Bob Smith didn't lose the 2002 primary for liberalism. He lost because he was an unpredictable flake. The fact that he would have surely lost to Jeanne Shaheen didn't help him, either.
One definition of a liberal is: unpredictable flake. Other definitions include: predictable flake, fake patriot flake, anti-american flake, socialist flake, etc. etc. Anyone who would support a mass. liberal like kerry is a liberal (and flake). cheers