Gen. Clark Reportedly Asked to Join Dean

[Andy_Stephenson]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/washpost/20030911/pl_washpost/a57770_2003sep10


Talk about an unbeatable combo.

[newsguyatl]

1. OH MY!!!

[paulsbc]

2. Great move

by Dean, I think he realizes Clark would smoke him in the primaries :)

[Hawkeye-X]

Actually it's the other way around but....

Dean really needs Clark to help with foreign issues, and Clark is the perfect guy to do so. Remember, Clark does NOT have any political experience while Dean does, and especially with key experience governing the state of Vermont and knowing his domestic issues very well and has honed them to perfection, and everyone knows that Dean's weakness is foreign affairs. By choosing Clark early in this process and pointing out that this is the man that Dean will depend on for foreign issues, while Clark can really learn how the political process works.

This is a clear win/win situation for both of the men.

I fully support a Dean-Clark ticket.

Hawkeye-X

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. Mistake. Makes Dean look like the neophyte on foreign policy that he is

People vote the top of the ticket, not the Veep. Dean will suffer by comparison. It emphasizes Dean's glaring weakness(es).

[calimary]

23. No, not necessarily. It'd fill in the only blank in Dean's portfolio.

It'd be a fabulous combo. They both buttress each other where each is weak.

on edit - fixed the subject line.

[FubarFly]

24. I think it diminishes it significantly.

When people ask Dean about foreign policy experience he can honestly say he has it covered. A lot of people who would otherwise be hesitant will be will be reassured by Clark's presense. Dean will then be free to focus on his strengths.

Sounds good to me.

:shrug:

[caledesi]

35. Right, they vote the top of the ticket, and Clark complements Dean very

well. He's from Arkansas too.

[unfrigginreal]

25. I don't think that either *needs* the other but they make the perfect fit.

They would both be superior to a Bush campaign. I'm on record supporting either ticket...Dean/Clark or Clark/Dean. I do think that Clark may have waited a little to long to throw his hat into the ring. Dean has now gained National status, and that will be hard for Clark to surmount.

If Clark has the fire in the belly, let him run and see what he can accomplish as far as a campaign...I doubt at this point that I'd abandon Dean though, especially now that the DLC and DNC is coming at Dean with knives drawn.

[Romberry]

31. Every officer that rises...

...to the rank of general has LOTS of political experience. Any officer that makes it to four stars not only has lots of experience, they are good at it.

[IndianaGreen]

41. If you are talking about the politics in the military ranks

It is not the kind of politics I would be bragging about.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

62. absolutely! look at colonostemy Powell!

:eyes:

[caledesi]

34. That's the way I see it Haweye

[FubarFly]

3. Wow.

A Dean/Clark alliance this early would be formidible. Barring serious scandal, perhaps unstoppable. Very interesting news. I can't wait to see how this unfolds.

[phishhead]

4. A very strong ticket

Indeed.

[Ediacara]

5. Dean and Clark are definately up to something

what it is though...... we'll have to wait another week or so.

[janekat]

44. Apparently Clark has always just wanted VP nod....

.... that's the scoop from insiders.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

45. What "Insiders" Are You Talking About?

Inquiring minds, and all that.

DTH

[janekat]

66. there's been a "buzz" about this since Nov 2002....

There had been an article written then about how he might be a VP candidate then.

Then more and more articles and snippets and started to appear about how he'd be the perfect "V.P." candidate - especially for Dean. When you start to hear it THAT much - you know that either the candidate themselves is "putting the word out" or someone else is.

When I heard Lawrence O'Donnell say Clark just wanted to be a VP candidate a couple of weeks ago - I knew it was probably true because he has a lot of connections.

THEN - about a week ago - all 4 or 5 pundits on one of the talking head shows - (can't remember which one) said it with NO hesitation at all -I figured it WAS true...

Like you - I thought he might be a good candidate for Pres. Oh well....

Unless his numbers start to go WAY up - it looks as if he's in the VP slot.

[Kahuna]

60. Could be, a may the best man win pact. Whoever..

loses would be the VP for the other. It's too early for Clark to put all of his eggs in one basket. It's too early for anyone to concede that Dean would win the nomination if Clark doesn't enter. Clark recently said that he is not playing a political game concerning VP intentions and that if he gets involved it will be as a presidential candidate. I hope I can believe him on this.

Dean is too volitile. One of these days he's going to say something stupid that he cannot take back or explain away.++

[Clark Can WIN]

6. They should both run,

Whichever one gets the nom (assuming one does) should take the other one with them.

[FubarFly]

7. Not a bad idea..as long as they are sure they won't split the vote /nt.

[Clark Can WIN]

12. Split the vote? What do you mean?

Only one person can get the Democratic nomination, they should both run for the nom and then whoever gets it should pick the other one up. How is that splitting the vote?

[Ediacara]

19. split the vote of smart thinking dems

so that Lieberman gets a slight majority and wins the nom.

[FubarFly]

20. What if neither gets it because they each take from the others support?

Good idea though. If it seems likely that one is going to win, then the other should drop out.

[w13rd0]

8. Unless of course they are angling...

...at something else, something new, a break from tradition, a bold move...

I wouldn't put it past them. As I've said before, I think we've got some surprises in store for us this election season...

[newsguyatl]

9. the only thing that

worries me about that, is, what if they split the vote and some dolt like lieberman gets the nod... that could very well happen...


i think dean and clark are very much in tune with each others' policies and beliefs, and i think this will weigh heavily on clark's eventual decision.

[dolstein]

11. You mean the way Kerry, Gephardt, Lieberman and Edwards

are splitting the vote, allowing some dolt like Dean to get the nomination?

[newsguyatl]

13. amm, yeh, man, just like that

:freak:

[FubarFly]

15. Exactly. What a sharp knife you are.

All the other knives in the drawer must be proud of you.

;-)

[newsguyatl]

16. LOL

:-)

[Ediacara]

38. some dolt?

that dolt is getting huge crowds and support because of his positions and his attitude, not because of his many opponents. If it were Kerry vs Dean vs Lieberman, Dean would still lead the pack.

[Starpass]

64. dolstein - hahahahahaha n/t

[Kahuna]

61. I think that if Clark runs, Lieberman is toast. So..

I wouldn't worry about Lieberman getting the nomination. If Clark runs, he takes most of Lieberman and Graham supporters, and he takes at lease 25% of everyone else's support.

[arcos]

10. that would be SO cool! n/t

[arcos]

14. Let's rate it 5!!

Its current average rating is 4.39 with 13 votes.

[jab105]

17. DO IT!! Pleease!!

I'll go crazy if I have to choose between the two of you...join up guys, please...it's for OUR COUNTRY!!

[calimary]

21. Holy Mother of Pearl, Dean comes up with great ideas.

I was hoping this kind of thing might happen. Go, Wesley! You WILL BE the new Veep if you do this. You WILL BE the winning ticket. A total dream team - and Clark brings extra oomph to the anti-war position. He's the one who called this "an elective war," not an essential one. Plus, it'd be fun to see him get into the - who-called-you-from-the-White-House-on-9/11-to-connect-the-disaster-to-Iraq scandal!

[caledesi]

36. And what a handsome team! <yeah, I can be shallow>

Crucify me.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

37. I'm shallow too, LOL

These handsome men would put * to shame. Could they look more presidential?

[Buns_of_Fire]

58. Hey, take every small edge you can get.

A team with two relatively good-looking guys vs. a team with one that looks vaguely simian and the other with a perma-sneer -- like I said, it's a small edge. I'll happily take it, if it works out that way.

[Must_B_Free]

22. Wonderful - two politicians I'm unsure about

A militarist and a conservative democrat?

[lifelong_Dem]

27. Would a militarist have opposed the invasion of Iraq?

And would a conservative Democrat be pushing universal health care?

[Must_B_Free]

51. so we're sure these fellers are OK then

I just hopre they don't turn out to be a couple of liars like Bush. I liked what Kucinich had to say and I was hopeful when he was hot. I was real diasppointed to be persuaded that he was unelectable by all the derision.

[lifelong_Dem]

26. There is no decision...

...until Clark decides whether or not he wants to enter the Presidential race. I'd imagine that if Clark runs, he can still join Dean later if he doesn't win the primaries.

I'm still hoping Clark runs for President, but if not, I like this as option B.

[FubarFly]

28. That might be Clark's thinking as well.

Clark is a crafty fellow. He'll keep his options open until he his sure that he is taking the best available path. Clark may want to defeat b*sh more than he wants to be president. A Dean alliance may someday allow him to do both.

[dansolo]

43. It also provides a great platform to become president

Imagine having 8 years of Dean, followed by 8 years of Clark. Though, the way things are going, it will probably take 16 years to undo the damage that Bush manages to do in 4.

[CoffeePlease1947]

29. Here is what I am thinking they are doing:

I think Clark and Dean are making a pact. I think Clark will enter the race. If Dean wins the nomination he will choose Clark as his VP. If Clark wins the nomination he will allow Dean any Cabinet position he wants.

Clark is debating between taking Dean up on his offer to be VP and not have to do much or the other alternative to run and try to beat Dean. I think Clark wants to be President, not the number 2 guy. That is not his style. But he also hates losing, that is not his style either. He is going to be on the ticket. It is just hard to figure out if he can win the nomination over Dean.

I sympathize with Clark. A tough spot. Dean is trying to woo Clark so he will decide to be VP rather than have to face a major oppoent that can possibly defeat him.

I think Clark should run and take the VP slot if he doesn't win the nomination. I also think that is the best shot for him. But damn, Clark hates to lose.

Mike

[Renew Deal]

32. Hard to judge...

Today there is news about two new endorsements for Clark and an appearance in DC for October. It is hard to believe that he is not running. I cannot see a situation where Clark will take VP (right away). He has said that he is not doing that repeatedly. Also Dean has some serious problems to deal with. Clark could be promising the Doc a cabinet spot. Dean isn't a good VP for Clark. Small northern state with followers that will support the nominee regardless. I still think that Clark is somewhat on the fence. But then again, he met his future campaign team in AR today. I wish this waiting was over. :beer:

[CoffeePlease1947]

33. Are you losing hair too?

I think you are right. I think Clark doesn't want to be VP either. But I think he has to decide, a possible lose to Dean for the nomination, or a sure victory for number two.

Does Clark hate losing worse than coming in second?

But I agree, he will run and if he loses he will be number 2.

Mike

[Tanketra]

48. If he runs and loses

He's going home, same as Dean, Kerry, Lieberman, etc.

Barring a race close enough to make the convention shaky (which is a possibility, given 10 apparent candidates), I just don't think the VP is going to be a consolation/consolidation pick.

[Tanketra]

47. They're not making a pact like this

Why? Because Dean's not an idiot.

Why would he make a pact with Clark that involves Clark *getting into* the race? He's not going to promise somebody else the VP slot this early, then run against them in the primaries anyway.

I'm sorry, I just don't see him thinking to himself right now, "Gosh, I just don't know what I'm going to do if somebody else is President and I'm not the Secretary of Education."

[RevolutionStartsNow]

30. Hmmmm....

Dean's team is smart enough to strongly consider this, and Clark may be smart enough to know that it's a crowded field already and a big uphill battle. I am still leaning toward thinking that Clark will run, he seems ambitious and he is getting a ton of buzz.

The real danger here, IMO, is for candidates like Kerry (and Gep, maybe) who have been put on their heels a bit by Dean. Dean is the frontrunner and staying there, at least for now. Clark is going to come into the race -- if he does -- with a bunch of support already, and will probably take a nice chunk of the "undecided" vote.

All that being said, it's still early and anything could happen.

Intriguing...

[DoveTurnedHawk]

39. ADDITIONAL INFO

<...>

Still, Dean's advisers hold out little hope that Clark will do anything other than seek the presidency himself.

That sentiment is echoed in Clark's camp. A senior adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Clark has signaled to associates that he is poised to enter the race next week barring last-minute objections from his wife or an unexpected determination that he couldn't mount an effective campaign.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,97024,00.html

For once, I hope they're right!

:bounce:

DTH

[Renew Deal]

40. Faux article on Dean and his friend Clark

http://democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=317679

[RevolutionStartsNow]

42. More info on this

Edit: That's teach me not to refresh before I post! Dupe...


Sorry to quote FOX, but found this:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,97024,00.html

Excerpt:

Still, Dean's advisers hold out little hope that Clark will do anything other than seek the presidency himself.

That sentiment is echoed in Clark's camp. A senior adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Clark has signaled to associates that he is poised to enter the race next week barring last-minute objections from his wife or an unexpected determination that he couldn't mount an effective campaign.

[CoffeePlease1947]

46. Misleading title

It makes it sound like Clark is asking Dean to be his VP. It is Dean asking Clark to be his VP.

Mike

[arcos]

54. that's the title of the original news story...

you should complain to the Washington Post. ;-)

[CoffeePlease1947]

59. I know, I wasn't blaming the poster

I think it is confusing, and can mean two different things.

I would have said: "Reportedly, Dean asked Clark to join his Campaign"

Mike

[DeaconBlues]

49. I almost wish that they would team up

so that the Dean/Clark flame wars would end here at DU.

[Julien Sorel]

50. I can't decide if it's going to get worse

if Clark declares, or not. Sometimes suspense puts people on edge and makes them cranky, and having clarified roles might relax some of the tension. On the other hand, once Clark is in he's a threat to the Deanies, and nobody likes to be threatened.

[arcos]

52. CNN: Clark has "no comment". n/t

[stickdog]

53. Win, win for Dean.

Even if Clark says no, it will be in the back of everyone's mind, including Clark's.

[Julien Sorel]

55. Howard Dean can't lose.

Even when his plans go awry, it works out in his favor. If he loses his ability to waterwalk and falls into the sea, it will only be because he wanted to swim for a while.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

56. Clark and Dean!

That would be my personal choice! President Clark and Vice President Dean!!!

[CMT]

57. I think it would be an unbeatable ticket

eom.

[Starpass]

63. Did you ever think about it this way

(repost from reply to other such post on this page).
Which camp let the reporters know of this meeting??---Clark?? I doubt it. It would have been the Dean camp. Howard said live at end of an interview a few weeks ago when asked about a Clark run that he "hated to have to run against the guy". Could it be the Dean knows he's coming into the race; wants to get associated with Clark and thus try to have people believe that they are exactly the same on all issues; wants people to believe that they can still go ahead and vote for him because he will make Clark his VP, etc. The others have met with Clark and don't have it on page one of a newspaper. I think Dean may be trying to hang on to Clark's coattails and make it look like Clark has to hang onto his. I want to know how the story got out and why a reporter would know what they talked about in a meeting?? Someone had to blab.

[Vis Numar]

65. Which camp let the reporters know of this meeting??

Clarks. The General has friends that have friends in the press...

[sangh0]

67. Silly response

ALL of the candidates have friends in the press.

If you want to know who did something, look to see who benefits. I don't see how this rumor help Clark.

[arcos]

68. It depends... they may be "testing the waters"...

sometimes rumors like this are dropped precisely to gauge public opinion on them. Is the press giving it a lot of attention? what are pundits saying? Are voters getting excited?