A new guy is sniffing around Iowa, considering the Caucus Dance.
By THOMAS BEAUMONT
Register Staff Writer
12/19/2002
In a race now wide open with the departure of former Vice President Al Gore, retired Gen. Wesley Clark has made some preliminary steps toward an Iowa caucus bid.
Associates of Clark, the former NATO supreme commander who appears frequently as a commentator on CNN, have been calling Iowa Democrats with campaign experience to set up meetings and make contacts with influential party insiders.
Clark, who could offer the Democrats a fresh face and a credible voice on the issues of war and terrorism, said Wednesday the contacts were not about gauging his potential as a presidential candidate in the state that kicks off the race for the White House.
"It's not surprising that people are talking to me about this," Clark, 57, said in an interview with The Des Moines Register. "But in terms of considering it or working it or intent, the answer is 'no.' What I'm doing is I'm speaking out, hoping to get engaged in a dialogue to encourage Americans to look at their world and their role in it."
There are signs, however, that lead political insiders to suspect Clark may be giving more thought to running than he lets on:
* Clark, who played a major role in the Dayton peace accords to end the war in Yugoslavia, campaigned for Democratic congressional candidates in New Hampshire this fall, the site of the nation's first presidential primary.
* His top aide now is Mark Nichols, a member of then-Vice President Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign team.
(snip)
http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c4789004/20029892.htmlAfter reading the story of Clark in Iowa the first thought I had was Clark is either going to run with John Kerry or be one of his picks for a cabinet postion.
I have no idea why, except that since JFK was a dercorated service man and has been saying that GWB is handling the war incorrectly, who better than a general to be your VP running mate.