Lessons Learned

Even if Kerry had won Ohio and the presidency, he'd be a lonely man, because the Democrats lost this election, bad. The Elitist Minority GOP has somehow managed to win significant majorities among state governors and senators, and extended its lead in the House. I think there are a few obvious lessons for Dems:

• The youth vote does not exist.
  
• Just because a guy's from the South doesn't mean he should be on the ticket. Edwards delivered nothing but a pretty face and the "trial lawyer" label. The ticket was not competitive anywhere Kerry couldn't have been on his own. Bob Graham (Florida) might have been a better choice.
  
• Rich people vote for Democrats (easy victories in NY and California), poor people (Arkansas, Louisiani, Mississippi, West Virginia, etc.) vote for Republicans.
  
• Bigger turnout used to favor Democrats, but in the past two elections the GOP get-out the vote efforts have been as strong and successful as the Democrats'.
• Since 60% of white men are going to vote Republican, you need to win big with women and minorities (not just blacks, but also Asians and Hispanics). Bush stayed close among women (47%), Latinos (42%), and Asians (41% - despite the preponderance of Asians being in New York and California).
• Ralph Nader is off the hook.