John Kerry

Their lack of outrage, in effect, suggested that this was fair game. In fact, they were mocking the real heroism of a 25 year old American, as elite as you could get who did not pull strings to keep himself out of Vietnam. I also thought that it would have been amazing had John McCain, who Kerry supported through the time they investigated the POW/MIA issue and led all the Senate Vietnam vets to sign a statement when Bush smeared McCain in 2000, had requested that in respect to him - those disgraceful stickers be removed - at least as he spoke. Didn't happen.

I think 2004 was seen by the Democratic establishment as a year they would lose. That actually might be why Kerry was not blocked by someone they preferred, but it might also explain why so little was done to fix the state parties before the election. Kerry made a difficult election close with his excellent debates and being who he is.