Clark in Lafayette: No Decision Yet (will not decide till next week)

[VolcanoJen]

http://www.theadvertiser.com/newsupdate/html/0D7FF9C2-E82E-4351-A199-15E0F48685E6.shtml

Excerpt:

Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark won’t make a decision about running for president for at least another week, he said Tuesday at an Acadian Ambulance luncheon honoring the company's paramedics.

I am considering it seriously,” he said at a press conference at the Lafayette Cajundome Convention Center. "



So, can we all take a deep breath? For, like, a week?

:-)

It's maddening, but God, don't you love politics?????

- Jennifer

[CMT]

1. is it possible that he might not run

and end up endorsing Dean? I say this because I read an article where Dean says he regularly speaks with Clark and they both like each other.

However, if he does run, he will be a strong additional voice added to the campaign.

[diplomats]

2. If he's not going to run

it makes you wonder why he's doing all these public appearances.

[meisje]

3. It's maddening, but God, don't you love politics?????

not really

[dean4america]

4. hmm..

After the kind of showing we just witnessed for Dean this week, and the news that he'll have at least 10.3 this quarter... I don't know, maybe Clark is reconsidering a run. Not saying he'd endorse Dean necessarily, just that the Dean juggernaut is really taking off

[diplomats]

5. But there was also that Zogby poll showing Clark

is viable (as is Dean, BTW). I think he might be trying to create as much drama as possible before announcing. I want the Dems to have as many good candidates as possible, as Clark adds to the mix, IMO.

[phiddle]

6. The delay is NOT coyness, but rather...

the thought process of a trained military officer. Any officer worth their salt will try to specify the objectives, refine a strategy, and chose viable tactics before starting a campaign (unlike the current attack Iraq pack). Examples:
Objectives: raise enough money for a viable run, target specific types of voters, have a fine campaign staff, etc.
Strategy: Does he forego Iowa and New Hampshire to concentrate on other states? Present himself as a big tent candidate, wrestle with Dean for the anti-war vote, or target traditional Democratic constituencies?
Tactics: Present an economic plan, and if so, then what? Participate in candidate debates? What to criticize in the other candidates, and what not to criticize. (Joe Lieberman, are you taking notes?)
IF Clark runs, I expect that he will have a full-fledged and fully staffed campaign up within one month, and also a LOT of cash.
I (currently a Dean supporter) am inclined to give him whatever time he thinks that he needs. He's doing good for the Dems just by his visibility, and by WHAT he is saying, and I'm curious as to what he'll finally come up with.

[dfong63]

7. hopefully Clark is learning to say the word

... "democrat", without flinching.

[TacticalPeek]

8. All correct.

I'm thinking its better than 50/50 chance by now, with his continuing activities.

[Kahuna]

9. He's killing me. I hope the word, "seriously" in his statement is..

indicative of an affirmative. I'll grasp at any straw right now. The truth is he already knows what his decision is. I believe if his decision is no he could have said that at any time. If it's yes, then the timing of the announcement is important.

Of course, he could have just been using the free media exposure to push his views about Iraq and national security.