There's one way that Clark can get the nomination....

[kentuck]

..if Kerry wins NH and is declared the frontrunner. At this time, there are only two credible candidates that are considered "anti-war" - Clark and Dean. Kucinich is anti-war but he has not received the attention or credibility he deserves. But there is a way for Clark to win. But for it to take place, other scenarios must happen.

If Howard Dean is driven out of this race, by his own doing or the perceived lynching by the media, then Howard has the capability to be the "kingmaker", in my opinion. With his thousands of supporters all across this country, he is not an irrelevant political candidate.

If, and there are a lot of "ifs", Howard Dean wanted to throw his support behind General Clark, as the only other credible "anti-war" candidate, this could strengthen Clark to the point where he could compete with John Kerry in the races down the road. There are those that think Clark could beat Kerry on his own, but that might be more difficult than they think.

However, if Clark could make a deal with Howard Dean, say vice-presidency, then Dean could drop out and encourage his supporters to
get behind the General. This would boost the General tremendously and perhaps win the nomination for him. Otherwise, Kerry becomes the nominee and we all collect our marbles and go home.

This is just a possible scenario thought up by my warped political mind. :)

[LiberalBushFan]

1. The first part seems likely

But if Howard Dean wanted to endorse Clark he'd have to somehow sweep his recent "Clark is a Republican" comments under the rug.

[kentuck]

3. A lot of things are said in the heat of battle...

Politics can bring out the worst in all of us. I know. :)

[KittyWampus]

13. Politics can bring out the worst in all of us. I know

Can I buy anyone a beer?

:beer:
:beer:
:beer:

[kentuck]

16. I'll drink to that...

:beer: :beer: Thanks!

[arewethereyet]

4. not a problem

strategic policy shifts are not unusual.

[SadEagle]

21. True, but remember...

... he also said that he really liked Clark at the same time. So who knows. :shrug:

[RichV]

2. That would be fascinating

considering Dean called Clark a Republican about two weeks ago.

[deminflorida]

5. There's another way....it's called

New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and quite possibly South Carolina.

As soon a Kerry becomes the total front-runner, the press will waste no time in talking about the warm showers he and Jane Fonda used to take together during the Vietnam protest years.

People have short memories, but as soon as that shit hits the fan...trust me Kerry's veteran support goes right down the shitter.

The media can't resist it. They love the dramatical destruction of a good human being.

After Dick Gephardt's crying like a baby in front of his family and Howard Dean's "Ape Shit" antics post Iowa loss, they're on a feeding frenzy. I've hardly heard anything about Michael Jackson. An Insane Man has bumped him from the front pages.

[IndianaGreen]

7. Kerry took a shower with Hanoi Jane?

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

:wow:

I don't know why, but I found your post wickedly funny!

[fabius]

19. I would have cheerfully done the same...

...with Hanoi Jane. (adolescent fantasy) - ever see Barbarella?

[IndianaGreen]

23. I remember the blind angel in Barbarella

John Phillip Law was his name. I don't remember him other from Barbarella and The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming.

[kentuck]

8. What do you think they will dig up on the General ??

Surely you don't think he will be the only one to escape unscathed? :)

[IndianaGreen]

10. The General won a war without a single American casualty

for that heinous crime, he shall be roasted alive while being whipped with a wet noodle.

[corporatewhore]

24. his main opposition will come from the left

free trade vieques soa....

[IndianaGreen]

26. I am the Left

Remember Data's eulogy in Star Trek Next Generation: "To know him, is to love him. To love him, is to know him."

[corporatewhore]

27. I mean from lefty human rights groups and soa/freetrade protesters

for example i could never support some one who is for the very things i feel are wrong and have spent time organizing educating and hell even risked arrest for

[shoopnyc123]

11. The media can't resist it...

...like I said yesterday, it's turned into pure theater, and the media owns the casting couches where one gets "casted".
Pretty sick, but, if some of the campaigns looked at the media like they were counterparts of, and not to distant cousins to, sleazy, vile, wealthy movie producers, they would be better off.

[EXE619K]

14. Whoa!

Kerry did what?

well, nuttin' wrong with that!

[depakid]

18. You don't think the media going to tear Clark a new one?

I have news for you- if Clark wins in those states, the right wing press is going to hound him mercilessly and he's not going to like it one bit. He's already short with interviewers, often brusque and sometimes visably annoyed at their petulance. Not that I blame the guy, but sooner or later he's going to lose his temper with them and it won't be a pretty sight.

[kentuck]

6. Does anyone think this is a total impossibility....

Politics can make some strange bedfellows. But, if Dean is going to be driven out of this race in this manner, why shouldn't he try to make the best deal for himself and his supporters? Clark has voiced some very liberal positions, some very close to Governor Dean's...

[lovedems]

9. It just seems to me that once all this campaigning hits the south

Clark and Edwards are going to do better than the rest. As always, I will reiterate my stance that I am uncommitted (I live in Illinois, so there is no rush for me).

Conventional wisdom tells me the southerners will do better in the southern race. This has been a pretty unconventional primary however.

[Toucano]

17. You're right.

Clark and Dean have a lot in common, and so do their supporters (if they could stop beating each other over the head long enough to see it).

Dean's calling Clark an "R" can be easily forgiven.

If Clark or Dean don't get the nomination, I will be fairly disappointed.

Of course, I'd support Edwards, Kerry, or Lieberman, but none of them has energized me and tried to change the way things get done in this country like Dean and Clark have done.

[lastknowngood]

12. Dean is the only one who can bring in the money

The DNC only 30mil to spend and no leverage. The Dems aren't in charge of the house the senate and the repugs will be increasing their numbers to a 2/3 majority in the senate and gain at least 25 house seats. Better wake up folks the only one who can muster the cash is Dean even if he is not the nominee he has the machine and a lot of it won't go anywhere without his direction.

[kentuck]

15. All the money in the world is not worth as much as the 'free media"...

These townhall meetings, etc are worth much more than political ads, in my opinion. Money is over-rated...unless you need it. :)

[DoNotRefill]

20. Despite how much some want to portray Dean supporters as cultists...

I'm not entirely positive that Dean can deliver his supporters to whomever he wants to. We tend to be a pretty independent bunch, and a LOT of us will not support the MIC's candidate.

[fabius]

22. Might work.

Although I'm not giving up on Dean winning the nomination. We'll know soon enough whether he can come back.

As far as "Clark is a Republican" all it needs is to morph to: "Clark used to vote Republican, but is an honorable man, so became a Democrat. In fact we want true Republicans to vote for our ticket."

The we'd could go for John McCain's endorsement for icing on the cake.

Remember, Bush 41 called Reagan's proposals "voodoo economics" in teh primaries. Later on he said, "count me in".

Dean and Clark fundraising machine together would be awesome.

[David Zephyr]

25. He Won't Be Driven Out of the Race, Kentuck.

He already has more delegates than the others and he will pick up more in New Hampshire, as he did in Iowa.

Dean can run in all 50 states and at this point, only Clark can also say that.

Dean is going to Boston and whether he has 50% of the delegates or not, he'll have at least 35%.

I do, however, see a Clark-Dean deal shaping up, no matter how both sides of that hyphen scream about it.

Clark will also arrive in Boston with his own contigent.

Kerry is going to tank in the South while Edwards and Clark will do very well.

I really think Kerry is having his swan song in Iowa and New Hampshire and then it's all down hill after that.

And like Lennon said, I'm just sitting watching the wheels go by in the meantime.

Come March, Howard Dean and Wes Clark will dominate the Democratic Race. Don't forget I said so. And I will be happy with this. Very happy.

You warped mind, you!

:hi:

[kentuck]

28. David, we need more of your optimism around here.....

I hope Dean stays in. I think his "speech' will help him down South. :) They love passion in a candidate more than common sense.

[SadEagle]

29. South may not help much, though.

There are hardly any southern primaries in the beginning, I think.