Bush nearly invincible in presidential election

As Democratic contenders wage political warfare against each other, President George Bush has ample opportunities to create a new agenda, secure popular support and save his own enormous funds for November.

Primaries and caucuses are catapulting the American public into election frenzy, and the Democratic nomination remains up for grabs. Mudslinging campaigns and millions of dollars in campaign budgets have failed to produce a guaranteed contender, which almost ensures Bush's chances of re-election.

Despite the fact he has tens of millions of dollars more than all the Democratic candidates combined, and regardless of whether the contenders tear each other to shreds before the real race begins, Bush is still riding on a nearly 60 percent approval rating that doesn't show signs of fading.

Although the Iraq war is costing Bush much-needed political capital, his new agenda for the American public is diverting attention and exciting key groups for the upcoming election.

The new immigration laws, written and spear-headed by Bush's chief political strategist Karl Rove, stand to help swing close elections in three of the most electorally rich states in the nation. Combined, they hold 111 of the 270 votes it usually takes to win. The comparatively large Latino and migrant worker populations in Texas, Florida and California will probably help Bush significantly in the races there.

Bush's bold new space exploration agenda is also diverting interest from Iraq and helping him in the polls. The plan, which calls for an increase in NASA spending by $1 billion over the next five years, hopes to put an American colony on the moon by 2010 and an astronaut on Mars by 2020.

Reminiscent of the Kennedy revival, this boost to NASA helps Bush's image as a pioneer American president who is helping our morale and forging our legacy.

And if Bush's new agenda isn't helping his image enough, Saddam Hussein's capture has been a much needed symbolic victory in Iraq. While his specific leadership did nothing to actually capture Hussein, the American public is starting to see some progress. His approval ratings jumped from 54 to 63 percent immediately after Saddam's capture.

And now, not only is the situation in Iraq coming closer to a resolution, with the installment of a new government by June, the American economy is projected to experience tremendous growth in the next fiscal year. Early growth trends predict that the gross domestic product will increase to 5.7 percent this year, creating 5.5 million more jobs, according to Bush's early estimates. Finally, Bush will be able to run for election with a bull market instead of the bear that mauled his father's chances.

When the political scene settles down and a Democratic contender emerges, Bush's strides in public opinion, his seemingly boundless campaign funds and his new initiatives will make him impossible to beat in the upcoming presidential election.

The best bet for upsetting Bush will only come at quick unification of the Democratic Party and funds to match Bush's astonishing $170 million war chest.

This sidebar appeared with the story:

The other side

In last week's Our Generation, Nathan Empsall of the Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy wrote about the case for electing former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean president.

Copyright 2004 Cowles Publishing Company
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.