WP: The Dems Should Draft the General

[RageAgainstTheirMachine]

SNIP

But Clark's virtues go beyond foreign policy concerns and his jacket full of medals. When he articulates mainstream Democratic issues, as he does on abortion, affirmative action and taxation, he manages to sound like a centrist maverick. In part, he benefits from a southern accent and a cool demeanor. But he also approaches politics as an outsider. This isn't to say that he is a policy ignoramus. On the contrary, he talks about domestic issues with a surprising proficiency. (He didn't finish first in his West Point class for nothing.) Clark's appeal is that he intelligently veers from traditional Democratic rhetoric to make the party's case. Take the gun issue. Instead of hemming and hawing about the Second Amendment, he says, "I have got 20-some-odd guns in the house. I like to hunt. I have grown up with guns all my life, but people who like assault weapons, they should join the United States Army -- we have them." In a flash, he could reverse the damage of 30 years of Republican culture warmongering.

SNIP

In 1995 Colin Powell toyed with the idea of a second career, in presidential politics. It seemed an ideal opportunity for Republicans. Bob Dole had infrastructure but no oomph. Powell had a great chance of beating Bill Clinton. And even if he flamed out, he would have permanently altered perceptions of the party. But when presented with this amazing opportunity, the Republican establishment behaved like, well, an establishment and declined to give Powell substantial enough assurances of support. Twelve months before the election, they sealed their own defeat.

Some Democratic consultants have told reporters that it's too late to draft Clark. Seven months out from the Iowa caucus, this warning doesn't make sense. At this date on the calendar 12 years ago, Clinton had barely registered in the polls. Besides, the date shouldn't be an excuse for dismissing Clark but rather a reason for the establishment to coalesce forcefully behind him.

SNIP

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45989-2003Jul11.html?referrer=emailarticle

[MercutioATC]

1. "Drafts" are silly. Let him run if he wants to be President.

.

[inthecorneroverhere]

2. it's a good article

I think this article has some good ideas. I think Clark has a lot of win-ability, especially in some states that are usually 'given up' by the Dems.

I'd like to see him jump in.

[Kahuna]

3. The media seems to like Clark a lot...

I know a lot of tough asses will say, 'who cares who the media likes?..'

I'll explain it to you this way. The media was instrumental in helping Bill Clinton to win in '92. He was the media darling and worked it into a win. Got it now?

[IndianaGreen]

4. The media is pro-GOP, and it is trying to confuse the issue

They got their marching orders from Rove and now they want to distract our attention from the candidates that are running, particularly the ones that pose a threat to a Bush second term.

[Kahuna]

11. I don't know... They've been very kind and flattering

to Clark. Even Tim Russert. He's getting very postive media attention. You cannot deny that. So... why are you? :shrug:

[chaska]

5. Clark on THIS WEEK w/ George Steph. Sunday morning ABC

Everybody should check out the General tomorrow, especially the naysayers.

Hey Kahuna, you're fighting the good fight, bro.

Clark in '04 - Unimpeachable Integrity

[TheBigGuy]

6. If we have a normal primary season, Clark is toast if he runs

He does not have the organization nor the money to win the primarys.

The only way Clark could win is if some hi-viz candidates drop ou and throw their support to Clark, or if there is a deadlock going into the convention, and Clark would be a compromise choice of the party movers and shakers...

....more and likely that wont happen as there will be delegate horsestrading going on between the camps (not sure how this would work as I dont think we've seen a deadlocked convention in a long time).

Another way for Clark to be credible if some there are some major campaign contributors and party activists/elected officials jump ship to endorse or work on Clarks primary campaign.

This whole Clark phenom is interesting, but its really a distraction, I think.

[Donna Zen]

7. Behind the scenes

Clark has been meeting with Ted Sorenson...There is nothing about political organization that Sorenson doesn't know. Clark lunched with the blue dog democrates two weeks ago, they control 100 plus delegates. Also, many of Clinton's team have yet to sign on to one the candidates; some people think they are waiting.

When one stops to thinking about it, someone, somewhere is arranging for all of this free face time. This was lined up some time ago.

Is he running? From what I gathered in Atlantic article, Clark has a particular philosophy of why people want to be president. It was suggested that coming to terms with his own intentions before committing to this task is what is keeping him from a formal announcement. The philosopher warrior.

[Kahuna]

12. Terry McAuliffe and Donna Brazille like him..

Hill Democrats have been urging him to run.. A former Clinton staffer in Arkansas is spearheading the Arkansas, Draft Clark Movement.

[w4rma]

8. Dean/Clark? I'll need to research Clark a bit more before I decide (n/t)

[chimpymustgo]

9. Edwards/Clark - killer ticket.

As I've said before.

[Nashyra]

10. Clark/Dean/Edwards/Kerry

Any combination as long as Clark is on the ticket somewhere.

[aquart]

13. Well, how nice of them to suggest.

They've been so supportive of Democratic causes and ideals, after all.

I take the WP's suggestions much as I do Nader's. With regretful scorn for disgraced entities I once admired.

[Pastiche423]

14. No way, no how

no uniform

no killer.

Dig a little deeper into that man's soul and you will some bad ass darkness.

Is anyone going to admit they were bamboozled when Clark comes out and says......... Just kidding!

He is being set up as a distraction. And some people here are falling for it.