You ignore the fact that McCain was hampered by his own campaign finance limitations, that he's a candidate running on a Republican ticket associated with a Republican President when the economy has stumbled, and that he simply was the wrong candidate (too old, not cool, unfunny, viewed as establishment....... like Bob Dole).
I think many Americans vote with a “gut feeling.” Furthermore, many of those who voted for Obama don't even know what his positions are, his experience, nor much else about him. All they know is that he's black and a minority, which is what “change” meant for many minorities.
Socialism is on the rise in the US, Obama is a champion of this idea, and as you stated, most Americans might not really fathom what the idea of socialism really entails. Many do like the idea of state/government run health care, state run retirements, state run education, state run media............... but it's not as far reaching as one might think. Obama simply seized a good theme “Change” during a nervous and uneasy economic time, outspent his opponent 3:1, and had an opponent that was uninspiring to it's base. McCain, Mr. Anti-torture bill, amnesty etc. is not a strong conservative leader, and I'm sure if someone were to look at the numbers, those that typically vote straight republican etc are down from 2004. Why? Because he's simply not appealing to those who vote Republican. The middle of the road guy caused those who vote conservative to stay home, and the ones that will vote Democrat will do so anyway, no matter how much they try to sell him as a “maverick.”
btt