Clark switchers... Coming from USA today

[Renew Deal]

Some think this is orchestrated on DU. I guess not...

Clark closes in on Dean's lead as many consider switching votes
By Andrea Stone, USA TODAY

Retired general Wesley Clark's military credentials and disciplined manner are attracting some Democrats who had been leaning toward Howard Dean for their party's presidential nomination.

Clark's unexpected surge in this week's USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll, twinned with Dean's constant battering from rivals, has put them just 4 percentage points apart, within the poll's margin of error. Clark also moved into second place Wednesday in a New Hampshire poll. As a result, several candidates expanded their attacks Wednesday to include the former NATO commander.

"I was somewhat impressed with Dean, but I think progressively I have changed my mind because he seems to be so angry. I'm much more impressed with Clark, his demeanor," said Sharon Nollette, 57, an engineer from Spokane who plans to vote for Clark in Washington's Feb. 7 primary. "Unlike Dean, he comes across in a manner that is respectful."

Ken White, 64, of Hampton, N.H., was a Dean supporter but is leaning toward Clark in his state's pivotal Jan. 27 primary. "I still like (Dean), but I don't think he can beat (President) Bush," said the retired market research executive.
<snip>

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2004-01-08-clark-dean_x.htm

[windansea]

1. seniors vote

in droves..this is good!

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. The more they see Clark

the more votes he will have. There's no comparison between those two candidates.

[wndycty]

3. D'oh!

:kick:

[adamrsilva]

4. People have been told for over half a year that Dean can't win

by Republicans and Democrats alike. It is natural the public has started believing, just liked they believe Saddam was behind 9/11.

[KittyWampus]

8. The Media Has Been Fawning Over Dean

without bothering to delve into his record or focusing on his words...

until recently...

Why do you think so many people talked about Dean's "Teflon".

I guess it may be wearing off... although they still talk about him incessantly on TV.

[Clark4Prez]

5. Whooo hooo!

Well the up and downs of this campaign are on the upswing now.

I remember reading something here on DU back in December when Clark's polling numbers were in the toilet. They said that toward the end of the month and starting in January, when we would see a strong change of position.

I think we are seeing it, will it last, I guess we'll have to stay tuned right after a word from our sponsor.

[Ivote]

7. THIS IS JUST

the start of something big.
www.brevardforclark.com

[webkev]

6. Great News

number one item on google US news too

finally a bit of coverage..sheesh

[Democrats unite]

9. I posted in an earlier thread that the poll numbers were going to...

Change for the better for Clark, of course certain people here dismissed it and said it won't happen.

[killbotfactory]

10. The corporate media just LOVES Clark,

Marching orders from Rove, obviously.

:tinfoilhat:

[jmaier]

12. LOL

It's been hard to dredge up a genuinely positive article on Clark's chances now for about 2 months -- he's been ignored on IP, Crossfire, etc. in the general political coverage.

He has a good bounce and gets some short-term publicity and now there is a "conspiracy." It's a rather laughable premise.




Wes Clark. He will make an extraordinary American President.

[killbotfactory]

14. Everytime Dean gets a positive article, it's called a repub conspiracy

I'm just following the logic of others...

[jmaier]

18. That's

innovative and constructive.

[Democrats unite]

13. Free publicity great!

eom

[Clark Campaigner]

11. I would like to believe this, but I'm cautious

Clark has always been competitive with Dean in national polls.
But we don't decide the nominee in a national popular vote election.
And I believe a lot of those Clark supporters in such national polls aren't neccessarily registered Democrats who will be voting in the primaries.

Dean still maintains his lead in the early primary states, and he continues to pick up key endorsements. So we in the Clark camp cannot let these silly USA Today polls allow us to become over-confident or complacent. They're pretty meaningless where it matters and we have much work still to do.

[Jerseycoa]

19. There's something happening

But I agree getting too comfortable with polls is a chump's game. It's fun and all, but it can turn on a dime.

[MIMStigator]

15. Clark switcher here

not the only one

[Donna Zen]

16. Hey...you came back!

Great

[moz4prez]

21. but you switched to Dean a few hours ago!

Clark's campaign was "too elitist," remember?

[Clark4VotingRights]

17. All kinds of good columns today, for a change.

I could get used to this.

[Tatiana]

20. It's starting to scare me.

But I must admit, it's nice to hear some positive news about the Clark campaign.

[Kahuna]

28. The media is taking Clark seriously now. What choice do..

they have? Dean is making the gaffes now, not Clark. Clark has raised a lot of money. Clark does have GOOD domestic policy proposals which are being copied by other candidates. Clark has been working his butt off. Clark has been attacked and derided from every direction and has kept his composure. It's about time they give him a break.

[neverforget]

22. my dad switched his support from Gephardt to Clark last week.

He just came to the conclusion that Clark has what it takes to beat *. No conspiracy there.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

23. My Republican brother was even saying semi-nice things about Clark

That he has "class" and is intelligent. He says he can see how Clark could get some Republican's votes.

[maddezmom]

24. thanks for posting!

Clark is connecting and picking up support from all over. :)

[bitchkitty]

25. Okay -

When Clark declared, a sudden influx of newbies who, like Clark, claimed to be Democrats, came in and started trashing Dean mercilessly.

You can alert on this post, I don't care. But I do not believe the agenda or the silly anecdotes of a good percentage of the Clark people, just like I don't believe Clark.

[Kahuna]

27. BK- If you've been keeping up with the trends on DU...

you would have seen posts from many, many, many DUers who have announced a switch from Dean to Clark on a daily basis for months now. It always amazes me how Dean supporters always deny what has been a trend on DU for the past six months.

Clark is a sincere, engaging and charasmatic man who has put himself out their to correct many wrongs of the bush gang. He was drafted by people who believed in him and he has not let us down.

[bitchkitty]

30. Actually, what I've noticed

is that nearly all of the Dean bashers have very low post counts. Trend, my ass. It's a trend all right, but a trend toward something else entirely.

[bitchkitty]

31. Actually, what I've noticed

is that nearly all of the Dean bashers have very low post counts. Trend, my ass. It's a trend all right, but a trend toward something else entirely.

[in_cog_ni_to]

26. Nice article.

It's nice to see Wes is finally getting the coverage he deserves. Thanks for posting this!

Go Wes! :bounce:

[DarkSim]

29. Clark

yeah its about time clark gets some popularity. it seems like the meadia has been shunning him a bit too much.