If the Dems did actually lose it was because of fear.

Fear that something would happen to the sanctity of marriage because Gay people could marry (say what?)

Fear that terrorists would be more likely to attack us with Kerry at the helm (as if having a republican stopped them in 2001)

Fear that Kerry would repeal tax cuts (which is not the same as raising taxes) to pay for the deficit and the actions of the government (rather than lowering taxes and spending anyway as we have seen from the current regime)

Fear that stem cell research would lead to wholesale baby slaughter (link it to abortion and youv'e got a good solid plank for your election.) Of course there is nothing to keep any American companies from spending billions of dollars overseas to do the research under their subsidiaries. This allows the current pres. to look like a saint and hard line moralist while the research happens anyway.

I could go on....