In 2004, it was impressive Kerry did as well as he did--and better than anyone else the Democrats could have put up. (If anybody cares to dispute this, evidence please.)

Aside from Cheney circuitriding, saying that here in....a dirty bomb could he exploded (implication--more likely under Kerry) and people being told that if homosexuals could marry, their own marriage could be in danger--(more propaganda, the only expertise of the Bush regime)-- there was one other, more serious problem. The Democrats' claim was that Iraq was Vietnam redux. Putting an Iraqi face on the government--Allawi--gave the lie to that allegation--and seemed to imply--at least til after the election--that Iraq was progressing.

Totally different situation now. Iraq not a burning issue for most voters. And many--including large numbers of independents and some Republicans--really enthusiastic about Obama's post-partisan approach. ( Though not in the least about Hillary.) Even planning to work with non-Democrats is a huge step forward from the partisan gridlock we've been enduring for a long time.