As I write this, George W. Bush, is leading the popular vote by 4 million votes. To me, that means whatever happens in Ohio, Bush ought to be President.

But my heart isn?t in it.

I still believe that he?s the worst man for the job in my lifetime and I have grave concerns about the future of our country.

But I?ve been saying for while ? though not in the space ? that whoever won the election, there?s a larger, longer battle to be fought. I believe the country has succumbed to a politics of fear and distortion, and that would have been true regardless of who won the election.

I think the number one fear of Americans stems from the changing economic landscape, one in which American economic hegemony is being eroded by globalization. More consciously, of course, people are also worried about terrorism.

The Republican strategy of appealing to economic fears by promoting “traditional? values, while at the same skewing wealth ever more toward the already wealthy, has proved extremely successful. The recent strategy of promoting Bush as a ?war President? in these times was probably what won Ohio.

And so the public has chosen very badly. This this isn’t the first time that’s happened, however, and I trust the Republic will survive. But, to repeat, I am very concerned.

I used to say that governor Tommy Thompson?s (to me) peculiar success stemmed in large part from the failure of Democrats to show effective leadership. I think that same problem, on a national level, has led to Bush?s success. More on that another time.

I?ll close by saying how proud I am to live in a state that rejected Bush and re-elected Russ Feingold, probably the best senator in the country. I?m not sure how effective Gwen Moore will be, but I?m glad that contest didn?t add to the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

And so, the struggle continues, as it would have, anyway.