Did we have a chance after 9/11?

[socalover]

Bush's single and only message was, "we will protect you, Kerry won't". After 9/11, the American people were brainwashed with Karl Rove's fear mongering, I don't think we had a chance...

[davepc]

1. Bullshit

FDR would of won in a landslide.

Where the hell is FDR now?

We ran an anti-war activist in a national security campaign that got co-opted by a religious right agenda.

[elsiesummers]

2. Don't know but...

Kerry's approach, trying to beat Bush within his framework of WOT, in hindsight, didn't work.

So, what might have worked? Alternate universe possibilities.

Maybe Wesley Clark could have outdone Bush as a protector against terror (also within Bush framework).

Maybe Gephardt could have run a similar to Kerry campaign but added Missouri.

Maybe Graham could have run a similar campaign but added Florida or Louisiana. (Less Likely)

Maybe Edwards could have fully shifted the framework to a debate about job loss and the middle class and scraping by and outsourcing and the deficit and restoring hope.

Maybe Dean could have run more fully than Kerry against the Bush Oil Wars, and run on fiscal responsibility and health care.

I'm not convinced that any of them could have done any better. Kerry really did do well in the debate. While the convention was quite an extravaganza it might have been better to focus on issues a bit more, and on the wins of his Senate career.

I actually think the one more state Gephardt approach is the most likely win scenario, in hindsight.

[0rganism]

3. We haven't had a chance since 1998

That was the year Jeb took over Florida. Until he is out of office, he will be the kingmaker, handing republicans one election victory after another until he gets tired of it.

We've all been very concerned about Ohio this time around, but Florida would have won it for us too. Again.