Reply #13: On an intellectual level, you're 100% correct.

[ShadowCabinet]

My fear is that once the GE rolls around, the spin is going to move from electibility and who's policies make the most sense into the "like-ability" phase.

"Like-ability" is not an intellectual argument you can make with someone. That voter will vote based on a gut instinct of who they prefer based on some intangible.

Gore was absolutely correct in his assertions of Bush during the 2000 campaign. But the message all got lost in the haze of like-ability and genuineness.

Whoever the nominee is, they are going to have to understand that this election is going to get nasty. And they better be prepared to counter-attack any smear with really stinging points on GWB and his record. Any candidate who is going to just respond to the GOP talking points is going to lose.