OK, I saw Dean last night and Clark today. I'm impressed

[Mountainman]

I would like to see Clark run as Pres and Dean as Vice Pres. I think they would be unbeatable. The only thing the Bushies could do is to steal the election with election fraud.

Clark can take the spin and turn it back on the right. He is great on foreign policy and security and Dean is great on the domestic issues.

What a combination. The repugs would be shaking in their boots!

Both are men of honor and integrity and the right would look foolish attacking them on that issue.

[Zynx]

1. They would be a great ticket either way.

Clark/Dean or Dean/Clark. They are the best we have for a national ticket.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. As a Clark supporter I'd like to Welcome you!!!

I could see either Dean or Edwards as the VP nomminee!

Clark/Dean
Clark/Edwards

:dem:

[Catch22Dem]

6. I've been liking your second choice for a while

I think Clark/Edwards would make me happiest, but Clark/Dean is probably more realistic.

[spooky3]

8. I could go for those too though prefer Dean/Edwards.

[wryter2000]

3. You're right on!

I'd have my choices reversed from yours, but either way that ticket can take it to Whistle Ass.

[gristy]

4. I'd give a thumbs up to that combination

though my strong first choice would be to make it Dean/Clark. I prefer my president's first priority to be to address domestic issues, and Dean has the experience and character to do that well. I don't want foreign policy being the driving agenda.

[BlueEyedSon]

5. I would turn it around (Dean/Clark)

Just that I'm not crazy about a military man being in the #1 slot (although as far as military men go, Clark is unique). That said, having outstanding military expertise on the Dem ticket will be necessary to clean up the mess(es) left by the prior administration.

[Wickerman]

10. Thats a good choice

and I almost agree with you, but because Bush* has screwed stuff up so royally I think the next President (the first legit in 4 years) is going to have to focus considerably on Foreign issues. Thanks to Bush* we have trouble areas in every hemisphere - had we had a president without personal agenda post S-11 we could have the world behind us - instead, we have the world against us.

Economics will be a huge issue, but I think most of the 9 Dems have sound ideas to solving that px. and are more or less equally competent to do so.

[LiberalTexan]

16. That's not what the polls are saying

I think the next President (the first legit in 4 years) is going to have to focus considerably on Foreign issues

Americans are not as concerned with foreign policy-- or EVEN Homeland Security as they are about perscription drug benefits, the rising cost of health care, unemployment rates going sky high... Domestic issues continue to beat out foreign policy consistently.

We need a person with experience in domestic issues who will fix our ailing economy and give us some hope in the health care sector. Without some results in those areas, you can kiss 2008 goodbye. America will elect a Republican in 2008 if we don't produce results.

I'm not for ABB. I'm for someone who will get the job done RIGHT so that we can ride this wave all across America and bring us democratically into the next decade and beyond. If we get someone who fucks it up, that could hurt us for decades to come. I'm not willing to take that risk with Clark.

[Ramsey]

7. Dean & Clark

That would be a very very strong ticket. It should be Dean for pres and Clark for VP, but together they could realistically challenge Bush. I still wonder if they didn't agree to this arrangement right before Clark entered the race. If either one of them gets the nomination, he would birng the other on board as VP.

[janx]

18. I've been wondering the same thing for quite awhile.

It often seems to me that Clark is running for VP. He's skipping some major events. He entered the race late. But he's remaining visible, that's for sure.

Could he be running for VP?

If that's the case, what an amazing strategy!

[Larkspur]

9. At the Iowa Jefferson-Jackson dinner, Dean generated the most

excitement from the crowd. I don't see Clark generating that kind of excitement. Of course, he pulled out of Iowa and is trailing badly in New Hampshire and he his momentum has either plateaued in the national polls or is descending as the media hype is wearing off.

This Deanocrat is not impressed with Clark and does not see how Clark can defeat Bush. Clark practically said that he could not defeat Bush by taking FEC matching funds, which the Democratic Party was asking its Dem Prez contenders not to take because it would limit their spending against Bush between the Dem primaries and the Dem National Convention.

It's interesting that Dean has opted out of FEC matching funds with the blessing of his supporters, who will foot the bill. Clark apparently couldn't get his supporters to do the same.

[Catch22Dem]

11. What are you talking about?

I've seen some recent national polls where Clark beats Bush. Of course not all polls tell the same story, but they're just polls. I saw one posted here last night that showed Clark doing better against Bush than all the other candidates. Incidentally, Dean had the worst showing. So they're just polls. Someone else posted last night that at this time in 1991 Cuomo was in the lead, so...

Don't pay too much attention to what the polls say.

[Larkspur]

20. Actually Dean has been improving his polls against Bush and Clark

may have and still beat Bush in some polls, but his numbers are not increasing. Clark is not the runaway favorite that his campaign was trying to paint him when he first entered. Clark's poll numbers are based upon 2 things right now -- name recognition and his 4 starts. It's not based upon his campaigning skill.

The other think to consider with Dean and polls, is that Dean has actually been generating real support whereever he goes. How many of those enthusiastic supporters are polled? I know I'm never polled, so my vote is not getting counted in support of Dean.

When I look at the polls, especially nation polls, I usually look for trends, not actual numbers. Dean has pretty much been on the rise and I attribute that more to name recognition increasing than on whether those polled have been studying the candidates backgrounds and positions.

Let's remember, last year at this time, Howard Dean was an asterick in the polls. He's now the leading Dem moneywinner and the frontrunner or in the battle for frontrunner status in the 2 early primary/caucus states. That took great campaigning skill and the ability to take strategic risks when the prevailing winds said to go with the flow.

Let's look at Clark's entrance: he entered the Dem Prez race at or near the top in the polls due to a positive spin in the media, which was due to his CNN spots and his 4 stars, but when he actually had to perform in public -- his initial announcement speech, talking with reporters, campaign appearances, and debates -- he's either flopped or barely held his own. And he lost any chance of wooing the anti-war crowd away from Dean when Clark initially said he'd vote for the IWR. Clark made strategic mistakes that have cost him dearly. The biggest mistake was pulling out of Iowa and losing the AFSCME endorsement, which went to the frontrunner that Clark is trying to unseat. These mistakes will become more evident as the campaign continues and he makes more out of desperatin.

[napi21]

21. Dean/Clark could be good!

I think Dean stands the best chance of getting National votes. Remember, there are lots of people out there who only pay attention to Candidates when they are inundated by ads on TV, and that won't happen until next year. I was firmly convinced that Clark would be the best running mate, but I must admit, I'm having some second thoughts. He must be able to shake that "Are you sure he's a Democrat" question.

I do believe Dean must have a VP with Foreign Policy experience, but it doesn't have to be any of the 9 candidates. Think back. I sure didn't know Dan Quail, or Al Gore, or Ford, when the candidates first presented their choice. The only reason I remembered Cheny was his prominence in "Daddy's" admin.

[newyawker99]

22. Hi napi21!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[desoc]

12. Rather unrealistic?

Don't Clark and Dean have quite different opinions on many key issues including gun control and free trade?

Sure, both candidates want universal health care and stronger social security systems, but aren't there more diversing than uniting them?

If you ask me the best combination would definitely be Clark for president and Edwards for vice ditto.

[elperromagico]

15. Ahh, but balancing the ticket...

you don't want two candidates who are practically identical.

On edit: I'm not saying Clark and Edwards are practically identical; I'm just saying that Clark and Dean's differences could be the Democratic ticket's strength.

[newyawker99]

23. Hi desoc!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Dagaz]

13. Clark looked good

I don't know why people blame poor performances on MTP on Russert. He is tough but fair and if a candidate can answer without stammering he/she'll be ok. Clark had his answers prepared so he ends up looking good. It's not like you don't know what's coming. Someone here last night posted a few of the questions we all knew were coming.

[elperromagico]

14. We have some wonderful candidates

More people will realize that in the next few months.

[FrenchieCat]

17. Clark and.....

Edwards
Kerry
Dean

But Clark has to be on top. He stands the best chance of neutralizing Bush, and he stands the best chance of getting an agenda passed congress....

Because all of the "pie in the Sky" promises many of the candidates are making are just that, "pie in the Sky"......

Republicans will still have the majority, so you know what that means

If they the President becomes a Democrat, you know there is going to be a battle of payback.

However, Clark is adept at handling just such situation.....bringing peace and compromise to the table. It's called diplomacy to get things done.

[xultar]

19. As a Clarkie I welcome you to the fold! Thanks for giving

the General a second look. He is a fantastic candidate! I'm glad people are starting to see what I've always seen in Clark.

In Iowa Hillary Clinton said we shouldn't let the polls and pundits choose our next president The People should choose our president.

I think she was talking about the RW media playing with our minds.

Welcome aboard. The General needs us!