"If the Bushites of 2000 and 2004 had adhered to such a standard, instead of looking for the best cheerleader or the most electrifying hate-monger to follow in their herd, the nation would have been far better off today."

From your constant harping, I will take the above to mean that, had they done as you are doing, they would have lost in those elections (since IYO the nation would ONLY be better off if they were NOT elected.). I don't think that was what you meant to say, but it is what is being stated by you.