Clark to Launch Media Blitz in New Hampshire

Clark to Launch Media Blitz in New Hampshire
Ads Aim to Show He Can Take on Dean
By Lois Romano
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 16, 2003; Page A01


LITTLE ROCK -- After weeks of internal chaos, personnel battles and an uneven performance by the candidate himself, Wesley K. Clark's presidential campaign will attempt to regain momentum this week with a massive media buy in New Hampshire and by highlighting its ability to raise money at the rate of about $800,000 a week.

While acknowledging that they failed to capitalize on the expectations for Clark when he entered the race for the Democratic nomination in September, campaign officials cite the retired general's fundraising success as evidence that he is attracting significant support eight weeks before he faces voters for the first time. They expect the campaign to raise at least $12 million this quarter, in all likelihood more than any other candidate except Howard Dean.

"We weren't just off to a slow start, we stumbled on our knees as we were getting into the race," said Richard Sklar, a senior campaign official. "We had to do in seven weeks what some people did in a year or 18 months. . . . Now we're running with the pack as we go down the final stretch."

Clark has been no small part of the problem, political strategists say. Although he has been in the public arena as an Army officer for 34 years, and as a commentator on CNN, his campaign aides said he was not quite prepared for an environment where his every utterance was scrutinized and challenged. Clark has struggled to be heard over his rivals during debates and was unable to explain how he would have voted on the congressional resolution on Iraq, hurting himself badly with the antiwar Democrats he needs to pry away from Dean. While he is engaged and charming one on one with voters, he comes across stiff during policy speeches and with the media.

more..............

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46093-2003Nov15.html

Clark is our best chance to win next year and I hope he gets the nommination!

"They expect the campaign to raise at least $12 million this quarter, in all likelihood more than any other candidate except Howard Dean."

This article is currently on the front page at the WP site.