Nixon Survivors: At this point, which Administration is worse?

[BlueIris]

Poll question: Nixon Survivors: At this point, which Administration is worse?

Again, for those who lived through Nixon, at this stage, which Administration is worse in your eyes? Again, I don't want to define parameters for what constitutes "worse," just go with your overall impression. Although, I guess, if you want, you should explain your choice. Could get interesting.

[terrya]

1. Bush is much, much, much, much, much, much, much, much worse

And oh, by the way...Bush is much worse.

Nixon had, for a Republican, a relatively moderate record as President. Creation of the EPA, revenue sharing with the atates, Foreign policy had detente with the Soviet Union, the signing of the ABM treaty and SALT I. His record sure as hell wasn't perfect for sure, but there weren't any massive tax cuts to the people who didn't need them or a disdain for the rest of the world as you see today.

Spiro Agnew, as Vice President, was a creep, but he was no Dick Cheney, that's for sure.

Nixon's Supreme Court choices were mixed. Warren Burger was a disaster, as was Lewis Powell, but Harry Blackmun became a decent Justice.

It's hard to put into words. Nixon was a vile man in private...as the White House tapes now show. But one wonders what Bush says and thinks in private.

Again, it's hard to explain. But given a choice (and it's not much of a choice), I'll take Nixon any day over the pure evil that is Bush.

[BlueIris]

2. Interesting.

And yes, I have often wondered if we will ever get to hear the tapes from the Bush WH--come on, you know they exist. And in a sense, I just--I wouldn't want to listen to something like that. It would be too disheartening.

[Ishoutandscream2]

27. Oh, yes. I never thought I would ever have to say it in my lifetime

But Bush is, like you say, far worse. Pathetic, isn't it?

[GoSolar]

34. Agreed.

Bush is indescribably worse.

[calimary]

41. That would be my vote, too.

Never thought we'd get anybody in the White House who'd ever make Nixon look good. Well, think again, calimary. And yes, I'm old enough to remember Nixon. It's bush by a LANDSLIDE.

[kodi]

3. bush, but had nixon a republican congress? god only knows

lets face it, there would have been no watergate investigation if the gop had run congress and bush would not be president today had we a democratic house or senate.

[roguevalley]

4. They were both nuts but Bush is a complete ass clown and he

has apparatus Nixon could only dream of. I don't think Nixon hated America as much as Bush. Nixon only hated the American people. He was fond of the land.

[BlueIris]

5. Excellent points. nt.

[blondeatlast]

17. Good point--if Dick had an R congress, we might have to sweat out the

answer to this question.

[ProudDad]

55. Nixon

in spite of his crimes, didn't believe that the Federal Government served no purpose.

This crowd does. The repukes have been trying to destroy the Federal Government as an agent of potential progressive social change.

This is a substantive difference of monumental proportions.


In addition, the GOP of '73 was an entirely diffent breed of cat than today's repukes.

[wackadoo wabbit]

6. It's no contest.

Bush is eminently worse than Nixon!

Part of the reason (although certainly not all of it) may be that Nixon came from an average socioeconomic background and thus didn't have the to-the-manor-born attitudes and cronyism exhibited by the Chimp.

[Zinfandel]

62. Never quite seen a poll so lopside as this...

[ngGale]

7. With Nixon....

we still had some power to change. The media is the big issue, it wasn't totally corporate and was live. Next to Bush, Nixon was a piece of cake.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

8. Who'd a thunk there'd be someone that much worse than Nixon,

but he is here and wreaking havoc beyond anything Nixon ever did.

[NYC]

9. I see that 31 out of 31 of us have voted that Bush is far worse.

I would be surprised if someone who lived through Watergate would think Nixon is worse.

P.S. Re Nixon, read The Imperial Presidency by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. Very interesting. Nixon set the stage for a lot of what is going on now.

[ShockediSay]

10. John Dean (Nixon's White House Counsel) was very clear

in his most recent book.

Bush is so much worse than Watergate. Nixon, and Watergate, did not send soldiers to their deaths on account of White House chicanery.



PS Dean WAS convicted, but turned state's evidence in Watergate.

PS PS What's happening w/ the investigations/indictments for Karl Rove and Tom DeLay? First things First (an old 12 step maxim, I believe).

[FourStarDemocrat]

48. John Dean called Bush's administration the most secretive in history.

In his book published last year, he goes on and on comparing the two. Bushco's secrecy is far more expansive and dangerous than Nixon's could ever hope to be.

[FourStarDemocrat]

49. And would Nixon even get the Repug nomination in this day and age?

I would think that they'd pass right by ole' Tricky Dick to pick up the most criminal, fundy-asskisser, corporatist, Rove-approved spin puppet they could find... and that wouldn't be Nixon.

[Lochloosa]

11. With Nixon it was a game...a serious game..but a game

Bush is just pure evil.

[RadiDem]

12. Reagan was worse than Nixon too -nt-

sss

[dajoki]

53. agreed...

but * is THE WORST!!

[NoPasaran]

13. Nixon was an evil, lying sonofabitch

But at least he was competent and not totally isolated from reality.

[ProudDad]

56. Never Mind

I was responding to a will-o-the=wisp.

Post deleted by me...

[WCGreen]

14. Yea, Nixon ran as a racist knuckle dragging' neandrathal.....

Nothing against the Neanderthals in the audience....

But governed as a New England Republican, ie Teddy roosevelt....

But this guy, this POS...... No thought on ruling.. Just grab what is mine and fuck the rest of the country.....

No regard for anything beyond today.......

The most cynical and corrupted regime America is likely to see... EVER.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

15. it's not even close...BUSH IS BY FAR FAR FAR WORSE

[blondeatlast]

16. Bush, by leaps and bounds.Nixon was a crook, but he still gave a damn

about the country.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

22. There you go. Bingo.

I considered Nixon to be "delusional"...to the degree that he seemed to GENUINELY believe he was doing "the right thing."

I believe that George W. Bush is smart enough to know he's the filling in a Rove-Cheney sandwich. They needed the "Bush name."

When 2000 American men and women die in a senseless war and Dick Cheney's bank account swells accordingly, you'd better BELIEVE that Bush is capable of "doing the math."

Nixon was "confused."

Bush is "aware."

[speedoo]

18. There is no comparison.

I never thought I would hate a US President as much as I hated Nixon.

But in a historical context, Reagan was worse than Nixon.

But the Coward is in a different universe. He's the worst this country has ever had to endure.

[mmonk]

19. As John Dean said,

"worse than Watergate".

[MaineDem]

20. Bush...for all the reasons already stated!

Nixon was a nasty arrogant prick but Bush is a nasty, arrogant, and DANGEROUS prick.

I still can't believe we have a former coke-head in the White House. Blows my mind (no pun intended.)

[July]

21. Bush.

This is my 3rd attempt at posting, so I'm not going to explain why again, but there is NO comparison.

[Lerkfish]

23. Under Nixon, I learned to mistrust the govt. Under Bush, I'm terrified

of what the govt might do to us and other countries.
I"m terrified they are insane enough to use nuclear weapons or weapons from space to further the corporate goals of their sponsors.

Under Nixon, I just felt someone got their hand caught in the cookie jar, but I didn't fear for the future of ALL cookies.

hope that makes that clear.

[johnaries]

35. That's exactly how I feel, Lerkfish. You summed it up perfectly. n/t

[man4allcats]

24. Nixon's spirit is happy now...

there is finally a president that is worse than he was.

[calico1]

25. Bush, hand down.

Nixon at least had a brain and did a few things that were good. And the Republicans then were mostly Moderate, not like the Neocons we have today.

[ChiciB1]

26. Are You Kidding???

There is NO comparison to these gutless wonders!!!

Shameless, spineless, despicable bunch of LIARS!!!

[Armstead]

28. Bush -- At least Nixon could do things

Nixon was evil, but some positive things were accomplished under his administration too. He was politixal more than ideological.

Bush administration has the deviousness and power-hunger, without the effectiveness.

[GOPFighter]

29. Both were/are scary

As Watergate unfolded and the public and members of his own party] turned against Nixon, many of us were scared of Nixon's reaction. His aides Haldeman and Erlichman were vicous and many of us were scared that Nixon would declare martial law and try to get rid of his enemies. That's how deluded we thought he had become.

George Bush is incompetent, he doesn't have a clue what he's doing, he's lived a sheltered, privelidged life and is genuinely puzzled why so many people are upset because some poor people had to live in squaler while waiting to be rescued. He believes there are haves and have not for a reason...the have nots are lazy and shiftless. To get them to fight wars for the haves makes makes perfect sense to him. He is dangerous only because Karl Rove is a genious at demonizing his enemies and convincing the stupid and ill-informed that this Administration is ordained to lead by God.

[wiley]

60. Look at his mother!

Bush = Worse Manmade Disaster Ever!

[chelsea0011]

30. Nixon for all his faults at least had a vision in some things..EPA, China

Bush is blind to any vision for the country. It is tax credits for rich and line the pockets of oil execs. All $$$$$$$$$$$$ all the time for cronies.

[Marymarg]

31. I agree with you

100%.

[MN ChimpH8R]

32. Bush makes Nixon at his worst look like Little Mary Sunshine

Nixon was an insecure paranoid, but he was not completely crazy. Galling as it is to admit, Tricky Dick did accomplish some decent things - opening relations with China, detente with the Soviet Union, revenue sharing with major cities and establishing the EPA.

Chimpoleon is utterly and totally corrupt, stupid and worthless, a complete failure. He continues to fill a much needed void. He is even worse than Reagan, which is saying something.

[abluelady]

33. Bush eom

[yellowcanine]

36. Nixon was evil and smart. Bush is incompetent and clueless. How does

one decide between those two as to which is worse?

[calimary]

43. You forgot evil. bush is incompetent and clueless AND evil.

MORE evil than Nixon. Worse than Nixon. FAR worse.

[GoneOffShore]

37. Bush is much worse than Tricky Dick

[indie_voter]

38. Bush n/t

[yy4me]

39. Bush administration is far worse. I lived thru both and

as devious as Nixon was, his course was not to destroy this country and line his pockets as well as those of his cabinet and other cronies. What is being done now is, in my opinion, bordering on treason. We are being sold out!

[Lorien]

40. You're kidding, right?

I'd take Nixon as our President in a HEARTBEAT over the human garbage that's in office now!

[barbaraann]

42. Nixon was a better parent.

In the Presidenting contest, Bush isn't even an entry.

[calimary]

44. True enough. His first lady, too. And Pat Nixon never killed anybody.

Visualize IMPEACHMENT!!!!!!!
Then go DO something about it.

[Neshanic]

45. This gang makes Nixon gang look like amateur hour.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

46. Oh you must be kidding! No contest, no contest at all. Any legitimately

elected president would surely have been impeached long ago.

[baldguy]

47. Nixon was caught doing what every other Admin did.

Namely: Bend the law here and there & lie about it.

Bush is finding new and imaginative ways to circumvent the letter & spirit of the law. If he gets asked about the color of the sky, he'll say it's red or green of purple. When it gets pointed out that the sky is in fact blue, he'll place the blame for it on the terrorists, or the previous Admin, or Hugo Chavez. He will lie when the truth will do.

And he never will accept resonsability.

[IndianaGreen]

50. Nixon needed meds and therapy

Bush needs to be confined to a maximum security prison so that he cannot harm others.

[dchill]

51. Actually, Nixon was somewhat of a Socialist -

He put price controls in place and wanted a guaranteed national annual income.

[ProudDad]

52. No Contest!!!

* by far.

Nixon was a "bush-league" demagogue fighting what was still a "New Deal" society who believed that government's job was to help one's neighbor when it was necessary.

* is the puppet representing the New World Order of Rand-ian neglect. Every (rich) man for himself and if you can't pull yourselves up by your own bootstraps (even if your boots have floated away in the flood), fuck you.

It's MUCH worse now. My only hope is that the last 25 years will so taint the regressive-right that they won't rise again.

[Usrename]

54. Thinking about Nixon brings fond memories

This White House is a succession of bigger and biger nightmares.

[ProudDad]

58. No shit

Amazing isn't it.

Johnson "resigns" -- I think, "shit we're gonna get Nixon."

Nixon's gone -- I think, "Whew!!!"

Ford/Bush -- I think, "Can't chew gum and walk at the same time."

Carter -- "Whew!!" again.

Reagan -- "NO, NO, NO, NO .. this CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!!"

Clinton -- "little-whew..."

* selected -- "It's Fuckin' ALL over now. Time to move!"

* selected again -- "IT'S REALLY TIME TO LEAVE."

But hell, visualize a Dem House and Senate elected next year with a * impeachment in '07...

[tomg]

57. I never thought I would feel this

way, but there is no question about it. I lived through Nixon. I don't know if any of us are going to make it through this loon's regime (or the aftermath of the regime). I don't even know where to begin.

[TankLV]

59. I never felt cowed or afraid to criticize the nixon, or never had close

friends tell me to watch what I say for fear of what might happen to me.

Never doubted that the elections weren't honest.

Never feared for civil war or for my life.

[LaPera]

61. Not eve close...Nixon, at least knew who his "fellow Americans" were...ALL

of us!

Indeed!

[Greybnk48]

63. Reagan was worse than Nixon

I never felt Nixon was cold and uncaring toward the general population, although he was not fond of some of us young people, for good reason. But Nixon LOOKED evil so people kept an eye on him. Reagan was a wolf in sheep's clothing, giving an "aw shucks" and popping jelly beans with one hand and stabbing the most vulnerable in the back with the other.

But without a doubt, absolutely no comparison, * is the worst thing I've lived through. I truly believe that someone ought to seriously raise the question regarding his mental competence. He's clearly a sociopath, but I think there's more going on there.

[BlueIris]

64. Interesting.

I think I might agree about Reagan being worse than Bush. Reagan completely screwed this nation. Much of what we will have to recover from for the next century (read: however long the planet holds out) is the fault of Reagan's economic fascism, not Bush's.

However, just so you know, in case you haven't read--people have raised the question of Bush's mental competence. A psychiatrist wrote a book about it that came out last year. I, personally, am more concerned about his obvious relapse into drugs and alcohol, which I think began early in his first term, and with some other things that are clearly wrong with him, than I am about the sociopathy.

[Cosmocat]

65. I want to thank thank everyone here ...

For this poll and the responses ...

It SO pains me to see what this admin is about, and what it is doing, and it SO pains me that it seems like the entire country either doesn't see it, or is not pained like I am about it ...

There is not a SINGLE response in this thread that I myself have not thought the last four plus years, and it was VERY validating to see that there ARE people who care about this country like I do ...