How Bush Wins An Uncontested Election In 2000

[Californiadreaming]

2 - Another factor in last minute defections was "And the next thing you know, they'll be running Social Security like it's some kind of federal program."

Out of curiosity--how many votes do you think that this gaffe and Gore's subsequent exploitation of this gaffe cost Bush in 2000 (in Florida and nationwide)?

[Californiadreaming]

Quite frankly if people defected after hearing someone had an ancient DUI... somehow I doubt they would have gone Gore.

The issue doesn't appear to have been the DUI itself, though. Rather, the issue appears to have been the fact that Bush was running on a platform of honesty and integrity and yet was unwilling to personally tell the American people about this old DUI of his. Indeed, the media (rather than Bush himself) ended up being the one who told the American people about Bush's old DUI.

[Californiadreaming]

Quite frankly if people defected after hearing someone had an ancient DUI... somehow I doubt they would have gone Gore.

Rove estimates something like 3 million religious conservatives didn't show up on election day in part due to the DUI.

Frankly, Rove was probably trying to cover his boss's ass with that statement of his.

[Californiadreaming]

I don't think it made much difference. Polls always tighten up before Election Day.

Actually, this doesn't appear to have been true in 2012.

[Californiadreaming]

Okay we get it....the DUI not coming out wouldn't have gotten Bush an uncontested victory.

So now the question is what would have? I was thinking maybe the '01 recession starts a bit earlier...

Agreed. Also, having Bush avoid making that Social Security gaffe several days before the 2000 election might do the trick here.