Clark's Fledgling Campaign Hits Its Stride

[DoveTurnedHawk]

<...>

Even so, there is a surge of interest in Clark. Democrats are not disappointed when they hear him in person. Many come away impressed, if not committed. A recurrent theme: Maybe this guy could beat Bush.

Rick Mullings, an official with Local 514 of the Transportation Workers Union in Tulsa, introduced Clark this way to nearly 200 people at the union hall: "While some folks dress up in military flight suits for photo ops, General Clark is the real thing."

<...>

The difference is that he's Clark. He's bullet-proof on war and peace (no other candidate can make casual remarks like, "I was one of the guys in charge of bombing Saddam Hussein" to enforce a no-fly-zone after the first Gulf War).

And he's got a political style that makes some Democrats salivate over his chances against Bush.

Addressing voters last week in Arkansas, Iowa and Oklahoma, Clark underscored his points with quips. He described his wife, Gert, as "the general's general," joked about the "unmentionable" thing doctors do to you after you turn 50 and had people laughing about his — and their — stock market losses to hammer home the point that relying on the stock market is no substitute for Social Security.

<...>

"I made it for seven weeks and then I came home on a stretcher," he said. "It's not the best way to come home. But I was lucky — took four rounds and I got one Purple Heart. ... I got three rounds in one burst. I think I got hit in the rear end as I was crawling away. They shot my rifle out of my hand."

<...>

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2003-10-13-clark-usat_x.htm

DTH

[WillyBrandt]

1. He is hitting his stride

* The website is shaping up
* We've got some fleshed out domestic policy in the jobs plan
* We're going to get a lot more over the next month with his four speeches, which I hope will lay the "no positions" canard to rest
* There's a post-announcement MeetUp past us, which FINALLY gets lots of volunteers organized, and should give us another push, especially in shoe-leather heavy states like NH and Iowa
* We've got rising MeetUp numbers, approaching 40k--almost at 1/3 Dean's level (no mean feat).
* Fewer embarassing slip-ups
* The AmeriCorps guy, a high profile role for Hlinko, and former Grahamians on our team

And--second most importantly--

Strong poll numbers that show WIDE support among race, age, income, and ideology. This is so important. It is an indicator that Clark IS NOT A FACTIONAL CANDIDATE. He can unify the party, and even unify some (ex?)GOPers under the big tent.

And--most importantly--

Clark has the mojo. I follow all the campaigns, but this is where the excitement is.

So, not perfect so far, but for a novice campaigning politician this guy is doing great.

The chicken-littles will keep klucking away, but we're moving out.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Yeah Baby.....

That's a 4 star mojo, the best you can get..... and much more!

Nice Package!

[Myra]

3. My favorite Clark quotes from this article

"Bush will need "brothers in the 49 other states" to win in 2004."

"If conservatives were compassionate, they
wouldn't have to put the adjective in front of it."

[JNelson6563]

4. I'm telling you

The Doctor and the General would be unstoppable. Team Bush would wet themselves at the thought of it.

Julie

[w4rma]

5. I agree (n/t)

[Judi Lynn]

6. Related Clark news

Published Tuesday, October 14, 2003

Clark Takes His Campaign to South Florida

By KEN THOMAS
The Associated Press

SUNNY ISLES BEACH -- Democratic presidential hopeful Wesley Clark waded into the South Florida political landscape Monday, touting his party credentials while calling President Bush's record "reckless, radical and wrong."

The retired Army general met about 300 enthusiastic supporters at a deli once frequented by singer Frank Sinatra. After mingling with diners eating thick pastrami sandwiches and slabs of cheesecake, Clark hoisted himself up on a wooden chair and told the largely elderly, Jewish audience about his father's work as a local Democratic Party boss in Chicago.

"For me, I'm a Democrat not only by conviction but, I guess, genetically," said Clark, who has been cast by rivals as a late convert to the party.

Clark made his second appearance in South Florida since entering the Democratic field last month. Florida, site of the 2000 recount, holds 27 key electoral votes next year and will be heavily contested during the general election. (snip/...)

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031014/NEWS/310140358/1004