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I think both Howard Dean and Wesley Clark should be given prominent slots during the convention. It would be revisionist history to act now as if only John Kerry and John Edwards left the Primaries with large enthusiastic followings in the Democratic Party. The 2004 Primary Season was the first held since the advent of Reality TV, and for many it was followed in much the same way as American Idol. I'm being tongue in cheek here, but only partially.
The Democrats haven't offered a diverse and dramatic Primary field of contestants since 1992, and since then Cable News viewership has exploded also. Even Lieberman, Gephardt, Graham, Mosely-Braun, and Sharpton became regular visitors into American homes, but Howard Dean and Wesley Clark, along with the John Boys, spent the most time in our living rooms. Dennis Kucinich had and has an important role as well, but since he continued his campaign rather than endorsing Kerry, his is a special case and he will likely claim his air time in connection with his name being placed into formal consideration for the nomination. Dean and Clark could do the same obviously, but since they both closed ranks around Kerry publicly, they are in the roles of good soldiers, graciously playing whatever role Kerry gives them at the Convention. It is for that very reason that Kerry should graciously give them each a major role.
The case for Howard Dean should be obvious. Dean has an incredibly passionate following, many of whom do not have long and deep ties to the Democratic Party. And then Dean was right about Iraq of course, and Iraq is the noose around Bush's neck right now. Perhaps unlike Dennis however, while addressing Iraq Howard can be counted on not to say too much that will directly embarrass either Kerry or Edwards about their roles in Congress leading up to the War. Dean can help bind potential divisions in the Democratic Party through a featured appearance in a way no other single speech could even dream of accomplishing.
Wesley Clark was right about Iraq also, and in stunning detail it can be added. Clark has proven to be a sage in documenting all of the failings of Bush's foreign policy. And Clark fills out the Final Four from the Primaries, with a win and a number of second place finishes under his belt. Perhaps as important though, Clark became Kerry's primary media surrogate for months up until the moment Kerry chose Edwards as his VP. For it to appear that Clark is being pushed off the stage now is unseemly at the least, and potentially it implies a rift, be it actual or not, and will do so regardless of statements made by both men to the contrary.
National political conventions are currently used to conduct a celebration of National Unity while highlighting the Ticket chosen as the new leaders of our unified team. Jerking the spotlight hastily onto the new Ticket, before ceremoniously laying the symbolic foundation of unity, is a mistake in my opinion. And it is a needless one. Neither Howard Dean nor Wesley Clark would do or say anything to steal the spotlight away from John Kerry or John Edwards. The Democratic Unity Dinner was a fine idea, but it was small potatoes compared to a National Convention. Few viewers saw more than 30 seconds coverage of it. Feature men like Howard Dean and Wesley Clark prominently at the Convention, and they can leave Boston with high esteem, fully empowered to hit the road on behalf of the Kerry/Edwards ticket. Shunting them to the side now only dampens the emotional elation of unity that delegates will leave Boston with, and it lessens the two men's later effectiveness for the Democratic Ticket. Dean and Clark are not only "stars" in the Democratic Party, they are identified in the public mind with this Presidential campaign. Not to adequately acknowledge and build on that reality is short sighted.
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