Thinking ahead to '08 - "bulletproof" candidates?

[phylny]

As I was reading DU this last night, in particular a thread on who our individual top three candidates might be in '08, I thought back to the first time I heard Kerry on radio, speaking to a "town hall" meeting, and how impressed I was with him. During this meeting, he was more plain-spoken and didn't pontificate much. Just answered questions plainly. Little did we know that the Republican Smear Team would find a tag line to "define" him before he defined himself (Flip Flopper) or that his distinguished military service would "swift"ly be used against him.

In thinking about major and minor potential candidates, I was wondering who would be a combination of intelligent, charismatic, and BULLETproof.

For example, my senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton, is intelligent, her charisma is debatable, but she would be an easy target for smears. In fact, I don't want her to be a candidate for the presidency.

Discounting the "But he/she's DLC!" arguments, how can we view potential candidates through the GOP magnifying glass? What about...

- Al Gore? The "I developed the Internet" thing was used against him and can't be resurrected efficiently. His speaking style has improved immensely.

- Mark Warner? 4 years as governor of Virginia, no scandals, smart guy. Only 4 years, inexperienced? So was *.

- Wes Clark?

- Dennis Kucinich?

- Russ Feingold?

- Others?

I'd love to hear other people's opinions framed in this light - someone who would be difficult to smear, AND who would be able to turn the tables quickly.

I didn't include Barack Obama because I think it's too early for him, although I believe he has potential. But comment on him, too!