Tomorrow's debate is critical for Dean

[CMT]

I think the debate tomorrow can define the race for the rest of the year. Howard Dean must perform well tomorrow, but then so does Wesley Clark, but Clark also has an advantage in one respect--he has had lots of television exposure and comes across smoothly on screen.

Dean has really come on strong over the last several months and has beat expectations. However, he is not the "flavor of the month" any more and he needs to go into this debate focused not so much on making news but on trying to reach out to new voters. The polls indicate that since Clark has come into the race that Dean's base appears to be sound. But Clark has taken the lead in two recent national polls for the nomination--partly because of the attention his announcement received and partly because Democrats are looking for a winner and many in the party believe that winner is a General who opposed the war.

It is critical that Dean avoid gaffes in the debate tomorrow night. That would be a diversion which the campaign can't sustain many more of. I think he needs to offer real substance in his replies to questions. He should avoid references to other candidates and speak as much as possible about his own record. Dean has an impressive record in Vermont: balancing budgets, providing healthcare, on the environment he really did spectacular things as far as land use and preservation. I think the doctor has done a terrific job blasting Bush but needs to speak out more about his record and what he wants to do as president and tomorrow's debate is an excellent opportunity to do so.

With Clark now taking the front runner mantle I think that Dean's best way to deal with the General is not to attack him. Let the others do it--like Lieberman and Kerry. Clark will be examined on many of his views on domestic affairs--what Dean should do is agree with him when possible and expand by saying, "The General makes a good point about health care and in Vermont I passed a bill which..."
or when the General makes a statement on civil unions Dean can say, "Yes, and Vermont was the first state to recognize civil unions and I'm proud I signed that bill..." But he really should just ignore the General and reach out to the millions of undecideds who are looking for a candidate to support. When attacked by others he should shrug it off when possible (unless it is really something which must be countered) and maybe even with humor.

Voters aren't yet sold on any candidate but in the end I think they will look beyond cosmetics and look at substance. In the end Democrats want someone who has a real record of accomplishment and not just promises. Dean, as a governor needs to emphasize this record. If he does this and balances it with the slashing attacks on the GOP and Bush that has galvanized this party especially among activists and brought in people who gave up on the Democrats then I think he can go all the way.

The Bar is high for tomorrow night, but Dean has faced other challenges and has overcome them. I'm positive he can do it again.

[diplomats]

1. I'd like to see our candidates focus on attacking Bush

rather than each other. But they should promote their agendas, too.

[poskonig]

2. I feel Dean needs to be more aggressive and not worry about mistakes.

Gaffes aren't going to damage his campaign, but getting tentative and risk averse will.

[meegbear]

3. Clark may "come across smoothly" ...

but a debate is different world altogether. Clark, like dean, could blow this one.

I would say the only "advantage" Clark would have is that it is his first debate. So if he does good, then "Wow! He rocked that debate!". And if he does bad, then "Well it was his first debate."

I know you deanpers will be looking for every chink in Clark's armor, but please remember that we'll be doing the same with your guy.

[Cha]

8. We're Not "deanpers" (what ever the heck that is) ...We're

:dem: Dean Supporters! :kick:

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cha]

11. Just as I thought ...you are being way Disrespectful!

This says Way more about you than is does about any Dean Supporter!

In fact isn't it against the rules to call someone a "freeper" on this board? meegbear?

[clar]

15. Hey cut it out you mean little clarkhead you.

or clarkette or clarkie or clarkoid or clarkbot, or hey how about- buttercup?

[edzontar]

4. I look forward to it...

Hope we don't have anymore Hannity-pleasing "Dean Depression" -like lines.

[Larkspur]

5. Not everyone gets CNBC

Yes, Dean needs to do well, but doing well means answering the question within the time limit. When Dean follows the rules, he doesn't always come off as a winner.

Clark definitely needs to do well tomorrow, but because of the short time limit each candidate will have to respond to questions, Clark can afford to come across as a manikin with a smile spewing meaningless soundbites that will make the media pundits swoon over him and this pundit infatuation with Clark will keep his national poll numbers high.

This nomination race will not be won or loss at the debates. It will be won or loss on the campaing trail. Clark is riding a media hype bubble that works fine for now on national polls, but when you look at individual states where Dean has been actively campaigning, Dean is either in the lead or challenging for it.

The Dean-Clark race reminds me of the Seabiscuit-War Admiral duel, where in the final stretch Seabiscuit's jockey reined in Seabiscuit until War Admiral caught up with him. The jockey let Seabiscuit look at War Admiral and then turned Seabiscuit loose and Seabiscuit left War Admiral far behind choking on dust. As Red Pollard said, "Seabiscuit turn War Admiral into Rear Admiral."

Dean is a seasoned political campaigner. Clark is not. Because of the number of Dem candidates allowed at the debates, the debates are not a good barameter of a nominee's ability to handle the job of Presidency. It's the endless campaigning that will wear Clark out.

[Cha]

6. Great Post! CMT! And you would think this is what Dean will

do, but ya never know about these debates!

I can't tell you how disappointed(along with many others) I was when I watched the Gore/bush debates. Of course, Al was listening to some People he shouldn't have been.

I hope this is what happens! Do you know what time it's going to be on? :kick:

[CWebster]

9. Wonder who the people who coached Gore then

are coaching now? ;-)

[Cha]

12. I don't know but they better watch out when they tell him to "roll

their eyes" at another candidate! :eyes:

[Renew Deal]

14. Bigala coached Gore.

He has been reported to be helping all candidates. I am not sure if he is helping on the debate.

[seventhson]

16. Begala's a Rovian spook -- Check out Public Strategies Inc

He worked for them. His best friend runs it and they represented Rove in 2000.

Ann Richards works for them too.

I know them from my political work in Washington. They are PLUGGED in and Begala's buddy Mark McKinnon is Rove's buddy. In fact, Begala advised McKinnon to go work for Rove.

[gully]

7. Your spot on!

:thumbsup:

[mandyky]

I'd love to see Dean walk over to Clark and

clap him on the shoulder, in a friendly manner, and shake his hand.
Maybe that would help DU and both Clark and Dean.

I know, I know!! I can dream though! KKKarl would pee himself!

[Larkspur]

17. No, it wouldn't convince me to like Clark

Clark has to earn my support himself. No one else, including Dean, can make me like or support Clark.

[Renew Deal]

13. Dean needs to be himself. Clark needs to do OK.

If Clark performs OK, it could be positive. Dean needs to not say anything stupid. 2 hours of debate= 20 mins for the moderator, 9 mins per candidate, 10 mins for Larouche disruptors.

[PAMod]

18. Geez people, this isn't Kennedy VS Nixon

I doubt anyone's viability is hanging in the balance, certainly not Dean's. He has built a great following in the early primary states and is raising a ton of money. One thing I've noticed here in DU and in the "outside world" is that Dean supporters are ready and able to defend the candidate, when he stumbles.

If anyone is on the spot, it has to be General Clark - he will be scrutinized the most. This will be the first time people will have had the opportunity to "size him up" along side the competition. The General made a great first impression, thanks to unprecedented coverage of his official announcement. There are still a large number of people that will look at him with an open mind - in other words, his "first impression" will be extended into this debate.

I'm curious to see who will attack Clark first, and if the attacks on Dean will continue, now that there is a new national front-runner.

Can't wait!

[paulk]

19. I wish these damn debates weren't on cable

I don't have cable.

Is there any other way to access them?