Are Clark and Dean fighting for the same voters ??

[kentuck]

Both of them are considered "outsiders". Both are outspoken against the war. Both have been outspoken about the civil unions issue. Both have a loyal and devoted base of supporters. Both have been questioned about their Democratic credentials - Dean about whether he is a liberal or a centrist and Clark whether or not he is even a "Democrat"..

Both are running very close in the polls in NH. One might wonder what numbers the other might have if one was not in the race. None of us can predict the future accurately but, in the next few weeks, one of these candidates may have to drop from the race. Then where do his supporters go? This is something for the Dean and Clark supporters to think about as they punch and jab each other in internecine warfare.

[Frederic Bastiat]

1. Well the pundits were saying that

A surging Kerry will siphon votes from Clark. Granted, Clark has stabilized but Dean has taken the biggest hit since Kerry's ascension.

One think I like about both Clark and Dean is that they are drawing Independents and younger voters into the process, more reason to have a dragged out nomination.

[kentuck]

3. Good point exCav...

I think both Clark and Dean are drawing Independents and more young people into the process...

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. Premature issue, maybe not by much though..

As a Clark supporter I see no reason now for Dean supporters to leave their man if they think he is the best candidate and if they think he still can win. Same the other way around. It is a bridge we may have to cross, but not before the next two rounds at the earliest, in my opinion, unless one of our guys totally stinks up the joint on Tuesday, which I do NOT expect. I don't think anyone should be pulling a Gore "unity scare" on any supporters with barely any votes counted yet.

If both candidates are pulling votes, they are not going to anyone else at the moment. It is an unstable situation however, which will have to be revisited down the road if another candidate, say Kerry, starts picking up a lot of steam AFTER NH's vote. At this point Kerry is expected to win New Hampshire, the week after is key.

[Democrats unite]

4. In the past 24 hours I have seen kind of a cease fire bwtween

some in the Clark/Dean camp (that were the rebel rousers, I included here). which ever one drops out I am sure their supporters have a back-up candidate & it may surprise you that they are back-ups for each other. Now theres a possibility?

[funky_bug]

5. The important thing is...

...thanks to the freeper-lovin' media, the voters here at DU are no longer fighting over Dean and Clark.

United, we STAND!

[Melodybe]

7. So very true, after last night's vicious attacks on Clark

my faith was totally restored in the man. If the media does want him, then he is good. It is as simple as that. I don't trust the whores and they will not get to decide my vote.

Go Dean! Go Clark!

Dems Unite!

[Guaranteed]

8. Hell...I'd still love to see a

Dean/Clark ticket....kick ass! :)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Clark is OK by me, despite some doubts.

This is NOT flamebait. I have some uneasiness about Clark's support of the SOA. I realize that he has qualified it with words about "human rights", "oversight", etc. I just would prefer that he would promise to shut it down.

Other than that, I can vote for Clark should he get it. Something I won't do for Edwards or Kerry.

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Hey I'm a Clarkie, and I can't stand it

The SOA thing, while it doesn't surprise me, pisses me off to no end. It's not the deal-breaker, but I hate it, nonetheless.

[dansolo]

11. It's a matter of degree

At this point, I am back to having Clark as my second choice after Dean. As part of my agreement to go ABB, my preference is going to go to the fighters. I want a candidate who is willing to challenge Bush directly. So far I have only seen Dean and Clark do this.

[funky_bug]

17. He did promise to shut it down if...

anyone showed him that currently there are still human rights violations being propagated at what was the SOA, but is now called the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.

My personal feeling is that Clark would close down the WHISC if someone would present him with proof of their allegations. At this point in time, it does not seem to be forthcoming. I would have a serious issue with it as well, if there was current, documented proof that what may have occurred as a result of SOA, was still being fostered at WHISC.

[overground1]

10. It seems to me that Clark and Kerry are going after the same voters

Which also explains why Clark was trying to "pull rank" on Kerry, and why Clark has stalled or dropped since Iowa was decided.

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. Regarding "pulling rank"

I was watching Larry King at the time. Dole made a sarcastic comment about Clark being "demoted" to a "Colonel" by Kerry's strong showing in Iowa. Clark came back with "Hey you got that wrong, I'm a General and Kerry is a Lieutenant" or something close to that.

It was a very minor moment with a spontaneous Clark comeback aimed more at Dole, not Kerry. This is another prime example of how the media tries to seize on virtually anything to amplify or create animosity between Democratic camps. This is not what a Presidential race should be about.

[kentuck]

16. Funny how Clark took the heat for something instigated by Bob Dole ?

Doesn't seem fair, does it?

[HuckleB]

12. I think they may be in many cases.

Many supporters of Clark and Dean list the other as their second choice, including me.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

14. Yes - a lot of the anti-war people went with Dean. It seems that the

supporters who really felt that this was an extremely important issue are going with Clark and Kucinich. The ones who can "compromise" on that issue are going with Kerry.

[HFishbine]

15. Yes AND

Your're right, but there are other cross competitions.

- Kerry and Clark compete for the veteran vote
- Kerry and Edwards compete on legislative experience
- Edwards and Clark compete as the southern candidate
- Dean and Edwards.... Hmmm