Election 2004: Both Sides

Peggy Noonan talks with Vice President Dick Cheney (top). Donna Brazile teaching a course at the University of Maryland. (The Washington Post)

President Bush claimed victory on Wednesday afternoon after his Democratic challenger, Sen. John F. Kerry, formally ended his bid for the White House. How has the president's re-election shifted the political landscape? Do the Republicans have a mandate? How should Democrats handle the loss?

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile and RNC consultant Peggy Noonan, two political veterans who have spent time both inside national campaigns and as outside commentators, answered your questions and share their differing perspectives on the 2004 election, the candidates and the issues.

Noonan is a former speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan and the author of six books on politics and culture. She is taking a hiatus from her Wall Street Journal column to consult for the RNC through election day. She also does commentary for MSNBC.

Brazile is a senior fellow at the Academy of Leadership at the University of Maryland and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. In 2000 she served as the campaign manager for Al Gore's presidential campaign and is a regular guest on CNN's "Crossfire."

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Sure, Bush received more votes than any Presidential candidate in the past, and Kerry received the second most. So what? The population is bigger! This was definitely a win for Bush, but is not a mandate along the lines of when Johnson scored a landslide in 1964 or Nixon did the same in 1972 (of course, neither of those subsequent terms worked out well). Bush acted like he had a clear mandate when he actually received fewer votes than his opponent in 2000, so I expect no less when he actually got more votes this time. A little humility would be in order, but what politician in either party does that route? I do wish that Bush had set an example for the country by giving Laura a dog from an animal shelter, and save a life, rather than going the usual rich-guy route of getting a pure bred puppy, but politicians of both parties usually do this (I believe Bob Dole, to his credit, did adopt a dog from the Washington Humane Society).

Peggy Noonan: Good morning all. It is a beautiful cool sunny morning in Brooklyn, parchment-like leaves falling softly through the air. Let's play Hardball! Wait, that's another idiot. I'm the idiot I am, so let me tell you what's on my mind. Many Democratic friends are sad, crushed, bitter. I feel we must all sit back, have a cup of coffee. breathe in, and remember...to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. We should probably all of us remember that as someone said -- Napoleon, Ken Mehlman, someone -- and I paraphrase -- 'In every defeat lies the seed of future victory, and in every victory lies the seed of future defeat.' Life goes on, unrolling in its way. Life is not politics; life is life; politics is part of life, and perhaps best a small part of it. That having been said, Republicans: are we happy or what? I am so happy, so relieved, so heartened by my countrymen. And this morning comes news of 337,000 new payroll jobs for people who needed them, and can through them pay for many wonderful things. But to your question, Silver Spring. Bush won. He won big. He won by three points in the so called 50-50 nation. He did this after 9/11, war, recession. He did this with coat tails -- more senators, more congressmen to support him. Most of all he did it as himself. He campaigned telling you exactly what he'd done and why he'd done it, and then he told you exactly what he would do and how he'd do it. This is huge. As the UK Telegraph said yesterday, George W Bush in one of the most painful and challenging times in all US history won with the biggest vote for a conservative in the history of the world. Honey, have that cup of coffee and think about it.

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Washington, D.C.: Could each of you describe your feelings riding the exit polls/actual results roller coaster on Tuesday into Wednesday? At what point did the It's Kerry/No It's Bush transition start to occur?

Donna Brazile: Before I answer your question, let me congratulate Peggy and the entire Republican team for their victory. This time, you actually got out more votes than we did and you deserve a moment to celebrate.

Also, let me thank the Kerry campaign, DNC and all the other allies for their hard work and dedication. We worked hard, but the other side worked even harder. Out battle continues.

Prior to receiving my first batch of exit poll numbers, I was feeling pretty good about Senator Kerry's chances. Why not, in addition to the early exits, we had strong proof that Democrats were overperforming and turning out in large numbers.

Too bad I did not call into radio stations in rural America. Perhaps, I would not have swallowed so hard on the pre-election polling, election day exit polls and the news coming in from across America.

But, we never gave up on Election Day. We worked through the day and night encouraging people to get out to vote and stay in line.

Peggy Noonan: Tuesday afternoon I started to get the exit polls by e mail. It stunned me -- I just shook my head. Then I got an e mail from an elected official who knows his stuff -- he asked me what I thought -- I said 'Kerry winning Pennsylvania by 20 points? This is freaky.' So I had the 'something is very strange here' but I also was hearing from people who believed the polls might be correct. I called around -- all the Repubs were anxious and yet they couldn't wrap their heads around the idea these numbers were serious. So for hours we didn't know. Then Zogby's wacked out numbers came -- a Kerry electoral landslide. I called a Dem friend who'd work in the new admin and congratulated him and reminded him I'd always loved him. Then the numbers changed when the votes started coming in and I called him back and told him I'd always though he was a jackass. We started to laugh like veterans in a war where you don't know who's winning. Anyway, the votes made it all clear, and then the votes were deeply heartening, and then I got choked up.

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Atlanta, Ga.: Kerry was defeated but he's the first presidential candidate I can recall who, after defeat, doesn't have to slink away into oblivion. How do you see Kerry's four years remaining in the Senate shaping up? Will he have a higher profile, more influence? Thanks.

Donna Brazile: Senator Kerry, along with our other congressional leaders, will be called upon to help move America forward. He will have an opportunity to help shape the future and work with his colleagues to get America moving back in the right direction.

I hope Senator Edwards will not retire from public life, but return to the national stage when its appropriate. We still need his voice.

Finally, I hope Mrs. Heinz Kerry remain faithful to her causes -- women and children, the environment, health care and civil rights. And I pray Mrs. Edwards a speedy recovery and a return to good health.

Peggy Noonan: Kerry's gracious and dignified concession speech suggests he has a solid future in politics in my view.

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Pittsburgh, Pa.: "I'll reach out to everyone who shares our goals,'' adding that "I earned capital in this election, and I'm going to spend it.''

OK, see, this is what scares the heck out of me about the President. Not, "I'll reach out to everyone," but "everyone WHO SHARES OUR GOALS"

This does NOT fill me with optimism about the next 4 years.

Donna Brazile: For the sake of this country, I hope the President will reach out to us all -- even those who do not share his goals. I cannot accept his economic policies because it hurts the working poor and middle class. I cannot accept his foreign policy because it has isolated us from the majority of the world.

We can use a little more civility and a lot more humility in our public servants.

If the President is serious about reaching out, I am sure some Democrats will find a way to work with him.

Peggy Noonan: Don't get your liver in a quiver. Bush went to Harvard Business school and speaks the flat though clear language of business, sports, and politics. When he said he had capital and would spend it he meant he had support, and would use it. Moreover -- more important I think -- he seemed to me to carefully NOT reach out to Teddy Kennedy and the Dems in Congress. He reached over their heads to the Democratic base -- which is full of people who share at least some of his values and views. Very Reaganesque. A real indicator I suspect of how he's going to lead this term: He isn't hugging Tom Daschle, he's hugging you uncle Bo who's half sympathetic to Bushian views. This will necessitate a lot of effective media use by Bush.

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Washington, D.C.: With so many voters claiming that they voted for Bush because of "moral issues," which many took to mean gay marriage and abortion, how many of Bush's campaign promises do you think will hold up? Specifically, will he still support civil unions and not use abortion as a litmus test when nominating justices to the Court?

Peggy Noonan: Everyone knows where Bush stood on abortion and gay marriage -- he's agin 'em. But the larger point here is this: I think the Democratic party, in the elevent states that voted against gay marriage, and in other ways, is being told something by the American people. It is, "You have to stop winning your victories through the decisions of left wing judges throwing their weight around and declaring for us the new arrangements by which we are to live. The Democrats have got to return to trusting the people. Stop litigating, start legislating. This is a democracy, not a leftist theocracy run by black robed masters. Abortion, busing, gay marriage -- these have been judicial decisions that have bullied the American people and caused great and enduring bitterness. This is a democracy." Until the Dems learn this they will be...in bad trouble. And they will deserve to be in it.

Donna Brazile: In my judgement, these so-called moral issues were used as wedges to divide, detract and mis-lead America. Clearly, we all have positions on abortion, stem cell research and same sex marriage, but the combination of ballot initiatives in battle ground states and the negative mailings prove to me that these cultural issues were used to provoke and to stir deep anger and resentment.

Soon, these voters will wake up and learn the truth. We hope. No body is trying to take away their gun rights and force abortions on children. We can do better.

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Washington, D.C.: Peggy, I still don't see how you can call this a mandate. Bush won by 3 percentage points. That's not huge!; 51 to 48 still means a highly divided country, that 48 percent of us still didn't want President Bush to return for a second term. You don't need to be a statistician to know that 48 percent is really nearly half.

Peggy Noonan: I've already answered this to the best of my ability in another question, but let me ask you: Why are you so worried about the word mandate? Bush promised to do certain things if elected, and he was elected in a supposedly divided country by a healthy margin. His reelection reflects the fact, in my view, that we are not in fact a 50-50 nation but a nation that continues trending conservative Republican. Our leadership will reflect that.

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Fairfax, Va.: What factor did media bias play in this election? Evan Thomas from Newsweek commented after the election on "how out of touch the mainstream media is with most of America. I mean there is a red-blue divide. And most of the media types live in the blue part. They live right here. And they went to fancy schools and they dress a certain way, look a certain way. And, and they're not terrifically in touch with the rest of us." Did Republicans effectively use CBS' Memo-gate and other examples to motivate their voters?

Donna Brazile: If truth be told, I heave heard those culturally conservative voices for years, but I ignored them. Like most progressive/liberal mainstream Americans, I thought they would remain isolated and outside the body politics.

They woke up and started to shout from the high heavens. They are angry, as many of us are, about America's direction. But, it's time we talk to each other and stop shouting at each other.

I am looking forward to the coming debate. It will be tough, but only through dialouge and discussion can we learn from each other.

America is at her best when we are united. As an American, I will never concede my values or exploit my faith in pursuit of electoral gain.

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Lyme, Conn.: How much, if at all, difference would the election have been if Kerry had selected Bob Graham as his running mate? Could Graham have successfully gone on the offensive on intelligence and terrorism and diminished one of Bush's key issues? Could Graham have carried Florida for the Democratic ticket?

Donna Brazile: After each election, I like to spend time looking at what worked and what failed. As a Democrat, we must spend some time reflecting on the last four years and what went right and what went wrong.

John Edwards was a great choice for the ticket. He gave us hope, inspiration and was articulate on the stump. Senator Graham, along with Senator Nelson and the congressional delegation, worked hard for a Kerry-Edwards victory in Florida. I know. I spent considerable time there myself.

Let us go forward now. Work even harder for an America we can all be proud of.

Peggy Noonan: You can always Monday mornign quarterback this stuff, but I don't think Kerry was going to win, period. He ran as a mystery. People don't elect mysteries. He ran as a guy who had four months in Vietnam, lay down for 20 yrs in a cryogenic chamber, woke up in 2003 and said I'm going to run for president. He couldn't run on the past 20 years of his adulthood. That was bad. Ya gotta run on what you are. He didn't because he couldn't.

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Greatest Ever?: As a lifelong Democrat, this is tough to say, but if President Bush manages to heal this nation (equal opportunity for all) and bring democracy to the Middle East, I would have to say that he will go down as one of the greatest presidents ever. Man, that was tough!

However, if he continues to listen to Karl Rove, and not his conscience (which I think is a good conscience, by the way), and continues to use polarizing "wedge" issues that only play to our worst aspects (fear, intolerance), than history will likely say that he squandered one of the greatest opportunities ever.

Thoughts?

Peggy Noonan: He's a president who came to play. Old sports cliche but useful. Clinton spent his second term acting like his popularity was a box of jewels. He'd open it and marvel and their beauty, and then close it, and go daydream with his advisors about his legacy. Well, he got his legacy. He never spent his popularity, and problems gathered, and Osama plotted. Bush is telling you he's opening up the jewel box and using the treasures inside to make change. Big difference in style and attitude. Clinton wasn't a serious man. Bush is. He may be right and he may be wrong, he may make big mistakes and he will surely have blunders. He knows the history of second administrations: trouble and failure. He's going ahead like he's gonna remake that history, and fill it with hard fought victories. Hand it to him: guts. That's part of why we like him. By the way: reforming the tax code over the heads of the greedy bastards in Congress who use the tax code to shake down businesses for campaign contributions -- that's gonna be as big a war as Iraq. That is gonna be a war that rocks. You watch.

Donna Brazile: After four years, one would think you could see some shift, some change, some difference in the President's thinking. I don't believe he will change at all. We're in for four long, bitter, tough, difficult years. I hope and pray that I am wrong.

Just remember during the campaign, he could never admit a mistake -- not even a minor mistake. Perhap its my Catholic upbringing, but I am always reviewing my life to see if I did wrong. I do so every week and often daily before sleeping.

If I can do better the next time, I pray, and if God is willing to show be the way. I can do better. It's awful humbling, but necessary for growth.

Lastly, I learned early in life to ask and pray for forgiveness. This President seems unable and unwilling to admit to any shortcomings or failures; therefore, I do not hold out a lot of hope in seeing a change in him anytime soon.

But, I will redouble my prayers for him, as always, to do the best job possible for us all.

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Washington, D.C.: Peggy, you said: "This will necessitate a lot of effective media use by Bush."

Bush had the fewest number of Press Conferences since his father did and the press is kept in the dark about most of the Admin's policies. How will Bush use the media as an effective tool to gain support for his proposals if he limits the press corp to one question only and never talks to them in the first place?

Peggy Noonan: I don't know what the media plan is. I am very curious. I forget how many news conferences Reagan had. He did use them, but more than that he used speeches to the nation to rally support for tax cuts, budget cuts, Soviet strategy. I assume Bush will do something like that. OR he may continue his successful election strategy: getting out the word through barnstorming gatherings from state to state. He is good on the stump. That might be a great way to go -- fill stadiums and college gyms, etc.

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Washington, D.C.: Ms. Brazile, The Dems are already all over the map regarding the type of candidate we need to put forward to win. Some say that candidate needs to be more true to the party, others say more moderate like Clinton. What is your view?

Peggy Noonan: Before Donna weighs in, let me say the WSJ report that the Dems will make Harold Ickes the new head of the DNC suggests to me the Dems are speeding down the wrong road. First, when you've taken a big blow you sit down and think. You hold a Council of Trent with party leaders and talk about who and what you are and why it didn't work and what should be changed and what should be kept. Then get around to administrative changes. As for Harold, he is a hard, tough gut cutter whose relationship with Hillary Clinton is like that of an abused spouse -- 'I can't leave, she needs me.' His rise will mean her inevitability as 2008 nominee. It will mean she is the only person on the Democratic bench. That is not a good place to be. They should all slow down and go to the beach and not be making these big decisions immediately.

Donna Brazile: Peggy, please, please. Harold Ickes, like Lee Atwater, James Carville and Karl Rove, is a smart and effective strategist. So, if Harold emerges as a likely contender, I will give him every consideration. He's a decent man. A family man devoted to his cause.

Now, in terms of moving forward. Democrats must rebuild our party -- not only here in Washington, D.C., but across America.

This is one of those rare moments when every Democrats can help with this process. We must first stand for something other than programs. We need a bold vision that includes every soul. We must believe that our values are good, strong and morally structured for a diverse country.

We will rise again. We are not defeated, just down after fighting a major battle. Keep your passion. Keep your joy and let us begin the next round with energy and determination to succeed.

The Democratic Party will survive. I am more concerned about the state of our democracy and our democratic rights as a free people.

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Provo, Utah: Bush started his first term calling himself "a uniter, not a divider" and immediately launched some very partisan and divisive policies such as his faith-based initiatives. Now he promises to unite the country again. What do each of you think would be an appropriate, early action on the part of the President to demonstrate that he really does want to heal some of the nasty divisiveness that prevails in this country?

Donna Brazile: First, The President should reach out to Senator Kerry. Invite the Senator and Mrs. Kerry to lunch or dinner. Next, I would urge him to call Senator Daschle and have him over for coffee.

Before selecting a new cabinet, I would urge the President to talk with Minority Leaders Pelosi and Reid. He should use the State of the Union and other major speeches to extend an olive branch.

Convene an international summit so we can continue to pursue and win the war on terror.

Lastly, I would urge the President to reach out to African Americans in a way that is consistent with his Christian faith. Yes, this is personal, but I truly would like to see him govern one America.

Peggy Noonan: I don't want to upset you but the country IS uniting. It is uniting behind a Republican Senate, a Rep House, and a Repub president re-elected in a dramatic and tough time in history by three percentage points, also known as 3.5 million votes. Faith based initiatives are not, in this faith filled and even faith-drenched country, inherently divisive. You might say they are reflective of the common sense views of the majority of your countrymen. It is hard for all of us to understand America -- it is diverse, gigantic, full of multitudes, resists understanding -- but I think you have to take a new look at what is divisive and what is not.

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Plymouth Meeting, Pa.: A question and a comment:

Q: To what extent does your personal political views come into play before you decide to work for a candidate or another? That is, do you ever find yourself disagreeing with your own candidate on a particular issue, and if so, do you defer your view to his since he is after all a "client," and your job is to figure out HOW to get his message across, or do you actually try to persuade him toward your views?

Comment: I believe that some of the voters who cite "values" as a reason for Bush is being disingenuous. I think that they would have voted for Bush no matter what because they like the guy and perceive him as "one of them". And since they cannot defend his foreign policy or domestic policy they decide to stake their decision on personal issues.

Donna Brazile: For over 30 years, I have supported, voted and worked for the Democratic Party. I am a proud Democrat in the tradition of Kennedy, King, Hamer, Chisholm, Jackson, Gephardt, Norton, Clinton, Landrieu, Gore and now Kerry -- to name a few people that I have worked for and learned from.

It's hard work trying to get people excited about voting. I have dedicated my life to it and it's still a good life that I have no regrets even after defeat. I will do it again and again.

Over the years, I have helped give political birth to hundreds of young, energetic, cheerful and passionate souls. Today, I re-dedicate my life to fighting for their future. They are worth it.

I thank all of them, along with many celebrities, who took to the streets to urge them to stand up and speak out.

Yes, I have been a paid professional staffer. But, I went out for Kerry -- not as a paid personel, but as an organizer urging voters to support a candidate who would give America a fresh start.

Again, thanks to all the youth who worked so hard and so long for a victory. Our time shall come.

Peggy Noonan: I am philosophy-based. I am a conservative. That makes me a Republican, for that is the party that is sympathetic to and essentially stands for conservatism. I'm sure Donna could never work for a conservative Republican, for she is a liberal Democrat. I could never work for a liberal Democrat for I feel their ideas -- the philosophical assumptions they hold -- are by and large harmful to our country, and not helpful.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Ms. Noonan and Ms. Brazile, if I could suggest a national reading assignment in the wake of this election, it would be for everyone -- especially President Bush -- to read Alexis de Tocqueville's passages in Democracy in America about the tyranny of the majority. Perhaps that 150 year old masterpiece would be helpful to everyone governing in the early part of this century.

Donna Brazile: This is from the new Bernstein biography of Thomas Jefferson. Here is part of a letter he sent in 1798 after the passage of the Sedition Act:


"A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their
government to it's true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long
oppressions of enormous public debt......If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an
opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake."

Peggy Noonan: Oh, I like that. I worry about the tyranny of the minority too -- the tyranny of the judge, for instance, or the tyranny of the well financed media savvy interest group.
But I would have everyone -- everyone -- read this year Edmund Burke's "Reflections on the Revolution in France." For it is a beautiful recounting of what unmediated and encouraged hatred and malice can do to a great nation. Hatred can kill a nation; it certainly killed the French revolution.

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New York City, N.Y.: Ms. Brazile,

In your book you detail many of the incidents of alleged suppression of the minority vote in swing states during the 2000 election. Did these incidents recur and how much of an impact did this have during the 2004 election?

Donna Brazile: Thanks for your question. We had some problems on Election Day across the country, but they were not as widespread as 2000. I do not recall hearing anyone stop by unmarked cars, but we heard complaints about citizens not having information on their correct polling site, some were randomly ask to produce identification, and some students being disenfranchised.

As Democrats, our goal was to ensure that every single eligible American gets to vote and that their ballot is counted. We're not finished counting some ballots and I would hope that the process of counting continues.

The Republicans fought hard to prove so-called fraud before and on election day and it never really materialized.

We need to continue to reform our electoral system, upgrade and improve our voting technology that produce verifable paper audit of the vote. We should allow every one to vote early to reduce the amount of time it takes to vote.

I could go on and on about this, but I will continue to speak out on ways to improve and enhance our electoral system.

Peggy Noonan: As a Republican it is my goal and deep desire to see that every American who is alive, of legal age, legally registered, and eager to take part in our democracy vote --and vote peacefully, and even affectionately, with competent precinct workers busily helping in a peaceful environment. Unlike some Democrats -- ahem -- I do not wish to see cartoon characters, dead people, or the unregistered vote.

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Raleigh, N.C.: Donna and Peggy,

Thank you for these informative and entertaining chats over the election cycle. Thank you also for tempering your rhetoric today. I've been pleased by the lack of gloating, and the lack of doomsday scenarios from both of you.
Thank you for conducting the discussion with the reason and intelligence that got both of you where you are today. It becomes you far more than the rabid, partisan scorched-earth cheerleading of the election term.

Hopefully the rest of the country can learn from your example and begin to talk clearly and calmly with people who have different opinions. Thee are complex issues facing the country, and both sides do have valid points. We can all learn something by a real dialogue, and we can all go forward.

Peggy Noonan: Oh you know, for all our differences I believe Donna and I share what you have: a true love, a real gut-love, for democracy, for our great Republic. "The people, yes!" People died so we could all have these arguments. God bless their souls.

Donna Brazile: Peggy is a good nature soul who allows other to talk and she sit back and listens before responding. She's a terrific human being and I am glad to call her a friend.

We have serious work ahead. There is a time for everything. For Democrats, it's a time to rebuild. For Republicans, it's a time to reach out.

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Indianapolis, Ind.: I know this forum is politics not policy but I'd like for Ms Noonan to explain (if she can) why social security reform need be anything more than to simply STOP withholding all that money from my pay so I can manage myself. I'm NOT interested in social security by another name with a bunch of rules and forms an restrictions.

Peggy Noonan: America likes social security. A lot of Americans depend on social security to live their lives at a healthy and safe level -- rent, food, etc. It is something we have, it is something almost no one wants to do away with. It can be reformed, however -- it can be made better, it can be pushed so it keeps up with the times. A way to start? Allow young people just entering the system to invest part of their social security contribution.

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Anchorage, Alaska: Ms. Brazile and Ms. Noonan,

First, thanks for the years of public service that you both have given the nation. Could you describe in your views the turning point of the election and how President Bush won?

Donna Brazile: Thanks Alaska. President Bush and Karl Rove never stop campaigning. After the loss of the popular vote in 2000, they went back and looked at their loss and came to one simple conclusion: their base did not turn out.

Well, in 2002, the GOP perfected their ground game. President Bush never strayed from his message or his base. He kept at it and never relenetd. Most Americans bonded with him after the terrible attack on September 11, 2001. They knew he made mistakes, but his base never took it out on him. They blamed others, circumstances beyond their control and in some cases, they went to far as to blame liberals for every failure.

After a miserable start this year, Iraq out of control, the economy still running behind pace, Bush and his team decided to pour it on their opponents and went for broke. In the end, they wounded Kerry, they re-defined the debate and talked to their supporters exclusively.

The strategy worked. But, America cannot afford another four more years of the same. I hope the President, now comfortable in his winning quest, roll up his sleeves and work even harder to bring this country together.

Peggy Noonan: The American people voted for the candidate they thought the better man. It cannot be exagerated, the extent to which people thought Bush was a good man who would tell them what he honestly thought and what he honestly planned to do and what he honestly would work for. You knew him. Kerry was never known. Ultimately so much comes down to that. Add POW wives...and a good Bush campaign...and a bad Kerry campaign...and the sense that Democrats are on the side of the elites and Republicans on the side of regular Americans...and you get the election we got.

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Rye Brook, N.Y.: Peggy, glad to see your articles at the Journal again, Yes I am savoring the Victory. What were your specific duties at Bush/Cheney '04? Is a book coming out of this experince?

Donna,
Kerry ran a good campaign, I'm more interested in the loss of four Senate Seats. I believe the Democrats need to be more tolerant of conservatives, e.g. invite them to their conventions, or stand to lose even more Senate seats. When people say they want a Government that "looks like America" how about a Government that "thinks like America?"

Peggy Noonan: My specific duties were self-assigned. I sent e mails to every Republican I thought needed ideas, encouragement, strategic thoughts. I campaigned for the RNC in the battleground states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. I went on tv and made the case for Bush as well as I could. No, no book will come of this experience. I wanted to do it as a patriot -- I mean this seriously and not ironically -- for no gain, and only as a contribution. At night I worked on a book on Pope John Paul II, which I hope to complete in the next few months. I am glad to be back at the Journal. Go to www.opinionjournal.com for my piece on the Bush victory, published yesterday.

Donna Brazile: Yes, we did lose a good many seats in my native South. I am not a happy woman about it.

It's hard to pick up Senate seats in parts of "red America" when your national candidate is not competing in those states. It's hard to communicate with voters in red states when your candidates are not part of those communities.

We can and will do better in the future. We must recruit and train our candidates to do a better job of reaching those red state voters and challenging them in ways that will help us win elections in the future.

The bottom line: they really do not know what we stand for. What a shame. Perhaps, if they did, they too would give us their support.

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Grand Rapids, Mich.: All second-guessing aside, it is clear that Bush won because there are more people that support his view of the world than they did Kerry's. That said, considering that women did not side with Kerry and make a difference in his prospects, has abortion effectively become an albatross around the DNC's neck?

Donna Brazile: Based on the exit polls, I think it was more than abortion. Perhaps, it was more about security for the women who embraced President Bush.

The majority of Americans remain firmly pro-choice on this important issue of freedom.

Peggy Noonan: American men and American women care about the security of their kids -- the future of their kids -- the ability of their kids to go on and have lives and families and an old age, even in this time of wmd's and nuts with nukes, etc. They voted Repub in part because they thought taking it to the enemy and recognizing the threat was the more pronmising way to gain safety. By the way, the American people believe abortion as an issue is still in play -- believe me. And they believe a candidate who would support partial birth abortion is...well, some of them, and I am one, believe such a man is whipped and abused by pro-abortion groups and their money and Democratic party clout. Such a person is...well, shouldn't be president.

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Cleveland, Ohio: Is there a party for someone who favors small government, fiscal restraint, a strong national defense and a hands-off attitude on social issues?

The Democrats have never fit the bill for me, but the Republican Party of today just seems like it favors big government, too, in fiscal and social matters. I have a gay brother, and I'm distressed about how the GOP uses gay people as a wedge to pander to social conservatives.

The party of Reagan was never like this.

Donna Brazile: Dear resident of Cleveland,

I still believe in my heart that the Democratic Party of my parents and my generation is the party of mainstream, common sense values.

We are the party of shared responsibility and shared opportunity for all.

We are the party of ordinary people -- regardless of where they live and where they go to church -- and if they are spiritual or non believers.

We are the party of fiscal responsibility and we stand by and support our men and women in uniform.

We will rise again and meet you where you are. But, you can become our voice of hope.

Join us.

Peggy Noonan: Smaller government? The Dems will never, ever give you that. Lower taxes? Go Republican. A just and fair tax code? Watch the Republican president. Wedge issues? Blame judges: they distort the system, and the GOP resists their distortion. A strong defense? The whole history of the past 40 years is weak Dems and strong Reps. You may be a libertarian but keep watchin the Republicans: they are the long term hope.

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Fairfax, Va.: I seem to recall great bitterness on the part of the Democrats when Ronald Reagan lured so many of their voters over to his side. The implication was that Reagan's victories were not representative of the real balance of power in the nation, that his were false majorities. Now comes Bush, who probably got very few Democratic votes, and the Democrats are complaining about how divisive Bush is, about how he appeals only to his base and doesn't reach out to Democratic and unaligned voters. It seems you can't win for trying.

Peggy Noonan: Reagan had the famous Reagan Democrats. Meaning regular working people who felt the Democratic party left them when it began its long tear into social radicalism and economic wackiness. Now Bush wins in the so called 50-50 nation, and he wins almost half the Hispanic vote, and he carries the Catholic vote. I think a heck of a lot of Americans who might have gone Dem went Rep -- because of Bush. What will that group be called? Discuss. Politely.

Donna Brazile: My friend and neighbor in Virginia. In George Bush's America, some of us feel like unwelcomed travelers. We had our patroitism questioned when they decided to rush us to war and now our morals are being questioned because we refuse to be divided into segments.

Now, give me a break. You can't have it both ways. If the President wants to lead a united country, he must work for unity.

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Maryland: I am technically a Republican but strongly considering jumping ship. I voted for Bush this time around, but very reluctantly. Frankly, Bush doesn't really represent conservatives any more, just the religious right. But Kerry was worse, hence my vote.

I think this a great opportunity for the Democrats to examine why so many people voted for Bush and learn from it. They had an opportunity in 2000, but instead decided just to blame Nadar. Please, please look at the great centrist population that just wants the government out of our lives and wallets as much as possible. Maybe in 2008 they'll put foward a candidate I can acutally support. Any idea if the Democrats plan to do this? I hold no hope for the Republicans taking this victory as anything other than a mandate for a big government philosophy.

Donna Brazile: The grass is always greener on the other side. Come on over and help us. This is not the end. I understand your philsophy of smaller government and I consider myself a conservative on fiscal matters. Don't get me worked up about the deficit right now. I am scared to death that the President will continue to run up the tab.

But, under a one party majority, I believe it will continue to become a special interest government -- only for those who support the goals of the President's party. The rest of us will be left with a large tab. Can someone tell the GOP to sober up?

We must hold those in public office more accountable in how they spend our hard earned tax dollars. Now, as far as 2008, you can help shape the debate and select the nomineee.

Come on. What do we have to lose?

Peggy Noonan: Oh Bush represents more than the religios right! Trust me. I live in NY where most of my Republican friends are not religious, or would never seen themselves as part of the RR. But -- I do think we have to think more in America about what is happening within our parties. The Dems in the past 30 years have chased those Americans who are ardently faithful right out of the party. They have chased away and denied a voice to Democrats who believe abortion is a terrible thing, a sin against all rightness. They have chased away the Democrats who think it's just fine and not harmful at all if a courthouse wall contains an old carving of The Ten Commandments. They have chased away the Democratic constituency represented by my family -- Irish Catholics who wouldn't have dreamed of NOT supporting FDR and JFK, but never would have understood -- or imagined -- what the Democratic party has become. Which is: in so many ways a party that sold its soul for a mess of pottage.

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Hamburg, Germany: Is there any chance that President Bush will listen to issues that concern us over here? I think it would make a big impact if he would, for example, agree to discuss climate change. The Kyoto Agreement contains elements that a supposed free-market advocate should like (carbon trading). The agreement has undergone many changes and is not as bad as its reputation in the US would indicate. We do not expect the US to join, but at least to be open to agreeing to aspects of it and re-join the process. Does the President understand that his actions impact our lives, too? Otherwise, I would be perfectly happy to ignore U.S. politics.

Peggy Noonan: Hamburg, I was in the middle of my reply to you when for some reason I got knocked out of this forum. Let me give it to you best as I remember it. I love Europe, both old and new. But do the elites of Old Europe ever question themselves and their assumptions? Do you ever wonder if the chasm, if that is the right word, between America and Old Europe is in part your responsibility, and even to some degree your fault? Do you really care so much about Kyoto, or if Bush signed Kyoto would it be anothr great issue on which you say the American conservatives are so backward, so unsophisticated, so unhelpful? Do you ever look at yourselves -- or only at that imperfect thing, America? By the way, do people in Germany and France ever sit back at night with the children and say, 'I'll never forget those GI's from Omaha and Indian Creek who gave their lives to save us from Hitler"? I know that is a provocative question but it is also a serious one.

Donna Brazile: Dear Hamburg,

I hope he listens to his Father, or number 41, and work with our allies in Europe and elsewhere. We could use a fresh start in improving our relations with the world, as well as some changes closer to home.

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Springfield, Ill.: Give us a line up of the Democrat power structure in the Senate.

Donna Brazile: Harry Reid of Nevada is likely to assume the post of Minority Leader.

We have other returning super stars like Kerry, Biden, Feinstein, Clinton, Dodd and Mikulski. Look for rising stars like Barack Obama and Ken Salazar to emerge and speak on behalf of the Democratic Party.

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Rockville, Md.: Do you see major shake-ups in the Democratic leadership? It seems to me, Terry McAuliffe time is limited as DNC chair. I also tink Sen. Edwards would be a good replacement. Your thoughts?

Donna Brazile: Terry has done a terrific job. I sent him an email yesterday to thank all of the DNC staff and volunteers. Folks we were ready for this fight. We must not lose sight of what we were up against. We came back from 2000.

Look, Terry inherited a divided party. The Democratic Party, under his leadership, spent three years planning for the 2004 election. We raised more money from the grassroots than before, we improved our technology and the research and communications staff did a terrific job in fighting back.

Terry supported the creation of the Voting Rights Institute and he worked hard to re-charge our mobilization efforts.

It's time we bring on a new leader to fight the next battle, but Terry should leave when his term is up.

I am Donna Brazile and I approve this message.

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Florida: Miss Peggy, I can't wait for you to come back into the Journal.

I had an interesting last week of the campaign, being a conservative in a swing state. I began election day thinking that although I voted for Bush, maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing if Kerry won (and maybe it was just the barrage of campaign ads for the last six months). Then as the day went on and the exit polls pointed that way, I started thinking that a clear margin was the most important thing. Then by the next morning, I found myself more relieved than elated to realize that Bush had won. Now I feel optimistic.

Is this the political reverse of the Kubler-Ross stages?

Peggy Noonan: Ha! You know who's going through the Kubler Ross stages -- rage, bargaining, acceptance -- right now? The Dems. No one has asked yet What Is Wrong With the Democratic Party, but I refer you all to the answer: the novelist Jane Smiley's stunning short essay in Slate. Go to Slate.com when we are done here and read what you wrote. It is the purest and surest shooting of pure bile and hatred since the evil one smacked around the Cure of Ars. It is amazing. And informative.

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Harrisburg, Pa.: Despite the fact that this election has been decided, is there still concern about the integrity of the electoral process? Where is the outrage over the challenges to new voters and the delays caused by provisional ballots that created long lines that led to many urban voters to not vote, where is the outrage over the statements that urban voters can vote on Wednesday and avoid the long lines, where is the concern that the electronic machines tended to malfunction when someone voted straight Democratic (yet I did not hear anyone all day complain that the machine malfunctioned because they were voting straight Republican)? Instead, all I hear is Senator Santorum claiming voter fraud because there are more registered voters than there are people, and I keep pointing out that the Elections Bureau does not delete names when people move, which actually makes it harder to campaign in Democratic urban areas because the voter registration lists contain so many names of people who have died or moved that it wastes time and money mailing and calling on voters who are no longer there. Where is the outrage?

Donna Brazile: I'm with you on making sure this election was conducted in a proper manner. Yesterday, I called on Chairman McAuliffe to send a letter to every Secretary of State to ensure all the ballots are counted.

Democrats did everything possible to protect and promote the rights of all citizens to participate in the process.

As Senator Kerry said, we will work to ensure every vote was counted. But, when its all over, we have much work to do in completing the job of updating and reforming our electoral system.

No American should have to stand in line for five hours to vote. No American should be purged prior to election day because he or she forgot to fill in one blank space.

Instead of encouraging every person to participate, the Republicans went out of their way to repudiate some votes, in some neighborhoods and in some communities. Shame on them for trying to create chaos at the polls.

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Alexandria, Va.: "As the UK Telegraph said yesterday, George W Bush in one of the most painful and challenging times in all U.S. history won with the biggest vote for a conservative in the history of the world."

Please. You conveniently failed to mention how EVERY OTHER PAPER in the UK was asking how the voters in our country could be so dumb. 85 percent of the UK -- our biggest ally -- thinks Bush is at worst, a criminal, and at best, a complete idiot.

I'm sorry, but it's a fact.

Donna Brazile: Now, now. I may disagree with the outcome -- and I do. I may dislike the President's policies -- and I will continue oppose them. But, for the next four years, can we stop throwing out insults?

George W. Bush is a very intelligent man. He knows what he wants to do and how to get it done. Look at the country. They are not just blind belivers. They actually believe he represents something.

Now, my side must represents something other than sheer hatred of the person we dislike. I'm sorry, I will continue to mount and wage campaigns to defeat President Bush's agenda. But, I will not be reduced to personal insults directed towards him or the office he holds.

This is hard. I know. I am aching all over. My body is tired from travel and talking. Yet, I know in my heart that God (Yes, I am a believer) is not finished with us liberals.

Peggy Noonan: My friend, every European newspaper that is putting America down because it is so "dumb", so "stupid", so "ignorant", is insulting your country. And doing it with little wit or reasoning. It's just name calling. Don't be impressed. By the way, I have a friend who is a doctor. He once worked, many years ago, in a hospital for the mentally retarded. Do you know what their biggest insult was when they wanted to put somebody down? "You're stupid." Let's think about that as we read the European newspapers, and Jane Smiley and Paul Krugman, too.

Peggy Noonan: Well, I'm done guys. We went long. Both Donna and I had a lot to say. And so did all of you. God bless us all, and God bless Ms Donna, a true treasure of the Democratic Party. Bye all. Peggy

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Washington, D.C.: Do you see any possibility that either party will seriously ask themselves why there was such a lack of enthusiasm among black voters?

Donna Brazile: First of all, let me personally thank Peggy Noonan and the Washington Post for allowing me to participate in this forum. I look forward to debating Peggy in the future or just chatting on something other than politics.

In terms of Black voters. I have so much to say and will only offer some advice.

Blacks came out in all the key battleground states. We gave Kerry and the Democrats our strong support. We worked tirelessly to improve the country and to change its leadership. We could have done more, but with limited resources and support, we gave it our all.

As African Americans, we are happy with the election of Barack Obama of Illinois and we are delighted that two new African Americans (Cleaver of Missouri and Moore of Wisconsin) will come to Congress.

Now, it's time Black folks sit down and think hard about the future. We need an internal changing of the guard. We need some new thinking on old problems that plague our communities. We need unity to bridge the internal divides that keep us last in line -- even on election day.

Now, I am not one of those Black radicals, but I believe our agenda is old, out dated and rooted in the lanuage of the civil rights movement. This too must change.

But, as we prepare for the future, we cannot forget to defend past gains, support leaders who will enable our communities to find jobs and provide health care.

We must be engaged, informed and prepared to work even harder in the future.

With this, I close for today.

May God bless America.

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