CNN: Clark vs. Kerry: The ... fight for No. 2

[mzmolly]

"While their aides do battle with chicken wings and Zero candy bars, John Kerry and Wesley Clark campaign above the fray in New Hampshire today as they scramble for second place in the first-primary state.

While everyone continues to monitor the larger fight between front-runner Howard Dean and his '04 Dem rivals, a low-profile but equally crucial race is taking place between the four-term senator and the four-star general, who polls show could overtake Kerry as No. 2 in the Granite State. Since the headline in New Hampshire on January 27 won't be Dean's first-place finish (assuming he does win), we predict it'll be No. 2 who approaches February 3 with a powerful wind at his back."

I think one of these guys needs to pull out the heavy artillary because only one will compete with Dean... ;)

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/18/mgrind.day.thursday/

[RevolutionStartsNow]

1. I don't know who will come out ahead here

but they are both making me hungry. :)

I think this is the real battle of the primary season. Right before Clark jumped in, speculation was that he would hurt Dean most, but I think it's clear that Clark has taken a lot of support that may otherwise have gone to Kerry as the "anti-Dean."

I predict Clark will come out ahead, he seems to have more broad support than Kerry. But then I wouldn't count Kerry out, he's far more experienced at campaigning than Clark.

[Clark Can WIN]

6. I would skip the zero bars if I were you

First of all does anybody like them? Blech. And then there's the fact that they dug them out of a 20 year old vending machine. :(

Still pretty funny though.

[robbedvoter]

2. Clark did not need to morgage house to finance campaign - money pouring in

OTOH, the press is deliberately keeping these things hidden - they only talk about Kerry and Joe (whl had to ask his staffers to work for free). So, Kerry has the media advantage - pundits are Rove bound not to mention Clark's name.

[GobGoober]

3. I think the press is staying away from clark because of the bottom line

Clark pulls out a second place showing in New Hampshire, the press has a BIG story out of the primaries. Stories that "appear" to come out of nowhere make for more viewership and thus a better bottom line for the media.

If Kerry is a weak second and Clark behind him, all they get is the same ole same ole Dean Dean Dean.

I'm pretty sure the press WANTS Clark to win and will play up the Kerry borrowing money thing for all it's worth because that makes Kerry look like he's foundering.

[KittyWampus]

15. The NYTimes Had A MINISCULE Note Yesterday Re: Lieberman

and his staff taking a payroll deferment.

[mzmolly]

18. Oh that's sad.

:(

[mzmolly]

14. Interesting theory...

:)

[blm]

4. Another Deanie pushing Clark v. Kerry. Big surprise.

.

[Patriot_Spear]

5. It's all over the news- no big deal really...

It's just the primary.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. Also pushing that No. 1 is a forgone conclusion

let's hope for a backlash.

[mzmolly]

9. hoping for backlash...just like your candidate ey?

:P

[Patriot_Spear]

12. Hoping for a fellow Democrat to fail? I don't agree with that at all...

We have a great bunch of candidates! They're all good! I would be ashamed to go negative against anyone of them.

I may disagree with some of their views or parts of their record- But I will NOT hope for their FAILURE!

[mydawgmax]

17. Right now its Dem v Dem.

But it is ok to hope one prevails over the other. This is a primary competition and while we don't want to damager our prospects for november the democrats are currently running against each other. I for one hope my candidate prevails and by definition that comes at the expense of the other democratic candidates.

[Patriot_Spear]

19. This primary should be about policy and ability...

In my opinion, those who sink to mudslinging and 'prophecies of doom' don't do anyone any good but the republicans.

[mydawgmax]

23. I agree.

I agree. But the policy differences at this stage of the campaign are with other democrats. Some of these policy differences are strong, and one candidate policy contrast can be viewed by supporters of another candidate as an attack. Sometimes its clear that it isn't an attack and other times not so clear. I'm not saying there isn't mudslinging and that mudlinging shouldn't be stopped, but one persons policy difference can be another persons mudslinging.

[newyawker99]

26. Hi mydawgmax!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[robbedvoter]

20. Oh, so now we are fellow democrats? Then maybe *D should keep state

spending limits against fellow democrats since he said he was breaking the CFR to be competitive with W!

[Patriot_Spear]

24. You'll need to talk to Kerry about that...

That's why it's an OPTION. I'm sure if Clrk thought he could raise the money he'd have definately gone for the brass ring. But at this point matching funds are about the best he can hope for- and in turn were he to win the nomination he'd be outgunned 4-1 by Bush*; certain doom.

[robbedvoter]

28. Clark knows he can raise the money. He asked all candidates

to accept the state spending limits during the primaries to keep with the spirit of CFR. Apparently, it was the fellow dems, not W they were after.
As far as W, no democrat will have the same money as him - so it's kinda irrelevant.

[Patriot_Spear]

30. I'm sorry I don't think that's the case...

He called on other candidates in a bid to keep them from outgunning him. It was a good try, which failed.

[HFishbine]

29. *

* President.

[LuminousX]

13. Unless something drastic happens

Unless there is something that changes the playing field, #1 in New Hampshire is a foregone conclusions. Iowa is still up for grabs, but since not all the candidates are running there it is New Hampshire that really puts all 9 against each other.

[mzmolly]

8. CNN is a "Deanie" LOL

That's one mighty big tinfoil hat you got there BLM. ;)

[LuminousX]

11. It's the only interesting match up currently

Should it be ignored?

I agree, Clark and Kerry don't deserve any mention in the news.

[Bucky]

22. "Clark and Kerry don't deserve any mention in the news." --sarcasm, right?

It's so hard to tell w/out cute little smilies rolling their eyes for me.

[LuminousX]

25. Definitely sarcasm... (nt)

[Bucky]

27. Def: "1.To exist in actuality; have life or reality. 2.To occupy a specif"

Oh wait. That's the definition of "is".

My bad.

[On the Road]

10. The Battle for '08

Personally, I suspect Dean will win the nomination and beat Bush in November.

But if he does not, the #2 would probablyb be the front-runner for the 2008 nomination. So even if Dean wins, the race for #2 is very meaningful, especially for those who subscribe to the McGovern theory.

[mzmolly]

16. Wow, I never even considered that...

hmmmmmm

[LandOLincoln]

21. I'm a Clarkie, so of course I want and expect him

to best Kerry in NH--but I also want Kerry (and Edwards) to stay in the Senate. We need Kerry and Edwards in the Senate--and DK in the House--a lot more than we need any of them squandering any more time and resources on their futile quests for the presidency.

[dajabr]

31. "futile quests"

I don't think DKs supporters or any of the others see it as futile.

:shrug:

[DFLforever]

32. Hasn't Edwards already decided he's not running again for the Senate

in 2004? It seems a shame to me too but I think he was anticipating
a VP slot with Kerry at the minimum.

[Julien Sorel]

33. Hillary and Gore are out there.

I don't think any of this crop of candidates could compete with them in 08 -- maybe Clark and/or Edwards could, after doing an exceptional job of offseason campaigning. If Dean wins the nomination and loses the election as badly as it looks like, his political career is over. If he doesn't win the nomination, given all the advantages and breaks he had this time around, his political career should be finished. So one way or another, 08 is going to be a radically different campaign than this year.