If you read the daily papers, you know the script to Election 2004

[FrenchieCat]

I BELIEVE THAT THE TIDE IS SLOWLY ABOUT TO TURN IN FAVOR OF CLARK

NOT SO FAST
By Max Brantley
November 7, 2003

Democratic contender Wesley Clark's campaign has peaked. He won't contest the Iowa caucuses, he'll be blown away in New Hampshire. The Big Mo will then belong to the New Hampshire winner, probably Vermont neighbor Howard Dean, and Mo will carry Dean straight to the nomination.

It is only coincidental (isn't it?) that the media script mirrors almost to the letter the script coming from Republican headquarters.

The Republicans, mindful of the math of the Democratic national convention in Boston in July, are smarter than pack reporters, who are captives of convention more than conspiracy. There's no coincidence in the Republican predictions of doom for Clark and sudden murmurs of admiration for, say, the principled Dick Gephardt. Repubs can read poll numbers. The latest still show Clark as the Democrat with the best chance to beat George Bush. The president enjoyed only a 47-43 lead over Clark in a national sounding last week - before the latest slaughter in Iraq. Republicans want to cripple Clark now.

A true read of Republican sentiment was displayed to me at a Little Rock party Saturday night. I asked a very prominent Republican his preferred Democratic nominee. With a jack-o-lantern grin and a Nixonian V-for-victory gesture, he trumpeted, "Howard Dean's my man!"
I don't necessarily share his belief that Dean would be easily dispatched by Bush on account of perceived liberalism. But I do believe Democrats in the end should pick the candidate most likely to win, not invoke a strict party litmus test, as the Republicans would like them to do with Clark. And, finally, this race isn't over
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Follow today's script because you must. Just remember that the longer view says it's not over for Wes Clark, or any other leading Democrat, when the primary votes of a tiny New England state are counted in January.
http://www.arktimes.com/max/110703brantley.html

[FrenchieCat]

1. Although he fell back a couple of wks ago, Clark is now gaining.....

***NEWSWEEK POLL***LATEST (done Thu & Fri)
On MSNBC TV - A few minutes ago
MSNBC-Recent Newsweek Poll (done Thursday & Friday)

Democratic Candidates Top Three
Dean 16%
Clark 15%
Gephardt 9%

Against Bush
Bush 48% Clark 45%
Bush 49% Dean 44%

Bush Approval 52%
On Economy 48% Disapprove 44% Approve

Looks like CLARK is gaining.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Like your picture

Is Clark visiting the wounded soldiers? I think that would be a highly appropriate thing for ALL the candidates to do! Let's show the Repugs who REALLY supports the troops!

[jonoboy]

2. I'm not in the US and I can't vote

but watching from abroad..I find all the current Democrat candidates are extremely appealing but I think if Clark is the Dem candidate for President, or it least Vice-President I don' see how Bush could win again.

[FrenchieCat]

4. VP is not acceptable.....

VP is not announced until after the Democratic Primaries. So during the primaries themselves, there will be no guarantee that Clark would end up on the ticket after the elections.

For the Democratic party, and in essense for the world to win this one, I believe that Clark must win the Democratic nomination and that his VP pick must be strong on domestic policies and Washington politics and be complimentary to Clark demographically. We must not forget that in order to beat Bush and his Rovenstenian PR media machine and the enormous war chest they will have, we must have the strongest stellar contenter available, i.e., Clark. The giant multinational corporations (including the media) won't allow Bush to lose without putting up the fight of their lives. Wes Clark is the only package that Bush cannot match, including likability and Charisma (Bush's best traits (why, I don't know) very important and key in the US but much discredited by those who should know better). When one reviews the field of the candidates remainding, none will be effective in the way Clark can in beating Bush. Either their Tax package is wrong, their military and foreign experience is lacking, they don't project leadership or they are low in either the likability and/or the Charisma factor. Those who believe that they can have their cake and eat it too (meaning getting rid of Bush and finding a policy eutopia) are not being realistic (although Clark's domestic policies are excellent and most have a better chance getting thru a Republican House and Senate as they would be offered by a nonpartisan). In addition Clark is the only one that can redirect our Military budget spending without being cowed. However, I go back to the number one purpose of this election; to get rid of Bush....anything else would be an extra.

The difference in Clark and the others candidates is that Clark doesn't have to have a bad economy to win. In fact he doesn't even need the war in Iraq to sour too much. What he is offering the country is a new direction altogether that is do-able and rational. He is offering a nuanced America, as it once was. That makes him less suceptible to BushCo media manipulation during the election.

One of the poll questions that has always polled high against Bush is "are we going in the right direction?". The percentages on that question have not favored Bush for a long time.

Wes Clark has the moxie, gravitas and experience that will bring voters in from the widest spretrum in the General Election, including the military (10 million strong in US when you include their families), minorities (in particular Hispanics who he is polling better with than others), security moms, men, Independents/Swing voters, the South, and disenchanted Republicans.

Futhermore, Clark is the only candidate that is a true nonpartisan (just declared a party and has not been politically affiliated)and that increases the coat tails effect needed in the South to win at least a some of the 4 senate seats being vacated by Democrats (Graham/FL, Edwards/NC, Zell Miller/Georgia, Hollings/SC and possibly Breaux/LS), i.e., Southerners may more likely vote a straight Democratic ticket if Clark, a less polarizing southern figure is at the top of it....as there may be less southern "guilt" than if voting for a strict northern partisan on top.

I strongly believe that if Clark doesn't get the nomination, the United States and the entire world will be in for a terrible, terrible time. In addition, the Democratic party will take years to recover. I conclude that based on the fact that if Democrats lose the Presidential election, it would mean also losing some if not all of those Senate seats. That, my domestic and international friends.
will not be pretty picture.

[Silverhair]

5. Excellent. n/t

[JNelson6563]

6. I know some players

who are well placed and have no horse in this race that disagree with you. I wish I could share details but confidentiality and all prevent me from doing so.

Perhaps VP is unacceptable to you but it's starting to look like that's what it may be.

Though dramatic, I have to disagree with you that if we don't elect Clark the country and world are headed for utter ruin.

Julie

[Donna Zen]

7. send far and wide

This post needs to move beyond this board's readership. I hope you going to get this out there. This is life during war time. By that, I am refering to the war against American democracy and the people of this country who live within the media sway that scrips a GOP scenario fabricated of lies woven of lies. We are truly screwed if we lose in '04.

Clark is a truth teller who wants us to find our better selves.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Not to worry, it' s being sent far and wide

This is my life, dammit it!