When it became apparent that Kerry would lose the election, I began to consider whether some of the major dem primary losers might have fared better in this political climate. Here's my thoughts:
Howard Dean - The doomsayers would've been right. It's likely he would've lost 49 states. No national security creds, lots of problems re "values," and the Deaniacs might've scared the mainstream. And healthcare, Dean's strength, wasn't determinative for people.