I am guessing this is just a poor turn of phrase:

"I would have preferred a more exciting candidate."

So if you could just change one thing about Joe it would be to make him more exciting?

Not smarter or more capable or more liberal or a better communicator or less of a sexist, not more modern not less beholden to party leadership?

Elections are not parties they are solemn events of great import. We are not talking about a sporting event.

Tim