The whole "popular" mood was generated by the Media. It is far far more powerful than casual daily "news," and they react vehemently when their power is neglected.
I can show millions of mature adults in say Oregon or Minnesota, adults who if pressed would profess (and actually practice) conservative, responsible, life philosophy; but who read and swallow the New York Times, and CBS, consistently.
Consider the Presidential debates, hosted and solely determined by major Press operatives; just as in Fred Thompson saying outright he would not indulge in such silliness. Or consider the "polls" constantly contrived to reflect, then corroborate, a biased agenda. The MSM has totally brainwashed the reality of conservative self responsibility and independent thinking from citizen consciousness.
The reason that Reagan was called the great communicator was he blatantly circumvented the Media spin. Personally I believe it is still possible to do this, especially given the internet, but there just seems no DC figure who is willing to. Thus the hope of a Sarah Palin, Herman Cain, and the Tea Party.
The conservative message of facing one's own decisions, responsibilities and moral obligations, is not that difficult to state, it's just there are few who have the political will.
And the manipulative power of a centrally controlled MSM should not be minimized. It's called Leftism.
Johnny Suntrade, the Suntrade Institute
Good post!