On reflection, it seems that the interaction of cultural views on sexuality and morality in both Italy and the USA have worked to the advantage of the conservatives.  In Italy the "erectorate" has been rendered functionally brainless in defense of a conservative administration while in the USA "prurient sexual morality" was used to great effect by the conservatives to attack a more liberal administration.  Different strokes for different folks.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."