Wesley!
Well, he's in. It's not quite official until tomorrow, but Wesley Clark is all but in the Democratic race for the nomination.
Is he too late? You hear and read that thread, no doubt planted by the Dean and Kerry camps and their various hopefuls. But how can Clark be too late to enter a race that has no clear leader, either in terms of support or money? That's like saying a movie that comes out in the 11th month of the Oscar season can't be considered for the award. Well, maybe it's not exactly like that, but I don't think Wes Clark's campaign is going to derail because of his late start.
What I do wonder is how much the average voter knows about Wes Clark. Certainly, people following the race closely at this point know who he is. I guess my feeling is that Clark's story is an incredibly compelling one, especially compared to a certain Yale graduate's. If you want an entertaining rundown of that comparison, check out the August 26th entry of Hyperbole, courtesy of learned Southern Gent Paul Hayes. Clark is basically a modern-day Ike Eisenhower, and General Badass. How can the media not slobber all over themselves for this guy? No, the media will make sure that the public knows good and well who Wes Clark is by the time the dye is cast.
Beyond that, what can opponents say about Clark? They can say he doesn't have experience in a governing role, and that would be correct. But he does have military and diplomatic experience, something that many past Presidential candidates could not boast.
I need to know a bit more about where Clark stands. He has hinted that he thought the recent tax cuts were irresponsible, that he favors some limited affirmative action, and that he would push to repeal Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy because it doesn't work.
Obviously, it's early, but I can't help but wonder if this is what's happening:
The Bush team capitalized on 9/11 for political gain, and turned it into a massive flag-waving demonstration that continues (though with less fervor than before) today. They have made strength, military might and heroism the headliners in this country, and have played to that by dressing up a known dodger of military service in flight gear to have him play the role they made Americans thirsty for.
And now, here comes the real deal, not just a John Kerry who served his country admirably on a tough river rat patrol boat in 'Nam, but a guy who did all of that and so much more, a guy who has the reportedly unabashed respect of U.S. military people everywhere.
Is it just me, or is Wes Clark Bush's worst nightmare, even without a platform? Americans want strength and leadership? Wes Clark is, by all accounts, a STRONG LEADER.
This race just got a lot more fun for a lot of Democrats.
2:52:31 PM 
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