Wherein I give my expert advice to General Clark on how to handle tomorrow's way important debate.
What do he and the other remaining candidates have in store? Well, starting with the format, you have to ask, who the hell thought it would be a stroke of genius to hand the whole thing over to the Republicans:
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=32030
"The moderator at the start of the debate will be Fox's Brit Hume, with ABC's Peter Jennings taking over later. Channel 9's Tom Griffith and John DiStaso of The Union Leader will also ask questions."
In any case, my basic premise:
Contrary to what the punditry says, Clark is now in the position Dean was until December; he is in line to win it if he doesn't blow it. It's now a three man race between him, Edwards, and Kerry (in that order). He just needs to come in third or better in NH, which should be easy. What should his approach be tomorrow?
The candidates
Edwards
Co-opt. Do not attack, as Edwards can only counterpunch without losing his Senator Sunshine advantage. Compliment him on running a positive campaign (like Clark) and use him as contrast to anyone who attacks Clark. Clark should welcome the possibility of being left last man standing with Edwards. He doesn't need to try to be more Southerner than thou and will win an all-Southern showdown. If geographic roots are relevant to a question, he can preface it with "Both John Edwards and I...."
Kerry
Let Kerry be Kerry. He's the boring throwback politician--not what's showing on the catwalks this year. Give Kerry a chance to remind people why they weren't buying what he has to sell for the last 18 months. That is, if he can <rasp> talk at all... Don't pull military rank--pay tribute to his service. Co-opt him on this point as well--only Kerry and Clark have the military perspective. No need for oneupmanship--that only diminishes Clark.
Dean
Benign neglect. Nothing more needs to be done. He can't attack, because he's now the New Dean, so he will be even less sure-footed than usual. When no one is looking, taunt him by making sleeve-rolling-up motions.
Lieberman
Even if not true, CW is negativity undid Gephardt and Dean, so Lieberman can't be seen to be negative. If he dares to blurble about Clark's supposed six different positions on Iraq, say "it's not possible to have six different positions--you were either for the war or you were against it, and it's clear from all I said and wrote that I have been consistently against it."
Sharpton
Although unlikely, watch for him to pull something like he did on Dean in Iowa. Pre-empt this prior to the debate by offering him a prime convention speech.
Kucinich
"Accidentally" call him "Carol."
The gotchas
Really a Republican
Quote Michael Moore: I want everyone to vote for me, including everyone who voted for Nixon, Reagan, and the Bushes.
Not really a Democrat
Well, I'm a good enough Democrat for George McGovern, Charlie Rangel, Jim Hodges, Andrew Young, etc etc. It seems the only Democrats I'm not good enough for are the ones running for president. Why is that?
Making money lobbying: Axciom
A valid issue that needs to be addressed. Clark can legitimately be accused of helping to implement the Patriot Act. He can turn this around and say that proper balance needs to be struck between privacy and safety and that's what the revised Patriot Act he will put before Congress will do.
Attacks in general
Use the "that's what politicians do" line. Music to the ears of independents, who will be the decisive margin in Clark's shocking NH victory.