This Diary illustrates why I think Wes Clark is THE 50-State Candidate for the 2008 Presidential Election as opposed to other candidates.
(With Poll)
In November of 2006, the Democratic Party witnessed the culmination of the 50-State Plan as we took back control of Congress. The People's House has finally regained it's voice after over a decade. Republican after Republican lost their seat to Democrats, voted out of office by an America tired of the mess in Iraq and irresponsible leadership in Congress for the last twelve years.
In 2008 our nation will elect a new President. The Democratic party has the chance to deliver a landslide victory and begin the much needed recovery period America needs after 12 years of NeoCon rule and eight years (by then) of Bush's "Corporate Government". The days of picking and choosing which states to make a fight of it in are over, Democrats need a candidate that can make a real fight of it in every state of the union, not just the coastal Blue states. I believe that Wes Clark IS that Candidate.
The field so far includes Barack Obama, a charismatic and dynamic figure. Unfortunately, Barack Obama has limited experience in public service on the national level and next to no experience with foreign policy or national security. The NeoCons and whom ever they choose to be their candidate (most likely John McCain) will jump on this and drive the point home that Obama is under qualified to the extreme and would not know how to do the job of Commander in Chief. Next, John Edwards. I like and respect Edwards's views on the inadequacies of America. John Edwards courage and spirit in fighting for Americans at and below the poverty level is admirable to the extreme. The problem is that the "Two America" stance seems to be the only real ammunition in his can. The Republicans can put the argument forth that Edwards wants America to be a "Welfare" state. Also, even thought he earned it, NeoCons will point out that John Edwards is building a 3 million dollar house, money he could use for charity and with helping those suffering in poverty and try to paint Edwards as hypocritical. Personally, I'd love to see what Edwards would do to companies like Haliburton as Attorney General. Next, we have Hillary Clinton. Clinton as a candidate would lock up most of the Democratic women’s vote. The Senator from New York will have no problem bank-rolling her campaign. Sen. Clinton is as smart as they come and also seems to get more ink than any other candidate. The problem with Hillary is that she is polarizing to the extreme. Most Independents and Republicans from moderate to NeoCon loath her with a passion, which gives the "purple" states to the Republicans lock, stock, and electoral votes
. Clinton’s nomination would receive extremely aggressive attacks from day one from Rush and the swift-boat crew and a Hillary Clinton Presidency would never receive one seconds respite from the NoeCons. The Republicans would make it their mission in life to take control of Congress again in 2008 by fair means or foul, just to hamstring a possible H. Clinton administration. Sen. Clinton also seem very cold and calculating to a lot of voters. The feeling she used her husbands coat-tails to become a Senator runs deep with some voters, especially some of those in key southern states. While Clinton would take the traditional "blue" states, she does'nt have much of a chance in states like Texas, Kansas, or Colorado, I doubt she would take Arkansas, too many people there don't much care for her from the days she was the Governor's wife. Then we have Joe Biden, couragous and intelligent, Biden suffers from a lack of appeal to people. I honestly like Biden's views on several issues and think it's a shame he's not recognized as one of the better candidates.
Wes Clark as the Democratic Candidate would have broad appeal in just about every state in the union. Clark's domestic policy views range from centrist to fairly progressive The plans Wes Clark sets forth for things like Educational Benefits and Single-Payer Healthcare are actually achievable and not just election year pipe dreams. As former Supreme Commander N.A.T.O.-Europe, General Clark has the foreign diplomacy and national security credentials to stop any neocon attack on those grounds cold. Clark is outspokenly Pro-Union/Pro-Labor, he's Pro-Choice, Pro-Environment and has spoken for the need of such things as universal pre-school and union-based worker training programs. Mention Wes Clark's name to registered voters in every state and people speak of him with respect, Clark would garner a LOT of cross over votes from moderate republicans and independent voters in several key states.
I think that a Clark Campaign would be bad news for the campaigns of several other candidates. I think supporters of those campaigns sense this, as they keep trying to shunt talk of Clark off into a V.P. slot, or a cabinet post. Either that or trying to play the "I don't think he'll run card", that one always gets me, especielly after I saw this ( http://www.youtube.com/... ) Of the possible candidates in the Democratic Bull-Pen, Clark is the strongest possible 50-State Candidate. Clark would be more likely to win a landslide victory than any other candidate out there.
For more information on Wes Clark, please visit http://securingamerica.com/