As I've said before there are a number of elections that were epic to live through but aren't as interesting to study in hindsight, and vice versa for that matter. 2004 was one where both sides were at their most passionate and there was a real feeling of historic importance to it (more than just the usual BS "THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFETIMES!!!111!), yet in hindsight it doesn't seem like that. The most notable thing about it is that it appears to have been the last gasp of the Religious Right. 2000 is the opposite; at the time it was (as has been pointed out) viewed as dull and neither candidates were seen as being transformational, yet in hindsight it's fascinating for the legal battles and for being the election of one of the most controversial presidents in history.
2004 is definitely the most intense election I've ever seen, even more than this time due to the passion on both sides over Iraq. At the time I heard people say it was the most intense election since 68, not coincidentally also a wartime election. War brings the emotions out of people.
