Opinion: Toward a Cold Civil War
Bush's potential failure to keep the country divided means severe consequences
Maressa Brown
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A chill of disappointment hangs over the Democratic Party these days following Kerry's loss. On the morning following Election Day, with colleagues and volunteers as spectators, the Democratic presidential hopeful conceded the polarizing election, calling for healing and unification. Only minutes later, President Bush addressed his staff and supporters, offering an appeal to voters who sided with his "opponent."
In a response to Kerry's message, Bush addressed the 55,554,114 Americans who voted against him: "To make this nation stronger and better, I will need your support and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation. We have one country, one Constitution, and one future that binds us. And when we come together and work together, there is no limit to the greatness of America."
Bush's vow marks his attempt to unify an eerily divided country. Yet, only moments later he stated what his second term will bring: reform of an outdated tax code, strengthening of Social Security, public school changes, upholding of "our deepest values of family and faith" and further commitment to the democracies of Iraq and Afghanistan. These goals do not speak to the side that most distrusts the president. Bush's promises fail to reach out to the left, and he offers no plan to bridge the divide.
Bush was not only speaking to his comrades on Wednesday. Half of the country that opposed a second term tuned in, as well. Under Bush's own beliefs, these alienated Americans must still be embraced and brought into the bigger picture to create a greater nation. In order to earn half of the country's trust, he must realize that working together means reaching out to the left in a bold way.
Both candidates agreed that America is stronger when united. By putting partisan objectives aside, Bush could act on various options to begin the process of healing with the 48% of the disillusioned. By including a representative from the left in the Bush administration, the president would have a greater chance at bridging the gap. Bush could appoint centrist, instead of ultra-right wing justice to the Supreme Court. Another step would be for Bush to admit waging war in Iraq was a mistake but that he aims to mend the situation in order to bring troops safely home. Or perhaps the president could bring the country together by backing away from faith-based initiatives that impress his specifically Christian values on a diverse public of many religions and creeds.