Build-A-Meme Project: The broadening field
In case you haven’t noticed, I support Howard Dean’s campaign. I think he’s got the right credentials for the office of the presidency: finance education and experience, healthcare background, public office. I’m sure he must have had some relations with Canada as governor of a state bordering that nation, meaning he’s also got some experience dealing with at least one foreign government.
However, my second choice is Wesley Clark. Although he doesn’t have experience in public office, he does have the right background to help us recover from this Administration’s horrific chain sawing of foreign policy and pre-emptive abuses. His management skills and southern roots also help tremendously.
So what do I do, now that Clark's thrown his hat in the ring? My options are shaped by the path here as well as by the road ahead.
Here’s what I think happened to encourage Clark to run. You’ll recall there was some buzz about Bill Clinton and Al Gore advising Clark recently as he explored the idea of running. You’ll also recall Bill has encouraged Democrats, both candidates and constituents, to stay together and not attack each other.
With that strategy in mind, I think Clinton and possibly Gore persuaded Clark to run versus agreeing to accept the VP position with the Dean campaign. This prevents Dean from steamrolling over the other candidates (which would be highly devisive at this point of the campaign), allows the other candidates’ campaigns to emerge as issues develop, all the while encouraging the American public to learn more about Clark. At the same time, Clark’s entry into the race does not detract from Dean as much as it makes the Democratic Party appealing to a larger portion of the American public. Having both Dean and Clark running at the same time means cutting a wider swath through centrist and swing voters; chances to win back the White House are improved with a broader, deeper field.
At some point, the weakest candidates will drop by the wayside; the strongest candidates will emerge. My guess is they will be Dean and Clark – they will become the natural ticket.
Will we have a Clark/Dean ticket or a Dean/Clark ticket? I don’t know yet. The Democratic constituency will choose over time and I’ll support whichever ticket it is. I’ll support whichever Democratic candidate can win over a critical mass of constituents. I’m sure they’ll have their trial by fire between now and the nomination; I’m sure the critical mass will be convinced by that point that their nominee will be up to the job and more.
As Bill Clinton said this week,
"Go ahead, fall in love, be for somebody," Clinton said. "But when the primary's over, let's fall in line and bring the White House back to our party."
Yeah. What he said, in spades.
2:30:07 PM 
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