Gen. Clark sketches plan for presidential run

[diplomats]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 — Gen. Wesley K. Clark is moving closer toward a run for the White House, having put together the frame of a campaign organization and consulted an architect of Al Gore's 2000 presidential candidacy in preparation for an announcement that could come within a week.
General Clark would have some obvious strengths as a candidate. He is poised and accustomed to public speaking. He has also found fault with the conduct of the war in Iraq, a circumstance that would presumably allow him to crowd in on the effort by Senator John Kerry to build campaign credentials on his status as a Vietnam veteran.
But General Clark would face obstacles as well. For one thing, the nine declared candidates for the Democratic nomination enjoy nearly a year's advantage in raising money and building campaign networks in early states like Iowa and New Hampshire.
He would also be a first-time candidate for office, beginning his career in politics by seeking the very top rung on the ladder. Several Democrats and Republicans alike described that today as a recipe for trouble, noting the difficulties first-time candidates invariably have in trying to navigate a political race. What is more, his personal and political record is only now coming under the kind of scrutiny that will grow all the more intense if he declares.
Soliciting advice on the possibility of a run, General Clark sat down the other day with Mark Fabiani, a senior adviser to Mr. Gore's campaign three years ago.
"He's an intriguing figure," Mr. Fabiani said today. "You spend any time with him and you realize he is a prestigiously talented person with an extraordinary record. He would be a very potent candidate."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/12/politics/campaigns/12CLAR.html

I think this article is balanced in describing what Clark faces. I'm thrilled he's entering the race but I know being a first-time candidate will probably be tough. That's why he needs excellent and experienced campaign people.

[Sean Reynolds]

1. Can't say I support him - not until I see where he stands on the issues.

I welcome ANY person into the race. I still feel Dean will win the nomination, but hey that is why we've got the primary season!

[bif]

2. Why doesn't he consult the architect of Bush's 2000 candidacy?

If he could get this brainless shithead in the Oval Office, he can get anyone in. That guy knows how to steal the presidency.

[diplomats]

3. LOL!

eom

[Brian Sweat]

4. Because he wants to get ideas from the guy that actually won.

[bif]

10. The guy who ended up in the White House is the guy who won.

The guy who SHOULD be in the White House is teaching college classes. The conditions in this country are still the same--Repub controlled House, Senate, and Supreme Court. It's not gfoing to be any easier this time around. So whatever it takes, I say go for it.

[Dubyawatchers]

5. He'll need the same help

Clark will need the same help with his voting record that dubya got
in convincing people the wmd's existed.

[diplomats]

7. Uh, Clark doesn't have a voting record

[robbedvoter]

9. What about his voting record? Care to substantiate or are you

merely around to drop stink bombs?

[ryharrin]

6. Wouldn't that be Rove?

Now that would give people some serious reasons to complain about Clark.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

8. All Clark has to do is be a strong economic populist

He needs to talk about corporate loyalty to the USA, exporting of jobs, so-called "free trade agreements" and speak highly about unions.

His defense credentials are unmatched, he looks great on TV, speaks well, and has a good professional history. All he needs to do to separate himself from the Democratic front-runners and Bush is to speak directly to the white working class and the military vote, where he can peel away enough Bush votes while rallying the base, and he's in.

On the other hand, he could pimp his Wall Street credential, come out as a free-trading NAFTA lover, talk about the wonders of deregulation and privitization, and lose big. I guess the choice is his.