Reply #21: Don't forget that Truman's GOP opponent was running almost as a Democrat [View All]

[brentspeak]

Truman had to deal with a pro-New Deal Republican in Thomas Dewey. It was almost like Truman was campaigning against someone who held the same ideology as he did. I think Truman's no-nonsense personality, which he always made sure to convey to the voting public, gave him the edge enough to win reelection.

I agree that Kerry was easily the stronger personality (and candidate) than Bush was. But, yeah, the media and the smears did Kerry's campaign in. He didn't do a good job campaigning, however, but that was also the fault of the Democrats in general, as you point out.