US Election 2004

In TIA Daily on 9/7/2004, Robert Tracinski advocated the re-election of George Bush, followed by spirited opposition to flaws in his agenda.  The piece had the subtitle “Bush Cannot Be Trusted to Fight the War Properly, But Kerry Can Be Trusted to Retreat”.  An excerpt was published in CapMag's Dollars & Crosses:

Both parts of the slogan 'anti-Bushites for Bush' imply the need for vigorous action. By being 'for Bush,' I meant that we should actively advocate and promote Bush's re-election, but do so on specific, narrow grounds: that it is necessary to fight an offensive war against terrorism and to fundamentally reform the political system of the Middle East. But we should also be prepared, after the election, to immediately and vigorously oppose everything that is wrong with the Bush agenda--to demand that he live up to his fierce rhetoric in prosecuting the war, and to oppose his attempts to expand the welfare state and inject religion into politics. [R. Tracinski, “Dollar: How to Be an Anti-Bushite for Bush: Working for a Pro-War Opposition and a Secular Right,” Dollars and Crosses, 9/12/2004]

Robert Nasir has created an excellent website AntiBushForBush regarding the concept with relevant link, and quotes from email lists not generally available.  These include the following quote from Tracinski in the masthead of the website:

Given the dangers of Bush's policies--including his religious agenda--why should we want him as president? Precisely because the worst elements of his agenda contradict the best, making him easier to fight--and less damaging--than a candidate with a more consistently destructive agenda. 

Update 10/22/2004:  An extended excerpt of Trancinski's piece has been posted on The Intellectual Activist website [HERE]. 

Black Wash (10/7/2004)

Image Source: Cox & Forkum

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• #1 Comment from ryllian6 
  10/20/04 8:58 AM | Permalink

  I feel for you lot in america, I live in the uk and I opposed the war, I saw it for what it was: a oil war.
  
  We here in the uk are very worried indeed about this election, you have a war president who surrounds himself with hawks.
  
  Please go and see Fahrenheit 9/11, please try to be informed before you vote...for your sake and the world get that lunatic out of office before we are all dragged down into hell's abyss.