Only a small percentage of Spainiards shifted their vote after the terror attack, the 'weakest link' in the electorate. The operation in Iraq was controversial in Spain before then.
ALL the Spainiards didn't lose their guts after the attack, only a small percentage did. Further, the gutless ones before the
What in the world makes you so sure that America will react differently? Right now, the nation is fairly even split on this endeavor (remarkable as it sounds). What makes you sure that the 'weakest link' in our electorate shift our way after a major terror attack, rather than 'their way?'
911 showed that we united quickly - if briefly - after an unexpected attack. Now the battle lines are drawn more clearly. I am unsure that any significant unity would occur after a major terror attack stateside (which, i think, everyone is resolved to happening).
I disagree. Maybe only a small majority shifted in Spain but that is only because a huge majority already thought like Europussies.
Admittedly, there are a ton of variables involved, but I suspect that if there is another attack here, and there are any significant casualties (men, women, and children killed in a shopping mall or at a sporting event, or some such) the inclination will be to support the candidate that has been active in fighting against terrorists, not the one that has stated that the threat of terrorism is exaggerated.
And again, my opinion is that the country is not quite as closely divided as the MSM would like you to believe. Perhaps all of this is simply 'projection' on my part. I find it hard to believe that the electorate could be inclined to support Kerry over Bush ... I just don't think there are that many stupid people in the country. But, I've been wrong before (see "The 90's).