@artemis My first real political awareness started when Dubya inexplicably won re-election in 2004. Evengelicals made up a large part of his base -- and it was pretty clear to me that they were a large part of why such an incompetent dufus (who would have been much better for the world as a painter -- something for which he at least had apparent aptitude) was even electable the first time.
That's when I started Issuepedia -- and the first 5 years or so are heavily focused on analysis of that particular flavor of RW BS.
...so, yeah, I guess it really matters how much any individual is paying attention to what's going on beyond their front door. If you're just staring at the closed door, from the inside, I guess all the ominous chanting and shouting outside just sounds like normal traffic-noises or something.