Only Two of the Candidates Ran Effective Campaigns: Dean & Clark

[David Zephyr]

Only two candidates have shown that they know how to build winning state by state organizations, sign up hundreds of thousands of volunteers, raise money from scratch, catch the media's attention over and over, and consistently draw larger and larger crowds to their events: Dr. Howard Dean and General Wesley Clark.

Whatever advantages that the long-time career politicians, Representative Richard Gephardt and Senators John Kerry and Joseph Lieberman may have once had are now yesterday's news. Gephardt has been reduced staking his entire campaign now on the single Iowa caucus since most polls show him with as little as 2% in the second contest in New Hampshire. Kerry, who seemed to have the name, the money, the endorsements and the "staff" is now reduced to mortgaging his home while Lieberman has pulled out of Iowa and asking his staffers to go without pay.

Even Dennis Kucinich --- who has run an admirable campaign with little funding and little to no help from the media --- has done a far better job at organizing a national campaign than these three former "front runners"!

When one considers that back in February Dr. Dean was sitting as low as 2% in the national polls, had little to no endorsements, no money, no name recognition and very little organization just ten short months ago, one has to credit the former Governor with the ability to run a very effective campaign.

Dean's ability to run a national campaign organization and set the agenda of the debate is only matched by that of the late-comer Clark who has also exceeded all expectations with a sterling campaign organization.

It is easy to understand and even sympathize with the growing frustrations of those who have given their hearts, time and money to the Washington insiders and favored Party show horses like Lieberman, Kerry and Gephardt. What greater signals of pending failure could a candidate possibly send to his supporters as we approach the Iowa and New Hampshire contests than that of publicly firing their entire campaign staff management as Kerry and Lieberman have recently done? Or what greater show of weakness and loss of self-control could any candidate reveal to his supporters than that of Gephardt's despicable televised ad in Iowa using the face of Osama bin Laden to strike out at a fellow Democrat?

If Lieberman, Kerry and Gephardt, who with all many advantages they enjoyed this time last year, have run such embarrassingly inept campaigns, could one actually believe for a moment that they would do better when asked to compete with an incumbent President of the United States?

Criticize away all you may wish against Dr. Dean and General Clark, but they have shown how to organize, manage a national political campaign where these three others have failed.

[Myra]

1. Kucinich is actually being sabatoged by the media, esp ABC/MSNBC

Campaign donations are the best revenge for us right now...

[David Zephyr]

4. Are You.....

supporting Clark or Kucinich?

[JohnKleeb]

7. She says she donates to both

Hell heh I dont know. BTW there are people like Myra, who support two candiates equally. I know of one who really likes DK and Kerry.

[David Zephyr]

9. Well, I've Given to Kucinich and Dean Thus Far.

So, I have a lot in common with Myra.

[JohnKleeb]

17. yeah

not sure but there are some who support two people. I wasn't sure where she leaned either,

[Myra]

37. Oh, sorry, my avatar makes it confusing. I like Kucinich and Clark.

And I give to both campaigns and am on both mailing lists, etc.

I wish we could have dual avatars.

[JohnKleeb]

39. You can do what I do with Ireland

:)

[juajen]

21. Gee, I am never remembered

I, also, support Clark and Kucinich. Will be sending both some bucks in January. They're both great guys in my book.

[David Zephyr]

24. Well, You Are Now, Juajen!

:hi:

[JohnKleeb]

26. how should I remember everyone?

:hi: sorry
Theres plenty of Dean/Kucinich people too. I am just having a chuckle that people who often disagree on the frontrunners often find common ground in that Dennis Kucinich is a great guy with some damn good views. It's funny IMO yet sad.

[David Zephyr]

29. Kucinich Rocks!

I'll even get out my "prayer rug" for Dennis to show better in Iowa and New Hampshire than expected. :hi:

[JohnKleeb]

31. I am hoping to do a booyah to everyone

I think its gonna be a pleasant suprise for everyone that he will do better than expected. Not saying we will win :D though that would be the sweet, but I think we will do well.

[Myra]

38. JohnKleeb; it is sad if they like/give up on Kucinich at the same time

I'm not brushing Kucinich aside for another candidate; I like and support two candidates. If they could both win I'd be thrilled!

[JohnKleeb]

41. No I mean there are people who do what you do

contribute to both. I find it noble.

[Myra]

47. Ok, how's this motif?

I'm road testing it.

[JohnKleeb]

49. sweet

I dont care, looks good.

[Myra]

40. I'm normally not either juajen. I must've pissed people off lately.

That makes a lasting impression.

[WiseMen]

20. Both Dean & Clark MO from Media Attention on "JOIN A MOVEMENT" Tactics

Both Dean and Clark acquired their support bases and massive media attention by joining existing movements.

Dean jumped onto the grass-roots anti-IracWar movement. Much of Dean's present postions have been shaped by his new role of representing the movement's sentiments.

Clark was drafted by the not-Dean movement that sought a high-profile anti-war general that could give more credible leadership on Iraq and the "War on Terror."

[David Zephyr]

30. Who Are You Supporting, WiseMen.

There's some truth in what you write, but the fact is that both of these candidates have their own superb campaign organizations...theirs, not someone else's.

[WiseMen]

44. I agree. Good Campaigns. But External forces drove relative prominence

[wndycty]

2. "ran"

This thing is still in play and there is a lot that can change.

[David Zephyr]

6. Edited: JohnKleeb's Corrected Me.

Wndycty, things can change, but I doubt it at this point.

I think Clark made a minor mistake by not playing in Iowa. I think now it appears that he would have done well there.

On Edit: JohnKleeb pointed out to me that you were behind Clark and I had thought you were with Kerry. Apologies.

[JohnKleeb]

8. wndy is a Clark supporter David

[David Zephyr]

10. You Are Very Right.

And thank you for pointing this out.

[wndycty]

11. Yes I am all Clark all the time. . .

LOL

[wndycty]

12. Just think about this. . .

While everybody is busting ass in Iowa, guess who is manning the store in New Hampshire!

[David Zephyr]

13. It Isn't Gephardt.

Clark is going to quickly become the "alternative" to Dean after New Hampshire which will bode him well as the Primaries move south.

[wndycty]

15. That what I was saying. . .

. . .while everybody is pissing on each other in Iowa, Clark can pick up some much needed ground in New Hampshire to make a strong showing in second. Do you remember the last time a Rhodes Scholar from Arkansas finished second in New Hampshire?

[David Zephyr]

19. The Race Will Narrow After NH and More So After SC and AZ

Then the battle will be between Clark and Dean.

Clark's challenge will be to overcome these critical factors from that point on:

1.) Dem Primary voters are very, very liberal (anti-war, choice, gay rights, green, etc.) and these voters will tilt more towards Dean.

2.) Dean has lots and lots of money without restrictions, whereas Clark is now limited to the rules of "matching funds" requirements.

3.) Dean is leading in almost every single major statewide poll.

Clark's popularity will be greater with those who don't tend to vote in Primaries, so he and his organization will have to GOTV state by state to overcome Dean's advantages.

Dean's greatest challenge will come when Bill Clinton, not Hillary, either formally or informally gives the nod to Clark. I've said this will happen and it will.

This will be a nail biting contest that may go all the way to Boston. And there is still a long and winding road of potential screw-ups by both.

In any event, it will soon be a two horse race.

[Ardee]

48. subject to change

As Lieberman ,Gephardt, Edwards and Kerry drop from the race the picture will surely change.I dont know how much support Kucinich will gain (my fingers toes and eyes are firmly crossed) but surely Clark will be the major benefactor here......

[cally]

3. I agree

but I also think that much of their success is the American preference for outsiders. Washington insiders have a difficult time running for office.

Dean, especially, is running a wonderful campaign. He seems to know what will work for the Democratic base. I think Clark's campaign is going great now, but he did stumble in the beginning. I think Clark is the only one who actually benefitted from the debates, though. You could almost see him trying to learn during the early debates. Now, he seems to be much better at the soundbytes and short answers.

[David Zephyr]

14. They Are Both "Washington Outsiders"

And you make a good point with this.

And they are the only two candidates who have high level "executive experience" which perhaps translates into why they are able to run their campaigns so well where the other are failing.

[KittyWampus]

16. Watching Clark Learn How To Campaign Is Amazing

and also how to debate (media style) and handling the mediawhores... that alone has been the most exciting thing for me.

Clark's MO seems to be not to worry about stumbling or messing up at first... but to just go out there and do it. It's better to make a gaffeat the beginning as you test the waters then later on when you're in the middle of a performance.

This is how I teach my students to do their artwork.. Many people are intimidated by the "blank canvas". Too afraid to mess up to actually get started. Once you're past the inertia such angst can bring... ANYTHING is possible. Just got to get moving and find a groove! :)

Plus Clark manages to excel while maintaining a likeability factor.

[David Zephyr]

23. Too Afraid to Mess Up "

Excellent observation!

And you know, the American people understand that people screw up from time to time. Good grief they've excused the Chimp for just about everything possible.

Your point about Clark's lack of worry about "stumbling or messing up" is a good one and is also applicable to Dean when you think about it. Dean truly messed up with his "confederate flag" statement (although, in fairness, his earlier and more comprehensive statements clearly presented his thinking more clearly) and yet, he just kept on going like the energizer bunny.

[KittyWampus]

42. The Difference Is Clark Learns From His Mistakes

Why did Dean keep using the Confederate Flag line? Why did it take him so long to disavow it?

Dean also walked TWICE right into the stupid mistake of citing Junior's lack of Foreign Policy Experience to justify his own lack thereof.

And the first time Dean did that was during a debate when Kerry then countered with "we elect a President not a Staff".

On Dean's part, I think this either shows either arrogance, rigidity or callousness.

[Tatiana]

5. I agree.

Dean, Clark, and Kucinich have an enormous amount of fight in them. And coincidentally, I think they are the ones who are really taking it to Bush in a way that has the power to influence the American sheep.

I still believe Kerry is most qualified for the job. Qualifications, the candidates who would probably effect the most change in this country are Dean, Clark, and Kucinich. Unfortunately Kucinich doesn't have a realistic shot at gaining the nomination. So that leaves Dean and Clark. It will be a race to finish between those two. I just wonder how things would look if Clark had entered the race earlier.

Does Clark have what it takes to win this thing down the stretch (i.e. Southern primaries)? Or are we going be facing the confusion of not having a clear nominee going into the convention.

Only time will tell.

[David Zephyr]

25. Tatiana Says: Dean & Clark. It will be a race to finish between those t

You're right.

[juajen]

27. Judging on what people are saying down here

At least the ones I come in contact with, from dems, pubs and indep and greens, Clark can win Louisiana. We are pretty damn south here, and he is really well liked. Not so, Gov. Dean.

[Tatiana]

36. Same deal in Arkansas.

Clark has a TREMENDOUS presence there. He owns that state. But I think Dean has a bigger presence in states like Georgia and Florida at this point.

This one is gonna go down to the wire.

[KoKo]

18. Well, I'm Dean/Kucinich and Moseley-Braun. I only gave to D/K...and

feel guilty I didn't give to M-B. I only have so much funds to spread around. She deserved better.

I would have supported Kerry. Before his IWR vote, he had me. I thought, the guy is a "given" he gave an incredible environmental speech in October (I think) 2002, before the big push in Iraq and I was gasping for air it was such a powerful speech.

But, then Kerry voted. And for folks like me glued to C-Span and listening to Sen. Byrd giving the list of all the WMD/Chem/Bio we had given to Saddam with the batches, dates of transfer, and amounts and yet he kept saying "WHY NOW...WHY the RUSH?" and the arguments by Kennedy, Levin and others on the Senate floor, we said "Kerry HOW COULD YOU vote for this Resolution.

I could have forgiven him even then, but his Harley thing after the "Flyboy Chimp" incident and all his flubs after just turned me off him totally.

Clark, is a "Johnny Come Lately" to me. He hasn't earned his "political stripes" even though he's earned his "battle" ones. I just don't see him as a "real" candidate. I think he's sincere in many ways but as Molly Ivans' has said: (paraphrase) he needed to start with running for school board before thinking he was due the Big Prize. I cannot in good conscience be all enthralled with a former General who decides he wants to be President after retiring and making millions in three or four years sitting on Company Boards. (Given what average Americans have been swindled out of by these "multiple Board positions" by former Govt. Officials and Corporate Gadflys, I can't have any faith that Clark gets what the "average" America is about.)

So, it's Dean/Kucinich, for me. I will support ABB, but Dean is probably the one, since I know Kucinich isn't getting the press attention he deserves. And, Moseley-Braun, could have been an "interesting" pick..if we could have focused on her. But as an African-American Female, she was definitely the longest shot...On Edit: Sharpton was the really "longest" shot, but M-B second.

I think we had good candidates and that they've not gotten the attention they deserved is the sign of the Corporate take over of the Media. Nine of them! Something for everyone!

Agree, David, that the front runners didn't meet expectations, and that might mean the "budding" of a new movement in America. That Dems see that "all is not right in the house" and some "renovations" are in order. I hope the person who's up for it makes it in can get the construction folks on the job. :-)'s

[KittyWampus]

22. Well, Since Dean Has Only Just Come Out As A Liberal

I think HE'S the one who should run for schoolboard... just to see if he really IS a Liberal or if he's still the Right leaning moderate that h is actual record of Governor shows him to be.

Actions speak louder than words.. and Dean's past actions don't jive with his current rhetoric.

[Bucky]

32. Dammit, CryingShame, this was a positive thread till you dissed the Doc

I'm a Clarkie all the way down to my camo jock strap and don't-tread-on-me latex conDem, but there's no need to poke a hole in our opponents every damn time their names are mentioned. Jeeze.

[David Zephyr]

33. LOL!

Cryingshame is alright with me, but I appreciate your desire to keep this upbeat). :hi:

[KittyWampus]

43. Sorry Bucky.. Just Responding To KoKo

I will TRY harder to be more circumspect.

[David Zephyr]

28. KoKo Baby, You Have Become Such a Radical.

I'll have you singing the Internationale someday! OK, just kidding!

Your post makes a lot of sense, but I do think you are shortchanging Clark's popularity (we've already gone round and round on this, haven't we?).

In any event, I like what you wrote about the "budding of a new movement" within the Party and America.

I think when Dean heads South he's going to turn conventional wisdom on its head as he appeals to Southerners.

[KoKo]

45. ROFL, David.....always been a radical, but a "cover it up" to fit in with

the crowd! :D

[Tom Rinaldo]

34. This really is a postive thread

A real treat to find one now and them. I very much am in agreement with the basic premise. To reach back to an old Dylan song, this really has been one of those "and you know something is happening, but you don't know what it is, do you, Mr. Jones?" type years for the traditional politics Democratic Party Establishment types.

[David Zephyr]

35. It's Postively Fourth Street, Tom Rinaldo!

And you, Mr. Rinaldo are one of the best new things at the DU. I'm back from a very bad case of the flu for nearly a week.

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

[KoKo]

46. Kerry got "bad advice" from advisors who urged him to vote "Yes" on IWR.

and he toadied and listened to the "Experts" just like Gore did in 2000 and where has it gotten him?

At some point candidates can be "over-advised" where they seem to pander more to their "handlers/political operatives" than to the American People. They don't want to bother..they are short of time, and the "political consultants" (Kingmakers, if you will) become more important that "WE, THE PEOPLE!"

So Kerry digs himself into a "similar"hole that Gore did in 2000 by being "over-orhestrated" and he "falls on his butt." He does "Harley Fly Boy" after voting on IWR, and he tries to do a "Macho Image" to counteract Bush.

Dean, OTHO, has been true to "himself" whether you like him or not or think he's too "angry" or not. He really isn't "Controlled" and shoots off his hip. But, Americans just love the Chimp and Dean might be the most appealing to those who appreciate "men who aren't controlled."

It just depends on whether the "shooter from the hip" is a Dem or a Repug. I, personally would trust the Dem who shoots more than the Repug!" At least with the Dem, I have a chance to survive. :D

[kerry-is-my-prez]

50. Question: Why do many Dean supporters call him Dr. Dean instead of

Gov. Dean? I don't think it's a good idea. I'm more impressed with the Governor part - there's a LOT of Doctors and very few Governors. In addition, being a Governor is a good thing when it comes to Presidential politics.

Also, many people have bad opinions of Doctors - maybe I only see that because I was in the Health Care field. I think of most Doctors as often being rather arrogant and hard to work with. They also have a tendency to be intelligent in more of a "geeky/medical" way and NOT in a common sense way. Dean seems to have overcome a lot of those issues - so I don't know if calling him "Doctor" really helps him much.

Can someone explain why a lot of people insist upon that title?