Clarkies--something big happening in one week. Reported in NYT

[Gloria]

There have been some rumors about something big coming down the pike...and now, it looks like something IS going to happen in the form of a "big idea."


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/01/politics/campaigns/01DEMS.html?hp

link to page 2 where excerpt is from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/01/politics/campaigns/01DEMS.html?pagewanted=2&hp

Democrats' Plan for Early Nominee May Be Costly
By ADAM NAGOURNEY

Published: January 1, 2004


SNIP
Some campaign officials argued that it remained early in the race, and that there was plenty of time for a candidate to come up with the kind of campaign appeal to take to victory this November.

"I think a lot of this has to do with the calendar," said Eli Segal, the campaign chairman for General Clark, who played a similar role for Mr. Clinton 1992.

"It's very hard to develop substantive ideas to distinguish yourself in the crowd with the rush of early primaries and all these debates," Mr. Segal said. "It's made for commonality of views."

General Clark's communications director, Matthew Bennett, called back later to say that the general would soon break the ice. "Wait one week and we'll have a big idea coming out," Mr. Bennett said. "I can't give it out yet, but it's not quite cooked."

MORE

[Hawkeye-X]

1. First it was the 26th... the 30th..

and now WHAT? Janurary 7th (or 8th) might reveal something? Another delay?

:eyes:

[Bucky]

2. Shouldn't this be posted to Latest Breaking... um, RUMORS.

I'm a little courious. But not a lot. It sounds like he's getting all his supporters ready for some big let down. Hence the quote: "I can't give it out yet, but it's not quite cooked." Sheesh. Just run a damn campaign, guys!


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[RevolutionStartsNow]

3. Hey, what's the big idea?

Sorry, I just wanted to say that!

Seriously, any thoughts on what this is about? I like Big Ideas. When Clinton spoke here last summer, he talked about the importance of having a single unifying campaign message. I don't think it's absolutely necessary in the primary season; the candidates are so close on most issues that you can't simplify it too much, but this will be crucial against Bush.

[Brian_Expat]

4. What would win the White House for Democrats

What Clark should say:

"Fellow Democrats, I have decided that retaking the White House is the most important priority for the Democratic Party. Because of this, I have decided to step down from the nomination race and will join the Dean campaign as Vice Presidential nominee. Effective immediately, I will be heading up the Dean task force on foreign affairs, and look forward to debating Vice President Cheney in a vigorous forum."

[Loren645]

5. This is actually a little annoying Gloria

Why is the Clark campaign announcing that they'll
have an idea in a week? Maybe it'd be better to just
post the idea in a week.

[Gloria]

11. Well, I don't know if it's annoying. It's a bit of a leak. I think it's

revving up supporters. A while back, someone unofficial dropped a comment that something big was going to happen--supposedly had heard about it from an "official" in the campaign. The campaign told everybody to cool it, not get all excited. But the person who dropped the hint was considered to be an honest source, so everything has been bubbling under the surface.

I have no idea what the original rumor was referring to and don't know if this is related to the original gossip. It seems like everything is ready to go, they're just getting ready to deliver whatever it is and Bennett just using the press to build up some speculation.

I think it's sort of fun.

[La_Serpiente]

6. I noticed something

"Dean continues to run essentially a negative campaign, and most of the others except for Edwards are chasing him down that hole," said Bruce Reed, the president of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council and a frequent critic of Dr. Dean. Mr. Edwards has methodically sought to avoid engaging the other candidates.

And that is why I think a lot of people are underestimating Edwards. The only serious time he has been critical of Dean was over the confederate flag thing - and that was it.

I do not support Edwards, but it is possible that he could come back from behind. I know of many people who find his message appealing and think he is a classy sort of guy. And besides, he is contrasting himself between all the other contenders as the guy who is just "nice" and "cordial".

[Brian_Expat]

10. I disagree

Firstly, it was the DLC who attacked Dean relentlessly, back when he became the front-runner (and hadn't said a word about anyone).

Secondly, Edwards was one of the original attackers on Dean, accusing him of being a northeastern liberal who wants to "come down here and tell us what to do." If there's something I really cannot stand in some of the candidates, it's their tendency to play on regional conflicts.

[La_Serpiente]

12. that is why I mentioned the confederate flag issue

that was the only thing that he really criticized Dean over.

But not ever primary goer knows about the DLC. Although many of Edwards statements are a lot more in line with the DLC than Dean, some people don't really care about whether a candidate is being supported by the DLC or not. If they find their demeanor classy, cordial, and good-hearted, then that person just might become the anti-Dean. :-) And besides, it was the DLC who was critical of Dean - not Edwards.

Of course, I think Dean is good-hearted - but one must admit that he is a lot more critical of different groups than Edwards is.

[Brian_Expat]

16. Dean is opinionated

That's why I like him. He doesn't take BS. When your country is under attack, conciliatory gestures are not a good thing. You've got to go on the attack to turn back the right wing.

[La_Serpiente]

17. and a mighty fine good reason to like him

:-)

edit: spelling, too much to drink

[sandnsea]

7. A military coup to kick Bush out???

Go General Go!!! lol

[mouse7]

8. This could only mean one thing...

...Wesley Clark head Pez dispenser fundraiser.

You push back Clark's head and the Pez comes out.

[Walt Starr]

9. Sounds to me more like Clark fouled up by getting into the race so late

:shrug:

[Gloria]

13. Well, we're sort of just at the starting gate now...people are just going

to start focusing. That focus group on CSPAN a week or so ago illustrated that point.

Actually the article points out all the infighting and mentions Gep's healthcare plan as probably the biggest "idea" to come out and that was 8 months ago. The article states that policy distinctions so far in the public view are hard to make out.

We'll see if Nagourney's reporting is really accurate. Nagourney can be a bit biased.

We shall see what all this is about...

[mikehiggins]

14. Hey, come on! We just had a major endorsement ;^)

I'm beginning to think somebodys chain is being yanked.

"A big idea"? "Break the ice?"

Maybe the Big Show is going to endorse the General at the Ice Capades? Who knows?

Come on. Somebody is being spoofed I think.

We'll soon see.

[Hawkeye-X]

15. The Big Show?

You mean this guy?

[mikehiggins]

19. Yeah, exactly. What could be bigger than that?

The guy is what? Seven foot? That's a big an idea as you could want.

[dfong63]

18. he's already given us his "hundred year vision" - what could be bigger?

... maybe a "thousand year vision"?

my guess is it involves international political alliances.

[incapsulated]

20. I know! I know what it is!

"I can't give it out yet, but it's not quite cooked."

Free cupcakes for all Americans! :)

 
 

[Moderator]

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