Eh, I voted for Corsetto, so I don't know the answer to my question myself. 3 votes isn't anything like or comparable to a landslide, though.
*Skims last page and a half, picks a subject*
I've always found it easy to detach a person from the works of said person; accordingly, I have both bought Card books and watched Cruise movies without reservation or influence and enjoyed them. I find the Empire duology more subtle and interesting than most observers apparently do, and liked the US as Roman Republic becoming the Roman Empire approach, with the twist of not presenting it as a Bad Thing (the game, by the way, is Shadow Complex and nearly completely unconnected). It was good literary candy, just like Crichton (before Next and State of Fear, where he forewent decent plotting for belittling real people and subjects); wrapped up neatly and tasty with some intriguing flavors/ideas, but to be eaten in moderation lest you get bloated on it, yet ready to fuel your mind if used sparingly. The only part of the plot that bugged me was his ongoing habit of making all viewpoint characters 'completely' able to see/understand/accept all sides of an issue, then come to conclusion important for the plot.