Here's a cool little set-up that should serve as good incentive for anyone who wants Bush out:
Election night, say about 11:30. The networks are extra careful this time, but finally they can call it. There's been an upset. Dean has edged Bush with 55% of the vote and however it works out in the Electoral College, a comfortable enough margin that we don't have to worry about recounts. They call it for Dean.
About a half hour later there's a lot of stirring among the Bush supporters gathered wherever, some big hotel where the Bushes are staying. And we've seen them throughout the evening like in 2000 with Bush's father and mother.
OK, the news has gone out far and wide of a Bush defeat. Then Bush and the First Lady come into the ballroom and he takes the stage. The people are applauding like crazy, of course (since they are crazy, heh heh). Bush calls for quiet, and thanks them. He says something about what an honor it has been to serve as your President, and leads up to the inevitable BUT.... But we've been watching the returns, and this time things don't seem to be going our way.... We've checked around with some of our campaign people, and they've checked the returns as they've come in thus far.... And it appears that we've come up somewhat short, not by much, but too much for us to maintain any realistic hope.... [Here the crowd is shouting "No! No! Boo!" Bush settles them down. Some other idiot shouts out "We love you!" and Bush chuckles as the crowd breaks into applause. Bush looks like he might cry a little, kind of bites his lip, takes in some of the ovation, then waves his arms for quiet.] He continues: Before I came down, I placed a call to Gov. Dean. I congratulated him on running a good campaign, and offered whatever help he may need for a smooth transition... [Lots of denial here from the crowd, which Bush lets subside.] Govenor Dean had some good things to say about our campaign, how tough it was. And it was tough. But the American people have spoken. [Then from this point on, he says little about Dean, but generalizes on the successes of his own administration, and thanks the crowd for their support. A guy shouts out something about 2008, but Bush waves that off at this time. He leaves the room.]
20 minutes later, another gathering is taking place, this one the Howard Dean victory party.
The president-elect comes out with the vice president-elect, whose identity I don't want to divulge at this time. Dean's tie is loosened. The crowd is going nuts, etc.
When Dean begins his speech, it's like this: Friends, this has been a great night, and not just for me but for all of us. Throughout the campaign I said you had the power, and all across the country you've shown it today! [Cheers.] Within the last half hour, I received a call from President Bush, a very gracious call. [Some idiot booes but Dean tamps that down quickly.] No, no, the president expressed his congratulations for our campaign and our effort, and gave me his assurance of whatever help we will need in the days ahead with the transition. I thanked him for his call and told him that his campaign had been a strong one as well. [From this point, it's a good speech touching on some of the things that he'd talked about through the campaign, a promise of good things to come.]
So there's some incentive (in case you need any) to stay strong in 2004 for the Democrats!
And if you're supporting one of the other candidates, I'm sorry you had to find out in this way that they don't make it. :)