Can I support Dean AND Clark?

[mkregel]

To be honest I'm torn. I joined Dean early on, and didn't think Clark would run. Then he runs - I know he'll beat Bush but honestly I think Dean can too. Both have platforms that I pretty much support (no candidate do I agree with 100%) But those two are the closest to my beliefs.

Anyone else feel this way?

[Nlighten1]

1. Me too.

I like them both.

[diplomats]

5. So do I

[JaneQPublic]

17. A bunch of reasons for a Dean/Clark--Clark/Dean Ticket

Dean/Clark--Clark/Dean would make an unbeatable force against the Bushistas. Take a look at how well they complement each other:

-- Dean has executive experience, culminating in a balanced budget and a health insurance program in his state; Clark has military experience, culminating in service as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander – Europe.

-- Dean has expertise in domestic issues; Clark has expertise in foreign affairs.

-- Dean brings gravitas as a doctor/healer; Clark brings gravitas as general/warrior.

-- Dean, from Vermont, is a northerner; Clark, from Arkansas, is a southerner.

-- Dean has the Momentum as indicated by rising poll numbers, Media attention, a Message, and Money-raising success; Clark is respected by the public and the media, who know him as an expert consultant on TV news.

But let’s not forget the important things they have in common:

-- Both Dean and Clark are exceptionally well educated and well spoken, yet extraordinarily direct and plainspoken.

-- Both have outstanding records in public service.

-- They have compatible views on such issues as the Iraq War, the Bush tax cut, abortion rights, and affirmative action, to name a few.

-- Neither of them is a member of Congress, which means their election to office will not deplete either the House or the Senate of a sorely needed Democratic member (a critical consideration, when several of the other candidates represent states where their replacements would be chosen by Repug governors).

-- Both of them are Washington Outsiders.

[southern democrat]

6. I like them both also. Been for Clark fom the start,but

if he peters out by my primary,will vote for Dean or Edwards.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. I have that problem with Kucinich and Dean

My salomonic solution:

I sent money to both and follow BOTH campaigns...

To be honest I have not fully made my mind.. I read all I can get
ABOUT ALL candidates...

So I am going to give money again AFTER the Primaries to WHOEVER
emerges.

I know sounds wishy washy, but this is the way I dealt with this.

I just gave money to both

[JaneQPublic]

3. Sure. It's the "Washington Outsider" coalition...

The coalition of the General-Warrior and the Doctor-Healer.

[WillyBrandt]

25. The campaigns are run the other way around

It's the General-Healer and the Doctor-Warrior, judging by how they're running their campaigns. Odd.

[Blue_Roses]

39. good analogy

n/t

[travisleit01]

4. Definitely!

I think Michael Moore does also. He said last night in Denver he's not endorsing any candidates, but "a ticket with a doctor and a general wouldn't be half bad!"

[pruner]

10. Michael Moore's endorsement isn't necessarily a good thing

I like Moore, but there's a lot more people that don't share my opinion than those who do.

[pruner]

7. no… you must make a choice now.

just do it.

:bounce:

[DarkPhenyx]

8. Why not?

Support them all.

In fact they should should be supporting eachother. Point out all the good things your opponent has, the key differences between the group of ya'll. QUIT TEARING EACHOTHER DOWN!!!!!!!!!!! Let the fucking voters figure it all out.

[Woodstock]

49. AMEN to that - every quit with the tearing down

Polite, constructive debate is one thing, but I'm sick of - both here and in the debates - the nasty stuff.

I'd like to see just one debate where they agree not to attack each other, but keep the focus on attacking Bush. The next debate - on Faux News - would be a GREAT one to do this.

[union_maid]

9. Why not?

You're twice as likely to be happy after the primary as people who only support one. The truth is that their positions are very close. I support Clark because I think he's got a better chance of beating Bush and then a better chance of coattails and also of pushing through more of his agenda. Also I just like him. Either set of positions would do for me, though, at least so far.

[mrgorth]

11. Sure

Lots of supporters of both camps are hoping they're both on the '04 ticket. I think it'd be a perfect combo.

[Pastiche423]

12. No

They are complete opposites to me.

One is a Democrat that wants us to work together to take our country back.

The other is an expedient democrat, only because the repugs din't ask him to play on their team.

[CoffeePlease1947]

24. That's no way to talk about Dean n/t

[Bread and Circus]

32. Pastiche, that is an outright falsehood.

The Republicans did ask Clark to run for office
as a Republican. So did the Democrats. Clark
refused the Republicans. He chose to run as a
Democrat.

I know you like Dean and all but you are not helping
his cause by posting false information.

As for me, I would take a combination of Clark and Dean
on a ticket. I would donate money and volunteer for
such a ticket.

Having a Democrat in the White House for 16 years would
be a good thing in my opinion.

[tedoll78]

13. Here's how I plan to operate:

I like Dean a bit more; I'm unemployed right now, but before I lost my job (i knew it was coming) I sent Dean a small chunk of money.

Still, I really really like Clark.

The state-by-state and national polls show Clark doing better than Dean right now against Bush. I currently plan on voting for Dean, but if the polls around primary time (here in TX) consistently show Clark continuing to do better than Dean against Bush, I'm going to go with Clark. And I'll just have to live with the guilt of letting Dean down. Then again, I'd live with guilt if I voted for Dean, if he got the nomination, and then he lost to Bush.

Like I said.. I'm huge on Dean.. but my desire to give Bush a boot up his ass is even larger.

My gut tells me that there are a TON of people out there who are thinking this way. You don't have to be a Dean person to feel this way either.. I'll bet that there are Kerry folks who would switch to Clark or Edwards, and Kucinich people who would swap to Dean.. the horse-jumping is going to continue all the way up to primary voting day.

[union_maid]

14. That makes perfect sense.

tedoll78, I think that's the best strategy for winning and we should all adopt it. If we do, we'll win this one!

[quinnox]

15. Neither is my candidate of choice

I dislike Dean, he is a typical politician who pretends to be something else, and feel he would be a disaster in a general election.

On Clark I have mixed feelings, I think he would be a strong candidate vs. Bush, but I prefer other candidates like Kerry, Gephardt and Edwards who have solid Democratic credentials and experience.

[JaneQPublic]

20. So you prefer the business as usual, DC insider candidates...

...who prefer party insider power to grassroots power.

That's fine. Whatever works for you.

[w4rma]

16. Sure! I support a Dean/Clark ticket, although not a Clark/Dean ticket.

I think that Dean has the organization, political skill and ability to keep up an extreme and consistant pace to win this election. I think that Clark's talents are best on the Vice President slot for now.

[maha]

18. Sure. I like Dean and Clark, too.

They both have strong positive qualities. I think either one would be a good candidate and a good president. Right now I'm leaning a bit toward Clark, but if Dean is the nominee I will be very pleased.

[MoonRiver]

19. My reasoning exactly mirrors your own, until the point where you say

"I think Dean can too" (beat Bush). I have serious doubts about that, which is why Clark has my total support. But, I will vote and work for any candidate the Dems run.

[Kanola]

21. Yes, torn between the two

I probably lean towards Dean first, but dammit I like Clark alot also!

[Rowdyboy]

22. I do

My preference is Clark, my backup is Dean but I'll happily support either.

[andym]

23. Both are very good candidates

I like both as well.

[RamboLiberal]

26. I'm another person who likes them both

Got bumper stickers for both guys and will put them on the car soon as I get some magnetic backing. Along with another sticker I have that says:
Bush Lied People Died
Jobs Dried Cronies Ride
Environment Fried

[mkregel]

45. Don't forget

Atta Flew, Bush Knew

[Andromeda]

27. Me too.

I really like both men and without a doubt I think either one could beat Bush.

Even as much as some of these candidates snipe at each other they are closer in idealogy than anyone thinks.

My favorite candidates are Dean, Clark and Edwards, however, I don't believe Edwards will win the nomination. Of course, you never know what will happen in the next 7 or 8 months.

[VOX]

28. Am in precisely the same boat...

Am contributing to both their campaigns. I like them both; Dean appeals more to my heart, Clark appeals to my pragmatic side.

My preference is for Dean to get the nomination, but should it be Clark, I would back him enthusiastically.

In the best of all worlds, these two would share the same ticket. You could put either one of these guys on the top and have a formidable team.

It's actually a "nice" dilemma," as those things go...

:kick:

[FrenchieCat]

29. I support Clark first, Dean second

I still think that war and foreign relations is going to be a bigger priority in this era, and during the election. Democrats have almost wished themselves into thinking it will be the economy.....But I don't believe that after 3 years of terror alerts, 170 billion spent on war, Defense budget ballooning totally way out there, and the Patriot Act checking up on you that the election will be so much based on jobs. Remember that we will have another 9/11 anniversary right before the General election. Also, I believe that Clark will bring more "ordinary" voters than Dean....The south, including Florida, men, and the military ain't gonna bust their butts to go vote for Dean, if he's on top of the ticket. Remember that Clark is a self made man.....Dean was more or less ordained.

Plus, as a woman, I prefer Clark to Dean....and I think in not too short a time, I will be joined by many others FemDems. It's that JFK thing that Clark's got going on. Dean's got the anger...and certainly he was the most vocal and first at it. I had marched in the big peace rallies and everything...so I was pretty damn mad myself....But somehow, Dean just didn't quite do it for me. If you think about it, considering how long Dean has been running, there are sure a lot of undecideds still hanging out.


I just think once comes the general election.....the anger displays will only polarize voters....and even those who might have voted for a Dem Candidate might not just out of loyalty....because the whole election with Dean on top will be about taking sides. I think that clark neutralizes that just with his campaign style. He's more quiet about what he's doing...but things like taking the word Patriotism away from the Republicans, all the while encouraging debate and dissent.... It's brilliant, and will work. So Dean as VP for me, yes, I would support that.....Dean on top, and my confidence really wanes!

[GOPBasher]

30. Of course you can.

They're both outstanding candidates. Why can't you support them both? I think almost all of our candidates are great, but I especially like those two.

[jab105]

31. me #31:)

n/t

[Skwmom]

33. Dean can't beat Bush. The attacks on Dean haven't even begun.

If they had, Dean would be toast already. Dean keeps saying "several of us are electable." His saying that doesn't make it so. In a time of such uncertainty, the American public is not going to elect a "Deanie Weenie" <http://www.brianpetty.com/show_topics.php?id=14> as commander in chief. He got out of the draft by claiming a bad back only to hit the ski slopes and do construction. If Dean is the nominee, Bush will win in a landslide.

[w4rma]

35. Clark can't beat Bush. The attacks on Clark haven't even begun.

If they had, Clark would be toast already. Clark keeps saying "several of us are electable." His saying that doesn't make it so. In a time of such uncertainty, the American public is not going to elect a "crazy eccentric general" as commander in chief. Clark didn't even start campaigning until a few weeks ago, running for president isn't something you do on a whim. If Clark is the nominee, Bush will win in a landslide.

See. That works both ways. *Any* candidate can be smeared. Now, focus on the positive, please.

[mrgorth]

41. bad back

Dean didn't "claim" anything. He has a fused vertabrate or something. THEY DIDN'T WANT HIM! At least he showed up and was willing to go. He didn't try and wrigle out of it like the shrub.

[WoodrowFan]

34. Me Too.

Clark/Dean in 04!

[Padraig18]

36. Well....

There are 4 candidates who fairly well reflect my views, and Clark is one of the four. If he wins the nomination, I'll support him without reservation.

[Blue_Roses]

37. I feel the same way

I posted the exact same feeling a week ago! I am struggling with who to support as well. Wish we could put the good qualities of both and mix it into one person!

:shrug:

[quaker bill]

38. You can support

all of the candidates you wallet will carry.

[poskonig]

40. You may see them both on the same ticket

if the primary doesn't get too nasty, naturally. Though if Clark wins, he has better VP options than Dean, given Dean would bring none of his strengths and all of his weaknesses in that position. Conversely, all of Clark's weaknesses disappear and all of his strengths are maximized in the VP slot, so a Dean-Clark ticket would be politically unstoppable in the event it is realized.

While I'd be happy with any of the Democrats, even Lieberman, Dean-Clark is my fantasy ticket.

[tokenlib]

42. I'm stuck in the middle..

Clark seems more electable. He also seems to have progressive views--the more he reveals specifics on issues. Clark has good democratic positions on progressive taxation and Social Security. The only problem I have has with Clark is the extreme support for Israel and even that damnable "wall" they are building.

Dean expresses energy and the frustration so many of us have felt.
The GOP will "tar and feather" Dean as a northeast liberal in yet another of their "big lies." I like the anger and much of what Dean stands for. I especially like how Dean expressed the reality that the GOP is out to gut Social Security and Medicare.

Either Dean or Clark would be OK with me personally. So it comes down to electability. Assuming Clark doesn't go DLC on his specifics--I think he is our best chance overall..

[denverbill]

43. Very similar.

I've contributed 5 times more to Dean than I have combined contributions in my entire life.

I think Clark maybe be more electable, but I really like Dean's candor and positions. I'm really glad they talked before Clarks decision. I have a feeling they are fairly simpatico on positions.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a Dean/Clark or Clark/Dean ticket. I'd prefer the former, but happily accept the latter as well.

[noonwitch]

44. I feel the same way-I like them both

Either one would be a good running mate for the other, and a tough ticket to beat. They are also the two that aren't trashing each other, they're the ones all the other guys are trashing.

[Aristus]

46. I do.

And I changed my sig line to reflect that.

A Dean/Clark, or Clark/Dean ticket would be unbeatable. Clark has many virtues, to be sure, but it doesn't hurt that he is so handsome. And yes, it does matter. This shouldn't be read as a slam against women voters, but in a country where muttonheads voted for B*sh because "He's a good Christian boy!", isn't it just as likely that voters will opt for the better looking candidate?

I want Dean and Clark to kick Prince George's chimpanzee-looking ass!

[RandomUser]

47. I was in the exact same position

I had supported Dean prior to Clark's entry, and switched to Clark when he entered. Whether you switch or not is a decision only you can make. Good luck, whoever you finally decide on. All the candidates would be better than Bush.

[Woodstock]

48. Yes

I like both of them. I don't think helping one or the other or both is working at cross purposes - I think - hope - they will join to form one ticket (whichever gets the nom will pick the other as VP.)

That's why I hope they will keep it civil toward each other in the debates. There is SO much support for the two of them, the DNC would be nuts not to see this and use it to our advantage.

They'd positively demolish Bush in an election.

(I corrected typo on edit, I meant DNC - the DLC IS nuts)