If the mods think this is too recent politically they can move it to PolChat.
Odd thought I had: if Gore won in 2000, it seems pretty likely that McCain would be a frontrunner in 2004. Besides the Republicans' habit of nominating last time's runner-up, if 9/11 and Afghanistan still happen (though probably not Iraq) the Republicans might want to nominate a veteran to try and outflank the Democrats on defence.
However, McCain famously is good friends with Joe Lieberman and even reportedly wanted him as his VP candidate in 2008. So if McCain is the Republican candidate in 2004 (and presumably Lieberman is renominated as Democratic VP) how does this affect the tone of the campaign? Will it mean a more civilised atmosphere, or will it result in rather hollow attack ads?
Also who might McCain pick as his own VP candidate?