A Note on the Conspiracy Theories sprouting re: Dean and Clark

[dave29]

Folks, we can speculate all we want about who is behind the "story" about Dean and Clark teaming up... all we are doing now by allowing our biases into the fray is creating the impression that one of these guys is trying to screw the other over, which I really don't think is the case. I hardly think there is anything sinister going on here, but I can think of a lot of people who would want it to seem that way. Dean and Clark are both great candidates it seems, and we can only hope they are both allowed the fair opportunity to win our support.

Both Dean and Clark have a lot to lose by alienating each others supporters - so I think it's safe to assume this "story" is somewhat manufactured and overblown.

OK - Back to the conspiracy theories now.

[papau]

1. I agree - Dean camp says it was no more than agreeing to be nice

Seems the standard pleasant words got mis-interpreted.

[Andromeda]

2. Either Dean or Clark

would make a good presidential candidate and I was under the impression that they were friends and that they talk frequently.

What's with all this wild speculation that something nefarious is going on? We would be fortunate to have either man as the Dem nominee and if they are both on the same ticket, all the better.

[TLM]

3. Who has the most to gain from Dean and Clark infighting?

answer... Kerry. And we already know his campaign has lied about Dean's statements before.

[FullCountNotRecount]

4. Tying Clark to Liberal Dean sounds like a Rove plan...

To label Clark before he enters the race.

I'm a rare DUer who is for Graham unless Clark gets in. Graham voted against the war and wants to fight terrorism the modern way.

[DuctapeFatwa]

5. I'm not sure the term "conspiracy theory" has the desired effect anymore

For a while, slapping the term "conspiracy theory" on anything, opinion, rumor, fact, law of physics - anything - was a very effective way of dismissing both it and anyone who brought it up as a drooling, gibbering, tinfoil-hatwearing, UFO-watching, chemtrail-sniffing idiot.

The problem is, people have applied it so ubiquitously to anything that they don't agree with, or don't think should be emphasized, or even mentioned, that the point of diminishing returns is looming large on the horizon.

Now attempting to silence discussion of whatever it is with the term "conspiracy theory" is beginning to call more attention to the thing under discussion, the meaning of the term has gone from "something I don't agree with/like/want to discuss" to "something that smells funny."

Calling any discussion, real or supposed between two political candidates a "conspiracy theory" is absurd using either definition.

[Qutzupalotl]

6. Speculation:

Dean probably did ask Clark to be his VP. And the leak was probably nothing sinister. Clark probably told him it was too soon, since he hadn't decided whether to run for the top spot. He's said he's 90% certain that he will. If/when Clark does, he'll win the nomination, no question in my mind. Dean will likely get the VP position. And Clark/Dean will trounce Bush.

This is all speculation, of course, based on Dean's ebullient mood earlier (and at the last debate), his terse responses after their meeting--and educated guesses about what they both want.

[UTUSN]

7. CLARK Is to Answer *Point Blank* on SCARBOROUGH in 15 Mins

The promo sez CLARK will answer POINT BLANK whether he is making a deal with DEAN.

[poskonig]

8. That means the answer is *no* on the "deal."

Though I wouldn't dispute that Clark and Dean seem to be chummy-chummy with each other.

[UTUSN]

11. "I'm in the DECISION Phase Right Now, Joe." re: Running Himself

The DEAN/deal question was not asked. & it's over.

[NashVegas]

9. From my Understanding

The story went "Dean asked Clark to sign on if he wasn't going to attempt a run himself."

That doesn't sound like bickering.

[dean4america]

10. nothing sinister

in all likelihood, it is just as easy to assume that they jointly agreed to release this statement. both are getting big media coverage out of it, and it has knocked the Dean on I/P snafu off the radar. If the polls are to be believed, Clark doesn't hurt Dean as much as the others. It could be he gets in the race, TRIES TO WIN THE NOMINATION, and in the process knocks the other guys (and Carol) out of the running.

If Dean wins IA and NH, Clark could probably capture SC, then who are the two candidates immediately at the top of everyone's list in terms of giving money, volunteering, etc. They campaing for the nom, knock Bush around, play in CLEAN, and whomever wins names the other as VP.

Sounds good to me, at least, in theory.