...I don't think Al Gore's or John Kerry's problem was being delusional or out of touch (although they actually kind of are) while running for office. The real problem they had were being utterly un-charismatic just like George H. W. Bush, Bob Dole, and certainly John McCain.
Dem candidates who lose have a habit of being set back by out-of-touchiness and wooden debate performances before sinking themselves through That One (tm) gaffe,
For Proof, consider what sank that list of contenders and a few others:
-Walter "Oops, my VP is actually nuts" Mondale
-Michael "Tank Guy" Dukakis
- Al "I invented the internet" Gore
- Howard Dean's Scream Herd Round the World and Through Time (You're hearing it right NOW aren't you? YEAH!)
- Hillary "Pokemon Go" and/or "Learn to Code, Coal Miners, or starve, I don't really care." Clinton
While Rep losers tend to have the disposition of your sour old Grandpa sitting on a cactus to start with, they always make it worse with inflexible and out-of-touch morality, still thinking this new rock and roll and video games are a threat to the nation's youth, and being too slow to realize the "Jesus trap" that's being actively laid by the media until it gets sprung that one time they go wayyyyy out there for Bible Belt votes, saying "yes, they've considered ending abortion" (in Minecraft) and be painted as a religious whackdoo forever more.
Plus Bob Dole, reacting to claims he was old, feeble and washed up, decided to take the stage at a rally in California, and promptly fell off it like he was joining the mosh pit when he reached too far for a handshake.... I knew he was toast right there.
And we were supposed to vote for McCain on nothing other than his "War Hero" status, I guess, I still can't remember what his platform was other than "I fought the commies, I'll fight for you!" and then he turned full Quisling because he loved it when the Democrats said "We like you, keep monkeywrenching your own side and some day we may even let you hold the wheel while Daddy drives the car!" and did anything and everything to ensure he was considered the rightful Leader-in-Exile of American conservatism....
... By
Democrats, not actual Conservatives.
When you're the Dems most-favored Republican, you've fucking FAILED.