Reality check: It's 2005 and there's a Dem president...

[jumptheshadow]

He or she will have to clean up Bush's mess. And that means that person will have to make politically unpopular decisions. It will be a daunting task.

The President will have to raise taxes.

They will have to create an exit strategy for Iraq.

They will have to deal with Guantanamo Bay. That's a politically explosive issue, on the left and the right.

They must work to restore civil liberties destroyed by the Ashcroft administration, while facing an unwilling (to say the least) Republican congress.

Security concerns will continue to be a major priority for the American electorate. The President will have to address them while balancing civil liberties and budget issues. If there is another attack the Democratic party will be blamed for it.

The President will have to take swift action to boost employment and stop the loss of good jobs overseas, while dealing with an obstinate Congress.

Hopefully the world will welcome a new President and we will be able to renew our international alliances and relationships. Hopefully.

And that's just the start of the list of challenges the next Democratic president faces...

Yes, I know we have to elect this person first and that the alternative to a Democratic president is unthinkable. But get ready for the ride, the next few years are going to be bumpy.

[tinanator]

1. no need to raise taxes

just ELIMINATE corporate welfare, loopholes and offshore scams. Cut the militarys massive pork and put that into the infrastructure. It only requires an honest President with the countries best interests at heart. There is only one person up for that job, though.
Kucinich is the one.

[NewGuy]

7. I must agree

We really need a congress and a president who can prioritize what the federal govt needs to do and delete anything below the "affordable line." If we can do that, I think we could lower taxes while still doing what is needed. Things like business and farm (most of which actually go to agri-business anyway) subsidies could go today. Cutting the waste out of the bigger programs (defense, welfare, ss, etc.) while keepihng the necessary services, could also save more than the defecit.

For these programs I have, :nopity:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. One thing we can do to help

is to make sure as many Democrats as possible are elected to Congress. If we're lucky, we can take back the Senate and diminish the gap in the House. If the economy keeps going down, many Repuke incumbants will be vulnerable. We must make sure we take advantage of this. On a personal note, I hope that the Dems run a candidate in the 3rd Congressional District in AR. Last time, they didn't, and I think that was a shame.

[joshdawg]

3. Bumpy ride indeed, and all because of

Bu**sh** and his gang of thugs!!

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Makes you wonder...

why any sane person would want the job.

So, four years of straightening out the mess, and the Republicans scream how terrible things are, and why the mess isn't straightened out faster.

And the cycle starts again.

You wonder why we don't need a license to vote.

[jumptheshadow]

6. Exponentially worse...

than after Bush I. However, we do know the pattern. I believe Dem leaders have to start discussing long-term strategy as soon as possible.

[Democat]

5. The media will be attacking them relentlessly

Exactly the opposite of how they promote and defend Bush and Republicans nonstop.

[graham67]

8. What about....

a draft, or maybe universal service in the military? Who in their right mind is going to willingly join the National Guard or Reserves?

[rock]

9. politically unpopular decisions

to the bush*sucks supporters, i.e. 33% or less.

On edit: P.S. all of those problems are fairly easy to solve by a non-semian.