Yes indeed, and we almost lost that election because the Bush-Cheney team only got 271 electoral votes, precisely 1 more than we needed to win. Bush was defeated in states expected to return to the GOP camp, like Pennsylvania, Iowa, Wisconsin, and New Mexico, as the media eagerly reported on election night. Gore was THISCLOSE to stealing the election and only failed because he couldn't carry his own state. (as you have noted, I'm from Illinois and I doubt Obama will have the problems Gore had with his own state)
Unfortunately, you want to repeat that strategy in all 50 states by running another open borders compassionate conservative from Texas. Only this guy is far less popular with his state's voters than Bush was in 2000. The funny thing is you're convinced he's the only "electable" Republican.
>> Dont start that GWB was an insider gamer BS with me. <<
Huh? Are you the only person on the planet who DOESN'T think Bush was an insider? I haven't even heard your fellow Perrybots argue Bush was an anti-establishment candidate. Of course he ran on a similar message as Perry (down-to-earth, folksy Texan who is anti-Washington and relates to the average Joe)
The attempt to separate Rick Perry from George W. Bush is not convincing so far. I half expect Perry to nominate Dick Cheney for Vice President.