The American mid-term elections

I've used the author's title because he ties into it:

The title of this article begs a question. Why would an
international audience be interested in the American elections on November 7?

After all, this is not about the presidency. It is about congress, a third of the senate and 36 state governorships. Surely these are internal US issues of little concern to countries with enough problems of their own.

However, because George Bush's Republican party controls senate and congress, these elections may well be less about American state and local issues and more of a referendum on presidential policy.

Furthermore, this Republican congress has given Bush a blank cheque on his policies, including recent legislation that retroactively legalises some of the more extreme measures emanating from the White House.

If the Democratic party seizes congress or senate, or both, the sycophantic congress will disappear. This might even open the door for impeachment - which would never happen under this Republican legislature.

Incidentally, barring impeachment and conviction or death, Bush will be president until January 20, 2009.

...

Impeachment is a very real threat if the Democrats gain control of congress, and there is little doubt that Bush is a bit worried about that.

All of which brings us to Iran, and the head-shaking is noted.

To put it in a different way: How badly does Bush want to win next month?

He is nearly maniacal in believing that he is the second coming of Franklin D Roosevelt. In his mind, he wants to save the world from fascism – what he sees as an Islamist variety this time – and preserve and expand democracy for all people on the planet to enjoy.

What he fails to realise is that his policies have encouraged the proliferation of extremism, as evidenced recently by 16 US intelligence agencies, and that some peoples really do not want the American brand of democracy.

Will Bush attack Iran by air and sea before next month's elections to prove to his domestic audience that his party is best at preserving and protecting our way of life, thereby "ensuring" a Republican victory in congress?

There's a lot in that article.

(read more)