"I just don't believe that the majority of Americans really vote on the issues, I think their vote is almost entirely based on their assessment of personalities"

Little Hawk, that is YOUR opinion as an outside observe. My opinion is different. We have to agree to disagree.


"There is some rationality involved in all the above processes, but it pales in comparison to the instinctive emotional behaviour which is the main driving engine behind the process."

Issues drive emotion. The economy often decides which way the lever is pulled. Our emotions certainly factor in to our rational, as it does for everyone.