I'm guessing having Loftus on and continually deferring to him, hurt the numbers one way or another. Despite every once in a while hitting the mark, Loftus was a rabid Bush hater whose analysis was too often distorted by his rabid Bush hatred, such as in his persistent claim Kerry would have been at least as tough as Bush) it was unique in its breadth, depth, and cool bumper music.
Of course, slugs from the nation couldn't have helped. Still, that's nitpicking. It was a great, adult show.
I'd have rather heard Paul Alexander than Hayes.