Academics are divided about whether such schemes have made much difference in the past.

ECONOMIST: The economy

And Wednesday the junior Massachusetts senator made repeated references to unifying a divided nation that produced only a two percentage point difference in the popular vote for the two presidential candidates.

CNN: Regret, no remorse in Kerry's call for unity

If the electorate remains as divided in 2004, the identity of his opponent could make all the difference.

ECONOMIST: Countdown to 2004 | The