I think the economic crisis of last October was completely manufactured. It scared the American people. Up until it became news McCain-Palin were ahead 8 points after the Republican Convention. Day by day I saw that lead shrink on the map as the media began to scream crisis on the economy.
When the American people are afraid they vote for Democrats. Which is why FDR got 4 terms. When Americans are fearless and strong and secure they vote for Republicans. Which is why Reagan got two terms.
I don't think the full story on that is known yet, and it'll probably be a few more years before it can be really understood. I think there was some degree of crisis, but also that it might have been greatly overblown, maybe because some panicked, or maybe because some used it for their benefit. Don't really know for now.