August 30, 2007

How Political Psychology Explains Bush's Ghastly Success. Some pundits have tried to explain away this mystery by arguing that Bush backers voted for their values rather than their interests. But this explanation is unsatisfying, since many of those voters didn't opt for "family values" in 1992 and 1996, when the country elected a well-known philanderer as president. The answer (according to the article) is

. . . that Americans fear death. Bush's relentless flogging of terrorist attack scenarios and the 9/11 evocations are the simple explanation why, despite every miserable, illegal, and immoral failure of the Bush administration, people voted for Bush rather than Kerry in 2004. Short, simple, sad. Also, TV is bad, mmkay? Mmmkay.

posted by petebest 16 years ago
  • yeah.
  • Makes sense though. Another thing that I think impacted the election is the old saw "don't change your horses midstream." Kerry represented something unknown, and the unknown is scary. Even with all the lies, deceit and cronyism of Bush, people were afraid of something new. You see this all the time in abusive relationships. Women (and some men) stay with physically abusive spouses just because it's all they know, it's familiar. We as an electorate acted like that abused spouse. I just hope we've learned our lesson this time around.
  • There is no lesson to be learned, squidranch. You can't fight human nature, and you can't argue with willful ignorance. Sure, once in a while an individual will have a personal epiphany and see reason, but half the world, seething with greed and a profound lack of insight, is unreachable.
  • When I was a kid I used to think that Death Valley was the "Valley of the shadow of Death" from Psalm 23.
  • Won't he please come home?
  • Ack, the Wrong Thread Monster strikes again. I shouldn't have had that second cup of coffee.
  • Can't argue with you rushmc, but I think it's worthwhile trying to reach that other half of the world.
  • you can't argue with willful ignorance In a nutshell. Voters don't want to think about issues, they are swayed by the suit, the hair, and the emotions of the minute. Mom and Apple pie. Support our boys. Flags and yellow ribbons. Family values. No child left behind. Say no to drugs. Save the children. Amerika for Americans. Fight the terrerists. Do what you have to do to make America safe. What the h*ll does all this MEAN? Rhetoric.
  • Home of the Brave!
  • It's also the reason that men own guns (Michael Moore, "Bowling for Columbine") and chase women (Olympia Dukakis, "Moonstruck").
  • I am a American There are those who (I have been told) Want to destroy what I have They come in the night Without warning I have no protection But for one He says he will protect my family But to do so I must give him my soul I look to my youngest child He smiles at me with trust As I walk into the voting booth
  • but half the world, seething with greed and a profound lack of insight, is unreachable Amen, brother. Chicks, huh? - they're just completely fucking crazy. Am I right, guys?
  • Hoot! Hoot! Okay now if you just fold Flap A into Slot B, you'll have a small paper television culture which allows for that fear while at the same time failing to fight it. Fix News needed no help re-electing Bush. (I originally intended to type "Fox" but the typo "Fix" was way better.) Just the fact that news organizations still take the "War on Terror" concept seriously is an indictment of their inability (or unwillingness) to challenge fearmongering administration officials. Meanwhile, the War on Dandruff continues, all but unknown from the popular press . . .
  • I SAID AMIRITE???
  • I thought the Amirites wiped out by the Hittites..?