Defeatists, Defeatism, and the horse they rode in on...

[jeter]

I am sick to death of these defeatist posts here on DU. I have tried to ignore them but they are just there. Always there. Never a moments peace. Because they are always there.

They are usually started by Clark supporters, unfortunately. I say unfortunately, because I actually like and admire Wesley Clark. I think he would make an excellent President.

But his supporters here do him a major disservice. For starters, they have no faith in their own candidate. That is why they feel it necessary to attack Howard Dean. Because they see Dean as being strong. And their own Clark as being weak. The only way offset this disadvantage is not to build Clark up to Deans status. But to bring Dean's down to their own.

There was a time when I was torn between Clark and Dean. Because both opposed the war. Both are strong. Have their limitations, sure. But both also have a number of strengths. I still see the Dean/Clark ticket as the strongest. But the entire rationale for Clark's candidacy - right from the beginning - was that he could easily defeat George W. Bush. That is why most initially supported him. I suspect that is why most still support him.

It's not about his accomplishments. His vision for the country or world. Not about his platform or anything. It is the fact that they think that Clark could win. Therefore, Clark is their man.

But a funny thing happened. That belief never carried over to any tangible method of measuring the success or failure of candidates. Sure, it is true that some polls show Clark doing better. Usually, by about 2 to 4%. Others show him at par with the other "mainstream" Democratic candidates. Others still show him behind, even the much maligned and hated Howard "Dukakis-Goldwater-McGovern-or any other candidate that lost by a lot" Dean.

So the whole rationale for his candidacy fell apart. So posts here at DU then became less about building up Clark and more about bringing down Dean. It was no longer that "Clark CAN win." It became "Dean WILL lose." Even though, to this day there is no evidence of this. Other than what FOX news has to say. Contrary to popular belief here, the next election will not be decided by the South. It will be decided by independants.

According to Pew Research Polls, and others. For the first time there is an even split among Dems, GOP and Inds. 33% to 33% to 33%. This weeks Time Magazine, and the most recent Pew Research Poll also show that the GOP and Democrats have never been as polarized as they are today. 90% of GOP think Bush is great. 90% of Dems believe he is a turd. 90% of GOP think the war and everything else we have been dealt with is great. 90% of Dems think it is bad. The key, is the independant. The independant voter will be gold in 2004. That same Pew Research Poll also showed that the trend of independants is going our way. And has been for several years now. There was a pause to be sure after September 11. But that bounce is dead now. Independants more and more agree with us on: the war, the economy, health care, the deficit, the debt, education and even foreign policy. They see the Bush Administration as increasingly going in the wrong direction.

So the true question, if anyone is serious about analysis. Is which candidate appeals to independant voters. Where and why. The answer to that question is not certain. But Howard Dean is the one making the case to them. He is the one trying to appeal to them. Not by pandering. But by addressing their issues in a reasonable way. Much like the way Clinton did in 1992. The Clark strategy of sounding like Dean while his supporters simutaneously attack him do nothing to get us where we want to go. That is why I don't support Clark. Not because he doesn't have the potential to be great. But because he isn't acting very great. He is acting desperate. And it is obvious.

Why should I support a desperate candidate? Especially one, who's supporters obviously don't have enough faith in to espouse his virtues. Selecting instead to attack his opponents. That, is what this election comes down to me.