Bush has policies I like.

A foreign policy that actually tries to change things for the better, instead of endless wringing of hands and making speeches in the U.N., or hoping that aggressive dictators will change their spots if we just wait long enough. A foreign policy that actually dares to think U.S. interests might be more important than France's. Or anyone's. A policy that believes in the moral good of America. I don't see Kerry doing that.

Bush supports lower taxes and thinks private enterprise is a good thing, not the heart of evil. Does Kerry?

Funny, I thought you said that Kerry's policies were identical to Bush's, except he says he'll do it better.
IOW, Bush is not Kerry.
Taxes I'll grant you. Private enterprise? What makes you think Kerry is not pro-business? Just coz he's a democrat?

Bush has policies I don't like.

He isn't getting a handle on government spending, a definite downcheck in my book. But tallying up Kerry's wish list adds up to a whole lot more. Bush isn't controlling the borders as much as I'd like. Would Kerry the Democrat do better? Or open them up even more? I didn't like that Bush didn't push guns for pilots. Would Kerry?

Spending: you posted last week an article that said Kerry's spending plans didnt add up to cutting the deficit. In that same article, it also noted that Kerry's spending plans were slightly less than Bush's.
IOW, he's not Kerry.
Borders: Has either candidate said anything about immigration or border security yet?
IOW, he's not Kerry.
Guns for pilots: Bush not pushing, neither is Kerry.
IOW, he's not Kerry.


Now, here's probably the top reason I voted for Bush last time, and will vote for him again:

John Kerry and Al Gore firmly believe that it is their destiny to be president. That they were meant to run the country. That they and their colleagues deserve the job, and that their virtues and superior skills make them the only suitable choice. That they are better than the common man, who would be lost without them. Kerry in particular radiates this, especially whenever he is dealing with "regular" people. When he called a Secret Service man a son-of-a-bitch, that said something to me. There have been other examples. His "Joe Sixpack" act over the past weeks isn't fooling anyone.

For future reference, Hillary falls firmly into this category, too.

George Bush sees the presidency as a duty, a job that he intends to do as best as he can. He behaves no differently in the Oval Office than he would have if someone had drafted him for the job. Bush believes that he needs God's help in this, not to tell him what to do from on high, but to help him do the right things on his own. I never get the impression from Bush that he thinks he's better than the guy who brings him his dinner at night, that he thinks America NEEDS him to survive, and that he thinks it's self-evident that the sun shines out of his ass.

The man has a certain humility, arguably earned the hard way in youth. Not an inferiority complex, which is something different entirely.

I got the impression that if Bush had lost in 2000, he would have gone back to his ranch and cheerfully put his feet up. Maybe run for governor again, or maybe Senate. Who knows? Maybe get involved with another sports team, or just sit back and write a book or something.

So, how has Al Gore adjusted?

<snip rant>

Bush doesn't NEED to be president. And frankly, I will always prefer a leader who doesn't think he was born to the job.

That reason is right up there with "I'd vote for a ham sandwich before I vote for Bush". None of this has a basis in reality but in your perception of his carefully crafted public persona.

Hey, I dont NEED to be President either. If it weren't for the born in the USA issue, would you vote for me?
I want to see a balance budget. I want to see less taxes and smaller - more responsible - government intrusion. I see the need to stay in Iraq. I want to root out Al Qaeda. What's not to like?

"Bush doesnt NEED to be president." Why do you think he is running?

In other words, you're voting for Bush because he's not Kerry.