, everyone knows (except maybe you) that woman (who make up the majority of americans) will vote for Hillary becasue she is a woman. Look what happened when Kennedy ran for Pres. He got 90% ofth Catholic vote. Wonder why?

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:21:

diabloblas, what's redunadant about my bio? Is this how you justify your arguments...by attacking who some is rather than what they are? You can't give an intelligent response so you attack someone personally. To be truthful, you do not even have a bio.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:27:

kennedy did no get 90 % of the catholic vote rikito...catholics are overwhelmingly republican...my catholic high school voted nixon resoundingly in 1960 as did the rest of the l.a archdiocese

i read you bio...i understand you like thailand...twice..

...colin powell is a disgrace...an uncle tom...without him bush probably wouldn't have sold this war to the american people...he also doesn't remember when truman integrated the military...if he does he pulled the ladder up on the gays...

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:42:

catholics are republican? ok...and you saw that where? What put Kennedy over the top against Richard Nixon was his soaring support among his fellow Catholics -- nearly 80 percent.

It makes no difference if catholics are democrats or repbulicans. when kennedy ran they voted for him in droves. look it up. and women and catholic women voted for him. and women will vote for Hillary only becasue she is a woman and not becasue she is necessarily the best candidate.

And you know nothing about Powell...I think your racist underwear is showing.

Oh, sorry about my redundacy in my bio...looks like I can't be presiedent now. Oh, I can't spell either.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:47:

incidentally rikito...i marched in the 60s for civil rights & against the war..got beaten & jailed...

& yes you can be president without being able to make a coherent sentence...bush is living proof...he even brags about not reading...what the fuk over?...now he knows we all have a soul & wants to repeal a woman's right to abortion

"Babies can now survive outside the mother's womb at younger and younger ages," bush said. "And the fingers and toes and beating hearts that we can see on an unborn child's ultrasound come with something that we cannot see: a soul."

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slguy says on Jan 22, 2008, 11:56:

"without help from daddy & without affirmative action like bush...without affirmative action bush w would not have been admitted to yale"

Ummmm...clearly you're confused about what affirmative action does/does not do -and about the history of Hillary.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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juancegomez says on Jan 22, 2008, 12:46:

Skipping all the U.S. electoral talk...

ColombianoGringo:

"While Uribe's "Hecatombe" comment was meant to be a denial of his intention to run again, it struck me as nothing more than him leaving himself a door open to another unconstitutional reelection."

Fair enough. We'll have to see if it happens or not, however, and I don't believe it's going to be as "easy" this time around, if a serious attempt is actually made in the first place.

Btw, for better and for worse, the Constitutional Court examined the matter and found the initial reform to be constitutional. It did imply that more than one reelection wouldn't be, however, though of course that would require an entirely separate reform and subsequent constitutional analysis.

"As I have said many times,. I generally support the guy, but I think his accomplishments have been extremely overblown and despite what he seems to believe, he is not the only one qualified to lead Colombia effectively."

Curiously enough, I *don't* generally support the guy and would, definitely, prefer to see someone else in power. I've never voted for him and probably never will.

It's just that, regardless of how much Uribe as an individual may be responsible for those accomplishments (I think that's usually one of the most exaggerated aspects: giving him direct personal credit for everything that has improved), those are often both overblown *and* underestimated, IMHO.

I cringe whenever someone says that "paramilitarism doesn't exist" or when critics are demonized and insulted by Uribe, but I also do so when someone makes comments about how road security is only for the rich or when Uribe is equated with Hitler or what have you.

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catherine b says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:19:

I like Hillary. I'm sooo gonna get bashed now...oh well lol.

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Rikito says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:33:

catherine, diabloblas is a real veteran of the 60s becasue he marched in the parades to stop the Vietnam war that the republicans began and the democrats escalated we had 85,000 casualties. While he was a marchin man and no doubt smokin some dubies, I was in Vietnam getting shot four times and seeing all but 2 of my best friends murderd in the Democrats War. diabloblas, we all have skeltons in our closets...even you.

Like all of your ilk, I bet you were at Woodstock. Like Mr. Bill says...give me a break.

Why can't you answer one question instead of insult people with your meaningless history? My history meant shit and there is more to it than yours.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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slguy says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:39:

You won't hear any bashing from me, CB- I'm adult enough to know that even the best and brightest sometimes can be seduced by the dark side....;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:41:

Don't worry CB. Most of us are relatively tolerant.

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catherine b says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:42:

Thanks for your "tolerance" guys..jeje :D

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diabloblas says on Jan 22, 2008, 14:52:

rikito...i have a purple heart also...just one but a big enough one to get me sent home via germany...& then i started marching & the usa government accussed me of being a traitor...put me in jail...beat me up...but i did get laid a lot doing the marches....

ike sent the first advisors in...kennedy escallated it with right to shoot back...& johnson gave us orders to shoot first & nixon took it to even higher levels invading nam's neighbor

..i have no skeletons i'm ashamed of other than not challenging my government earlier...

..i wasn't at woodstock...but sure wish i had been

...the first communication i had with you rikito was instigated by you when i made a 15 word statement that was to anybody's reading half in jest...you even admitted it might be..but then you went on with a 5 paragraph phychoanalysis of me & calling me names...no big deal as i don't back away from a verbal fight...

...so i look at your bio & see how much you think of yourself...wow...truly impressed

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miamimike says on Jan 22, 2008, 22:53:

ColombianoGringo says on Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 10:10:

I would like to believe that Americans will not elect that harpy. I typically tend to vote more liberal, but I can't get behind either the harpy or the hype(Obama), Neither one has the experience or the qualifications to be president.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CG--I'm curious, what were GW Bush's Sterling Qualifications, other then Family name, over Hillary or Obama, to be POTUS?

Rikito--Bush's admission to Yale&Harvard were granted/guaranteed by the Bush Family Legacy Admission Route, due to his Dad&Grandfather. On His own Merit, Highschool and SAT Scores, his Application, after a Cursory glance to either of these schools wouldn't even had made it past the first trashbasket in the Admit office. The Truth be told, if he were left to his own merit and IQ, he would be pushing a Steamcart hawking Hot Dogs on some Houston inner city streetcorner,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Robert Jorge says on Jan 22, 2008, 23:05:

Miamimike - what are GW's IQ scores, SAT scores, and GPA? Not being smart - I really don't know and have never seen real data on this. Is it available?

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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goin_south says on Jan 22, 2008, 23:08:

jorge... IMMENSE THANX... por su ayuda.
Not meant to hi-jak the thread, but....

Where do we go from here?

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 22, 2008, 23:12:

mike,

In case you hadn't noticed due to my earlier posts, I despise Bush.

Earlier in this thread, I stated "Hillary may not be my favorite, but shrub(Bush) is an ignorant, dangerous criminal who has damaged the United States and it's interests more than any president in recent memory. He belongs in prison."

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Rikito says on Jan 23, 2008, 06:26:

diabloblas, you like expatriate are another person who enjoys attracking people instead of making intelligent responses to the topic posted. Asls, the D's are the ones who escalated the war in Vietnam through the Gulf of Tonkin incident. (LBJ was our leader). I know you won;t do this, but take one period of time...let's say from 1900 to present. How many U.S. soldiers and thier innocent victims have ided in battles under a Repuiblican admin and under a Democratic admin. I do not know know the answer...But I'm sure that in your infinite wisdom that you do.

Why not stop attacking me and try to have an intelligent discussion. Forget Bush, he's a creep who was and is unqualified to do just about anything...look for someone who can truly lead and bring back the reputation of the U.S. Someone who won't lie every chance he or she gets. Someone who won't make false promises. The U.S. (and the world community) needs a leader who can bring people to his/her cabinent that will put the welfare of the nation above thier misguided attempts to be President. Is it Hillary...hope not. Is is Obama...seems liek less and less. McCaine...he would be one hand clapping in the forest. Who? I have not seen anything that rock my socks yet. Just a bunch of wanna be's saying whatever needs to be said to get a vote. Making false promises and lying, lying, lying

And why are you so obsessed with my bio anyway? I answered the questions or statements asked...so what. Do my remarks give you problems or an erection?

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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miamimike says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:12:

RJ---I don't know Bush's SAts or IQ numbers, only what I have read on the Internet.That said, I surmise they weren't in the 1500-1600 Range(sats) and back in that Era(vietnam) Entrance into Storied Ivy League Colleges like Yale or Harvard was extremely competitive. And then, unless you were well connected Politically, you needed pretty high Stats. George Bush, by his own admission, had SATS of 1206 . As he has bragged, Look at how far a "C" Student can climb. He should have added "and if you have Legacy Admission to help boost you along".

CG--maybe I should clarify my statement, I would ask anybody , what were GW Bush's Qualifications OVER and Above other Candidates, to be POTUS? What Qualifications did he have that others didn't that would place him above others? You had McCain running against him in 2000 who was well qualified yet the RNC gave Bush the Nod for POTUS. I'll bet the RNC regrets that choice Bigtime, Bush over McCain,,,

Bush SATS: http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/time/1999/11/08/bush.homework.html

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 23, 2008, 07:30:

You would have to ask those that voted for him. I have voted against at every opportunity, from Texas Governor to stealing the presidency.

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