Yep. Kerry is our responsibility back here in Massachusetts... and we knew things about his personality that the rest of the country did not. We weren't surprised when his approach didn't work. He's basically a decent guy who does well for our state, but at the national level he lacked punch. (Dukakis was similar except that he is also insufferably pedantic. *g*) Gore had some presentation difficulties. After Bill Clinton's popularity he should have whupped Bush handily, but the electorate split up the middle instead. :/

Barack Obama is different. I think he still has a good chance of winning. If his record had a bit more heft, people would be reassured and he'd be formidable. Even if he should lose this election, he is not out of the national picture at all. He's got the magic sparkle of statesman all over him. :) And I'm a centrist saying that, not a liberal. :)