Why did George W. Bush win the 2004 presidential election Free Essay Example, 2500 words

â€Å"George W. Bush got the huge anti-gay vote and so got another four years in the White House† (Coleman, 2004). Bush would also supposedly save them from Armageddon by preventing another attack by Muslim extremists despite all evidence to the contrary as the country had already been attacked because he ignored intelligence reports. Christian television and radio programmes openly advanced the conservative agenda reminding their flock that although the curtain was closed, God would be watching how they voted. While religious support is not the primary explanation for Bush’s victory, it accounts for a significant portion of the reason. It also served to further divide an already divided nation of the reasonable and illogical factions. Both sides were extremely fervent in their opinions regarding the candidates and their respective ideologies. â€Å"In truth, not only is there a culture divided between Bush and Kerry supports, but they seem to inhabit separate realiti es and different views on religion’s role in voting (which is) only one dissimilarity between their two disparate worlds† (Dean, 2004). Bush strategists put forth the notion that their candidate was of higher moral character than the opponent. We will write a custom essay sample on Why did George W. Bush win the 2004 presidential election or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page The American press focused on the emotionally charged, sensationalistic ‘moral values’ aspect of the campaign which only intensified the conservatives resolve in their convictions. It was the Economist, a British publication, that bothered to check the facts when it reported that â€Å"the percentage of American voters citing moral and ethical values as their prime concern is actually down† from previous elections (â€Å"The Triumph†, 2004). The Bush political machine spent $270 million, a record amount, on an aggressive grass-roots campaign directed not only toward evangelicals but to blacks, Hispanics and women as well. â€Å"Bush’s image of leadership, his focus on security, the fact that 9/11 hasn’t happened again within this country’s borders convinced Americans, especially women with families to protect† (Trei, 2004).