I hope the result does something good for Mudcat: that we never more read for the umpteenth time (and not only from Americans) that the election in 2000 was stolen, undemocratic, handed over by the Supreme Court or Florida's governor ad nauseam.

Not that it is not true (or could seen to be true in parts), but it gets boring to read it ever and ever again.

The preoccupation of the Democrats and other opposition parties with 2000 (as can be seen by many postings in Mudcat) was one factor contributing to their loss. 'Gore in four' in its simple emotionality may be fine for the own clientele but doesn't appeal to the general voter. What is the offer for 2002 (or, 2004) is what the voter wants to know. Nobody really cares if the last election was a cheat if the political offer in this election is unconvincing from one side.

Forget 2000 and think what you may offer in 2004 as a program. The Democratic Party was seen over here as looking back and not looking forward.

BTW, I'd have voted for Gore in 2000 (hypothetically).

Wolfgang