I think most Americans love their country and want what is best for it. They might differ in what they consider best for it. But here, in my objective analysis is what the liberals are up against. This is gathered from 10 years of being an uninvolved but interested observer.
1. The number one thing that all Liberals are up against. Even most moderates- Christianity. Rather `conservative' Christianity. It is a very very potent weapon.
A) By raising their kids from an early age to adhere to right wing values, they ensure that youth will not be progressive.
B) By being an oppressive majority, they often cause more liberal people to leave and go to more Liberal states. The loss of Kansas is maybe California's gain. The status quo remains.
C) Voters who have traditionally been democrat party voters go to the conservative fold- think African American and Hispanic because of this.
D)The liberal evangelists get dubbed the `weak ones', Christanity lite for those who don't take Jesus seriously.
2. Patriotism. Or rather the jingoism that occasionally accompanies it. That is the attitude not that my country is great. But my country can do no wrong. And if you dare to question it, oh boy, you are just one hell of an unpatriotic American. It is not that Terrorism exists- it has for a long time, but the fact that some "towel heads dared to attack my country." So anything, even if it horridly wrong- if done with the `impression' of dealing with those impertinent a-holes is valid and not to be questioned. You can go to town about the evidence to the contrary. They have not heard about it. A flip side to this is- since Liberals are more likely to question, they are dubbed anti-american.
3. An atmosphere of polarity. I don't know what America was before this. The only America I have known is one characterized by a great divide. A great divide that can never be bridged by dialogue or compromise. I am right and if you don't agree, you suck.
4. Fear- This is a hard time to be a parent. Kids are having sex earlier. They can see a naked woman on their computer. They `know' more than their parents wanted them to. Instead of taking responsibility over their kids, parents employ a unique strategy. Blame `liberals'. There seems to be some delusion that there was once an America that was golden with perfect values. If such an America did in fact, exist, then I want to know about it. In the aftermath of such vehemence, it is impossible to be reasonable. You become an extremist. ABSTINENCE!!
5. Corporations- Many corporations in America are more likely to support a candidate who is Republican so as to benefit from their largesse. Democrats do not help their cause by also becoming protectionist about jobs and the economy- and thereby losing one group of voters who have also traditionally stood by them- Asian Americans (I don't imagine the Chinese and East Indians fancy that too much). So the Asians will not vote Republican, they might not vote at all. But if a company outsources either directly or indirectly - whom do you think they will back?
Some of the above cannot be changed. Some can with education. Some, you may say "this is not worth it". But honestly, I think the biggest thing Liberals have to go up against is
6. Ignorance: I think many intelligent, and aware Americans fail to realize that a vast population exists who is pretty much clueless. They may be smart, they may be clever, but they are not as `aware'. To many people Pakistan and Palestine are the same "country". To many people, all Muslims are terrorists who live in the middle east. The awareness of international affairs is non-existence. Musharaff writes a book that could undermine the entire India-Pakistan peace process- and all they care about is Armitage's `alleged' remarks about bombing Pakistan to the stone ages. I think most people think America is `above' world events, but it is in America's best interest (in the long run) that there is peace. Across the world. People have to know both sides of as many situations as they can and come to their own independent judgment, or else they are just spouting what they have been given.
Knowledge has to be active gathering of information. If it is passive, it is useless. Lopsided. Useless.