Backlash Against Smarts In The Vote?

Its shows that society is more impressed by something that is shiny and sparkles. Style over substance. Obamamania is a fad. What does it say about use as individuals that we are so willing to blindly follow someone that is popular? It is almost a cop out. As society, I can appreciate wanting change. 8 years of Bush will do that. But is society really so lazy that they will follow the first thing that resonates with change even if it is an unsubstantiated promise?