Anti-Kerry material abounds. What is it that people find appealing about him?

Jack Beatty writes at The Atlantic.

Senators speak to themselves. Their colleagues don't listen to them. They can't see a single face in the galleries. The tradition of unlimited debate encourages prolixity. Senators talk (and talk) not to persuade but to justify their votes, and they inveterately sound defensive.
...
Listening to him, I saw a long line of Democratic bores—Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Bradley, Gore—who lost because people could not bear listening to them. John Kerry belongs in their dreary company.

Perhaps Edwards doesn't have the teeth, but I'm leaning towards him.