Clark's current situation

[mot78]

Clark is coming on strongly in New Hampshire, and rightly so, because he's spent most of his time campaigning there for the last few weeks. However, I'm concerned that his momentum is rising too early, and I'm concerned he may peak early, especially since he could be in a horserace for the "anti-Dean" spot with Kerry if he finishes second in Iowa, or even Gephardt if he wins in Iowa.

I think the main reason for his recent sucess besides campaigning in NH is the fact that he's chosen to remain above the fray, and let Gephardt, Kerry, and Lieberman attack Dean for him, while he can sit back and relax.

Believe it or not, Clark's slip from his initial front-runner status may actually be benefitting him now, because he's had time to perfect his campaigning style, organize his campaign efficiently, and avoid having to worry about the media defining him before he can define himself (he's going to have to preempt what his likely to be a second whore media/RNC caricature offensive coming up in the next few weeks if he does well in NH and on Feb 3rd). By being a quiet, seemingly marginalized candidate, he's become like a stalking lion, ready to pounce on his unsuspecting opponents. I believe he's clever enough to manage his political expectations, and hopefully he'll be assertive in being able to define himself instead of Faux or Gen Shelton.

[Bombtrack]

1. People just have to see how much more brilliant he is than the others

and you have to get democrats to realize that this next term will be a foriegn-policy heavy one, the most in a generation, and Clark is just the right fit. For doing the work, and for getting elected to do that work

[ClarkGraham2004]

2. Clark will be fine as long as Kerry doesn't come in 1st or second in Iowa

I think it's key that Kerry come in 3rd in Iowa. Clark doesn't want any Kerry momentum going into NH.

[mot78]

4. Yes

I actually think that if anyone has to pull an upset in Iowa, it would be Gephardt. Because he doesn't have much of a local presence in NH, whereas Kerry has a strong organization here, although it's been dormant (at least compared to his Iowa supporters) since New Years or Christmas. Those supporters could come back to life if Kerry does well in Iowa.
But still, we'd be better off with Dean in first, Gep in second, and Kerry in third. Even a strong third won't help Kerry momentum-wise, because he either has to come in second or higher to hurt Clark in NH.

[ClarkGraham2004]

5. I agree

I wouldn't mind a Gep-Dean-Kerry finish at Iowa either. Gep has basically no presence in NH and Dean not coming in 1st would take mo away from him going into NH, also Kerry and Lieberman would have lost some mo. Clark could conceivably be neck and neck with Dean in NH in this scenario.

[MoonRiver]

3. Clark's credentials are awesome. He's got all the right social policies.

PLUS, in terms of charisma: he's every woman's dream of a gorgeous man who's strong but intensely and intimately caring; and he's every man's roll model of the alpha male, brilliant, fearless, and powerful.

He can also attract voters from all angles of the political spectrum.

The bottom line is:

THIS GUY HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN

&

* DOESN'T HAVE A CHANCE AGAINST HIM

Please, Democrats, can we get it right this time?

[YellowDawgDemocrat]

6. Clark has it pretty easy until South Carolina

Clark can afford to stay above the fray. Any success or lack of same can be spun pretty easily. All this changes with South Carolina.

His current state is to simply stay out of the way. Not unlike his late arrival into the process. This is not a bad strategy given his lack of experience campaigning. He can afford to react rather than be proactive more easily than the others.

After Iowa, the heat gets turned up on Clark, after NH, Clark will be where Dean is now...daily defending something he said, didn't say, alleged to have said, alleged to have done, didn't do and so on and so forth.

[ClarkGraham2004]

7. Actually I think SC is where he will really shine <nm>

[TexasSissy]

8. In politics anything can happen. Time will tell. I'm thru guessing!