[P-40]

I'd argue that people are even more interested in defense and security now.

In a vague sort of way, yes. But as to actually putting much thought into it or learning about the issues, no. Very few people could be bothered to learn what the NSA does or was doing. Or what the Patriot Act fixed and what it does. Or even where Iraq is exactly, what countries surround it, where it is in relation to say Afghanistan, and what it takes to have troops in the region. Or even read something like the 9/11 Commission Report. Americans care about defense and security in between commercials.

I would argue that the Contract with America was the last time an election truly turned on political issues. Once the conservatives "won" their leaders forgot that the fight had just begun.

[Dominic Harr]

I would argue that the Contract with America was the last time an election truly turned on political issues. Once the conservatives "won" their leaders forgot that the fight had just begun.

I'd agree. But that was the last time it was tried -- no one since has even tried to put together a serious 'political reform' movement.

So the last time it was tried, it won in a landslide. It also created a landslide for Reagan. And it was what got Bush I fired -- "no new taxes". Since then, we've had 'social conservatives' like GW, who I believe is a good man, but could barely beat total loser candidates like AlGore and Kerry. So clearly *that* is not much of a winning strategery. :-)

Yes, people are pretty much clueless. But it's always been that way. In fact, because of the Internet, I'd argue it's better than it ever has been.

But people are people. Most folks are overwhelmed just trying to live their lives. They don't have the time, energy, brainpower, whatever, that is required to get into a lot of this.