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VP is not announced until after the Democratic Primaries. So during the primaries themselves, there will be no guarantee that Clark would end up on the ticket after the elections.
For the Democratic party, and in essense for the world to win this one, I believe that Clark must win the Democratic nomination and that his VP pick must be strong on domestic policies and Washington politics and be complimentary to Clark demographically. We must not forget that in order to beat Bush and his Rovenstenian PR media machine and the enormous war chest they will have, we must have the strongest stellar contenter available, i.e., Clark. The giant multinational corporations (including the media) won't allow Bush to lose without putting up the fight of their lives. Wes Clark is the only package that Bush cannot match, including likability and Charisma (Bush's best traits (why, I don't know) very important and key in the US but much discredited by those who should know better). When one reviews the field of the candidates remainding, none will be effective in the way Clark can in beating Bush. Either their Tax package is wrong, their military and foreign experience is lacking, they don't project leadership or they are low in either the likability and/or the Charisma factor. Those who believe that they can have their cake and eat it too (meaning getting rid of Bush and finding a policy eutopia) are not being realistic (although Clark's domestic policies are excellent and most have a better chance getting thru a Republican House and Senate as they would be offered by a nonpartisan). In addition Clark is the only one that can redirect our Military budget spending without being cowed. However, I go back to the number one purpose of this election; to get rid of Bush....anything else would be an extra.
The difference in Clark and the others candidates is that Clark doesn't have to have a bad economy to win. In fact he doesn't even need the war in Iraq to sour too much. What he is offering the country is a new direction altogether that is do-able and rational. He is offering a nuanced America, as it once was. That makes him less suceptible to BushCo media manipulation during the election.
One of the poll questions that has always polled high against Bush is "are we going in the right direction?". The percentages on that question have not favored Bush for a long time.
Wes Clark has the moxie, gravitas and experience that will bring voters in from the widest spretrum in the General Election, including the military (10 million strong in US when you include their families), minorities (in particular Hispanics who he is polling better with than others), security moms, men, Independents/Swing voters, the South, and disenchanted Republicans.
Futhermore, Clark is the only candidate that is a true nonpartisan (just declared a party and has not been politically affiliated)and that increases the coat tails effect needed in the South to win at least a some of the 4 senate seats being vacated by Democrats (Graham/FL, Edwards/NC, Zell Miller/Georgia, Hollings/SC and possibly Breaux/LS), i.e., Southerners may more likely vote a straight Democratic ticket if Clark, a less polarizing southern figure is at the top of it....as there may be less southern "guilt" than if voting for a strict northern partisan on top.
I strongly believe that if Clark doesn't get the nomination, the United States and the entire world will be in for a terrible, terrible time. In addition, the Democratic party will take years to recover. I conclude that based on the fact that if Democrats lose the Presidential election, it would mean also losing some if not all of those Senate seats. That, my domestic and international friends. will not be pretty picture.
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