I think the real issue is that we're sliding toward excessive emotionalism in our politics, and the side with the simplest and most poingnant argument is the on

I think the real issue is that we're sliding toward excessive emotionalism in our politics, and the side with the simplest and most poingnant argument is the one that tends to dominate on any particular issue. Sometimes liberals are better at riling people up, but conservatives certainly have managed some "victories" as well. This is precisely the wrong way to make political decisions, but it pushes all of our lizard-brain buttons and I'm not sure how we pull out of it.