A Culture War?

I usually don't bring up personal stories here, but the election is just a few days away, so why not? I attend the University of North Texas and I currently live in a dorm. My roommate was talking to a friend last night whom asked him who he was voting for. My roommate said Bush, but "I don't really pay attention." His friend then asked him, "You were just raised that way?" He nodded his head. This friend is a Southern baptist and his point was that political beliefs are often distilled into people, in this case conservative/Republican support. Fortunately, he did say he would be going into it with an open mind. I've often resisted the conservative notion of a "culture war," but I think if there is one this is the culmination. It does very much seem like the polarization of the country isn't just coming from a strong difference of opinion on policy and issues, but very much about culture. Especially with Bush supporters, it seems much of the support comes from the fact the thought that he is "one of us," often referring to their mutual religiosity and anti-intellectualism. Kerry supporters base their support much more on policy difference, on the other hand. That's why emotions are so high. This is not a clash of political partisans, but of two different kinds of people and mindsets. Now I believe the American spirit can get through anything, but one has to wonder about how we can resolve these differences on November 2nd.