Clark summons political team to Arkansas as supporters brace for race

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/09/15/national1427EDT0621.DTL

On the verge of running, retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark on Monday summoned his fledgling political team to Arkansas to discuss strategy for mounting a Democratic presidential campaign.

The small group of legal, financial and political advisers were invited to the Tuesday session in Little Rock, Ark., after being told Clark was ready to seek the presidency. One of the invitees, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he was told it was "a 99 percent certainty" that Clark would run, but he wanted to finalize plans at Tuesday's session.

"We haven't been told for sure, but I think we know what this is about," said George Bruno, a New Hampshire activist who will attend the meeting. "It's up to the boss to call the shots."

Mark Fabiani, former spokesman for the Clinton White House; Ron Klain, a strategist in Al Gore's 2000 campaign, and Washington lawyer Bill Oldaker were among those invited to the meeting, officials said.

[benfranklin1776]

1. Seems pretty definite that he will announce then.

Interesting.

[Mz Pip]

2. Also being reported on CNN

Fasten your seat belts. We're taking off!


http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/09/15/elec04.prez.clark.ap/

MzPip
:dem:

[Avalux]

3. I'm so excited

it's gonna be one helluva ride!

[ronnykmarshall]

4. Date?

Is there a set date for an anouncement?

[Avalux]

5. A couple of rumors:

either a press conference on Wednesday morning in Little Rock, or Friday when he speaks in Iowa. I've heard both.

[Mz Pip]

6. I heard Wednesday in Little Rock

Then he'll be coming into Iowa as a declared candidate. That speech in Iowa should be one kick ass speech.

MzPip
:dem:

[joeybee12]

7. He certainly knows how to work the media

All this free coverage for a non-candidate. Sort of like Powell in 1996--that makes me not like Clark. Sort of.

[Rowdyboy]

8. Manipulating the media in our favor...

is a habit I'd like to see our guys learn.

[Dr Fate]

10. I second that...

..whoever the candidate is...in fact that a MAJOR problem for DEMS- they cant get the coverage and recognition they need without "playing" the media...I'm not even so sure Clark is doing that...perhaps he is an exciting candidate?

[VolcanoJen]

9. Similar story in New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/16/politics/campaigns/16CLAR.html?ex=1064289600&en=4f3b8ec020558104&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

In one of the strongest signs yet that he is planning to run for president, Gen. Wesley K. Clark has called his advisers together for a meeting on Tuesday in Little Rock, Ark., associates said today.

They said General Clark, who is retired, was almost certain to enter the Democratic primary for president, possibly announcing his candidacy in a speech he has scheduled for Friday in Iowa. But they cautioned that they had not been told of any final decision and that if he planned to enter the race, he could do so before Friday.