Reply #45: Wrong about Clark [View All]

[Tom Rinaldo]

Clark's entry numbers were like Mondales coming out of the 2004 Dem Convention when he was briefly whooping Reagan, artificial is the word. The result of an insane burst of positive publicity before anyone had a chance to say an unkind word about him. It was great for Clark that it happened that way because it helped his early fund raising, giving his campaign a fighting chance to get up to speed after a very late start. If Clark's initial numbers had been 8% or 9% ,and then risen to 12% later he would be in much worse shape today, he would be without money and an also ran.

As it is now Clark's numbers are rising. Give that another week to sink in and the perceptions will start shifting and NH is still 3 months away. The latest Wall Street Journal/ NBC poll has Clark at over 17% to Dean's 15%. Another very recent poll (Newsweek I believe, has Dean at 16% and Ckark at 15%. In both polls his support is rising. Last week he leap frogged over Edwards in South Carolina into first place there. Clark's campaign is starting to catch fire in NH by the way. Just watch what is about to happen there while Kerry implodes. Remember Clark is still least known by the public. It is my observation and experience that most people react very positively to him when they are actually exposed to him. That is what is going on now. Clark will be very much alive after the campaign leaves NH and heads to states where Dean is less strong.

The media keeps peddling the Clark is slipping story when the evidence is contrary. Meanwhile they talk up Edwards or Gephardt or anyone else even while their numbers are all lower. Many suspect a corporate media bias against Clark because he is most threatening to Bush. They have tried to marginalize Clark but they are failing because he is getting his message out directly. Second to Dean he has the strongest grass roots backing. Clark's TV ads start next week.