I am now thinking Clark/Hillary Arkansas, and Florida, am I the only one?

[CoffeePlease1947]

I think Clark is going make Hillary is campaign chair. The deal is she makes him President in 04 and he picks her as VP.

Number of reasons I think this would work. Hillary is closest in the polls to Bush 50%-46%. A Clark boost, about $250 million dollars and continuing dropping in poll numbers for Bush could make this a close race in the popular vote.

Clark/Hillary would carry Arkansas and Florida. I also think Hillary would carry the mainstream Democratic states that Gore won in 2000. That would give them 293 electoral votes.

I think Clark/Hillary could carry Florida because Hillary would fair well in the Southern part with minorities and traditional Democrats. Clark would fair well amoung the huge military vote and the northern part of the state because he is seen as a Southern.

I know people think that Hillary wants to be President in 2008. But two factors to consider. First, it does not mean Clark would run again in 2008. He could bow out. Second, Hillary might be willing to wait an extra 4 years if she is more likely to win in 2012 instead of 2008. The minority vote would be higher, and she would have longer to bring down her negatives.

If Clinton says the Democratic party has 2 stars, Clark and Hillary, why not put them on the ticket together and win the election, or come close and prep Hillary for 2008.

Mike

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

1. We Will Need A Massive Democratic Turnout

Personally, I have supported Clark for the last several months. However, I not only want him to beat Bush, but I want the Democratic Party to have an effective President in office. I fear that we may lose even more seats in the House and Senate in 2004. The Republicans are hoping to eventually obtain the type of legislative majority that could override Presidential vetoes and bring about endless hostile investigations and obstruction, even if they lose the presidency. I think that a Clark/Clinton ticket could ensure a truly monumental Democratic turnout and help many Congressional and Senatorial candidates to ride on their coattails. Beating Bush will not be enough. We can't have a Democratic President be hamstrung by a hostile legislature. I think Clark/Clinton would bring out the vote throughout the country.

[Rowdyboy]

2. While I find nothing wrong with your analysis...

I'm afraid I must disagree. I'm really afraid Hillary (at least today) wouldn't stand a chance of being elected. I wish it wasn't so, but I believe that it is...

[MercutioATC]

6. I agree with your assessment.

Hillary still carries too much baggage to be electable.

[truthseeker1]

3. I think you're right - Clark/Hillary is the ticket

I was thinking about this earlier today. I'm not sure this country is ready for a female President. My husband and I have talked about Hillary for President - whether now or 2008 - and he has admitted he would be reluctant to vote for a woman. He's not crazy about Hillary, but he's warming up to her. (We've both voted Republican in the past and he's former Air Force, but our worldview has changed DRAMATICALLY in the last year. In 2004 we're voting for whoever opposes Bush!) However, he *would* support her as VP. That would give him (and many others, I suspect) a chance to observe her in that role before handing the POTUS job to her. When you think about it, it really is the perfect plan to get her into office. Chances are she could do it on her own - now or in 2008 - she seems to have a TON of fans....but I think just to play it safe, this could be the way to go. Considering the foul play already in the works from Diebold (read: hackable electronic voting machines) the Dems need to win by a significant margin to make up for the votes we'll most likely get cheated out of!

[sandnsea]

4. My husband thinks so

Except he's still thinking Hillary/Clark. But Clark/Hillary makes alot more sense. She's said she's not running for President, but I don't think anybody asked her if she'd accept VP. If Clark turns out to be a believable guy with no major issues, Clark/Hillary would likely win.

[DannyRed]

5. Man,

You folks are pretty unbelievable.

Many keep yammering about Dean's unelectability...and now you are talking about a Clark/Hillary ticket as a winner?

Sheesh.

La-la-land.

That ticket would be crushed, absolutely crushed by an outpouring of hatred, bile, media attacks, spin, and vile nastiness unlike any you have ever seen.

It would get attacked by the right, the middle, and the left. It would invite a Green run. And it would get crushed.

No Hillary, please.

[sandnsea]

8. Alot of people like Hillary

ALOT. And she would be the VP under a General as President. She's an awesome campaigner, articulates policy well, and generates alot of enthusiasm. And generates money. She's a woman on the ticket and that would increase the women's vote. Clark will be appealing to those centrist male voters. And if the Greens want to cry in a tree, I guess they can until Bush chops it down. But with Clark/Hillary, they'd be saved in spite of themselves because it is a winning ticket.

And just so you know, I personally am not for either one of them. I'm for a Kerry/Edwards ticket. Doesn't mean I can't be objective when looking at other candidates.

[Zuni]

7. Yes Clark, No Hillary

Hillary is hated by many americans, mainly males, and not just the Bush worshipping freepers. Freepers might be obsessed with hate, but the average American (even many non-GOP) finds Hillary unlikable. I find her unlikable to a degree, as she tends to come off as arrogant. I think that she is overrated by pundits, and I think she will scare away more votes than she attracts.
Pundits would have a field day bashing her. She is a political target for venom.

Clark, on the other hand, would spank Bush in any debate, on any issue. He is sharp, cool, confident, handsome, well read and well spoken and has high level foreign policy expierience. If he were to win the primary and choose someone like Dean or Gebhardt or even Kucinich for VP or for cabinet position, he would be unstoppable.

[Speck Tater]

21. Oh Yeh! Clark's Da Man

From Wash Post:

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Sept. 18 -- Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark said today that he "probably" would have voted for the congressional resolution last fall authorizing war, as he charged out into the presidential campaign field with vague plans to fix the economy and the situation in Iraq.

Clark said his views on the war resemble those of Democratic Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.) and John F. Kerry (Mass.), both of whom voted for the war but now question President Bush's stewardship of the Iraqi occupation. "That having been said, I was against the war as it emerged because there was no reason to start it when we did. We could have waited," Clark said during a 75-minute session with four reporters.

...

Clark, relaxed and chatty, portrayed himself as a different kind of Democrat, one without strong partisan impulses. He said he "probably" voted for Richard M. Nixon in 1972 and backed Ronald Reagan.



The upshot of his interview was:

1.) Maybe I'm a Democrat, or, wait, was I a Republican. Gosh I don't remember.

2.) Maybe I was against the war, but I would have voted for it but still been against it, or something like that.

3.) This economy sucks and we should maybe do something about it. Nobody's told me what yet, so don't ask.

4.) I guess gays in the military are alright as long as they don't misbehave. I'm not sure what "misbehave" means, though.

5.)The one thing he was sure about: "The simple truth about politics is if you are going to make a difference in the country, you have to have an organization, you have to be able to communicate the message, you have to travel, you have to have the signs, and all of that takes resources. This is America -- we operate on the greenback and I need your help."

[clar]

9. Please NO Hillary

I can't stand her, and I'm a liberal. She's the most divisive person in politics today. I'd really have to hold my nose to vote for any ticket with her on it. Nothing but nothing will mobilize the right like Hillary. It's a loser.

[renie408]

10. A Clark/Hillary...

ticket would be Rove's dream. Come ON, where do you people LIVE? You gotta start hanging out with people other than the ones that think the exact same way you do. Hell, half the DEMOCRATS I know don't like Hillary and having her any where NEAR the campaign would bring Republicans out of their graves to vote.

[CoffeePlease1947]

11. "half the DEMOCRATS I know don't like Hillary"

What state do you live in North Carolina or Utah? Hillary rates 46% to 50% against Bush. If Democrats make up 38% of the population where do you think she is getting those responses from, Republicans and independants? I don't think so. I think she has strong support in the traditional Democratic states. She does have high negatives. But I am willing to bet 98% of the 38% of Americans that don't like her are fat, balding, rich white men that wouldn't vote for any Democrat if their live depended on it anyway. Clark needs to appeal more to the Democratic base states to win the election. He will win swing states, but he needs the states that Gore won too. Hillary may be that choice. She is not my favorite personality either, but she does get votes and she can raise a large amount of money for the Democrats in the General elections.

Mike

[renie408]

12. I live in North Carolina

and this is my experience. I can give you their names and numbers and you can call some of them if you like, but just this morning I asked around about her and got one 'eh' and three 'icks'. These were four women who ride horses, vote Democratic and aren't fat or balding. Three are white, one is mixed. I am not saying it is scientific by a long shot, just my experience, which is what I claimed from the beginning.

[kang]

13. Best if Clark stays away from Clinton associations for now

he's really got to work the "outsider" with nat'l security credentials and being associated with Sen. Clinton would make him look less independent. Also, it's dead on that many conservatives absolutely HATE the Clintons and this could hurt in many states. The 2004 Democratic ticket needs to convey a new image and new theme.

[Nicholas_J]

14. Sorry...

Florida has finally reached Republican status, or very nearly so, with the number of Registered Republicans in the stae being nearly equal to the number of registered Democrats.

[LightTheMatch]

15. YES, you are.

Forget it, you are clearly insane.

[Kanola]

16. A Hillary on the ticket will drive the RW in droves to the polls

The RWingers hate the Clintons and will do anything to keep them out of office again. Hillary on the ticket is too divisive. VP for Hillary is not a good choice. IMHO

[DJcairo]

17. Dude, you are a genius

I think your analysis is brilliant as it reveals what Bill Clinton is probably thinking (why else would he keep mentioning both Clark and his wife as "stars" of the democratic party?) It also is correct in another way. Bill Clinton, despite all of Howard Dean's success, still controls the Democratic Party. Why else do we see all of his "dream team" going down to help his "dream candidate" Wesley Clark? Furthermore, do we or don't we trust Clinton's political wisdom? He clearly isn't excited about Howard Dean or else he wouldn't be going around touting his wife and Clark in the same breath. Clinton represents the establishment in a powerful way. He controls it and he knows how to make it successful in elections. He is more popular now among the party faithful than ever before and he plans to be active in this campaign one way or another.

I think you are wrong about one point though. Hillary is not going to be Clark's campaign manager. No way. She's a sitting Senator. However, if Clark wins the nomination I see no reason why Hillary wouldn't be at the top of his list. Because, if Clark does win he's going to have the Clinton's to thank for it. Clark is their political baby now. The rest is, as they say, history.

[RandomUser]

18. Maybe cabinet post

Definitely no Clark/Hillary! It would galvanize the right's voter turn out. Hillary needs to marinate so that time can rub the stigma off her. 2008 would be ok, but not 2004. But I would like to see Hillary in a cabinet position. I think it's possible Clark might appoint her as a secretary of something or other.

[peaceandjustice]

19. How about Clark/Landrieu or Clark/Napolatono?

You make a good case for putting a woman on the ticket, but Mary Landrieu and Janet Napolatono don't have nearly the baggage Hilary has. Plus, NY is safely in the Democratic margin. Landrieu could add Louisiana, and Napolatono would bring Arizona.

[JeniB]

20. That's exactly what i think!

Well, not exactly, I don't know about her being his campaign chairman but VP I think so. I think that's why Bill Clinton is supporting him and that fits perfect for Hillary because she knows if a Dem wins this time she can't run in 2008. This fixes it. She can't jump in herself now because she's said too many time she wouldn't. I think Clinton talked Clark into running with the idea that Hillary and Bill would help him get elected and in turn he would ask Hillary to be his VP.