Late-starter Clark begins to mobilize crowds, polls

[wndycty]

Late-starter Clark begins to mobilize crowds, polls

By Jill Zuckman
Tribune national correspondent
Published January 8, 2004

PETERBOROUGH, N.H. -- The general finally is commanding an audience.

After a poor start to his presidential campaign, retired Gen. Wesley Clark has found his voice, along with Howard Dean-size crowds and growing poll numbers.


While Clark traverses the Granite State, promising voters a higher standard of leadership, one New Hampshire tracking poll and a rival campaign's internal poll show he has eclipsed Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) for second place here. A Gallup poll has Clark, who entered the race less than four months ago, nipping at Dean's heels nationally.
-snip-

In what may be considered the ultimate tip of the hat to Clark's growing strength, Dean staffers passed out fliers to rally-goers as they arrived, questioning Clark's Democratic credentials and his anti-war convictions. Clark, a first-time candidate for office, said, "I guess that's what you would expect from professional politicians."
-snip-

And he always manages to throw out a little red meat for the party faithful.

"I don't think patriotism means dressing up in a flight suit and prancing around a flight deck," he tells voters eager for criticism of President Bush.
-snip-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0401080300jan08,1,5137036.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. You gotta LOVE this guy!

On Dean flier questioning whether he's a Democrat...Clark, a first-time candidate for office, said, "I guess that's what you would expect from professional politicians." and then his zinger for Bush.

CLASSIC CLARK SMACKDOWN! Go, Wes!

[Soul On Ice]

2. Interesting article.

I liked:

"If you're like me, you want to find a candidate you like and you want to find a candidate who can win," former state Sen. Mark Fernald told a standing-room-only crowd Wednesday at the town hall in this picturesque town at the foot of the Monadnock Mountain. "You're going to find out that with Wesley Clark, you get both in the same package."

In what may be considered the ultimate tip of the hat to Clark's growing strength, Dean staffers passed out fliers to rally-goers as they arrived, questioning Clark's Democratic credentials and his anti-war convictions. Clark, a first-time candidate for office, said, "I guess that's what you would expect from professional politicians."

Thanks for the post!

[maddezmom]

3. good article

there are still lots of undecides for Clark to grab a hold of for the primary. :)

[BootinUp]

4. Great news for Clark

He is gaining incredible momentum and just at the right time. This does not bode well for Dean. As for the attacks by the Dean staff, this story about whether Clark is a real Democrat was nationally aired last October, I do not think voters are still worried about that. They have been checking him out for a few months and are ready to accept him.

[democratreformed]

5. I was in Peterborough

during my trip with the convoy (Dec 5 - 9). My daughter and I visited the historical society's museum and visited around town.

So exciting to see this kind of news.

[John_H]

6. Tick Tick Tick, Uncle KKKarl

Look what's happening when people start to pay attention---and they've only just started to pay attention.

Better start thinking about some new issues.....wait, ain't got none? How does it feel to be on your way out the door?

[Larkspur]

7. Clark is taking over Kerry's famous line, "Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean"

Wesley Clark has found his voice, along with Howard Dean-size crowds and growing poll numbers.

And Clark still trails way behind Dean in NH.

It's a few weeks before their primary and as would be expected, more people are tuning into the Prez race and doing what citizens, at least undecided but civic minded citizens, should be doing, evaluating canidates.

[Clark4Prez]

9. Dean falling Clark rising in NH tracking poll

The poll numbers are quite interesting on the subject of NH

3-Day Results Jan 2-4 Jan 3-5 Jan 4-6 Jan 5-7

Braun 0% 0% 0% 0%
Clark 12% 14% 16% 18%
Dean 39% 37% 36% 35%
Edwards 3% 3% 3% 3%
Gephardt 6% 6% 6% 6%
Kerry 14% 14% 13% 12%
Kucinich 2% 2% 2% 2%
Lieberman 6% 7% 7% 8%
Sharpton 0% 0% 0% 0%
Other 1% 1% 0% 0%
Undecided 17% 16% 17% 16%

Clark over the last three days has jumped 6 points (that's 50% for those of you keeping score at home), where as Dean has dropped 4 points (or 10% drop in three days).

http://americanresearchgroup.com/nhpoll/demtrack/

[Clark4VotingRights]

8. Thanks for the link wndycty

BTW, as people probably know, the Chicago Tribune is very right wing.
...I miss Mike Royko.

[Clark Can WIN]

10. Clark events

Have been running way above capacity. The fact that he represents a clear option for a succesful election and a President we can be proud of.

[kayleybeth]

11. Great article

GO WES GO!