Quote Originally Posted by DesertDom View Post
That is perhaps an unfair question based on current perceptions vs perceptions of 4 years ago, but go ahead and take your shot.

Bush was riding a decent popularity wave at the time and had broad based support across the political spectrum except for the extreme kook left wing. Kerry was viewed as an east coast european style ( French, worst of all at the time) elitest who had very little broad based support and was supported by most liberals only because he was their candidate.

It is not surprising he lost, the Dems picked a lousy choice at the time. Kind of how the Reps could have picked a much better candidate this time.
Bush - 50.7% of the popular vote, Kerry - 48.3% of the popular vote
Bush - 286 Electoral votes, Kerry - 251 Electoral votes

Now exactly where is this "broad based support across the political spectrum" you speak of? Rovian tactics worked in 2004. Fear won.