Clark Blog

If Wesley Clark is not in Alabama deploring the Republican Party and President Bush's Iraq policy, then he's doing it in Iowa, Wisconsin, Maine, New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Indiana or Oklahoma.

In short, the retired Army general from Little Rock continues to travel, speak out and campaign for Democratic candidates in a manner suggesting that he could be laying the groundwork for another presidential run in 2008, political observers say.

In just the past three months, Clark's activities have included:

Delivering the Democrats' response to Bush's weekly radio address - for the second time this year - saying the administration "is long overdue in providing a plan to achieve Iraqi military sufficiency."

Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press to critique Iraq policy and call for the United States to put together "a regional dialogue."

Publishing an opinion piece in The Washington Post in which he said people are right to view the invasion of Iraq as a mistake but that it would be wrong to cut and run.

Delivering what The Mobile Register called a "fiery charge" to Alabama Democrats, "telling them to convince voters in this Southern conservative state to reject 'incompetent' GOP leadership and embrace a party of 'genuine' patriotism and family values."

Meeting in Washington with House Democrats who belong to the "Out of Iraq" caucus, telling them, according to Roll Call, that they should avoid calling for specific timelines for withdrawal and instead demand new strategies that rely on diplomacy rather than military force.

Telling students at Rider University in New Jersey, according to The Times of Trenton, that he's not sure the United States is winning the war against terrorism.

Campaigning for Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey.

Telling Oklahoma Democrats, according to The Daily Oklahoman, that the party needs a makeover after 20 years of "negative imaging" by Republicans.

Telling audiences in Wisconsin and New Hampshire that Iraq was "a strategic blunder" while also working party fundraisers.

In most cases, Clark's expenses were paid by the groups to whom he spoke. His personal political-action committee, WesPAC, picked up the rest.

"Keeping up contact across the country and meeting with Democratic activists and donors is a great way to keep your options open for 2008," said Democratic strategist Kenneth Baer of Washington.

"He's being active for a reason," said Mattis Goldman, another Washington Democratic consultant.

If Clark decides to enter the 2008 race for the Democratic presidential nomination, he would be part of a field that could include more than a dozen candidates, ranging from Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York to Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa.
   

THE CLINTON FACTOR
   
In early polling, Clark usually trails most of the other Democrats, getting in the low single digits. At this point, "it's pure name recognition," said Des Moines, Iowa, pollster Ann Selzer.

Whether Clark, given his close ties to former President Clinton, would be willing to enter a race against Clinton's wife is a key question, political consultants say.

"He's got to think on those terms, that yeah, she is going to run," said Georgetown University political scientist Stephen Wayne.

"Clark or anyone else has to find their niche, or their message, that will differentiate themselves from her and the pack," Goldman said.

Democratic activist Skip Rutherford of Little Rock added, "There are a lot of people close to Clinton that are giving consideration to running."

Another key question, political observers say, is where Clark would get his money if Sen. Clinton runs. Much of Clark's 2004 money came from Clinton-related sources.

Speaking to reporters in different cities, Clark has claimed he hasn't thought much about 2008.

Some don't buy it.

"I don't think he would be traveling all over the country speaking at various Democratic functions without some consideration of 2008," Rutherford said.

What Clark is doing now "is smart," he said.

Others agree.

"I think it's great that he is working so hard to advance the interests of the party," said Democratic political consultant Simon Rosenberg of Washington.

Republican strategist David E. Johnson of Atlanta said he sees Clark as either a "formidable" candidate for the Democrats or serving as a party elder statesman. "Either role is open to him right now," Johnson said.
   

COURTING IOWA
   
His spokesman, Erick Mullen, said of his boss, the former NATO supreme commander:

"Gen. Clark continues to provide the Democratic Party a much-needed credible voice on national-security issues. He is focused on helping Democrats become a full-service party and is working to help elect Democrats now in Virginia and New Jersey this year and others in 2006."

As for another presidential bid, "all options remain on the table," Mullen said.

If Clark decides to run again, observers say he will benefit from the experience of his unsuccessful 2004 campaign, one in which the only primary he won was in Oklahoma.

Clark finished third in the all-important New Hampshire primary behind New Englanders John Kerry and Howard Dean. But he made what most regarded as a fatal mistake by skipping the Iowa caucuses.

And his 2004 campaign still draws criticism for being amateurish and stumbling. Clark had never before run for elective office.

"He didn't prove to be a particularly adept campaigner," said Gary Jacobson, political scientist at the University of California, San Diego.

"He wouldn't start out in 2008 as an unknown, like he was in 2004," said Jim Stimson, presidential politics expert at the University of North Carolina. "If you were looking at him as an investor, his stock has improved."

One observer who definitely thinks Clark is acting like a candidate is David Yepsen, political columnist for the Des Moines Register.

"He did reasonably well [in 2004] for someone who got in late," Yepsen said. "He's got a resume Democrats will listen to."

Clark, in his travels this year through Iowa, has admitted he made a mistake by not competing there in 2004.

"The fact that he's showing up now is a sign to Iowa Democrats that he is not going to make that mistake again," the columnist said.
   

SUPPORT STILL IN PLACE
In several states, Democrats still fondly remember Clark for his 2004 campaign.

When Clark recently visited Wisconsin, "people were thrilled to have him here," Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton said in a telephone interview. "He still has a strong and broad following." Likewise among New Hampshire Democrats, said George Bruno of New Hampshire, former state party chairman.

"There is still a lot of discussion about Gen. Clark when the topic turns to presidential politics in New Hampshire," Bruno said. "I think he would be a much better candidate this time around. He's now a veteran, knows the issues and knows the landscape and has a good understanding of the country."

But others continue to doubt Clark has enough of a following to be a legitimate threat in 2008.

Because he's never held elective office, "Wesley Clark doesn't have a base in the Democratic Party," said Wayne, the Georgetown University professor.

But then, Clark might really be running to be the vice presidential candidate in 2008, just as some thought he was in 2004.

"You have to get out there and be noticed and be available to be vice president," said Calvin Jillson, American politics expert at Southern Methodist University.

Added Rosenberg, the Washington-based Democratic consultant : "If we win in 2008, I hope he will have a senior position in the administration, no matter what job it will be."