You are John Kerry

[phk]

McCain would have been great on paper, but wouldn't have made GOP voters to switch.

Nunn and Lugar would have had to be considered because of the mood at that time.

But, Strickland not being enough known at the time, I would have picked Evan Bayh.

Remember Kerry lost because of big GOP GOTV and many referendums, questions, polls on social and values issues.
So, Bayh would have been meant to cut all these operations.

Kerry McCain holds NM and IA, gains NH as in RL and picks up AZ.