[apackof2]

in some instances, the Democrats put forward candidates who were more conservative than their Republican adversaries

Bingo

[Ingtar]

Tragically, they did not put forth candidates that WERE more conservative. They only sounded that way. Here in Tennessee, we saw through Harold Ford's mask enough to win against him. But if he had not had his record and family history hanging around his neck, I believe he would have won easily.