What if Clinton endorsed Clark in the primary and he lost?

[dansolo]

The asumption seems to be that Clinton will endorse Clark and that endorsement would carry Clark to the nomination. Consider the possibility that Clinton were to endorse Clark, and yet Dean managed to win the nomination anyway. Wouldn't that effectively marginalize Clinton's influence? I don't see Clinton wanting to risk his political capital by endorsing anyone until it is pretty much decided. He is far to smart, and cautious, to take that kind of risk.

[Democrats unite]

1. What if Dean loses the nomination

What will that say to Gore's credibility?

[dansolo]

5. Gore has already endorsed someone

I was merely addressing the speculation of a Clinton endorsement, and why I didn't think it was likely.

[quinnox]

7. It will blow his credibility

But I'm not sure he has much credibility left, most Dems only get one chance at the brass ring.

I think Gore is done, as far as running for any political office in the future is concerned. He probablly knows this, so this explains his trying to exert some influence over the race.

[last1standing]

18. It'll say the same thing.

That's why it was so important that he did it. You may not like Gore, but he stands up for what he sees as the right thing to do.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Big Dog is using Clark

because the only thing Big Dog wants is to go back to the White House as the First Mate.

Big Dog's mistake is thinking that Clark is one that can be manipulated.

[Lefta Dissenter]

10. You've been watching too much Faux! (eom)

[IndianaGreen]

13. I don't watch Faux, and I barely watch CNN or MSNBC

As a matter of fact, I don't believe the American media unless there is corroboration from the British press or AFP.

I also don't believe that a candidate avatar can be taken at face value, only the poster's history.

[janx]

3. If Clinton endorsed Clark--as some are suspecting he will--

Clark probably wouldn't lose.

[CMT]

4. remember a Clinton endorsement is no guarantee

just as a Gore endorsement is no guarantee of electoral success. Clinton's track record campaigning for and endorsing Democratic candidates since he left office is decidedly mixed--same as Gore's.

Bottom line is if the Democrats win the WH in '04 Bill Clinton's influence will be marginalized. And that is the way it should be--Bill had his chance and now a new president would be leading the way.

[BeyondGeography]

6. What if Clark beats Dean

in Tennessee? Will Gore finally move back inside the Beltway where he's most at home?

[janx]

8. Interesting question.

.

[Cheswick2.0]

19. what if Clark loses the nomination

will he return to lobbying for the military industrial complex where he is most comfortable?

[KittyWampus]

20. Assinine Statements Like This

make using ignore so much more attractive.

[Closer]

27. I'm sorry, did

someone just post something there? I just see blank space.

Cheswick: Good one! ;-)

[Tinoire]

9. Clinton is too smart to endorse anyone openly before the Primaries r over

Instead he has actively been working behind the scenes to propel Clark. Slick & smart. I am sorry Clinton doesn't have better things to do with his time but you can't really blame the guy- it's human nature.

[janx]

12. You may be right. Stealth might be the best tactic now.

Big Dog, working quietly behind the scenes...

[JNelson6563]

26. good points

I've mulled the same thoughts myslef.

Julie

[Jim Sagle]

11. Kewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!

[imhotep]

14. Why would a puppet master

offically endorse the puppet?
Clinton is too machiavellian to burn his own popularity capital.

[IndianaGreen]

17. Clark is no one's puppet

Clinton thinks he can manipulate Clark, as he manipulated so many people before. It won't work!

There is nothing in Clark's record that indicates that he is the sort of man that can be manipulated or made a fool of, by anyone.

Big Dog's pathetic efforts to influence the 2004 nomination are merely a symptom of the Clintons' ambitions.

[Cheswick2.0]

15. Well if I were going to base my choice on endorsements alone

Dean would have to get my support. Between Clinton and Gore, I prefer the policies and personality of Gore.
That is not to say that Clinton doesn't also get my loyalty. I have been sending money to his presidential library campaign for several years.

[Jerseycoa]

16. Not my assumption

I agree that Clinton will back the eventual nominee.

[NV1962]

21. Good question

I think that'd be disastrous.

As you put it: "He is far to smart, and cautious, to take that kind of risk."

But I also think there's another reason why Clinton is moving discreetly, at this point.

To begin with, I don't really believe Clinton has an intrinsic problem with Dean's candidacy - other than that Howard Dean represents a formidable challenge.

Then, Al Gore already cast his voice/vote in support of him. I don't think this is a "casual" or "coincidental" thing: aside from making a "strong statement" (perhaps to compensate Gore's overly cautious approach in 2000) it might very well be a carefuly calculated move, aimed at delivering a "double-stroke whammy" to the GOP's guy.

So, if and when Clinton will announce his backing -- which I expect to be in support of Clark, provided he survives the primaries -- I'm sure that it'll be carefully timed and deliverd in such a manner so as not to further stimulate the phony "Dean and Clark are enemies" myth, which I suspect is propagated mainly by closet bushistas.

Either way, Clinton doesn't place losing bets. He'll back the winner - as will I, without reserve, whomever the final Democrat nominee is.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

22. Myth

I think you are right about the Dean and Clark are enemies is a myth. Both gentlemen appear to be the strongest contenders for the nomination, and it would be in Bush's interests to help keep up the myth. Personally, I'd like to see them running together against Bush.

[TexasSissy]

23. The assumption that Clinton will prematurely endorse is no one's

assumption in the Clark community, as far as I know.

It would be improper for him (since he's virtually the leader of the Democratic Party) to endorse anyone before it's clear who the voters want. The idea is for the party to win the general election, not for Clinton's favorite to win the nomination. Clinton is party-oriented. He won't endorse until it's clear who the nominee is, and I, for one, expect him to endorse whoever the nominee is.

[TexasSissy]

24. Clinton will endorse when it's clear who the nominee will be, and

not before. Clinton is totally party-devoted and politically savvy. He will either endorse the nominee, whoever that may be, or keep his mouth shut. He will not prematurely endorse Clark or anyone else, until the voters have spoken.

[jpgpenn]

25. what "IF" grandma had balls?

she would be grandpa!