What about Tom Ridge??

[Alcon]

I don't think his moderateness is the deal-breaker.  I just don't think he's likely to break out of the second tier.

[Alcon]

I think that McCain at least had a strong identity to run on.  Even Dole had a persona to run on.  Ridge manages to be nuanced and boring, which seems to be an electorally lethal combination -- especially if you have to break out of the second tier.

I don't really know how to describe this in words, so I hope at least one other person "gets" it.  He's just the wrong personality and persona for a Presidential campaign.  And I don't really think he wants it, or could make himself believe it.