Okay, to clarify my previous point:
The us vs. them mentality comes into play when discussing things such as "the liberal media." Lets use my mother in law as a demonstration: "Hey Kim, I read the other day that George W. Bush has a penchant for swearing. What do YOU think about that?" My Mother In Law-"What? That's ridiculous! They'll say anything to make him look bad." They being the liberal media. If you turn the situation around and place Kerry instead of Bush, this is the reply: "I'm not surprised. Democrats are horrible like that. You know, Kerry is anti-God."
I actually had this conversation with her. I told her the Bush thing, which came from US News and World Report, and a week later switched the candidate. When it comes to a lot of Christians, if you tell them that you're with them, they'll believe most anything you say.
To continue on with the topic of the thread, I believe that a lot of what has been said about Kerry in this thread is true for the whole party. Specifically that the Democrats have allowed the Republicans to define them. Basically, the Republicans have been aggressive and unrepentant about it, and the Democrats have stood still.