Reply #14: Clark can re-align American politics [View All]

[WillyBrandt]

Sorry for being snippy. Really, apologies. :) You know us Clarkies, defending our man. . .

As for moving the center to the left. . .Yes, it's a variant on only Nixon could go to China. Clark is a candidate who almost literally embodies the values that Republicans claim that they have (but don't): his campaign theme is a "New American Patriotism," he has courage, and honor, and a rise based almost entirely upon his own merit. He understands the "real world" of international affairs, and brings the weight of a warrior to the liberal perspective on foreign policy.

In other words, voters who are culturally suspicious of the Democratic Party--the kind Nixon and Reagan transformed into Republicans--see a candidate in Clark that does not confirm any of their fears. He is GENERAL CLARK.

Here's the trick: because he's got such a solid centrist appeal by his resume and manner and geographic origin, he has natural political capital to go forth with progressive politics. And, what's best, his quiet manner makes liberalism seem like common sense, which it is.

Now, compare with Dean. Like it or not, the media has pegged him as a liberal and as a leftist. The pressure is on him to be more centrist, to tout his "A" NRA rating, and to utter the phrase "fiscal conservatism." I don't doubt that Dean would love to implement a far-reaching progressive vision, but he has to appeal to the center to maintain his power, since there are cultural suspicions against him.

Look again at Clinton. He was tagged as a hippy and had to be more in the center than he himself probably would have liked.

I think that only Clark can dissaociate liberal politics--which PEOPLE AGREE WITH--from the negative stereotypes of liberals than the GOP has encouraged. If we can get down to the issues themselves, and if we've got as impressive a messanger as Clark, and if we've got such a discredited rival the Bush GOP, then we've got a chance at getting the whole she-bang.

Clark is the newest Democrat, sure. But he's the only one who has a chance for building a 21-st century analogue for FDR's New Deal coalition.

(Whew! Thanks for reading. edit: title)