Salon: Clark's down -- but touts new support

[pruner]

He's had an erratic showing, but some important political -- and Hollywood -- players see him as the only alternative to Dean.

By Josh Benson

Nov. 15, 2003  | By most measures, the candidacy of Gen. Wesley Clark for the Democratic presidential nomination to this point has been something of a disappointment: He has struggled to articulate his positions, his organization remains unsettled and, after an initial surge following his announcement in September, his numbers have declined in many public polls.

And yet somehow Clark has continued to line up institutional support among elected officials, party leaders and top fundraisers. Campaign aides say they're on target to raise more than $6 million this quarter -- with the help of fundraisers in Hollywood and New York -- which would probably top every other candidate except for Howard Dean. (Dean will be aiming to top his previous quarterly total of $15 million.) In addition, they are continuing to announce new endorsements: On Friday, the campaign officially announced support from Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., bringing his total of congressional endorsements to 14, with the prospect of several more in the next several days, according to aides.

How to explain this mystery? Howard Dean. Since Clark's official announcement in September, Clark has fallen from his self-proclaimed role as "frontrunner" to back in the pack with everyone else, struggling to stay competitive with Dean. For many of the Democratic insiders who look with horror upon the prospect of a Dean candidacy, which they think would end in defeat against George Bush, Clark has become their last hope.

Hence the endorsements, which continue to come despite Clark's mediocre reviews in the press and sag in the polls. "Howard Dean, I think, is probably likely at this point to be our nominee, but I am concerned about him on temperament issues, and on how he'll come across in the day-to-day give and take of a general election campaign," said Weiner. "He's going to be very difficult for anyone to beat in the primary, and the feeling in the party has already gone from 'I wonder who the alternative will be' to 'Holy shit -- I think this guy is going to win.'

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2003/11/15/clark/

[boxster]

1. Clark has fallen from his self-proclaimed role as "frontrunner"?

What? When did Clark proclaim himself the frontrunner? I don't recall ever seeing anything of that nature.

This is yet another columnist that is ignoring the national polls. Clark's still ahead in some, within the MOE of Dean in others.

[democratreformed]

31. That was

my question also. I recall not proclamation from the Clark campaign proclaiming him a "frontrunner". Just as I recall no statement about "anti-war".

All media hype.

[annxburns]

2. I like Clark ...

... but I don't think he is a very good politician (makes him more likeable in my book but the media attention has been brutal). I think the most likely alternative to Dean is not Clark but Gep. I think if anyone is going to emerge as the anti-Dean, it's him. If Gep wins Iowa he could logically set himself up as the alternative. Noone on DU talks much about Gep - but he may be the surprise in the race.

[mot78]

5. Gephardt has the personallity of Al Gore (in the media caricature sense)

only without eye brows.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

3. New York really does like Clark

A lot of us here are still upset about 911, and we pretty much think Clark is the one that can get justice done and make sure it won't happen again.

So far, Clark is the only person that has said anything. If he keeps talking he'll get New York certainly and I'd bet most everywhere else too.

But then again that's just me. Perhaps gay marriage, abortion, and gun rights are going to be the major issues in the general election.

[pruner]

4. I live in NYC & worked in the WTC

your opinion does not represent that of all NYers (or even most of them… Clark is 3rd in NY state polls).

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

7. Let Dean say something, and I'll be all for him

My vote is up for grabs - Dean, Clark go at it. Who can get to the truth about 911? Which candidate is going to stand up and support Max Cleland and the 911 Commission?

Whoever does it gets my vote.

[pruner]

9. Dean has said plenty

pay attention.

:)

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

12. really?

Just let me know where to find what he said. I've been to his rallies and read his blog and pay attention here. Link, anything?

[JaneQPublic]

29. Dean Calls on Bush to Stop Stonewalling 9/11 Commission

http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/002018.html

DES MOINES -- Howard Dean issued the following statement in response to reports that the bipartisan 9/11 commission could soon be forced to issue subpoenas to the White House and other executive branch agencies because of continuing delays by the Bush administration in providing documents and other evidence needed by the panel:

"I am very concerned by the President's foot-dragging on cooperation with the bi-partisan 9/11 commission. We already know that President Bush received a written intelligence report in August 2001, the month before the attacks that Al Qaeda might try to hijack American passenger planes. The Administration's current stonewalling suggests that there is more that they knew and want to hide from the American public.

"The work that this commission is performing is critical to our national security. We need to know what transpired before the tragedy of 9/11 in order to avoid future similar tragedies. If the bipartisan commission investigating the terrorist attacks says that it needs the documents the Administration is withholding, then the President has an obligation to the American people to turn them over immediately.

"An issue this important to our national security should trump whatever concerns about political embarrassment the Administration might have."

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

32. thanks

good for Dean

[59millionmorons]

8. Once the Clintons endorse Clark in NY it will be his

NT

[Code_Name_D]

35. Too bad the Clintions have fallen out of favor.

Hillery Kissed Bush's ring one to many times in the eyes of many.

[Pastiche423]

6. His support his

elected officials

party leaders

top fundraisers

Where are We, the People?

[SahaleArm]

14. Dean has plenty of party support...

but if it makes you feel better to think otherwise, that's ok:). My congressman publicly supports Dean.

[Pastiche423]

16. My congressman supports Dean too!

[mikehiggins]

15. Right here, dude.

Lots of people, all over the place.

[Bertrand]

30. lol

Howard Dean: "Generation Mondale/Dukakis"

[joshan361]

36. right here

and the tens of thousands that helped Draft him.

[Closer]

10. HAHA!

"He's going to be very difficult for anyone to beat in the primary, and the feeling in the party has already gone from 'I wonder who the alternative will be' to 'Holy shit -- I think this guy is going to win.'

ROFLMAO!

I love it!

[FrenchieCat]

19. Holy Sh*t....

they are saying....win the nomination and lose the election....
Got it? that what is being said and meant!

[gulliver]

11. Leads Dean nationally in some polls.

Clark wallops everyone in SC.

When Gephardt, Kerry, Lieberman, and Edwards drop out, their votes are probably going to Clark, IMO. If so, Clark will be the nominee. I think he'll finish a strong third in NH.

BTW, Clark has the full hour on MTP, this Sunday. I can't wait. I'm betting that Clark, as usual, is going to sock it to Bush very effectively. Dems and (reasonable) Republicans both will listen. I think Clark is a true uniter.

[59millionmorons]

13. Exactly

People are putting way to much importants in IA and NH. As a candidate I would rather win places like NY,SC,CA etc. I like Dean but I dont see him winning many primaries outside the NE states. It is likely Gephardt will win IA, Dean will win NH and Clark will win SC, Edwards will win NC. This is were I see Clark then pulling away. He will do very well in the south, NY and CA and of course AR.

[tedoll78]

17. If Clark wins SC..

that could pretty much knock-out Edwards. And then Clark would be the only remaining Southern candidate, which could lock the South as his. Given that the South has over 1200 delegates (2170 are needed for the nomination), if Clark wins South Carolina, he'll be in good shape.

[Kosmos Mariner]

18. I agree with your assessment!

I really believe that Clark has a special appeal. Well liked in the North and in the South, Midwest, West, white, black, purple, rich, blue collar, military, buddhist, mod repug, indy, martian etc.. Next Febuary he will start pulling away from the pack. I think Clark is our Southern Strategy. I pulled this data off of Clark's web site. Nov 3rd - Nov 14th. Donors By Zip Code, and I think it is telling. This is just the start. :-)


As of 6:00pm CT, November 14th
Rank Zip Code City # of Donors

1 20009 Washington, DC 35
2 10025 New York, NY 21
3 10024 New York, NY 20
4 10011 New York, NY 17
5 10003 New York, NY 14
6 11219 Brooklyn, NY 14
7 90049 Los Angeles, CA 13
8 11215 Brooklyn, NY 12
9 72205 Little Rock, AR 12
10 20008 Washington, DC 12


:dem:

[Eloriel]

21. Yeah, looks like REALLY wide support for Clark

:eyes:

Eloriel

[Kosmos Mariner]

22. I assume you are being sarcastic...

I think the numbers do show wide support. Most of those zip codes are from liberal bastions. Impressive for a Southern military man. And those are just the top ten zip codes. Just wait, you'll see.
:-)


:dem:

[Bucky]

23. good one

I'm still for Clark, but that was a great come back.

[SahaleArm]

26. Try a little research

Clark Funding: http://www.fundrace.org/moneymap.php?cand=Clark&zoom=State

Looks like support from across the country ($600,000-$24,495-$1,000):

[Kosmos Mariner]

27. great find!

I love maps, that is my profession. Cool! I'd like to get my hands on the raw data. :toast:


:dem:

[jumptheshadow]

28. Cool map!

And look, Texas is a dark green state! :)

On the other hand, we've got to get rolling in West Virginia. We're going to need it in the General Election.

[SahaleArm]

25. *NM*

[HFishbine]

37. NC

By the time NC votes, it will be decided.

[FrenchieCat]

20. and

60 minutes II on Wednesday, and

David Letterman on Thursday......

He's working a different angle...

He's not a politician, he's a

WARRIOR!

[FrenchieCat]

24. and, and....

Bush v. Clark 3pts - Bush v. Dean 9 pts......Nuff said

for the time being!

Cause at the end it's not who will win the nomination,
but who can beat Bush....let's not forget our priorities!

[onehandle]

34. Clark will win the Primary in Georgia...

Sudden big support here. I believe he will sweep the South.

[joshan361]

33. come Febuary Dean will be hoping for VP

Clark is just hitting stride now. By Febuary, Dean will be hoping for VP consideration from Clark. ( Febuary to March, in that area )