When they say, as they do in focus groups, "don't go negative" they are talking about an imaginary "fighters' etiquette", such as the handshake and drink at the end of a mythological fisticuffs. It's the sort of "good sportsmanship" where you don't draw a knife and instead fight your "good buddy" for "fun" by gently punching him in the face until he falls over.
Is that related to this idea for Clark? Yes, because no doubt mentioning the AWOL thing is going negative in some senses of the word. It is no doubt risky too, but I think Clark has an "in".
The in: He never brought it up, Moore did, and then Fox News' Peter Jennings of ABC tried to pin it on Clark in the debate, Jennings saying even "that's a reckless charge not supported by the facts." They challenged him, implying he is himself "not supported by the facts". Oh the dishonor! Sir, I challenge you to a fact-duel.
Fisticuff rules indicate a "motion to defend my honor" is called for.
Furthermore Here is Why:
- My understanding is the commanding officers' statements and paperwork is supposedly tidy as could be. I have not studied closely, because I think it's relatively minor ("Rich Politician's Kid Slides on The Rules: News At 11"), but when I look, this does seem to be the case at first glance at least, he did slide on them well past the AWOL limits.
- Clark could confirm or deny the validity of the Boston Globe charge, and ask for the pertinent further paperwork. He can do this with public authority, but also with an efficiency and personal skill because of his military experience. He's probably dealt with AWOL issues before, albeit by harsher military standards.
- Clark is in a position to add this to his powerful grievance that he dislikes Bush as a military man, that it is because Clark is a military man that Bush seems to fall short for Clark in the way he uses the military, and what he considers "support".
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This is related to another idea. I think the candidates should be like a pool of political operatives against the Republican Administration and Majorities. Spend these millions to good use, each one of you pick up issues and use your time to bring political trouble to Bush in the real world.
The one that does the best job gets the nomination.