US Election 2004 - A commentary from an Englishman in America

Not that I have any responsibility for the fact but I feel compelled to write and apologize on behalf of this Englishman for the coverage of the result of the Presidential election in the mainstream printed newspapers in Britain.

Months ago on London Chimes I predicted that President Bush would win the election, that it would be a very close race regardless who ended up as the democratic candidate. Since then I have watched the political campaigns rollout as a very interested observer unable to vote in the election.

Pennsylvania was marked early on as a battleground state and it was very interesting to watch the buildup to the election unfold in my back yard.
I have always kept a finger on the pulse of the mainstream media in the UK. To see the goings on in Britain and to see the UK's side of the story. But recently the days following the election results I have been thoroughly disgusted by the Guardian and the Daily Mirror to name but two of the traditionally left-wing newspapers. The Guardian attempted to interfere directly prior to election day with an editorial asking where presidential killers when you needed them most insighting an individual to take the life of George Bush. In another instance writing to voters in Ohio directly as a measure to interfere in the election process from outside the United States.

The front cover of the Daily Mirror was beyond insulting.

Truly the mainstream media not only in the UK but also the US has truly flown their true colors up a flagpole that clearly show their deep set political bias.

Thank goodness for fair and balanced reporting, talk radio, in particular Philadelphia's Big Breakfast Talker Michael Smerconish, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and blogsphere who are in some instances going head to head with main media and they inturn complain of people wearing PJ's sitting in front of computers all day. Not at London Chimes.

I am a "W" guy, thanks Michael for the term.

I am delighted that George Bush and Dick Cheney were elected by a majority including the popular vote and that morals was a significant factor in choosing Bush by 4 votes to 1 for Kerry.

Morals may surprise many outside the US. America is not hollywood, what you see on TV is not an accurate portrayal of what America is like or how the people think. Middle American is not dumb, they have a voice and last week they screamed so loud the world had to hear them.

George Bush is not everyone favorite person, but he is the elected president with a significant mandate from the people who did vote, more took up their right than since President Reagan. The French, Germans have to deal with W. Tony Blair I am certain is relieved with the level of support Americans gave Bush during a time of war, and yes we are at war. With a General Election in the UK soon, I will ensure that I do vote and my vote will be made based on the needs of global politics and that vote might just make me vote for a party I have never voted for before, being brought up and living in an area represented by Maggie Thatcher.

In the UK I supported the Liberal Democrats. To the right of New Labour and the left of the tories. In the US I consider myself a moderate right. A "W" Guy , the man who will be president when I bring my daughter home from China and is a man who has the metal to make the hard decisions.

This President deserves, nay demands the respect of the mainstream traditionally left wing media.