In a democracy, it is said you get what you deserve.
I find it amazing that "leaders" like Robert Mugabe keep getting re-elected. In his case, he may have undermined democracy, but in places like India, the Chief Minister of a State (~Governor) keeps getting re-elected, by ostensibly fair elections, despite being indicted for stealing $400M out of state cattle fodder budgets (!).
So why did we re-elect GWB? Was it people being stupid, or voting against their self-interest? Or was it just that enough information wasn't out there, and conventional wisdom (CW) hadn't gelled towards his being a disastrous President.
A small fraction of the population is virulently, rabidly against (or for) a candidate. The rest can be convinced, but need to be convinced in a manner that is gradual and respectful. We failed at that. If we say, my god, he's SOOOO bad, but yet someone still votes for them, we're setting up the scenario of either we'll calling that someone an idiot, or they think we're lying (or at least exaggerating).
Fahrenheit 911 was a great (entertaining!) movie, but it didn't convince anyone new of anything. It was preaching to the choir. For every website that shows GWB looking like a Chimp(with that open mouth stare), we lose another citizen.
The only way to win elections is to shift CW and the middle. This comes with facts and analysis, even if displayed prominently and boldly. But not in a shouting manner. It's sad but even if you're screaming the truth, people will say "you're screaming" instead of "the truth". If they think you're the "middle" making that statement instead of someone so obviously partisan, then you'll have more traction.
Photos of "the hug" may have a purpose, but only a limited one, while President Chimp photos lose votes. Some may think it's disrespectful of the Presidency. Some thing we're making fun of who they voted for (even if they barely supported voting for him). Somehow, this conflates to our making fun of them.
So, let's call out false conventional wisdom, and really drive positive change home during this election cycle.
Lazy Guru