I've been thinking and thinking. Can't find an answer.

[haele]

36. Hi Catwoman! My take - a significant number of his voters were intellectually lazy.

The rural teapartier types don't tend to travel except on weekends or holidays - even if they could afford it.
The middle class Chamber of Commerce types don't like to go outside of their big fish in small pond environment unless there's a payoff for them, and were probably perfectly happy watching the inauguration on the DVR and would call that "participation".

If there were parades and parties within 50 miles of both these types of groups, they'd gladly participate, but unless they're well off or required to travel for business or family, conservatives don't go very far from home if they can at all help it. There'll be all sorts of excuses - work, family, money...but in the end, they would rather not go too far from where they feel comfortable.
It's the nature of Conservatism and those who feel the need to always submit to a "stronger" authority - lack of curiosity plus fear of the different/unknown.

Liberals, however - if they feel the urge to go out and do something new because something is important to them, they will find a way to get out to where they need to be and participate in some tangible manner.

Haele