CNBC debate: Do or die for Clark?

[arcos]

CNBC debate: Do or die for Clark?

I know that what I am about to say may strike you as ridiculous. Political junkies will be justified in wondering whether I am engaging in hype, since I am a contract player with NBC and its cable affiliates. But I’ll say it anyway: The CNBC-Wall Street Journal debate this week in New York City could be a make-or-break event for Wesley Clark and, therefore, a pivotal moment in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

CLARK IS ON the launching pad, instantly ahead of the pack and running even or ahead of President Bush in new test match-ups. This week he either takes off or begins falling back to earth like the other mortals.

This already has been a vintage political season — meaning wild and unpredictable — and it’s only just begun. A few months ago, Bush looked nearly invincible in his flight suit. Now he looks like a guy whose ankles are weighed down by concrete blocks (jobs and Iraq). The gyrations of politics are everywhere. California is in terminal meltdown; political civil war rages in Texas; and perhaps the most important participants in the 2004 election — the leaders of al-Qaida — are waiting in the wings to do who knows what.

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http://www.msnbc.com/news/970515.asp?0si=-

[diplomats]

1. I think it's important

but it's not make or break.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

3. Yup

I think that if Clark does great, he will keep him momentum. If he does poorly, he may stagnate, but I don't see it really hurting him. It would leave an opening for someone else to steal some of his thunder, but the debate isn't a make or break situation. It's a great opportunity for him to show that he's everything his supporters have been saying.

[ronzo]

2. Do or die? No.

Though he has an amazing shot at making some first impressions. Did you catch that gallup poll # that indicated 26% of the polees didn't know Wes Clark by name? And he's still on top.

[CWebster]

7. First impressions

The other candidates have been stumping for months and the new boy on the block gets propelled to the top without ever having made a first impression.

[loudsue]

16. Looks pretty choreographed to me...

What are the chances that this new Dem candidate is so well known?

Zero.

What are the chances that the publicists who do the polls are pushing him?

A zillion.

Ever wonder why the media owners, who have given the right wing a story-book hero's persona, would give this guy such high <burp> ratings?

:shrug: We can't imagine. :shrug:

[coralrf]

4. Make or Break???

What exactly does that mean? It includes everything and therefore meaningless. It’s like saying that on Sunday it could rain or shine. I agree.

"takes off or falls back". I agree again and exactly what else is possible if he is to do anything at all?

"vintage political season — meaning wild and unpredictable" Huh? Does vintage mean that or does it mean a period of wine production or of the past?

The writer of this tripe is erudite, unskilled, devoid of insight and just plain silly. Folks read this cant and be critical. The intention here is to counter the "rock solid" Clark image by inserting doubts about him. You are to see vulnerability and mortal weakness. Its Rove crap and no more.

[Capn Sunshine]

5. if I'm right about this

he'll get hosannas if he scores, and benefit of the doubt if he doesn't. As rabid a Dean supporter as I am, I understand his newness to the process. He's in a good spot,no matter what he can't lose.

He gets slack until he should know better IMO.
When's that? I say after Halloween.

[coralrf]

8. He is a Democrat..

he will get no slack. Dean is a good guy as most of the Dem candidates are but Dean is no Clark. Dean, you will remember is Rove's choice for an opponent and there is probably the beginnings of a "select Dean" plan on Rove's desk right now. I may be wrong but Ill bet Rove gets busted for diverting funds to Dean's campaign just to get the man he wants. In fact Ill bet big on it. Its already been alleged.

Clark has lifelong immunity from Rove shit and unlike Dean or Kerry or any of the lot he is a fighter. "Rush Limbaugh is full of shit" the man says. Its about time. Now what do you thing pig boy is going to do. Not jack. He cannot.

[Capn Sunshine]

12. apparently you didn't get the "Rove's choice" memo

as in
He's trying a desperate diversionary tactic.
they fear Dean more than you'll ever know as he represents the end of everything they have carefully orchestrated thus far.

They never counted on the people rising up.

[coralrf]

13. I did get the memo..

The one that says "yeah..thats the man we want". Rove went to a Dean rally to promote the man...what memo are you speaking of. Rove sees Dean as too liberal to win and a guy that Bush can clobber on the military thing......which is the most important issue in politics today. No it is not the economy as long a FOX is in charge. The issue is war and security and “the war on terror”.

Clark is off limits there.

[ShaneGR]

6. The Debates SUCK, 1 min. each SUCKS

I'm sick of it. 10 people is far too many when, really, only four or five have a legitimate chance. They don't debate, they just get 1 min. soundbites.

[StephNW4Clark]

10. You're right

The debates have devolved from political dialogue into which candidate gets the best soundbite. The worst part is all of the Dem candidates have sound principles and stands on issues and all the media reports is a 10 second soudbite. That served Bush well as 10 seconds is his attention span; sucks for those who actually have complex answer beyond "I care about children" or something.

[coralrf]

11. 2004 is a long way away...

and those debates will whittle the field to what you have said is more suitable. I think Lieberman and Edwards are toast. Gephardt well done and Graham pretty burnt as well. Lets see.

I see this as Dean, Kerry and Clark, all great men. Frankly we should be very happy.

[Starpass]

9. Recognize a set up when you see it---and I predicted this

They will hype it as make or break. He could be the most spectacular thing that ever talked in a debate and they will pronounce him "really bad and, thus dead, gone and over". Just like they told us Bush was magnificent in the debates. Thing is, nobody watches these debates except those who have their minds made up anyway. Nobody listens to these analysts. Thus, it's important to just counteract their inevitable judgement that is already being written and to bash the living fuck out of Bush every minute of every day. It's going to be the people's perception of Bush that's going to decide '04...and that's what these whores want to keep the people from looking at.

[janekat]

14. No wonder Clark was originally going to skip this debate n/t

[gully]

15. I tend to agree. n/t