In a reminder of just how disconnected some of us (i.e. me) are from most Americans, a New York Times poll recently came out with all kinds of detailed stats about which candidates are favored by whom how much and why. I was buried in the article, pulled this way and that, contemplating implications and potential campaign changes, looking for new information, subtle implications, analyzing details and pondering away.

And at the end of the piece this priceless line smacked some sense into me:

(the poll) "also found that 45 percent (of Republicans) were unable to say what Mr. Romney’s religion was."

Yes, health care is important. So is Iraq, and abortion and gay rights and education and taxes and the economy. But most Americans are not paying attention, at least not yet.