This story comes from a Republican (yes sports fans you heard me right) who supports General Clark. IIRC, this particular individual lives in NC (same as Bill Rehm I hear). I notice that Columbia is where the story took place so I'm gonna have to recheck the home-state residency. Anyway, this is typical of what I am hearing all over the country. Stories like this one are one reason I think Clark has a chance even in the red states. I want George W. Bush to be defending that base in the general election so he won't have as much time to spend on the current swing states.
Even if Clark gets the nomination I want Howard Dean in Terry Mac's place leading the party and defending the blue states. We have to take the Senate and House back if we are going to get anything done so we need a party leader organizing followers to defend the Dem base in all the elections there. Dean is a leader and with him as party leader, instead of Terry Mac, and Clark creating some coattails in red states we have a chance. Because of his charisma and bulldog nature, I think being party leader has so much more potential for Dean than the VP slot would.
Instead of Dean in the VP slot I'm thinking Al Gore because of his experience in Washington. Al was an exceptionally good vice-president and, to me at least, the VP slot fits better for someone who knows what needs to get done and can quietly do it but doesn't have the charisma Dean has.
Anyway, here is the story I promised:
I stopped at a Burger King for lunch off of the highway and while I was there, 2 guys came in. One guy was talking quite loudly, and I could tell that he was babbling on about the supposed frontrunner. It was apparent that he was trying to convince his friend to make a donation or volunteer or something and was laying the pro-Dean stuff on thicker than I've heard it laid before.
His friend says to him, "Wow, he seems like a godsend. And he's the front runner you say?" (or something like that).
"Oh ya," the Deanie says, "no one else is even close. He leads in money, polls, and everything that matters most..."
I couldn't take it anymore, so I turned around and said something like--"Actually, Bush leads in money, undecided leads in the polls, and all that really matters is the votes."
"Ya, but if you remove undecided Dean is winning big..."
"Actually, if you remove undecided Hilary Clinton is leading big time. Don't buy the into the media or Dean's self-Coronation. Think for yourself, "I tell the buddy,"but if you want to sleep better at night, vote for Clark. He is a leader."
"I like Clark" the buddy says. The Deanie was quiet so I start talking about Clark, leading off with the Tax plan...
"No taxes if I make less than $50,000 and have 2 kids. That would be me!" the buddy exclaims.
At this point, 2 other people nearby asked me if they heard me right, and I write down www.clark04.com on a napkin and tell them to check it out themselves.
I ended up running to my car and getting some of the material I had printed off and handed out what I could. Think I converted the entire Burger King (including that ex-Deanie...) over the next 20 minutes. Felt like a politician myself, although I had to refer most people to the site since I didn't want to misquote the campaign.... Should have given them my email for recruitment purposes, but if anyone here was in the Burger King off of I-40 near Columbia today please chime in!