The Republicans ran Dole against Clinton, perhaps for the same reason or more likely, because no one else in the Republican party was in position to run for the Republicans. Sad, as it meant 4 more years of Clinton mafia family.
In 2008, the real Democrat contender will step forward and the Republicans would do well to have someone in the que to fight the good fight. But in 2004, Gore is the throw away. If he does well, great (for them, bad for the country). If he doesn't, oh well... They have the built-in excuse of running against a popular war-time president.
Personally, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Republicans don't screw up in these next few elections.