Matthews: Clintons Eyeing 'Stop Dean' Endorsement

newsmax.com ^ | 1-8-4

[InvisibleChurch]

Thursday Jan. 8, 2004; 4:52 p.m. EST Matthews: Clintons Eyeing 'Stop Dean' Endorsement

Bill and Hillary Clinton will likely endorse Gen. Wesley Clark for president in February if he looks like he has a good chance of defeating Howard Dean, MSNBC's Chris Matthews said Wednesday.

"I think Clark is counting on Clinton sending some sort of endorsement to him if he does well in the early going and looks like he might beat Dean, the "Hardball" host told radioman Don Imus.

"At the critical moment - maybe in the Michigan primary next month, if [the Clark campaign is] doing well and they've got a shot of knocking off Dean - that's when the cavalry attacks. And that's Bill and Hillary."

Michigan's Democratic presidential primary is February 7.

Clark's campaign is loaded to the gills with Clinton administration veterans, and the candidate himself admitted on the day he entered the presidential race that Hillary Clinton had talked him into running. He even announced - errouneously, it turned out - that the former first lady had agreed to chair his campaign.

Mrs. Clinton has said she never endorses in primaries. But in 2002, she and her husband pulled the rug out from under New York gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo by endorsing Carl McCall a week before the primary.

Asked about a possible Clark endorsement, one longtime Clinton backer told the New York Post, "It's really about whether the Clinton faction can still keep hold of the Democratic Party." After contests in Iowa and New Hampshire this month, the next ten state primaries are expected to winnow the Democratic field, culminating with Michigan and Washington state.

[InvisibleChurch]

in February if he looks like he has a good chance

geez, these people can't stand to take a stand...

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[Always Right]

I think I will wait until the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl before I commit to endorsing anyone....

[narby]

So Madonna endorses Clark, and the Clinton's might do so soon.

Just wondering where the "bent one" spends his evenings now?????

No... I guess Madonna lives in England now.

[SF Republican]

Just wondering where the "bent one" spends his evenings now????? oh good a chance for my favorite joke: What does Bill say to Hillary after sex? Honey I'll be home in 20 minutes.

[Prime Choice]

Considering the Clinton's track record when they tried to stop the California recall, I can't wait for them to do a face plant on this one! : )

[Petronski]

...only if they're way ahead. Can't be too sure about these things.

[Solson]

As I've been saying....CLARK will be the nominee. No question about it.

[Always Right]

As I've been saying....CLARK will be the nominee. No question about it.

I am not so sure about that. The Deaniacs will not go down quietly. This should be fun to watch.

[PoisedWoman]

The Deaniacs will not go down quietly. This should be fun to watch.

Only if you have a strong stomach. I tried watching the Goron convention of '99 but had to switch over to "The Simpsons" for more edifying intellectual content.

The Clintonistas are hanging back...back....back....in case GWB runs into some kind of brick wall or drops dead and cannot win again. In that highly unlikely case, Hitlery will be the Dem dark horse candidate. I think of Clark as a space-filler, place-holder kind of guy.

[WVNan]

Yep, Clark is the clinton "holder". He will win the primary. We're already seening the results of something that the clinton faction is doing to discredit Dean. Just how was Clark able to overtake Dean in the polls overnight, hummmm? The clintonistas are at work somewhere. Clark will take the primary and then he will suddenly be diagnosed with cancer, commit suicide, or die in a plane crash. Hil will just "have" to answer the "call" of her party and her country and step in, either at the convention or just before the Nov. elections. Sometime so close to the election that she will have time to capitalize on her "star" quality yet not have to debate or answer questions. I've said this ever since Clark said hillary talked him into running. He's a stalking horse and is too dumb to realize it.

[expatpat]

Bill and Hillary Clinton will likely endorse Gen. Wesley Clark for president....

DUH! Of course, they will. He's their puppet/dog in the fight, so why wouldn't they?

[Sloth]

He's a stalking horse and is too dumb to realize it.

I think you're right. Clark is dumb enough that he *honestly believes* that Bill & Hil want him elected President in 2004.

[Sloth]

BTW, I think you're wrong about some of the rest... I think Hillary is shooting for 2008. Clark is intended to take an involuntary dive this year.

[txzman]

... but Matthews is not biased nor has any horse in this race, as a 'professional and unbiased' liberal journalist.

[Procyon]

And Hil will be his VP candidate. If they lose she won't be spoiled goods for 2008 and Wes won't be in her way either. I won't mention the story line in Manchurian Candidate-- but if you've seen the movie.

[plain talk]

As I've been saying....CLARK will be the nominee. No question about it.

Yeah, Ramsey, is going to outflank Dean on his left front and win the nomination. I can smell it.

[cajun-jack]

another one for you: bill always screams Hillary!!! Hillary!!! during sex (when she walks in on him)

[Solson]

I would bet that, during the general election, Clark will promise to only take one term...to maintain his "outsider" presence. Thus, if he wins, he runs one term and clears the way for Hillary.

But he won't win...

[ladyinred]

Oh so they will only endorse him if they think he has a chance of winning? Will they please just go away?