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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (458124)	9/13/2003 12:11:26 AM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769667

According to this New York Times article Clark is running for President... nytimes.com General Clark Sketches Plan for Presidential Run By ADAM NAGOURNEY The New York Times September 12, 2003 WASHINGTON — 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. The retired Army general, former NATO commander, said once again today that he had still not reached a final decision on becoming the 10th candidate in the Democratic field. He said many of the steps he was taking now were intended only to ensure that he was ready to go should he decide to make his first run for public office. "In the military, we do parallel planning," he told CNN. "That's the way I have always worked this. And we are going to have to make a decision soon. And if the decision is yes, then we want to be ready." But, sounding very much like a candidate, he continued: "I've gone around this country again in the last two weeks. There is a tremendous hunger for leadership out there. People are very concerned about the direction the country is headed." A senior Democratic official who has talked to General Clark about his plans described his candidacy as close to certain. And his activity of the last few days has sent a jolt of interest through Democratic political circles. 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." General Clark also met with Howard Dean last week in Los Angeles, where Dr. Dean asked for his support should he not run himself. The meeting, which lasted an hour over breakfast at a hotel, was, Dr. Dean said, the fourth between them. "He's a very bright guy, and I like him a lot," Dr. Dean said. "He knows a lot about defense." _________________________________________ _________________________________________ IMO, Clark is the only Democratic candidate who can attract SIGNIFICANT numbers of swing voters, independents AND frustrated Republicans...Stay tuned...then next few months will be interesting...Clark should announce his official campaign next week and he plans to make a big foreign policy speech at Univ. of Iowa on September 19th....;-)

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (458124)	9/13/2003 1:16:19 AM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 769667

A source close to Wesley Clark rates the probability that Clark will run for president at "90 percent." - - - - - - - - - - - - Joe Conason's Journal Salon.com Premium Sept. 12, 2003 salon.com Is Wes Clark getting to (90 percent) yes? Wesley Clark will reach a decision about whether to run for president over the coming weekend, according to a source who has been in close touch with him. When I asked for an educated guess as to whether the retired general's answer will be affirmative, that same source -- who has known him for more than a decade -- rated the probability of yes at "90 percent." That is only one source, however reliable. But others who have observed Clark lately say that he seems to be preparing rigorously for the next Democratic candidates' debate on Sept. 25, focusing his studies on economic and domestic issues. And even insiders who are not so sanguine about a Clark candidacy agree that what they are hearing indicates he will run. Clark has quietly approached top Democratic operatives in key primary states. One of New York's very best has agreed to run his campaign in a state whose primary often turns out to be critical. (No doubt that operative and others in New York City were pleased to discover that Clark's wife Gertrude is an Irish-American from Brooklyn.) In order to for prepare next Friday's decisive speech in Iowa, he will need to have made a final choice by early next week at the latest. The intense interest in Clark is obviously encouraging for worried Democratic activists seeking to draft him -- and potentially very troubling for the other Democratic candidates. Clark's entry into the primary race is expected to undermine the rationale for John Kerry's candidacy, at least in part, and to create competition for the disaffected Democrats lining up with Howard Dean. Although Dean and his campaign team deserve praise for their creative, daring approach to presidential politics, they may have been tripped up by their own hubris in dealing with Clark. By publicizing his meetings with Clark -- and perhaps slightly exaggerating their significance -- Dean's team has created an awkward situation for the good doctor from Vermont. How will he campaign against a man whom he reportedly tried to lure onto his ticket? What will he offer voters as an argument to support him instead of Clark? There are plausible answers: As a former governor, Dean has substantial domestic policymaking experience that Clark lacks, as well as a geographic base and an enormous, deeply committed corps of volunteers. He also has strong political skills and an original style. And of course, Dean has gathered far more money than Clark is likely to collect during the next few months (although Clark supporters insist that there are substantial donors waiting for him to declare). Heavier moneybags, however, will hardly make the most attractive rationale for a populist campaign. And Dean should know better than anyone just how volatile this race has become in its early stages. It was too soon for him to offer something that isn't yet his to give -- if he did make such an offer -- and who knows? Maybe one day next August, he will be deciding whether he would like to run for vice president on the Clark ticket. _____________________ About the writer: Joe Conason writes a daily journal for Salon. He also writes a weekly column for the New York Observer. His new book, "Big Lies: The Right-Wing Propaganda Machine and How It Distorts the Truth," is now available.