An bit of Presidential history for GWB

[Don Vito Corleone]

Two US presidents, John Quincy Adams, and Benjamin Harrison, were the progeny of previous Presidents (obviously JQA's father was President John Adams; Harrison's grandfather was President William Henry Harrison).

JQ Adams did not win the popular vote or the electoral vote, and was instead appointed by the House of Representatives.

Harrison also lost the popular vote, but won the electoral vote and was placed in office. He was the last President to lose the popular vote and win the election.

Both men served one term and were voted out of office by landslides, in favor of the candidate they had beaten in the previous election (in Adams' case, Andrew Jackson; in Harrison's, Grover Cleveland).

It seems to me the stage is set for a likely three-peat of this phenomenon. It appears Bush will win the electoral college after losing the popular vote. I could easily imagine the economy foundering under GW (which might or might not be his fault; it is starting to stagnate anyway), and Gore beating him in 2004 (though it would be nice if the Democrats could field a candidate more likeable than Al). I imagine the election would be quite a bit closer than those in which Jackson and Cleveland won, though.

 

[DaBoneHead]

History does have an annoying tendency to repeat itself. I agree with you, someone other than Gore in 2004... Hey that RHYMES! It can be a slogan!

 

[chess9]

Tee:

Nice post. IF either is elected I agree with that scenario. However, I'm betting Gore will win Florida.

Right now the SOS is waiting to find out if Judge Lewis is going to find her in contempt of court and throw her butt in jail where it belongs.

 

[Michael]

chess9 - now you're really reaching. Contempt of court? Thrown in jail? She consulted with her council and published the reasons she had for her decision which in her and council's opinion, was consistent with the ruling.

This will go to the Supreme Court and they will decide. They may agree with Harris and decide that she, the executive branch of government, has authority here.

Michael

 

[blurredvision]

Not to interrupt the conversation about Harris and the contempt of court issue, but remember that Hillary seems to plan to run for the presidency in 2004, so Gore may just not be the 'chosen democrat' in 2004.

 

[chess9]

Michael:

Yes, I'm afraid it is too unlikely that Mrs. Harris the debutante and tender sweet thing would get the hoosegow, but contempt of court is a very real possibility. She should have waited until the returns came in to reject them. This was obviously a decision made by the Bush campaign, not Mrs. Harris. What a weenie.

 

[chess9]

WoodChuckCharlie:

Did you have to ruin our day by reminding us of the Wicked Witch of New York?

God help us if that woman runs for President. I'd hate to vote for a Republican.

 

[Michael]

chess9 - I guess you must be feeling that the outcome is more likely to swing in the favour of the Republican party because you are now resorting to name calling. The amount of courage it took to make the decision she did proves she isn't a "weenie". You may not like or agree with her decision, but name-calling does not help any discussion.

Here's an article on the ABC News site that talks about the challenges that Gore's legal team now faces:

Legal Analysis

Harris may well be on firm legal ground. As the appropriate, statutorily empowered official, she has exercised the discretion the law grants her. She has given specific reasons for her actions. Those reasons are clearly not grounded in racial bias, mere whim, sheer irrationality, or other factors that would give legal grounds for challenging her decision.
Thus, the law generally presumes the courts will give due deference to her exercise of power in this matter.

A Question of Abuse

To make their case, lawyers for Gore would have to show Harris abused her discretion ? a very tough standard to meet.
They would also likely have to argue that her interpretation of her responsibility in this matter is so out of line with the letter and spirit of the law that the courts must take the rare step of reaching into the executive branch of Florida?s government and forcing a duly empowered official to change policy.
It could happen, but it wouldn?t be easy in the courts ? regardless of any victories Gore may have achieved in the court of public opinion.

Michael

 

[TheDennis]

Why do you people have to be such pessimists. Isn't it possible that as a professional that she, Mrs. Harris, is that she can do her job and put her personal feelings aside. You people are way too quick judge. It seems to me that her reasons are just. So quit it with all of this conspiracy theory BS. Because that is all it is.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

So much for my little history lesson - sigh . . . For once I will sit on the sidelines for the whole Katherine Harris debate.

 

[Passions]

hilary for president? bwahahaha ahahaha hahahahaa

 

[Raspewtin]

<< hilary for president? >>



Hilary for president is nearly as amusing as Mrs. Dole for president. It seems there have to be better female options for president on Capitol Hill.

 

[PistachioByAzul]

chess9, I don't understand you at all. What makes Gore any better than Hilary? What makes Bill better than Hilary? You back both of them, yet seem to despise her.

They're all in the same league of scum.

 

[Double Trouble]

<<She should have waited until the returns came in to reject them.>>

That would have been incredibly STUPID, because she would have then (rightfully) been accused of deciding based on the outcome of the manual votes. Instead, she received the documentation from the counties stating why they wanted a manual recount, gave them 'consideration' and rejected them -- by the book.


As scary as it may seem, I actually really do think we're gonna see presidential candidate Hillary in 2004. NEVER underestimate the power of the stupid, as NY learned this election.

 

[JenniZ]

<< The vote was: Jackson, 99; Adams, 84; Crawford, 41; and Clay, 37. >>




Wouldnt it be nice if we had that many choices today? Well we do, but none of them even have a chance, except the two corrupt parties.

 

[chess9]

All you legal scholars who think Harris is within her legal rights may be right, but I don't think so. Based upon the previous ruling from Judge Lewis, and the Supreme Court's refusal to stop recounts, I'd say she's got a very tough row to hoe.

This has become like a football game where someone on one team decides to take a punch at the ref. &quot;To the moon,, Alice.&quot;

Michael, please quit whining about name calling. If you don't like it, ignore it. Anyway, weenie implies she's a small person, a person of little stature and no importance. I didn't call her a dumb slut.

At least I don't mischaracterize your views and post them all over the BBS.

 

[PistachioByAzul]

Just like Starr, she's being demonized by the Dems and the liberal press for upholding laws that happen to go against their plans. She's partisan, so what? Everyone is partisan. She was elected to her office by the people. END OF STORY!

 

[Michael]

chess9 - I'll say what I want. If you don't like it, you ignore it <grin>.

Michael

 

[chess9]

Michael:

Uh, oh, was that a sense of humor? Accountants don't have a sense of humor.

 

[Double Trouble]

<<Based upon the previous ruling from Judge Lewis, and the Supreme Court's refusal to stop recounts, I'd say she's got a very tough row to hoe. >>

She complied fully with Lewis's order that she not arbitrarily reject the votes. She gave them consideration (which is within her discretion). The ONLY way this gets thrown out is if the court (supreme or otherwise) throws out the law and decides they have an agenda to promote -- Florida's law is quite clear on this issue, Harris has the final word.