That certainly doesn't kill it
I don't say that Joe would have won but we will never know. Those early polls are meaningless.
JL is not an attractive candidate for several not so good reasons. Whether or not he could have built the famous gravitas over the course of the campaign and debates is questionable but he might have.
From the beginning I thought that Kerry was the best shot but he just the best of many poor choices. Both parties are in the same boat this time and a wrong choice by either could make a lot more difference than the record of the Bush Administration.
My vote is up for grabs and I will vote for who I perceive is the best man.