Was it clever strategy for Clark to not be involved in the latest debates?

[KoKo]

Since he came in so late I would have thought he would have pushed to be in every debate just to get more recognition and money. Since Democrat activists and the "curious" are tuning in to these late debates it would seem all the more important for him to be there even if he wasn't on the ballot.

So, I'm thinking his Campaign strategy is to "stay above" what CNN just called the "Nursery School" and come in at a later time when the field has narrowed. The advantage being that he's a "fresh face" and can take charge or command of the situation by coming in from a different flank for the attack. It could be a military strategy that's a little different from what the normal Campaign Hacks would advise, but clever.

[w4rma]

1. It's never a good strategy to miss an opportunity to get one's face on TV.

Never, IMHO.

[ClarkGraham2004]

3. Who are you voting for in the primaries?

Thanks

[Racenut20]

2. I supported him missing the last one, but think he should have been there

last night.

[jmaier]

4. I think it's a pretty good move

He's not in the fight in Iowa so it "feels right" that he shouldn't be on the debate stage where folks are fighting it out over the caucuses participants votes.

It's been pretty apparent for some time that Wes Clark is running a campaign focused on an 'in the money' showing in NH and then solid performance in Feb and early March so it makes sense for him to focus time and money on executing the plan. Iowa debates would be a distraction from this plan.

[Walt Starr]

5. It's always the best policy for a candidate running on nothing more

than a uniform and a military resume.

[mmonk]

6. Better

to be in NH at this point pressing the flesh and sharpening the campaign for the large amount of states coming later. If the ratings for the debates were large enough to overshadow campaigning, I would say yes (but I think his strategy is sound, expecially with all the internal fighting).

[KoKo]

7. Kick, since I think I'm onto something, here, and my topic got stolen.

:-)'s

[mmonk]

8. you are

[Hoppin_Mad]

9. Clark needs to come out of his spider hole - and quit being Arnold-Lite -n

[mmonk]

10. qualify