Clark's Balancing Act

[JaneQPublic]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55319-2003Sep23.html

---snip

As Clark's campaign team begins to take shape, it seems likely that aides to Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe and onetime Clinton and Gore staffers will get many key positions. That Clark's candidacy is in need of professional management is beyond dispute, but the general runs the risk of losing his insurgent appeal if he permits himself to be cast as the candidate from Party Central. The rifts that have already arisen between the Draft-Clark amateurs and the McAuliffe pros are inevitable and containable.

But if Clark ends up positioned as the anti-Dean candidate, the consequences could prove more severe.

Indeed, the relation of Clark's campaign to Dean's bears some resemblances to that of Robert Kennedy's to Eugene McCarthy's back in 1968, another year when antiwar sentiment swept the Democratic Party. It was McCarthy who plunged into that race first, when Lyndon Johnson was thought to be unassailable, and McCarthy who caught fire with Democratic liberals increasingly angered by Johnson's deepening involvement in the Vietnam War.

MORE...

[Larkspur]

1. So far Clark hasn't shown me that he has the "right" stuff to be President

let alone Bobby Kennedy. Clark's vapid grin makes him look like a manikin.

Clark is no Bobby Kennedy and Dean is not Eugene McCarthy. Dean is more like Harry Truman and remember Truman fired popular Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

[boxster]

2. Ah, we're now voting against people based on their grins.

How nice. Glad the issues are at the heart of this campaign.

What I think is funny is that the same people who bash Clark for not taking stands on the issues also seem to be the people who claim to know everything about what those stands are. Sometimes even in the same published article.

It's ok to be passionate about a candidate, but let's have some perspective here. Comparing Clark or Dean to Kennedy or Truman or any other public figure from 30+ years ago is pointless. Times change and we need the right candidate for NOW, not 30 years ago.

I like both Clark and Dean. I think they could both beat Bush.

Oh, and Clinton (supposedly) fired Clark. What's your point?

[Larkspur]

6. The article compared Dean to Eugene McCarthy and Clark to RFK

I was commenting on the example provided in the topic post.

My view of Clark has not changed. I don't trust generals becoming Presidents unless they first show experience and adeptness in a lower civilian political office, like governor or senator, and can win reelection at least once.

Clark has no civilian political governance experience and therefore I have nothing to grade him on except the way he projects himself on screen.

I want a presidential nominee who has shown me that he/she can govern well. Dean has passed that test plus he is running a top-notch campaign that inspires people, especially those who have either given up hope in politics or have never participated in the political process.

[boxster]

8. Political experience doesn't necessarily a president make

"Clark has no civilian political governance experience and therefore I have nothing to grade him on except the way he projects himself on screen."

Sure you do. You can review speeches and statements that he has made. You could review positions he has taken inside and outside of the military. You can watch his campaign appearances and the debates.

Claiming you have nothing to grade him on one week after he entered the race for a decision you don't have to make for several months is ludicrous.

[dfong63]

7. half the articles about Clark fawn about how "handsome" he is, as if

... that were a qualification for public office.

[boxster]

9. It worked for Bush.

I cannot tell you how many people told me that they were voting for him because he looked presidential. Or "he's like your neighbor". My favorite: "He just seems like someone you could go out and have a beer with."

That doesn't qualify him for the presidency, you morons!!!

Ugh, I hate living in a red state.

[Kahuna]

3. Playa-hata

:7

[Kahuna]

4. P.S. I just know that a Dean supporter isn't dissing....

someone else's grin. Please tell me that's not right. Dean's grin looks more like a smirk than a smile.

[Bertrand]

5. Good Article

eom