I usually don't get into political threads, because I've honestly never seen a politician (from the president all the way down to state/city government) that wasn't a lieing crook that would say anything for a vote.
I have to admit, Bush has had his bad parts just as any other president in history has. Things that were his fault, and things that are blamed on him even though the president has little control over what he's being blamed for. But, in the end, I think he's done the right thing with most of his decisions. Including the ones he's been dogged on the most for.
When it comes to the Iraq war... We threatened use of force if Saddam didn't allow inspection... If you remember, Saddam said no at first and then a few weeks later said ok. Now, that looks very suspicious no matter how you look at it. I think I remember him kicking the inspectors out again before the war, but I may be thinking of the previous wars with him (that should have both been finished instead of walking away from) Now with our threat of force without inspection, and him denying inspection... Sorry, but we look like a big bully thats all talk if we didn't do anything. You can't just keep threatening someone and not backing it up or else they will do just as Saddam did, give ya the finger and walk away. Its sad that we have to be the babysitter to the world... but its true, and a strict babysitter gets a bit more respect and less back talk than the pushover.
Now, that is the part I agree on, but I disagree on practically bailing on Afghanistan in order to push Iraq. Yes, Saddam was a big supporter of terrorists (not the ones that attacked us, but many others) And still counts as a target in the war on terrorism... but, the first objective of the WoT was Bin Laden. Someone we still haven't found and is still causing problems. That goes back to the other part really, by just letting him go and looking for someone a little easier to catch, just made us look like we aren't serious about it and doing it all for show.
Yes the rest of the world hates us (always has, nothing has changed, and not Bush's fault).
As for the economy being in a massive slump. Honestly, I don't blame much of that on him either. To me the economy went into the crapper the day of 9/11. I went from making roughly 5k a week in commssioned sales down to less than 1k that month and never recovered since. I honestly think that if that had happened on any other presidents watch, we would be in the same boat. The president doesn't control the economy, the people do.
So in the end, Both candidates are full of it. But, when it comes to what this country needs in a leader.... Sorry, but Kerry just doesn't have it. He can talk the talk better than Bush. He can spread the BS a little thicker with only a slight smell of manure...But Bush, simpleton or not, has the right attitude for a country our size. Don't start none, there won't be none.