I think it's quite clear why he won, going by statistics collected in Erika Shaker's book "Great Expectations" comparing American attitudes between 1992 and 2000. The results are...unpleasant. Here's a sampler:
-In 1992, 16% of Americans believed non-whites should not be allowed to immigrate. By 2000, it was 25%
-34% of Americans believed a widely advertised product was probably good in 1992. In 2000, it was 45%.
-In 1992, 66% of Americans discussed local issues with other people. That number was 34% in 2000.
-36% of Americans believed that men should be heads of their household in 1992. In 2000, that number was 49%.
-The number of Americans who believed that violence is a normal part of life rose from 9% in 1992 to 31% in 2000.
-The number who believed that violence is an acceptable way to meet your goals rose from 14% in 1992 to 26% in 2000.
-In 1992, 72% of Americans considered defending the environment a priority. In 2000, 57% did.
-American's time spent watching television increased from 35% to 40% between 1992 and 2000.
-65% of Americans considered materialism a threat to society in 1992. In 2000, that number was 48%.
- In 2000 34% of Americans said they enjoyed showing foreigners that they're smarter and stronger, up from 27% in 1992.
I could go on, but you get the point. Something about the Clinton presidency caused a shift from relatively progressive attitudes toward reactionary conservatism and shallowness. This is why Bush was elected.
Uh, how have I not seen this before? What is this attributed to?
No theories were given in the book, the data was in a chapter on global attitudes.
Harrowing. I can only suspect that (1) Clinton's philandering was still considered unacceptable, and Gore took flak for his association with him; (2) voters were ready for change; and (3) there really were people who opposed increased oversight of racial profiling, supported school vouchers, etc. What always bothered me, still does, is that I am convinced more people in FL left the voting booth thinking they had voted for Gore than had voted for Bush. Buchanan overperformed in Palm Beach Co, FL--and by more than 537 votes.
