Clark Could Bring Excitement to ALL DEM Candidates...

[Dr Fate]

There seems to be some media interest in Clark- this exposure could draw more voters to the DEM primaries and cause people to pay attention to other DEMS...

I'm glad we have so many great candidates, each offering somthing different to the debate...

Could "Clarkmania" excitement rub off on the race in general?

[joeybee12]

1. Probably--still too early to tell...

...at least the media focus on the fact that he's running takes away from air time for Dumbo.

[Julien Sorel]

2. Clark's declaration/candidacy is one of the best things to happen

to the Democrats since Clinton brought forward the idea of a 'New Democrat.' Prior to Clinton, Democrats were seen as big spenders, soft on crime, blah blah blah. Clinton rolled those stigma back some, although there's still work to be done. Clark has a chance to re-legitimize the word 'liberal,' by taking away some of the effeminate air the word now has. I think lots of Democrats sense this. It isn't about winning the election; it's about changing perceptions. Clark is the only 'electable' candidate who can do that.

[diplomats]

3. You're right about the perception issue

I saw an article where Dems in Congress were quoted as saying Clark's entry helps the entire party even if he doesn't win the nomination.

[CWebster]

10. typical

and the very reason you won't ever find me rallying to your cause.

Not in a million years, for you represent the very views that have compromised this party and mired it into irrelevancy.

If you want to align with the party that represents your ideals, I suggest you look to your right.

[Philostopher]

4. I think you're right.

I think anything that draws the names of all the candidates into the mass media, as hard as it is for anybody to get airtime in this era and political climate, is a good thing. Even if he 'ain't got it' (and I'm not making a jab at Clark, folks, it's just way too soon to know how he's gonna play in Pocatello), maybe he'll draw attention to somebody else who has. I'm kinda' pleased with the field of candidates in general, in fact -- there's only one I'll really have to hold my nose to vote for. Oh, it's the same guy I most commonly see people here at DU say they'll have to hold their noses to vote for. I'm pretty progressive, but I have a hard time seeing anything much worse than the thugs who are up there now.

[JI7]

5. agree

hopefully this brings in more viewers to the debates and to the campaigns itself.

[unfrigginreal]

6. I thought you were right before the event...

now I'm not so sure!Clark could have done a much better job in his announcement. He came across as rather bland and without positions.

It could have been a fluke...I hope so.

[CWebster]

7. Like Bush, he has the party machine behind him

with all the advantages and connections without lifting a finger.

He has been waiting in the wings while the other candidates have been working hard stumping and connecting with the voters. Then the man of the hour, the supreme commander makes his grand entrance while the rest of the field are licking their wounds from the campaign trail and media scrutiny. And everyone gushes and ouus and ahhhs over the selected and ready for prime time prince. A blank slate to fulfil every sweet dream of the redeemer, a blank tablet, flat but polished and intentionally blank. Will the media prop up the picture, and after the others bravely endured the hostile climate, will the annointed one be propelled by the final curtain on the Bush act. It is all so well-rehearsed. It is little more than a set-up, and no wonder our masters show so little regard for us and our opinions and anger and outrage; we can be counted to fall in line and do their bidding every time.

If this was a better and just world, the bubble would burst.

[disgruntella]

9. is this an excerpt from a religious tract?

End of the WORLD: Democratic candidate generates public interest in 2003.

[CWebster]

11. Whats so interesting?

[disgruntella]

8. i think this is possible

If one candidate generates a lot of attention, the others have to work harder. I hope it doesn't degenerate into too much negativity among the candidates.

[OneBlueSky]

12. Clark's own words five months ago . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=11938

won't be getting my support . . .