could anyone have beaten Bush in '04?

[Stranger in a strange land]

I think Edwards would have won. His handsome face, cute kids, and southern accent would have neutralized some of Bush's biggest advantages.

Clark might have also.

Even Kerry could have won if he'd run a half-way decent campaign.

Al Gore would probably have won had he run again, that is IF his supporters hadn't gotten bogged down in obsessing over the results of the 2000 election.