Clark Heads Poll Of Democrat Hopefuls

Independent (UK) ^ | 9-22-2003 | Andrew Gumbel

[blam]

Clark heads poll of Democrat hopefuls

By Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles
22 September 2003

Wesley Clark, the retired general turned political candidate, has bounced right to the top of the latest poll of Democratic presidential hopefuls.

A poll published in today's issue of Newsweek magazine gave General Clark 14 per cent, with Howard Dean, hitherto the front-runner, and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut each on 12 per cent and Senator John Kerry on 10 per cent.

The hope of Democratic Party leaders is that General Clark's unimpeachable knowledge of military affairs will give him the authority to undermine the administration's policies in Iraq. They see him as an anti-war candidate voters can support without worrying that national security might somehow be compromised.

The poll also showed him performing better than any of his rivals in a hypothetical stand-off with the president. A Bush-Clark contest would, it said, result in a 47 per cent to 43 per cent victory for the President. Mr Bush would win 48 per cent to 43 against Mr Kerry, and 52 per cent to 38 against Mr Dean.

The Newsweek poll also showed disapproval with the President's economic policies.

But how the polls react to General Clark's uncertain first encounter with political reporters, which undermined many of the claims that he was a forceful anti-war and anti-Bush voice, remains to be seen. In Thursday's session, the retired general wobbled all over the place on the issue of just how anti-war he was and had to call to his press aide Mary Jacoby for help in clarifying his position.

MAIN CONTENDERS (Data from Newsweek)

Wesley Clark: 14 per cent

Howard Dean: 12 per cent

Joe Lieberman: 12 per cent

John Kerry: 10 per cent

Dick Gephardt: 8 per cent

(Don't know: 19 per cent)

[auntdot]

Given that Democrats are faced with a plethora of mediocrity, is it any wonder that they will show some enthusiasm about a new face.

Clark had better enjoy his 'honeymoon' because after the liberal press stops swooning, they will turn. Wesley, the attack dogs are out there and you will be facing them sooner than you think.

My own idea is that Clark was pushed into the race by the Clintons to ensure no one can garner enough votes to secure the nomination prior to the convention, thus leaving the Wicked Witch's options open until next summer. Let's face it, she could just let it be known that she would be willing to take the nomination, and the convention would go wild.

Hillary will not be out of it in '04 unless someone wins enough delegates to win the nomination on the first vote, or she decides an '04 run is too risky and passes.

[GOPyouth]

With the war on Iraq falling into disarray he will be a formidable opponent for Bush.

I don't buy the assumption that Iraq is falling into disarray.

[Leroy S. Mort]

I don't buy the assumption that Iraq is falling into disarray.

It's a "quagmire", my friend. Don't you read the newspapers and Newsweek or watch TV? People HERE are even starting to believe it, it seems.

As long as the Press is orgasmic over Howard Dean, Wesley Rodham Clark poses no danger because they'll rip him to shreds.

[tbpiper]

With the war on Iraq falling into disarray

You're believing too much of the leftist propaganda.

[zencat]

Isn't the situation in Iraq better than most predicted? Didn't the media portray that it would cost thousands of lives and take months just to win the military victory? That the Iraqis would hate us? That the Arab street would rise up? That our allies would be forever alienated and not cooperate in the war on terror?

There were weeks in Vietnam when we lost more soldiers than this entire campaign has in six months. The reconstrution in Iraq is going far better than is portrayed in the mainstream media.

Today, the Yahoo website (Reuters/AP) has had up as its top story that three soldiers were killed in Iraq. Seven people died in a plane crash in the US today and it barely makes the news. Twenty-three people died in hurricane Isabel. However, it's the death of soldiers that is always the top story. All part of liberal media's plan to do anything they can to attack the Bush administration. Disgusting.

[tbpiper]

All part of liberal media's plan to do anything they can to attack the Bush administration. Disgusting.

Agreed.

[piasa]

I'm bored with Clark already... he's too much like former DNC presidential candidate Wannabi Muhammad al-Gore.

When's the next Democrat going to throw his or her or its crusty stuff into the ring ?

[piasa]

When's the next Democrat going to throw his or her or its crusty stuff into the ring ?

Ask a silly question...

BRAUN ANNOUNCES WHITE HOUSE CANDIDACY

The more idiots Hillary can dilute the Democrat vote with, the smaller the number of votes she needs... she could win the DNC nomination with only 9% of the vote if she keeps this up.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Stating that Iraq is a quagmire is a very appropriate title. I believe that it is definately a predicament that may threaten Bush and his administration, that was all I was trying to say. Why is it than when someone does not follow lock, step and in line with what the "right wing" thinks all of the sudden they are either listening to or following liberals to closely. My main source of news comes from FOX because I do believe that many other media outlets are biased...so forgive me for thinking for myself (that is something I shall have to remedy).

Perhaps the observations of Democrats on the ground in Iraq (you could hardly paint them as "right wing")will temper your "quagmire fears" - see Press slants Iraq news: Dem congressional visitors speak out. If you want to think for yourself, do more research and don't just rely on the mass media (FOX included) to feed you the "truth".