re: [projectile vomiting]
I think the real conflict has been less about "conservative" and "liberal" than it has about the conflict between individual rights and collectivism. Both "liberal" and "conservative" views have sometimes landed on both sides.
While freedom seems to be expanding in some areas, like Europe, others like some parts of South America look like they may be heading toward the old communist ballpark again.
I will point out that the politicians around the world that faced off on either side of the Iraq issue have had varying success recently in being re-elected. Go down the list.
As for "change coming," we'll see. Heard a lot of that in 2002 and 2004, too.