We are being a bit naughty and drifting off the thread theme here, as it is supposed to be an American view! Still, I certainly agree with your last comment Ron.
On the subject of America, I would like to say that I am no more anti American per se than most of our US friends here. Many of them share my views on their current leadership.
I thought that was a telling comment about the Tories share of the vote not rising. They have not essentially become more popular, as I and Ramblingsid have pointed out. What has happened is that some Labour supporters have become alienated, which has had the effect of keeping many poeople at home (or in the Lib Dem camp). Labour's way forward must surely lie with trying to win back its own natural supporters, rather than to try to win the votes of a dying breed.