Lack of jobs could cause one Conservative vote, and 2 Centrist votes I think. What happens if a democrat claims they'll get the economy rolling and there would be jobs for Americans? Even if it's a lie, they could get votes. Clinton even ran on "It's the economy stupid" and strangely enough he won. Democrat voters tend to be very naive and gullible, they believed in his globalism, Third Way, and that he would make jobs for Americans. At least the Greens are smarter types and they knew Gore wasn't going to do anything for them.
No doubt about it. The economy is going to be a major issue...Perhaps THE issue in 2004. The thing is, a President is often limited in what can be done about the economy. Dubya has done what he can IMO with the tax cuts. I believe that cutting government spending at this time would be damaging to the economy. The economy has already endured 9-11 and a mild recession ( yes, if one is unemployed it is NOT mild.) The WOT is also a drain but there is no getting around that IMO. Bubba ignored things like the USS Cole and embassy bombings and rode the economy to high approval numbers. With hindsight I think most Americans are happy Dubya will not. Economies go through cycles and our is being affected by a world wide recession. I'm no globalist but our trade depends on the economies of many other countries.
I hope the economy will be better in 2004. It may not be, but unless the economy is much worse I still believe Dubya will win re-election and the economy will eventually get better. If I thought the American dream was over I too might desire to protect what we have and conserve it only for Americans who live here today. I believe Americas best days are ahead.
Jobs are not going to be created in the manufacturing sector. We can't compete with slave labor and environmentally destructive manufacturing. That is the old economy. The new economy will be information and services...If I knew exactly where America's big winners, in the new economy, would be then I would be rich, because today anyone smart enough to recognize a great product can invest in it. Great products are being created everyday. They are being produced for pennies and sold in America and improving our standard of living. Food, water, cloths, and paper are all dirt cheap. I'm middle class but I've got lots of stuff. I'm paying off a modest house. I have 2 cars. several computers and cable internet. Lots of books and entertainment. I've got everything I need in life.
Think back 50 years ago. Many people didn't have cars, or phones, or dishwashers, or phonographs, indoor plumbing, microwave ovens, computers, wireless headphones, or pressed beef jerky.
Some things have not improved but I'm hard pressed to name one that is not culturally related and I could argue those as well.
I don't know how I'm going segue this back on topic now...I think Dubya has done what he can to help job growth, and he can certainly point out that the 'rats have offered nothing except obstruction. Right now I think any job lost...whether they employee was liberal or conservative...is likely to be a vote against Dubya or a vote that stays home at best. You are correct that jobs are a huge issue. I do not believe that Chris Dodd's Protectionist "USA Jobs Protection Act" will save jobs and they certainly will not create jobs. I'm sorry if this is longer than needed. If I had the time I would have edited it better. My wife is demanding my attention.