Bush had the good fortune of running agaist Gore and Kerry in that neither could call Bush out on being born with a silver spoon (or foot) in his mouth.

Edwards was a good VP choice, but he could not counteract Kerry's image. Nor do I believe did he press the message of economic populism that got him elected from a very conservative NC. (Edwards is surprisingly economically liberal. He is also quite good friends with Dennis Kucinich - they told their supporters to support each other in Iowa if the one was considered "not viable")

Bush was so popular in mid-2003 that all the best Democrats stayed away. To be honest, it is only due to the remarkable efforts of the Democratic grassroots and Bush's incompetence that Kerry was able to get 48%.