re: Shirley you jest?
So, are you suggesting that Howard Dean would have been a better candidate? [I'll even throw in the bonus of him not doing his silly scream.]
The only argument I can see to favor this view, is assuming this would energize the Left. [and not having a traitor to energize the right and the vets in general].
Personally I think Massachusetts supreme court ruling, won Bush the Presidency. The the wacky left was about energized as you could want- as it was they were blowing fusing.