Could George Bush have said that about Dan Quayle in 1992? Kerry chose Edwards because he is seen as another, more attractive face for the Democrat ticket. A better communicator. He also chose him because the majority of the party leaders and rank-and-file wanted Edwards. Expereince didn't enter in to it.
I think times have changed a bit, don't you? When you've got terrorists crashing into the Pentagon, it sems reasonable to make sure the second in command isn't a ninny. I think the presidency, in general (and W in particular), is a bigger target these days.
Quayle was one of the fastest rising, most respected Senators at the time he was chosen. Unfortunately, he got Borked, in the political sense. He was definitely a hot prospect for Senate leadership or the White House at the time. By '92, he was dead in the water.
Quayle would have been fine if he had just talked at his natural level instead of trying to make all things understandable to all people. His thought process is actually beyond the soundbite level.
Wasn't Kerry recently treated for prostate cancer?