WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Howard Dean has asked retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark to support his presidential campaign if Clark decides not to enter the race.
Both Howard Dean, left, and Wesley Clark are producing excitement among grass-roots activists.
AP photos
The pair met in California on Saturday to discuss the presidential race that Clark is expected to enter as early as next week, becoming the 10th Democratic candidate.
Dean, the current front-runner, asked Clark for his support on the outside chance that Clark doesn't seek the presidency on his own.
"They've gotten together several times," said Joe Trippi, Dean's campaign manager. "They talk about a lot of issues. Every time the governor talks to him he asks for Clark's support.
"I don't think there's any news in that. I hope every Democrat is asking for support."
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Other candidates have also courted Clark, including Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, who spoke to the retired general in the past couple of weeks seeking his support.
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Dean's advisers, recognizing that the former Vermont governor's lack of foreign policy experience could be a liability, have long been intrigued by the idea of drawing the retired general into Dean's inner circle.
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Still, Dean's advisers hold out little hope that Clark will do anything other than seek the presidency himself. That sentiment is echoed in Clark's camp. A senior adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, said
Clark has signaled to associates that he is poised to enter the race next week barring last-minute objections from his wife or an unexpected determination that he couldn't mount an effective campaign. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2003-09-11-dean-clark_x.htmBefore I give my spin, I would like to say that I like both Dean and Kerry. Without Wesley Clark I would be firmly in the undecided column.
This is my admittedly biased take on both Kerry and Dean wanting to dance with the General; It seems highly likely that Clark, Dean or Kerry will most likely be our next Democratic nominee for POTUS. Given that fact, it makes great sense for both of them to try to court Wesley before he makes a formal declaration. Wesley Clark brings a large grass roots movement, stellar credentials and powerfull political allies to the table and would be an incredible force in any campaign. Why fight the tiger if you can just take him to dinner instead? I wouldn't want to characterize it as a move born of fear, but rather as savvy political strategy.
I take it as encouragement, that Wesley Clark is well respected by the top Democrats already in the race, and that the Clark campaign will ultimately be successful.
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