Gallup Analysis

Political Wire points to a Gallup analysis that argues five character traits drive voters' presidential preference:

• Shares your values
• Can manage the government effectively
• Is honest and trustworthy
• Party affiliation (of respondents)
• Is a person you admire

The analysis goes on to point out that on four of the five (party affiliation being the exception), voter opinions of Bush and Kerry are virtually identical.

The least important trait in this analysis? "Has an optimistic vision for the country's future." Does this mean Kerry's call for optimism last night - and his running mate's famous sunny disposition - don't matter?

Not necessarily. In fact, in the next few weeks, it's Bush who's most likely to be touting his optimism about the future of the country - naturally so, since he's by default advocating the status quo. If voters aren't moved by the optimism argument, Kerry/Edwards might ironically be the beneficiaries of pessimism.