After watching clark this week, i sent another donation to dean

[deacon]

i like clark alot and believe he should be on the ticket, but as the vp choice.

i think dean should be at the top of the ticket because he appears to be:

a highly skilled organizer

has the vocal abilities to really charge up the crowd

you know he is a democrat for sure, he is not waffling like clark


i believe dean is far ahead in a quest to solidify a message and honing his campaign speeches to make them more compelling, where clark is behind at this point since he still hasn't even annocunced his decision, or again, said he is even a dem.

[TakebackAmerica]

1. CLARK IS NOT WAFFLING!

Clark is REACHING out to moderate REthugs who hate tom Delay but don't like tax and spend liberals.

Fiscal Conservative
Social Liberal

That's what the silent majority want.

Only Clark and Dean fit the bill on this one.

[Clete]

2. I think he would make a fine Secretary of Defense.

eom

[Kahuna]

18. Clark would make a fine anything. Failure is not an option..

nice ring..

[tridim]

3. I think Clark

is holding out specifically to be Dean's VP. It's just a hunch, but I've felt that way for about three weeks now. Dean/Clark is an amazing ticket, even if Clark isn't a Dem.

[TakebackAmerica]

4. HE'S A DEMOCRAT! Sheeesh

[asjr]

5. Clark

Hey! That is my feeling also. Don't know where it came from but I think that is exactly why Clark is not saying anything yet. The two of them would be unbeatable in my opinion.

[LoneStarLiberal]

6. Here's Why He Won't Commit Right Now

I think it's important to discuss just exactly why Clark isn't declaring as a Democrat yet, if he does at all.

The reason Clark is holding out on declaring and is being so coy about his affiliations is because the moment he does, he is going to be attacked not only by Republican affiliated organizations, but he will be attacked by the DLC stable of candidates' organizations and the Dean and Kucinich organizations. He'll be one more voice in a crowded field of candidates with the Pre-Primary Season heating up AND he is someone the Republicans fear greatly because of his appeal to the moderate conservative base or the "left wing" of the Republican Party.

He doesn't want to declare because my guess is that he wants to have everything in place to be able to handle the criticism in a professional and competent manner. If he opens himself up to attacks before he has an organization in place he could look bad by not having an organized response. Rule #1 in bare knuckles politics: Don't commit to anything unless you absolutely have to, because once you take a stand people know where to attack you.

I do think he will run, but I am also intrigued by the idea of a Dean and Clark ticket...in either possible iteration. That would be a tough one...and talk about a sterling advantage on both candidates versus both incumbents. Whew!

[tameszu]

7. Lone star liberal

Great post--thanks for responding in a reasoned and cool manner.

If Clark declares, not mentioning his party affiliation will only help him with moderates and independents.

The SAME goes if he decides not to run, and latter joins the nominee's campaign as VP or Secy of State (traditionally, defense is taken by a civilian, correct?).

So, again, I find these waffling comments off point. When Crossfire asked him about the two parties, his comments about the Republicans were mostly negative, and he nothing but good things to say about the Dems.

[poskonig]

11. Waffling Daschle-style doesn't work.

Imagine Daschle in a debate with Bush. "I'm deeply saddened by x, y, z." We already saw the 50 "ah agree"s from Gore in 2000 which caused a sharp decline in the polls.

Continuing in this pattern, candidates like Lieberman and Edwards don't even have the word "Democrat" on their website. I'm sick of liberal self-hatred being passed off as "strategy." Clear-cut distinctions everyone can understand are necessary.

We cannot afford a repeat of the 2002 congressional debacle.

[Kahuna]

19. Clark is hardly a bush apologists. If you think that...

go to digitalclark.com watch a few of his TV appearances (because you obviously haven't seen ANY yet) and then come back and discuss, armed with knowledge.

[Ilsa]

8. I'm hoping the delay is tactical to take the steam

out of *'s agenda when his vacation is over. But if that's not it, I'm ready to give up on Clark. I hate this waiting.

[Pepperbelly]

9. If you really like Wesley ...

please consider that maybe the delay isn't tactical or waffling or anything other than the unvarnished truth. His family is not onboard for a run and they are still discussing it. I think Wesley wants to run but his wife does not want him to run. They are at a place where they can relax and settle in one spot for a while and she is hesitent to give up a normal life for life in a fishbowl.

Remember, this guy isn't a professional politician.

[tameszu]

17. I know that you know way more about this than the rest of us

Pepperbelly, so I will defer to your analysis.

Although I would still guess that *part* of Clark's delay of his announcement is tactical, in the sense that these considerations help set the time for his decision-making. If his delay hurt his chances more than helped them, he and his family would have to make their decision sooner (and his comments on the timeline would have reflected this--he seems very much to be a man of his word).

[Kahuna]

20. Clark is sounding more and more like a candidate...

Yesterday's appearance on Crossfire and his appearance on Hannity this week were examples. He's stressing that a vision is needed and giving glimpses into what his vision for America is. That's candidate talk. Check out digitalclark in a day or so and watch his Crossfire appearance.

[mandyky]

10. Until Clark comes out and says he is a Democrat

and the date he joined the party, I will continue to support Dean.
I think Dean and Clark should team up now, withDean at the top of the ticket.

[peabody71]

12. Dean/Clark in 04'

That's the ticket.

[peabody71]

13. Did you read about Clark advising Dean?

It was on a thread last night.
Dean has had numerous private conversations with Dean, and apparently Deans foreign policies are basically Clarks.

[Eloriel]

14. I think that's reading a lot into what was actually

in that story.

Eloriel

[diplomats]

15. Dean has had private conversations with Dean?

You mean he talks to himself? Wait till the Repukes hear that! (just kidding) BTW, I'm glad to hear Dean and Clark are in touch. I, too, think they'd make a great team.

[Kahuna]

21. I already knew they were Clark's. Many times I almost stated here..

that Dean was quoting Clark almost verbatim. I knew though if I said that, the Deanies would throw a fit. It takes so little.

[snyttri]

16. Clark "tutoring" Dean

This suggests to me that Dean may have gotten the idea for some of his Iraq policy from Clark. And Clark sure soubds stronger.


"What started as a point-by-point review of his economic and health care policies turned quickly into his dissertation on foreign affairs in Cuba, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Iraq. Dean has been getting tutored on foreign policy by numerous experts, including retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar. He has also had several private conversations with retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, the former NATO commander who some Democrats see as an attractive running mate for Dean if Clark does not join the race himself."



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34389-2003Aug22.html

http://www.digitalclark.com/

[Starpass]

22. Ummm--just a far out guess

Let's see---2/3 of the American people cannot name even ONE of our presidential hopefuls. When the pollsters read names to Dems, they pick Lieberman 'cause he's the only one they recognize. Now, why would Clark have wanted to declare way back when and just be one more of the unnamed herd. He's getting a hell of a lot of free press on this one. I would milk that cow for as much as I can get out of it, wouldn't you?? And when he's the "new boy", he'll have the media focus on him while the others preach to the same audience that is falling asleep.