<p>Consider what we didn't know about Bush! Only 1/4 would vote for him today, based on what we learned too late.</p>
<p>We knew most of what we know now in 2004, and he was still elected. Even today, he would have gotten more than 1 in 4 votes, though it is hard to say why. People would have voted for him and rationalized it to suit their predisposition. How else do you explain so many people voicing support for a vice pres candidate who was charming in her small town way but was clearly in way over her head? Even in 2000 we had a reason to know that GB was a mediocre to poor student, despite having every advantage, a relative failure at businesses he was given a hand in, and inarticulate. He was put in place by his legacy--the party in which his father had been president.</p>
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How else do you explain so many people voicing support for a vice pres candidate who was charming in her small town way but was clearly in way over her head?
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<p>Agreed. I can't even recall how many people characterized Palin as "bright." I think similar behavior is exhibited amongst Obama supporters. Both Palin and Obama (ok it's odd to compare an obviously brilliant man with a slightly above average ignorant woman like Palin but whatever) are somewhat of a blank slate nationally. Unlike Hilary, the vast majority of the public isn't entirely cognizant of their history. So supporters will take the vague generalizations about the person (Obama's black and liberal, Palin's religious and conservative) and then attribute sometimes blatantly false traits to them. Palin's described as smart. Obama, and I actually read this, was described as growing up in the "tough neighborhoods of Honolulu." Hero worship, on both sides of the political spectrum, can create mythical characters of assuredly ordinary, human figures.</p>
<p>Obama himself has commented on this (from The Audacity of Hope):</p>
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I am new enough on the national political scene that I serve as a blank screen on which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views. As such, I am bound to disappoint some, if not all, of them.
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Even in 2000 we had a reason to know that GB was a mediocre to poor student
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<p>He actually wasn't a horrible student at Yale. He was actually a pretty good one, graduating with a B or B+ average (not sure which). I honestly believe Bush is naturally intelligent, especially given who his father is. I also believe that years of alcohol and drug abuse severely rotted his brain and the gaffes and occasional ignorance are a direct result.</p>
<p>Some good observations, Dont. Were you around during the preelection discussions?</p>
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Were you around during the preelection discussions?
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<p>Yea, like now, I didn't have many supporters. People don't like the politically incorrect.</p>
<p>Of course obama is perfect. He is the alpha and the omega. Dotno I like you!</p>