Reply #8: I think its a combination of factors.... [View All]

[Rowdyboy]

He regained his footing after a rocky start, he settled on a strategy, developed his speaking style and got comfortable in the role. His team evidently put together some kick ass advertising and he had the money to really use it in New Hampshire.

The debates, after the first few, are meaningless and not worth the time wasted. Clark, by skipping Iowa where he had little chance, could devote far more time and money to NH. The time, the ads, the personal attention all helped. Also, gradually, it became apparent that none of the others would catch fire. Kerry, Gephart, Edwards, Lieberman etc all are at or around where they started in the polls.

By consistently refraining from the rank personal attacks indulged in by most of the candidates, Clark kept himself above the fray so that when the time came for an anti-front runner to emerge, he was the obvious choice.