The race is on for the un-Dean
Democratic power brokers see Clark as best alternative
By Howard Fineman
SPECIAL TO MSNBC.COM
msnbc.com
ROBBINS, N.C., Sept. 16 — The race has turned frantic to find the un-Dean for the Democratic presidential nomination. The frenzy reached a fever pitch today in this little Piedmont town, where Sen. John Edwards relaunched his campaign while the assembled national press corps focused on the news from Arkansas, where Gen. Wesley Clark was preparing to plunge into the race tomorrow. It was quite a scene: As Edwards took the stage to offer himself as tribune of common folk, journalists worked the phones to book the first flight to Little Rock.
CLARK HAS A lot of appeal, and potential, but his main attraction to party insiders and former Clintonistas — many of whom are joining up with the general — is that they see him as the man, perhaps the only man, to block Dean’s surge to the precipice of locking up the nomination. Party leaders — if there is such a thing — view Dean as a disaster waiting to happen in a race with President George W. Bush.
Even before Dean locked up the insurgent’s role, and turned it into an Internet-driven anti-war money machine, Democratic wise guys has pushed Sen. John Kerry forward as a consensus favorite to challenge Bush. But Kerry’s campaign has foundered, in part because of his vote in favor of the Iraq war (which most grassroots Democrats opposed) and because he has encountered the putative frontrunner’s problem of trying to be all things to all voters.
Lately, some of the same people (and pundits) who were touting Kerry have abandoned him So have some of the paid advisers who once viewed him as a cinch. In the last few days, they have been touting Rep. Dick Gephardt, finding new virtues — such as a sense of humor — they didn’t know he had.
Edwards may still get his shot. He drew a big crowd here today in his home town, where he is clearly loved. He has a set of policy proposals that are detailed and well-thought out, even if they aren’t as liberal or as sweeping as those of some of the other candidates. He is personable almost to excess — a great one-to-one campaigner. But he too voted for the war, and seems to have too sunny a disposition to suit the tastes of Democratic activists.
In Iowa the other day, the Democratic state chairman told me to keep an eye on Edwards — that he could take off. That’s why I came here to Robbins. I am watching.
But Edwards’ effort to make a splash was obliterated today by the news that Clark was definitely about to enter the race. On paper, he has everything the Democrats think they need: He was against the war, but wore four stars as a general; he is a war hero, but believes in internationalism and global cooperation; he can be a cowboy like Bush, but can work with the world.
So while I am listening to what Edwards is saying here, I’ve got to go — I have a plane to catch.
Howard Fineman is Newsweek’s chief political correspondent and an NBC News analyst. |
