Clark Gains Ground in NH, Analysts Say

[DeepModem Mom]

Clark gains ground in N.H., analysts say
Retired general seen as possible No. 2

http://epaper.ardemgaz.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:ArticleToMail&Type=text/html&Path=ArDemocrat/2003/12/03&ID=Ar00105

Note: This article is from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, a conservative paper which editorializes strongly against Clark. It's news pages, however, provide extensive coverage of his campaign.


CONCORD, N.H. — Sen. John Kerry’s fading strength is creating a strong possibility that Wesley Clark might finish as high as second in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, the head of a prominent polling firm said Tuesday.

Clark’s staff has downplayed expectations, suggesting the retired general will finish a respectable third or fourth.

But Dick Bennett, president of American Research Group in Manchester, said he sees Clark evolving into what pundits are calling the "Dean alternative" over the next two months. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is considered almost a lock to win the Jan. 27 primary. Who will he have to beat after that? "The only one I can make a case for is Clark," Bennett said.

Political-analyst Jennifer Donahue, of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College, said Clark’s organization in the state is finally making its presence felt. It "seems to be getting into sync," she said.

Kerry, meanwhile, has shrunk to the low double-digits in the latest polls, Bennett said.

Michael Dupre, a St. Anselm sociologist who specializes in the political demographics of the state, said of Kerry, "He just hasn’t connected up here."

An unscientific, man-on-thestreet sampling seemed to show increased awareness of Clark, compared to earlier this fall. And the Arkansan, who is still in the 5 percent-7 percent range in most polls here, started running a second television ad Tuesday.

[Justice]

1. Clark's Presence Is Being Felt

Here and in New Hampshire - judging by all the anti-Clark threads put up over the last 4 days.

Slow and steady.....

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Yeah, I've stayed out of candidate threads...

and now I'm starting one! I thought this was interesting news, however, and from an interesting source --

[OKNancy]

3. Just like Bill Clinton

a second in New Hampshire for Clark would be the big news. AND our big surprise will be the fourth quarter fund raising.

[TacticalPeek]

21. The Clinton slot would be beautiful.

Southerner, military guy, runs second to ex-Vermont-gov in NH?

KKKarl's teeth would shatter.

:)


(Way big thanks to the boots on the ground in NH.)

[maddezmom]

4. nice to see something positive

thanks for posting

[Rowdyboy]

5. Glad to hear it but

ARG has a poor history (IMO); I don't trust their polling much, even when it backs up what seems obvious to me.

[Justice]

6. Not Based on Polling

The article even says so.

Just a positive article about Clark and New Hampshire.

[Rowdyboy]

13. True, but they did reference ARG

n/t

[Jerseycoa]

8. How so?

Not challenging, but I've seen this said, ARG's poor history, and wonder what it's about exactly. Thanks.

[Rowdyboy]

15. I don't have any specific dirt on ARG...

just been my general experience they are not the most accurate. Personally, I've always found Zogby and Pew to be exceptional but many people would argue that both are horribly biased.

JMO.

[liberalnurse]

7. If Dean was not running, I'd

back Clark. I am always impressed with his forum.

[Jerseycoa]

10. Thanks

That's a very nice thing to hear you say. :thumbsup:

[Kahuna]

18. Don't forget to watch him tonight on CSPAN, 7:45 est

Call in to the General after the forum.

[Larkspur]

9. An increased awareness of Clark does not translate into being

competitive in New Hampshire.

My Independent co-worker from NH rolls his eyes at Clark's name and tells me in a straight forward manner that Clark is a Republican pretending to be a Democrat. My friend supports Dean because he is completely disgusted with the Kerrys, Edwards, Gephardts, and Liebermans and only went to Dean's side after I took him to see Dean in-person at a House Party/rally in Manchester. After seeing and hearing Dean in-person, my co-worker was impressed with Dean and signed on. He's not active in the campaign but keeps abreast of what is going on. Clark has never impressed him a bit.

[robbedvoter]

14. Oh, well, if your independent co-worker from NH sez- take thos off LBN!

I mean I knocked on 150 doors in NH and only found 1 Dean and one Kerry supporters - all the rest were uncommitted. The other canvassers (15,000 homes that weekend) had similar results. But if your independent co-worker sez...
And another thing: on our blog someone posted this NH poll from Dean's blog:
The new New Hampshire Poll
Dean 37%
Clark 17%
Kerry 13 %
Gephart 9%
Edwards 7%
Liberman 6 %
It was the topic of discution on Sunday. We never paid attention sinve we didn't find an independent verification, but considering your reaction, I am more and more convinced that it was an internal Dean poll and the people commenting in this article are aware of it - if not at liberty to release it.

[Kahuna]

19. Say wha? Hey Robbed! If Clark shows well in NH..

you will have our eternal gratitude for all of your hard work in the field.

[returnable]

22. Thanks for your ground effort, RV!

:toast:

[DancingBear]

11. I'll be "on the ground" helping in NH in 2 weeks

I'll let everyone know how real the momentum is. Judging by the NH folks I have talked with (I lived in NH for many years) there is some positve stuff happening there.

[returnable]

23. Good luck...

...on the trail :toast:

[maxanne]

12. On Monday

when I left work, I saw a giant motorhome painted red, white, and blue - Clark for President, in Concord, NH. What made it especially interesting was that it was parked in front of the Republican headquarters on North Main Street. I giggled all the way to the parking garage.

Clark has a great deal of catching up to do in NH. We may be a small, insignificant state with only 3 electoral votes, and full of white people (or so I keep reading here, at DU :eyes:) - but we take our first primary status seriously, and we expect candidates to take some time with us. Clark hasn't spent much time here - and he's spent NO time north of Concord. Meanwhile, Gephardt has dug into Berlin, a strong Democratic based union mill town, and Dean has dug into the greater Conway area. Dean workers have been in town for months, living with locals and becoming part of our community. The upper half of the state isn't as densely populated - but we are here, and we count. Snubbing us is a big mistake - and truthfully, it's one that is probably too late to rectify.

[OKNancy]

17. He will be in Rochester and Exeter today

He has been north of Concord, actually. He has been to Lebanon and Hanover.

Clark has visted NH twenty -one times ( date ending 11-29)

We have a lot of catching up, but it isn't because we aren't trying.

[crissy71]

16. I'm Amazed

14 posts in and no flamers yet! - even some polite back and forth between Dean and Clark supporters - Does this mean DU is reformed? Are the trolls asleep?

[Kahuna]

20. The trolls are asleep.

:7

[Hawkeye-X]

26. this troll is lurking

[DeepModem Mom]

27. I LOVE that troll...

And your good humor, Deanie "HawkeyeX" --

[GRocky]

24. C'mon Clark!! (nmi)

[newyawker99]

25. Hi GRocky!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: