Most interesting and most boring primary candidates by year

[Phony Moderate]

2012:

Republicans: Interesting - Ron Paul, Boring - Tim Pawlenty

2008:

Democrats: Interesting - Mike Gravel, Boring - Chris Dodd
Republicans: Interesting - Ron Paul, Boring - Duncan Hunter

2004:

Democrats: Interesting - Dennis Kucinich, Boring - Bob Graham

2000:

Democrats: Only two major candidates here. Bradley was somewhat more interesting than Gore.
Republicans: Interesting - Alan Keyes, Boring - Orrin Hatch

1996:

Republicans: Interesting - Pat Buchanan, Boring - Lamar Alexander

1992:

Democrats: Interesting - Jerry Brown, Boring - Tom Harkin
Republicans: Buchanan was more interesting than H. W. Bush.

1988:

Democrats: Interesting - Jim Traficant, Boring - Bruce Babbitt
Republicans: Interesting - Pat Robertson, Boring - Paul Laxalt


Maybe I'll do some more cycles later. But, ironically, my 'interesting' list is rather boring as it consists almost entirely of insurgents, nutters, extremists and loons.