D.B.W.I. President George W Bush

What if George W Bush had won the 2000 election? The obvious point of departure is Puerto Rico does not vote for statehood. Those eight electoral votes provided Gore's margin of victory. Of course, that would have meant that Bush would have won because of the Florida recount. I know it wasn't a big news story but I hope some of you at least remember that the litigation went all the way to the Supreme court. ITTL five unelected supreme court justices would have not have reduced Gore's electoral vote margin they would have put Bush in the White House. That means Bush would, like Rutherford B Hayes and John Quincy Adams, have to deal with an angry opposition shouting WE WAS ROBBED !!!! Of Course I think that would have lost what I think are the greatest accomplishments of the Gore years: universal health care and the alternative energy research. I think about the last one every time I read my electric bill and thank my inexpensive solar panel as well as the great deal we got on our hybrid mini van. Notice that President Romney has not try to tamper with these two popular programs even before the Democratic landslide of 2010.
 
IDK, Gore made a lot of centrist shifts as vice President. His moderate stance on gun control would be the most prominent. He won his home state, obviously, but might have lost it if he taken a polar stance on gun control.


Frankly, I don't see how W would have been a bad president. There's just too many places for strong leadership. Terrorists destroy the world trade center on 9-11, Gore had 90%+ Approval for retaliation, and did so with the whole world behind him. Enron BKs, and Gore leads the charge to fix corporate oversight with deeply considered regulation.


W. probably would have been a fine president! He'd have inherited the strong Clinton tax surplus, which he probably would have used to reduce the debt. (As a small government sort, Bush would never pass up the chance to reduce the debt), and have 9-11 to step away from the controversial election.


Gore got very lucky breaks and opportunities during his term. Decisive problems, like Hurricane Katrina, could be fixed with decisive action and make him look good.


I'd say it bluntly; the 2000-8 period is an excellent time to be president. True, the economy has recently gotten into some trouble, but a small recession is cyclical.
 
Well, if Gore or someone had not brought up South Carolina and the poll closings, the momentum might have been in favor of Bush in Florida. Further, had Gore not publicly admitted his greatest mistake being his breaking of campaign finance laws, and offering to take individual contributions over PAC money, the taint of the scandals might have hung around him leading to more Nader votes- or even Dems backing Bush.
 
Hell Gore still had some initial hurdles to cross because of the whole recount situation still left half the country feeling like they were robbed. It was actually quite heated at first, or am I the only one who remembers the protesters lining the streets as Gore went to be sworn in???

Course it's been so long now, and alot more important/serious things have happened since then, but Gore still had a bit of a cloud over his head. I doubt it'd be any different had Bush won.

Course if Bush had won, I wonder if 9/11 would've even happened? He'd be more tough on defense and security. The previous administrations' reluctance to act tough on issues in the Middle East probably had a large role in 9/11.

And I'm left wondering if Bush would've actually had done something more with Iraq than the usual/tired response of "sending in weapons inspectors" crap that Gore still does. Why hasn't anyone done anything about those WMDs?!?!? Bush would've done something about it!!! He'd take those WMDs out of Saddam's hands and improve world security.

(OOC: Sorry, kinda played the role of those who like to act like Gore's presidency would've butterflied away stuff like 9/11 and whatnot in our TL)
 
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