Why did Clark perform so poorly in MO?

[ludwigb]

4%, behind Dean. I honestly don't think last night was so bad for Clark, but why did he lose so badly in MO? Did Clark advertise there? Where were the grassroots and where were those Gephardt operatives that were supposedly hired?

How does one square these results with the idea that Clark's regional identity could be an asset in the general election?

[Josh]

1. I think Clark concentrated on three states: AZ, OK, and NM

And he came second in the first and third and won the second. He also came second in North Dakota for whatever reason. I think Missouri was locked up after New Hampshire and only Edwards was receiving any momentum there because of his bump in nearby Iowa.

[YouMustBeKiddingMe]

2. From memory, I think Kerry pulled above 50% in MO

and had such a big lead all along that it wouldn't have made much sense for Clark to spend any time or money there. He's have to get 15% or higher to meet the viability test to get any delegates, so spending money there to get 10% instead of 4% just isn't worth it.

Congrats on the OK win!

[JPJones]

3. The Gephardt people...

were all sent to NM, AZ and OK.

There was maybe one Clark staffer in MO. Clark spent almost zero money in MO, hasn't visited the state in 2004 and never ran a commercial. He also didn't buy voter lists.

The grassroots did all they could, but without a candidate visit, there's only so much you can do.

[buckeye1]

4. I voted Clark in AZ today.

If he can't do any better than today he is toast. I hope he runs his money because he and Moore got AWOL out. I like him but it seems too many others don't. Politics is just like that. Its called democracy.

ABB.

[King of New Orleans]

5. Well, there's the problem

You should have voted for Clark yesterday. Then the vote would have counted.
:)

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. lol

[Renew Deal]

7. Clark doesn't have serious union backing.

Also Clark is a new politician. I think people know the other much better.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Iowa. eom

[John_H]

9. You seem to be focused on this, Ludwig, posting twice on the issue

so here's an answer. He didn't campaign there, and, not being the benificiary of the I-vote-for-whever's-winning bounce did not perform as well as Kerry who did.

Since Dean in 0-9 and out of the race, I havn't paid him much thought.