And don't forget the ability of people to just tune out things they do not want to hear. I asked a guy at work What do you think about Sheehan?" He turned to me and said "Who is that?" To US, this political stuff seems all vital and ominous. To alot of people, they are too busy just getting thru the day to pay attention.
The other factor, "Aw, we will be ok, the "News" is always hyping and exagerating, it will not be so bad".