And it wasn't "bias" in the media either.

It was the "narrative" that Beam points out. Bush was and is incredibly unpopular. The least popular president in modern history. McCain won the nomination because he was the only mainstream candidate who could have signaled a break from what most americans considered to be a record of failure and fearmongering. But Americans went a step further and voted for Obama, who (more than anyone else is the race) tried to be the "anti-bush."

It wasn't technology. It was BECAUSE of widespread loathing of Bush's policies that people flocked to him once he got the nomination. The same would have happened with Hillary, who ran a much less tech-savy campaign. If she or John Edwards had gotten the nomination (sans sex-scandal, of course), then they would be president today.

Republicans are holding up netroots to be some sort of key to the kingdom, but it isn't. Having a good policy to sell is. When Republicans find it, then they'll win again. If they keep pushing the same-old-same-old through different means, people will not respond.

Americans now want competence, intelligence, innovation, and renewal. Joe the plumber and the culture wars won't sell - times are far too serious. When Republicans get serious and smart, they'll win.

But Nixon took them South literally and figurativley.

Ronnie put on a happy face, and robbed our future, The fiscal bleeding will continue for a long time.

Yes they did some good things, But I would not vote for them, then or now.