Clark and Dean: proactive, fearless, and what Dems need....

I've resisted posting about candidates, assuming my Clark avatar alone would cause trouble. (I know some think Clark is in the race at the behest of dark forces acting on behalf of the same people who control Bush; I know that some think Dean is tainted with racism. I've heard these views, and respect them.)

I am for Clark because I think his candidacy represents "a man and a moment" -- but what I want to say is that these two guys are the candidates we need, and it has little to do with policy. They know who they are, and they are fearless. They act proactively. They say what they think. They are not intimidated by the press, or the other side. Contrast them to McAuliffe, Daschle, and way too many other Dems I could name. Other candidates speak out, but these two have, by their personas, I think, connected with the largest number of potential voters, and created the most interest and excitement -- and are likeliest to do the same in a general election.

I'm prompted today by the appearance on LBN of Clark's four-prong plan to end the Iraq war, and bring the troops home; his New Hampshire public radio interview that appears today in the GD forum; even his thirty-second Rock the Vote spot, which shows his campaign (like Dean's) is not tone-deaf to a new generation. And Dean's truck-and-Confederate-flag statement, its aftermath, his thinking about it. The statement, I think, was misguided, but the idea behind it is not. He's running now with the unlikely combination of both the Confederate flag and Vermont civil unions as controversial baggage, but he's still running, hitting all four morning shows -- and urging Southerners not to vote on race, guns, God and gays, and against their economic interests. Being bold carries risk. Clark is expressing views that could come back to haunt him in a general election, but he's expressing them anyway, because they are his views (I know some disagree). And he's going where others have feared to tread: 9/11, and the stolen election.

I favor Clark/Dean, but Dean/Clark is okay by me. We need this kind of candidate, as they used to say, "from the Courthouse to the White House." Like many, I was down yesterday, and am still short on hope today -- but these two guys out there are giving me a little something to hope for.

I'm working actively, with a local group, for one of them, and if the other is the nominee, I'll be working for him, too.

I'll vote for Clark without hesitation if he wins the nomination.

in that order. The spotlight would be on Clark, who is less prone to below-the-belt attacks, but we'd still have Dean and his supporters working hard.

The only other winning ticket is Kerry/Graham - more for electoral votes than for the popular vote, if that makes any sense.

Now, with all the grief Dean supporters get from Clark supporters, what makes you think they will be overjoyed about Dean as #2?

I'm supportive of Dean myself, as I indicated above. Both Clark and Dean want the top spot, but I think either would take number two -- for the good of the ticket, and the good of the country. And I would hope the supporters of either would work for a ticket that included them both.

not just because of what you said, but because I can see the Evil War Chimp Brigade ripping Dennis Kucinich to shreds. If Clark has an actual plan to get out of Iraq, I may have to switch. Much as I hate to give up on DK.

...SOME variation of Dean and Clark together, then someone's gotta take the crystal meth away.

Later.

RJS

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