WP - Clark Focuses on N.H. as Momentum Grows

[maddezmom]

Clark Focuses on N.H. as Momentum Grows
Democratic Primary Has History of Upsets

By Paul Schwartzman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, January 11, 2004; Page A05


MANCHESTER, N.H., Jan. 10 -- The five-day campaign swing had been arranged in detail, everything from a fundraiser in California to a homeland security speech in New York, to a charter plane to transport the growing horde of reporters following the candidate. Wesley K. Clark even planned to sneak in a visit with his 3-week-old grandson in Los Angeles.

But with the retired Army commander's poll numbers climbing steadily in New Hampshire -- from 12 to 20 percent in five days, according to one survey -- Clark and his advisers abruptly changed direction Friday, scaling back the trip and announcing that he would remain focused on the Granite State.

Something is happening here," said Chris Lehane, a senior adviser to Clark who keeps one eye on the candidate and another on the latest polling numbers flickering across his Blackberry. "We're going to stay here and grow the support."

The decision is the latest evidence of Clark's emerging strength in New Hampshire, where the retired general has stumped for the past 11 days. During the same time, most of his Democratic rivals have campaigned in Iowa, with the exception of Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.) who, like Clark, chose to skip that state's caucuses.

~snip~

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A6586-2004Jan10?language=printer

[ThomWV]

1. Smart Move

I think General Clark's decision to stay in New Hampshire will prove to be the smartest move in the nomination process. Time well spent. Liberman needs to drop out of the race and do it immediately. His attacks on other candidates do nothing but give ammunition to the Republicans and undermine the Democratic Party. I have come to despise the man and he is the only Democrat I would not vote for were he the nominee of my party.

Thom

[Racenut20]

2. As much as you may dislike Liberman, would you prefer Bush?

[ThomWV]

3. You Had To Ask

I would be torn. No kidding, that is the only word that I can come up with to describe it.

Let's be dead honest here. Lieberman doesn't stand a snow ball's chance of getting the nomination so its not a choice I'm going to have to face. But were it to happen I would have no choice but to vote for him ... you knew that. Absolutly nothing is more important that the removal of Bush from the Presidency. Absolutly nothing .....

Thom

[Racenut20]

4. ABB !!!!!!!!!!

At least you get a Democratic Administration. That can stop all that right wing crap that is going on across the street in the EOB.

[tedoll78]

5. Some perspective..

Instead of seeing:
__Joseph Lieberman
__George W Bush

Translate it to this:
__John Paul Stevens
__Antonin Scalia

Personally, that's what makes a Lieberman vote much more palatable to me. Rehnquist has been on the Supreme Court for 30 years; that's a lot of dividends that he's payed-out to the conservative cause..

[billbuckhead]

6. Clark can simultaneously KO all the New Englanders including Dean

If Clark gets into the high twenties then Dean will go back under the microscope for electabilty. Dean will also be forced to step up attacks on Wes Clark. So far, Deans attacks on the surging challenger have backfired and made the Dean campaign look like old school politicians. It's almost like the Dean team is spending their money to tell everyone that Clark's the most electable.

[Mattforclark]

9. excellent point n/t

[Clark Can WIN]

14. Now THERE is some perspective !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for illustrating why it's so important for all of us to vote Dem no matter WHO gets the nomination!

[Clark Can WIN]

13. Your right about that snowball

And luckily almost no one listens to Lieberman anyway.

[Marian]

7. Frankly, after what I've seen concerning

the way the Iowa caucuses can be comprised, I am giving them no credence. The dirty tricks available to people w/o ethics are going to skew results and so I simply look forward to the debates and, of course, the New Hampshire primary.

[Sticky]

8. Watching Clark on local TV right now

Interviewer: What's our strategy for getting out of Iraq?

Clark: Elect me President.

[BootinUp]

10. Thats brilliant and cocky at the same time

Clark will win!

[Clark Can WIN]

15. Seems I've heard that somewhere before :-)

[Bread and Circus]

16. I love it.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. This is the best

thing Clark could have done. Iowa is up for grabs according to the latest polls and Clark is moving up in the NH polls....it's his for the taking. Dean has a fight on his hands.

Go, Wes!

[gulliver]

12. It's shaping up.

A mixed result in Iowa followed by a strong second place finish for Clark in NH will be just what Clark needs.