Reply #114: Oh, Dean over Bush to be sure

[Jai4WKC08]

Not just instincts, but education and willingness to consider new information to make informed decisions. And he reads books. lol

I spoke too strongly, trying to make the point that Clark considered both Dean and Edwards insufficiently prepared for the role of commander-in-chief.

And, if I didn't make it clear, I also agree that Clark thought Kerry would win, just not that he was sure (100% sure) of it and intended to do what he could to clinch it. Perhaps I took your use of the word "inevitable" too literally.

Good point, tho, about the advantages of Kerry winning decisively, as opposed to stretching it out and wasting Kerry's resources (which was a major concern at that point). Not to mention the psychological factor of there being no doubt that Kerry IS the man as far as the entire party is concerned. Clark could have hoped for a brokered convention, as some (very few) of his supporters did, but he knew that would be very bad for the ultimate goal of sacking Bush.

Also a good point about the media coverage. I think Clark knew he'd be running at a disadvantage on that score--that's mostly what momentum is all about. But I don't think he anticipated it would get as bad as it did. He likely estimated his post-Iowa odds differently based on the assumption of an equitable amount of free media.