A recent Quinnipiac University poll shows that, in the large swing states of the nation, being friends with Teh Gay is still more likely to hurt a candidate than to help them, even in this age of growing tolerance.

Interestingly, though, coming in a close second to being friends with Teh Gay is being friends with Uncle Scrooge—that is, big business.

Perhaps reflecting a growing populism nationally, being the candidate endorsed by business groups is viewed as a big negative -- almost as much as being the gay rights lobby's candidate -- while labor support is a big positive for a candidate.

In all three states, roughly twice as many voters said a business groups' endorsement made it less likely that they would support a candidate.

I present this here not only for its interesting look into the national political climate, but because it shows that the American people are, by and large, exactly the opposite, politically, of what our Harvardian 'liberal' mentality is. Here, we're willing to go to bat for personal tolerance and minority-rights. But start supporting unions, or start quabbling with the free market, and you're likely to run into the knives of a lot of our 'liberals' here.

Problem is, Harvard students have an addiction to fancying themselves leaders. And without anyone to lead, that's a tough proposition.