Robert B. Reich: I wish it were simply a nightmare, but I think that any reasonable person watching American politics would come to the conclusion that a second Bush administration would in fact incorporate a more radicalized version of what we’ve seen in the first administration. The reason is that the constraint would be removed. At least now, they know they have to face an electorate. That restricts their movement somewhat. But those constraints are off if they win a second term.
http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/04/06/int04030.html

Their ideological extremism can have -- will have -- a field day. They will be less restrained in terms of going into Syria and Iran, for example -- perhaps even more bellicose with regard to North Korea, another member of the so-called Axis of Evil. Their attack on civil liberties through John Ashcroft’s Justice Department and the Patriot Act will be followed by a Patriot II. They’ve already drafted it.

I think it’s fair to say that the Evangelical Christian right-wing movement will demand that creationism be taught in our public schools, that stem-cell research be curtailed, that access to abortion counseling and contraceptives be restricted, and that prayer be reestablished as requirement in our public schools.

There is also going to be an effort, already begun by Karl Rove and Tom DeLay, to redistrict states in order to maximize Republican gains and marginalize Democrats. Their goal is no less than to install the Republicans as a permanent majority in the White House and in Congress. In other words, in sum, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Let me quote from the book, because it was so exhilarating to read it expressed: "If you want to be a malleable politician, you campaign from the center. But if you want to be a leader, you define the center. You don’t rely on polls to tell you where to go. At best, polls tell you where people are, and it’s pointless to lead people to where they already are. The essence of political leadership is focusing the public’s attention on the hard issues that most would rather avoid or dismiss. We know the problems that need fixing. Centrism is bogus. There’s no well-defined consistent political center in America."

You go on to say, "Meanwhile, the so-called center" -- well, we’re adding so-called -- but the one that’s defined in conventional wisdom -- and I’m returning to quote -- "and you keep shifting further right...while Democrats keep meeting them halfway."