Rationalizing voter attitudes

David Brooks:

People in my line of work try to answer certain questions. Why did Hillary surge after misting up in New Hampshire? Why have primary victories produced no momentum for the victors? Why did John McCain win among Republicans who oppose the Iraq war in both New Hampshire and Michigan, but lose among voters who support it?

...
The media has never really analyzed the anti war vote. They go with the bogus assumption that it is monolithic and MoveOn oriented. This is because it is usually measured on voter satisfaction with the way the war is going or dissatisfaction. By that measure President Bush was anti war last year. John McCain would be attractive to the dissatisfied, because he pushed for a more effective policy of fighting the war. If voters were asked if they wanted to win or lose the war, pundits like Brooks would not be so confused.

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