A few reasons I think Clark is the best candidate to win Florida

[Bombtrack]

I have said it once and I'll say it again, a Clark-Graham ticket is the worst nightmare of the entire, nationwide GOP political apparattus, and they deserve that nightmare.

Now I think Clark would pick Graham to be his vp, and even without him, Florida would be competative for Clark.

Florida county map from 2000, Bush blue, Gore red

Florida congressional district map from 2000, Bush blue, Gore red

county names

city map


Now, Florida is much more of a military state than many people realize.

According to http://www.militarytowns.com/AllCities.asp, the following cities are near military bases:

FL, Clearwater
FL, Cocoa Beach
FL, Ft. Walton Beach
FL, Jacksonville
FL, Key West
FL, Mayport
FL, Miami
FL, Milton
FL, Panama City
FL, Pensacola
FL, St. Petersburg
FL, Tampa

you can click on the link to see the percent of population in each city that is Military or military dependant.

As you can see from the map, the Ft. Walton and Jacksonville areas, 2 of the biggest military populations in the state, are in the most republican areas(presidential voting wise) in the state. If Gore had split the area or come close, as Clark is more likely than most candidates to do, it(Floridas electoral votes) would have been in democratic hands.

Also, I believe that his Catholism and Jewish heritage could really help put Dade county into the "deep" democrat column from medium democrat as Broward and Palm beach are.

And finally Clark's college plan would be a HUGE hit in a state with such a popular local public college system.

[jumptheshadow]

1. And also...

Clark does well among older voters...

Clark is likely to attract disaffected Republicans...

If Clark is our nominee, then our victory will be so significant in Florida that it will put the state beyond the reach of Jeb's machinations.

[Clark4VotingRights]

10. All good reasons.

Yup.

[Democrats unite]

2. Here another reason...

Me! I live in S.W. Florida which is a Republican stronghold in Florida. Things could be changing though.

[SW FL Dem]

17. I am in SW Florida too!

It is nice to know there are a few other Dems here! I have felt so alone since we moved from So Cal. The most amazing experience was going to the FL Dem convention and realizing I am not alone.

[Bombtrack]

19. I go to school in Coral Gables

in the southeast

[meti57b]

3. with the number bush has pulled on our military ....

lengthening their tour of duty, cutting their benefits, ... they will most likely vote Democratic and there are many in FL.

[Bombtrack]

4. I wouldn't say that

but a good 15-25 percent more than Gore got would be potentially fatal to Bush.

Not just in Florida. But also places such as arizona

[Killarney]

5. Great analysis... lots of good points. n/t

[Leilani]

6. Terrific Analysis

I lived in three of those military areas in Fla.

Escambia County could go big time for Clark.

[Bombtrack]

9. where do you live now?

.

[Leilani]

11. Hawaii

I've lived all over the country, but I loved Pensacola.

[graelent]

7. Question

Does anyone have any numbers supporting the assertation that Clark will do significantly better than the other Dems with the military?

It is just that I am not sure I buy it. Yes, he was a General, but by some reports we was not the most well-liked of Generals (well, among the rest of the military brass anyway, I have seen nothing one way or the other about the common soldier) and the Military voted overwhelmingly for ush after he lied about their rediness condition in his Convention speech.

Where is the assertation that Clark will get significatly more military than the rest coming from?

[Bombtrack]

8. It's political law that people are more likely to vote for someone

that they can relate to.

Clark and Kerry are the only candidates who truely know what our soldiers are going through right now, and that will be on the minds of all voters come election time, although in a greater sense with military families and friends of them.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[angee_is_mad]

13. Me too

and if Edwards was on the ticket with him, those too will have the south locked down.

Edwards is really making a connection with the public right now, but I feel that Clark is the one ot gop toe to toe with Bush.

[Bombtrack]

16. I'm not sure Edwards strongest potential red states are ready to vote Dem

yet, I don't think they're within reach. But after 4 years of a successful Clark administration, I think that Edwards can become his vp, and they can win VA, NC, TN, and GA

[floridaguy]

14. Clark becoming hugely popular in SW Florida

Just this week, I have helped to create brand new Clark groups on Marco Island and Sanibel-Captiva Islands. In addition to the metro Ft. Myers/Naples area, Clark supporters are receiving a great response throughout this area.

Many of the dissatisfied Republicans in this area have already told me they would vote for Clark, but not Dean.

Wesley Clark is clearly in the best position of any Democratic candidate to win Florida.

I could see Dean as a VP, though, and that would make a blockbuster ticket. Clark won't need Graham to win Florida, and although I'm highly respectful of Graham, being a native Floridian, he has lost a lot of his luster.

[Bombtrack]

15. But would he or wouldn't he be the biggest help for winning Florida?

I believe that is THE reason he didn't run for another term. He could (help) win Florida for Kerry, he could for Edwards, he could for Clark.

Dean brings absolutely nothing to any candidate as vp, atleast not even close to as much as he takes away.

[deminflorida]

18. The NW Florida Area of Military Support is Our Area of Responsibility...

Pensacola
Milton
Fort Walton Beach
Destin
Panama City....

All near Military Bases and the virtual heart of the GOP in this state.

We're getting organized....we'll be ready to defend Florida up here.

www.emeraldcoast4clark.org

[Bombtrack]

20. bump

ijgoj

[DaisyUCSB]

21. I don't really see any other candidate having a great shot at winning it

Although I've never lived there