I've just realized what my hesitation is about Clark

[LeftCoast]

Back in the .com days, I was a high tech recruiter and looked at thousands of resumes. Sometimes I'd run across a resume that was absolutely incredible. The candidate would have every skill I was looking for, and then some! Many of these people turned out to be great employees, but that wasn't always the case.

Right now, Clark looks really good on paper but he's not participated in any debates and he's (mostly) avoided any hard scrutiny. I'm suprised that so many folks are willing to place all their faith in a candidate that's so green.

To put it another way...if you read about a really hot car, would you go out and buy it w/out taking it for a test-drive?

It seems really early to put so much faith in Clark before we've seen how he can handle himself in the primaries.

Just for the record, I do not consider this a Clark-flame. I've got nothing against the guy and as I've already stated, his resume is golden. I'd just like to see how he handles himself before I bet the bank on him.

[joeybee12]

1. That's the way I feel too!

People are treating him like the Messiah.

This is only day two of his campaign--still too much to learn about him and, more importantly, to see how he stands up under the pressure.

I wish him luck.

[diplomats]

2. I'n glad he's particpating in the debate

Is that going to be televised?

[charlie]

3. He agreed to the debate?

Didn't know that, thanks. Hope it's webcast, I'm in Japan.

[Jacobin]

14. On LBN, an articles says he's equivocating about the debates........

[LeftCoast]

21. Last thing I heard is that he was going to participate

I think it would be a mistake for him to skip it. Hope he handles himself well!

[ResistTheCoup]

4. He looks good in person, too

Not just on paper. Check out some of these talking head shows and see for yourself how well he can handle himself under pressure.

http://www.digitalclark.com/

[joeybee12]

6. Talking head shows are different from a campaign

So far, Clark has been treated as an analyst or expert when he's been on those shows.

Now he's a candidate--the questions and tone are already different.

You can't say he'll do well in that forum because of what he's done simply as a talking head.

Only time will tell.

[ResistTheCoup]

16. I'm not talking about when he was appearing as a talking head

>>So far, Clark has been treated as an analyst or expert when he's been on those shows.<<

Oh, really? Have you taken the time to watch the more recent ones?
These aren't all clips from news shows where he's giving his opinion.

>>Now he's a candidate--the questions and tone are already different.<<

Have you watched any of the clips? He handled himself very well in what are some very hostile interviews.

I never proclaimed to be a psychic forecasting how well he would do in a debate. I only said I have been very impressed with what I've seen of General Clark every time I've seen him interviewed on television and I'm impressed with the video clips as well. Since that's all I have to go by for now that's why I made the statement about how he handles himself.

[Clete]

5. Remember Clark was sort of drafted

before he even thought about running for President when he was a consultant for CNN. Some people liked what he said about the war in Afghanistan and later about the invasion of Iraq. He's going to have to go up against everyone else IMHO. There is more than a year to go yet.

[disgruntella]

7. you're not flaming, you're being reasonable

I like Clark and would support him, as I would any Democratic candidate, if nominated. But I certainly want to know more about him (from valid sources).

Here is my take on the "Clarkmania", FWIW (for what it's worth):
1) Clark just announced; people who worked in the "Draft Clark" campaign are celebrating that their work has paid off
2) Clark is already demonstrating appeal beyond the "traditional" Democratic base --> more votes
3) Because there is still much to learn about Clark, supporters are excited paradoxically because they *don't* know enough and are eager to learn.

My two cents...

[bookman]

12. More votes

Can there be a better quality of any candidate?

More Votes!

[Woodstock]

19. That's a good two cents

And let's remember we are here (most of us anyway) to defeat Bush, not to defeat the Democratic Party!

There's lots of time left for us to learn about Clark. If he gives us another shot at beating Bush, more power to him.

[Julien Sorel]

8. It's a perfectly fair criticism.

I look at Clark's experience and skillset as starting points, kind of as the price of admission. It's the same way I look at a resume: it gets you in the door for a look-see. Now that he's in he's got to perform, just like the rest of the candidates, just like any job seeker on an interview. I have high expectations from him based on his resume, but I don't see his resume alone as enough to cinch the job.

[IranianDemocrat]

9. Thanks for being reasonable.

;-)

[quaker bill]

10. I agree

I am sticking with Dean for now, but will be listening closely to Clark as well. The candidates are just great! No doubt all of them look good by comparison to the republican alternative....

BTW as a recruiter for technical positions myself, I often find myself hiring a person who doesn't quite look the best on paper, but shines at the interview. You can teach technical skills, people and leadership skills on the otherhand, folks either have the gift or they don't.

[Friar]

17. I totally agree bill

We can't be, and mostly aren't, idealogues like the right wing. I'm hoping for a Dean/Clark ticket but I'm a committed ABB.

[stanwyck]

11. He's not my first choice, but

I want him out there campaigning. He'll change the perception of the Democratic Party. Too many white males are suspicious of the Democrats. Dean is a really intelligent guy. Unfortunately, that works against him with some voters...weird, I know. There are voters who love dumb. For too many, dumb equals tough. Maybe too many Jean Claude Van Dam or Steven Segal movies. The "East Coast" intellectual guys don't appeal to these people. Clark is a four star general and a combat veteran. He doesn't fit the usual Democratic profile. That's a plus. The perception of the Dems will be altered. Clark will help whoever the candidate is.

[carpetbagger]

13. Take him for a test drive at www.digitalclark.com

There's hours of programming on that site. Lots of places to drive.

You don't have to buy him for another four months.

[ResistTheCoup]

18. Hey - I had that link on post #4!

Great minds.... ;)

[CWebster]

15. You are allowed to raise the question

without fearing a pile-on of Clark troops outraged that you are bashing their hearthrob of the moment by even posing the question.

[OneBlueSky]

20. in his own words . . .

read 'em and weep . . .

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

[LeftCoast]

22. Just read the WP article in addition to that thread...

I see the hand of Lehane in some of his comments. He seems to be aiming right for the middle of the electorate, which in a normal presidential election would be a good idea, but I believe this will be the most partisan presidential election in most of our lifetimes so aiming for the 'mushy middle' may not be the best choice this time around...

[fabius]

23. We'll soon have a test drive.

He passed the first test - going to the debate. Not like Ah-nold.

[KittyWampus]

24. Great Post Leftcoast!

The debates are really important.

Because of the debates my estimation of Graham and Edwards grew quite a bit.

We'll see how Clark comes across as he elucidates his positions.

[dfong63]

25. will Clark be there?

see this thread Clark backtracks on debate