After Strong Fund Raising, Clark Sets Sights On Dean (Assoc.Press 1/1)

[KittyWampus]

WASHINGTON — After separating from the pack as the only Democratic presidential candidate to give Howard Dean (search) a late-year run for the money, Wesley Clark (search) is mapping his final sprint to become the Democrats' alternative to Dean.

"It's now clear that I'm one of only two candidates in a position to win the nomination," Clark, a retired general, said in a statement issued Thursday. "And I'm the only candidate positioned to actually win the election because I am the candidate best able to stand up to George W. Bush and win the debate about who will best be able to make our country secure over the next four years."

snip

Now that Clark has raised more than $10.5 million in the final quarter and is getting $3.7 million in federal matching money, his campaign provided a road map this week of how he plans to capitalize on his strong financial position. They hope to carry their fund-raising momentum into January by raising another $4 million during the month. "We will have ample resources to compete well into February and beyond," said campaign spokesman Matt Bennett. Clark is in relatively strong position in polls both nationally and in states with early contests.

snip

Starting Monday, Clark plans a carefully orchestrated introduction of domestic and security proposals. Clark plans to roll out a "signature issue" on the domestic front Monday, though aides wouldn't discuss specifics.

For a week in mid-January, the former NATO commander plans to address different aspects of domestic and economic security every day — including a detailed homeland security plan. During that week, he will focus his campaign on New Hampshire and states with contests in early- to mid-February.

snip

The Clark campaign is counting on its roots as an Internet movement to help build a strong grass roots presence, both traditional and online.

sorry for the link source but it's an AP story...
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,107183,00.html

[mot78]

1. Looks like he's being nicer to Dean

"It's now clear that I'm one of only two candidates in a position to win the nomination," Clark, a retired general, said in a statement issued Thursday. "And I'm the only candidate positioned to actually win the election because I am the candidate best able to stand up to George W. Bush and win the debate about who will best be able to make our country secure over the next four years."

[Scott Lee]

16. That's because he's cushioning his VP spot

Maybe he's not so politically dumb after all.

[ozone_man]

19. More fear mongering.

"I am the candidate best able to stand up to George W. Bush and win the debate about who will best be able to make our country secure over the next four years."

Gee, I really would not have to choose a president based on who can scare me best into voting for them. Let's have a civilian with experience running a government not a war.

[giantrobot_2000]

2. ABB

ABB ABB ABB ABB ABB ABB ABB ABB ABB ABB ABB ABB

[KittyWampus]

3. Technically I'm Not ABB

cause I want to be wooed as a potential voter. ABB lowers expectations...

but when I hear things like Junior's New Years Resolution is to strengthen his knee so he can jog...

ABB!

:)

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Clark is all fluff

And no real substance. I keep wondering where his true loyality lies... Clark was recruited for one reason and one reason alone, which was to neutralize Kerry on the foreign policy and VN matters. That part has been accomplished, and boosted Dean and sunk Kerry. I can see that Clark has now nowhere to go but down once the primaries start and he is picked consistently 4th or 5th.

Dean is the only person in this race with the true experience needed for this job. Yes, it is true that he lacks foreign policy, but must I remind you of one William Jefferson Blythe IV that literally had the same experience that Dean has when he started this job? Clinton turned in one of the best foreign policies in US history.

Think again before you pull the button for Clark. Are you 100% positive that he is who he says he is? I am not.

Hawkeye-X

[giantrobot_2000]

6. ...

"Clark was recruited for one reason and one reason alone, which was to neutralize Kerry on the foreign policy and VN matters."

No, he was recruited by me and hundreds of thousands of other citizens who drafted Clark because we need a leader with an unimpeachable record to beat Bush. That's grassroots.

[BobbyJay]

7. ok, but if Clark were to win the nomination

would you vote for him over Bush?

[Hawkeye-X]

10. Yes.

But with heavy doubts that he will survive the onslaught of the R congress that he will have.

Clark is bringing no coattails.

Dean is. He has started with Leonard Boswell of IA, and he will bring many more.

Hawkeye-X

[Donna Zen]

11. Do you have links?

You say all of this with such conviction, I would imagine you have links. Some proof?

Can he govern...he has sharp elbows, and he has not called anyone cockroaches or called centrist Democrats republicans. That good high ground for taking a stand.

Coattails? Boswell has Dean's money, but he also brought on the too liberal meme. However, regarding foreign policy experience, regional and cultural issues, Clark's coattails will do just fine. My experience in Maine is that Dean is not selling well. Maybe he does well in the cities; I can't tell.

Anyway, we all have our own opinions about the issues you raise, however, I doubt either of us is prepared to declare our words as "gosple."

[Bread and Circus]

13. I think you might just be afraid Clark will give Dean a good contest.

[Kat45]

8. Yes I am positive. Clark is a sincere, honest man.

He is the man who can turn our country back into the great country it once was, both at home and in the world.

[lurk_no_more]

9. Pre 9/11 foreign policy experience

will not resonate into a well excepted argument today, and it will not resonate as well in a VP choice as it will in the man himself, Clark doesn't need the on the job training that was acceptable before 9/11.

Once it is known that Clark "Governed" in the military as much as dean did in Vermont with basically the same criteria plus the added benefit of FP experience it makes Clark a much stronger candidate than dean and a much better choice for President.

I am 100% positive that he is who he says he is and more, he's my next President of the United States.


” JAFO”

[Turkw]

12. I have a problem with the Fluff part, I don't have a problem with asking

questions or raising concerns.

It is legatimate for you to have them and voice them, about any candidate. It is not an attack, but when you put a fluff type comment, it is hard for me to not take it as a smear attack vs. a question about qualifications, positions, or experience. The latter three types of questions should be asked about all the candidates!

[Skwmom]

20. How does being the equivalent of a "mayor"

qualify Dean for the job?

[lurk_no_more]

5. Sounds like a plan

time to move this up a notch.


” JAFO”

[Clark4VotingRights]

14. Phew, I'm relieved it's an AP story. Thanks for clarifying.

Clark's strategy makes sense.
He's positioned himself perfectly; now he can
make his move.

[robbedvoter]

15. Misleading title - Clark never mentions HD

AP desperately tries to provoke s*.

[dave29]

17. Nice of him to get around to this!

what with recently becoming a registered Democrat, it's probably a good idea he brush up on some policy.

I for one look forward to it - and the ensuing debate!

If it is attack-free, all the better.

And I'm predicting it here first: He'll use the word "Clinton" atleast 73 times in his speeches :evilgrin:

Let the fun begin!

:toast:

[Walt Starr]

18. Using the word "Clinton" will turn off the Dean Republicans

I know that it's wonderful Dean is converting Republicans to the light side of the force, but they still have a visceral reaction to Clinton.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

21. Ouch

I don't disagree with what he says here, but that's gotta piss off the other candidates, saying he is the ONLY other candidate who can win the nomination.

[KittyWampus]

22. Interesting- Fox's Rendition Favors Dean

While Yahoo favors Clark... both from the same AP story but Yahoo cites Clark in strong position. Fox cites Dean's strenth.

Thanks to DU'er Ignatiusr for pointing this out.

Yahoo Release Excerpt:

"We will have ample resources to compete well into February and beyond," campaign spokesman Matt Bennett
said.

Clark is in relatively strong position in polls both nationally and in states with early contests.

As Clark tries to narrow the race to two candidates, other campaigns are likely to start diverting some of their
relentless attacks on Dean."

Fox News Release Excerpt:

"We will have ample resources to compete well into February and beyond," said campaign spokesman Matt
Bennett. Clark is in relatively strong position in polls both nationally and in states with early contests.

Dean leads in national polls and in New Hampshire as well as some states with early contests.

As Clark tries to narrow the race to two candidates, other campaigns are likely to start diverting some of their
relentless attacks on Dean."

[tsipple]

23. Why is Clark viable against Bush?

Unfornately Clark's campaign accepted federal matching funds, which means his campaign is limited to spending $45 million through July.

He's already spent quite a chunk of that, and it'll take much more spending to win the Democratic nomination, if it's even possible.

And then he'll face up to $200 million in unanswered TV ads from the Bush team through July. TV ads which will redefine someone who is relatively unknown to most Americans.

This troubles me greatly about Clark's candidacy, and I've yet to hear a plausible explanation as to how it isn't a serious handicap.

[BootinUp]

24. The democrats

have rarely if ever outspent the republicans in a presidential contest. The idea that Clark would just run out of money kind of cracks me up though. A campaign can raise money for the general election during the primary season. They just can't spend it until after the convention. Isn't that when the real race starts?

In the mean time waiting for the convention, the demcocrats get plenty of publicity running the primaries, they run some ads, organizations like moveon.org will be attacking Bush.

I really don't see this as a valid issue, unless there is evidence the Clark team doesn't know what they are doing or can't raise money. And neither of these are true.

[tsipple]

27. OK, Responding to Your Points

A campaign can raise money for the general election during the primary season. They just can't spend it until after the convention. Isn't that when the real race starts?

No, it's not. Ask Bob Dole.

In the mean time waiting for the convention, the demcocrats get plenty of publicity running the primaries, they run some ads, organizations like moveon.org will be attacking Bush.

The Democrats get plenty of publicity? You mean, plenty of publicity about bitter infighting? (That's really the only way to get Clark to Boston, IMHO.) Not good.

Organizations like MoveOn may be attacking Bush, but their messages are uncoordinated (by law) with any candidate's campaign. Again, ask Bob Dole about that.

I really don't see this as a valid issue, unless there is evidence the Clark team doesn't know what they are doing or can't raise money. And neither of these are true.

The latter is true. By law, Clark cannot raise more than about $35 million to spend through July. (The other $10 million is matching funds.) That's it. His campaign decided to unilaterally disarm against George W. Bush who doesn't operate under those constraints.

In military terms, Clark may have a decent conventional army -- on the order of Japan's -- but Bush has the nukes and he isn't afraid to use them.

[BootinUp]

29. You still seem to have it wrong

The 45 million limit applies to the primaries. It does not limit what Clark can raise or spend against Bush. The General Election is a different election by the FEC rules.

Funds that Clark colloects over the 45 million will be earmarked for the General Election.

As far as infighting, thats a valid point. In my opinion that will be over by first week of March. Then you have 4 months for a more unified attack on Bush message.

[tsipple]

31. I Disagree Completely, and so does Bob Dole

It does not limit what Clark can raise or spend against Bush. The General Election is a different election by the FEC rules.

If you define the "general election" as beginning after July, you're (mostly) right.

That's the most ridiculous assumption, though. The Republicans are already running TV ads against Democrats. I would argue it has already begun. But it certainly doesn't begin as late as August.

I don't see how Wesley Clark wins the Democratic nomination by the first week of March. That's Super Tuesday and not generally considered friendly to his campaign. (A whole lot of New England states in that mix, for example.) Southern Tuesday (later in March), maybe, if everything goes exactly right for him.

Look, let's be honest here. It's a problem for Clark and for every other Democrat who opted into the federal matching funds system. Lots of unanswered TV ads from the Republicans for months. It was Bush's campaign strategy from the get-go, because they learned from the master, Bill Clinton in 1996. We should certainly recognize this handicap for what it is.

[BootinUp]

32. Money is always a handicap for us dems

Whats new about that?

If Dean is the nominee it will be a handicap for him too.

[bryant69]

26. The intangibles

On the ability to protect us from terrorists, Mr. Clark does a bit better than Mr. Dean--he's got more experience and actual military service. That's not a clincher for me, but it is certainly a factor.

Bryant
check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[tsipple]

28. "If a tree falls in the woods..."

By June, 2004, I think the only thing America would know about Wesley Clark is that lots of Democrats didn't like him ("bitter party infighting") and that he almost started World War III with the Russians.

If you can't get your message out, it won't matter what the message is.

[KittyWampus]

30. And Dean Will Be Known As Soft On Terrorists

and I'm not going to bother going on here.

Clark is clearly competitive when it comes to money. His campaign will have enough.

I understand why, as a Dean supporter, you want to make it an issue though.

[maddezmom]

25. guess the is the "big idea" everyone was talking up yesterday

doesn't look like an endorsement....

<<Starting Monday, Clark plans a carefully orchestrated introduction of domestic and security proposals. Clark plans to roll out a "signature issue" on the domestic front Monday, though aides wouldn’t discuss specifics.>>>

will be interesting to see what it is.