My gut reaction to the US election is that the high level of republican turnout was due to the referendums on stem cell research and Gay marriage. These are perfect issues to drum up support from the church going country folk,and other ultra conservatives who wouldnt normally vote because they have little interest in politics.
But one things for sure, when people who are motivated to vote by a referendum to let those satanic gay people wed, and those evil interfering with Gods work Scientists experiment on unborn babies, they are going to vote republican while they are there. Of course the referendums were put up by just as many democrats as republicans (mmmm, sure!)
Whether we consider that tactic as wedge politics or smart tactics, or something more sinister, depends on your point of view, either way considering that average Americans are likely to be the most ignorant people in the educated western world when it comes to anything across the pacific or atlantic, these are the voters that influence the rest of the world more than any other - perverse isnt it?
The last good one I heard,was that amongst young college graduates in the US, only 17% could identify the Pacific Ocean. but of course they know every president and evry battle on American soil, Oh and didnt WWII start in December 1941!
pb For the record, I voted for JH (would rather PC) but would have liked the chance at world reconciliation that a new US govt MAY have given.
