Fallout from the Rabid "Concession" Speech

It was sad to see Howard Dean implode after the Iowa caucuses - sad because so many people had projected their anger at Bush and their hopes for a new President on this man. I think that projection, however, was the problem all along.
Dean's supporters saw him as a far-left firebrand with plans for the nation that would attract voters. Dean the candidate, however, turned out to have a record that showed none of that liberal idealism, and his personal instability has made him a liability to his own campaign.

I doubt he will withdraw after New Hampshire, no matter how poorly he places in the primary. He's got too much money left to burn, and his ego won't let him quit.

Now that the voters in NH have had a chance to really see the candidates, I think we'll see very different results than the press was predicting a few weeks ago.
There are three strong and viable candidates left - Clark, Kerry, and Edwards - and I expect the race to end up being a two-way Clark/Kerry match. Both are strong leaders with gravitas instead of grimaces, and real plans for the nation.

Personally, I will be voting for Clark, because I think in the final calculus, he is the one Democrat that can beat Bush. He has both liberal and mainstream appeal, he can win back "red states," and he's the one candidate who really inspires the voters that see him.

Several of my friends who originally followed Kerry or Dean were tepid at best in their support of those candidates, and they have all gotten behind Gen. Clark with more energy than I ever saw for the others.

I think New Hampshire will really live up to its position as first primary in the nation this year. This could be the moment we look back at as the beginning of Wes Clark's road to the White House.

Jayson Elliot

If character is really the thing you conservative pundits are scrutinizing, then why not turn your attention to the liar in the White House? His State of the Union speech begs the question, "What Union was he talking about?"

Having genuine passion for something is not an indicator of insanity. However, speaking to the entire world about how well this country is doing when there is concrete evidence to the contrary is insane.

buddhaplex

Howard Dean's speech was difficult to watch. He and his supporters have worked hard to reenergize the life of voting in this country. They have brought an excitement among young voters and have let people feel good about being anti-war. It was hard. I am sure the loss was a surprise, but one loss does not make or break anyone. Still the speech indicated surprise and disappointment.

I am a Clark supporter and have been on board with General Wesley Clark since the Draft Clark days. Still, I feel for Dr. Dean and his supporters. Time and the voters will only tell what will happen. I am campaigning for Clark because I feel he offers a strong sense of commitment to this country and it's citizens. I think he will be graceful and humble in his actions, unlike our current president. General Clark embodies all that is good with the US and when he is victorious, he will be gracious in that moment.

Lets stop attacking Howard Dean for his speech. It was a tough moment and most of us have never been there -- particularly the far-ahead-proclaimed-leader in a presidential race. It was difficult to watch but I think it was even more difficult to get up there and try to deliver a speech.

Anne

I live in Portland, where I'm a district captain (5 of 20 precincts) for our caucus. I drive through NH, we share the Boston media market, and the campaigns do ad-buys on Portland media outlets aimed at SE NH.

I'm glad Senator Harkin was not hurt during that unfortunate longest minute of the Dean campaign.

Participation in Maine for Dennis will probably be greater than for Howard, our lefties are sending delegates and aiming at the Party's planks that the social-liberal/fiscal-conservative message misses, and the rest of us who caucus are looking to electability, which means winning at least one more state than we did last time. Howard might win Waco, if that was a state. Maybe Idaho. Maybe Guam.

I'm surprised that no one is working the superdelegate story, or talking to the SEIU and AFSME about, about rethinking their positions.

Well New Hamsters, its your show now. There are three real contenders out there, Kerry, Edwards, and Clark. Any one will do fine, and a tie works too. Thanks for your comment space.

Eric Brunner-Williams

Dean's speech was indeed a wake-up call for anybody who considered him qualified as the commander-in-chief. As Mr. McGovern poined out in a TV interview, "emotional health" is an important requirment for anyone seeking the oval office. We need someone we can trust when it comes to making decisions of enormous impact as the most powerful man in the world. Welsey Clark has made such decisions before. He has demonstrated his integrity and calmness under pressure and during crises. We can trust Wesley Clark to lead us through more difficult times in the future.

Ali

No matter who the winning Democrat may be in November (I have faith!), he will owe a debt of gratitude to Howard Dean. Governor Dean energized so many of us, got us involved, and got us believing that Bush could be defeated.

I have switched to Clark as well, though either Kerry or Edwards would run a strong race.

Thank you, Howard. But after Monday night's performance, it's time to think about ending it cleanly and honorably.

Bruce Borgerson

I feel bad for Dean's supporters. These folks have changed politics forever and deserve a lot of credit for it. I hope they don't get discouraged and disappear. The Democratic party -- WE -- need them!

Deanies, if you want to stand by your candidate, I totally respect and support you for it. But if you're re-examining your options, please consider General Clark.

I'm a Clark supporter -- been one since March and thought he'd make an incredible president even before I heard about the draft movement. I was instinctively drawn to Clark the first time I saw him on CNN -- there was something very earnest, compelling, and sincere about him. And he was very sharp. Since then, everything I've seen and read, and anecdotes I've heard from people who know him personally, have confirmed those initial instincts. This guy is the real deal. To quote Michael Moore, "... a gift to the Democratic party."

There's already a smear campaign being waged against Clark. I've heard about awful radio ads in NH. The Kerry campaign sent out a flier with terrible lies and negative insinuations (that personally upset me, to see such shallow behavior from an otherwise excellent candidate like Kerry). Anyone who has truly examined Clark's records knows that he's done nothing unethical. He's never been a Republican (he was registered as an Independent), and so what if he once voted for Republican candidates? His views on the Iraq war have been consistent -- he's always cautioned against it. All his critics have to do is go through his written records, and stop harping on a few out-of-context quotes that were addressing complex questions!

I really believe in this guy. Go read about his policies on www.clark04.com and watch video clips at www.us4clark.com . Get to know him, really know him, and I think you'll be very impressed.

cheers,
Shireen Gonzaga

Fine, Dean's speech didn't play well on TV. Who cares. Move on.

I'm a Clark fan. He's got style, integrity, character AND just happens to be right on the issues.

Kerry, Edwards are great guys too, but Clark is the whole package. He can win in the south (unlike Kerry) AND go toe to toe with Bush on national security (unlike Edwards).

John Stevens

Democrats need to do some real decision making in the next days and weeks and base those decisions on substance, not on the illusion of momentum, which as the Dean campaign has demonstrated, is here today and gone tomorrow. (How long did we hear news anchors start their pieces with the words, “Frontrunner Howard Dean...”) Howard Dean’s over-the-top speech, added to some of his past “shoot from the lip” comments, seems to confirm that he lacks judgment. However, people should not rush to be swayed to support John Kerry on the false notion that his “bump” in Iowa is anything foolproof or lasting. Wesley Clark is the only candidate who has the substance that will withstand the ups and downs of any campaign cycle because Gen. Clark has the depth and breadth of experience, charisma, and broad geographical appeal that can bring the Democrats back to the White House in November.

Only Wes Clark has conducted a war successfully, had Head-of-State diplomatic status and responsibilities as NATO SACEUR, successfully negotiated peace agreements, and had direct and successful experience in the business world in several capacities, in addition to being personally responsible for improving quality of life for the military families under his care. Clark also connects with people. Clark has brought many people to the Democratic Party for the first time, including myself and my family, who are now registered Democrats because of our support of Wes Clark because of his leadership skills, experience, ability, and character.

Here are some questions we have to ask ourselves when deciding who would make the best Democratic presidential candidate who can really overwhelm Bush next November:

"Who besides Wes Clark has successfully conducted and won a war that saved a million and a half ethnic Albanians without the loss of a single American life?"

"Who besides Wes Clark has successfully brought European allies, now estranged from the United States, together to conduct a war with positive results?"

“Who besides Wes Clark has already demonstrated in his career the leadership skills necessary to make lasting, positive changes in the world by inspiring the people under his authority and building consensus with those around him?”

Only Wes Clark has done all these and a myriad of other constructive things for our country and the world. Kerry, in spite of his attempt to capitalize on brief, though laudable, experiences in his past as a soldier, has not done the things Wes Clark has achieved. And if Kerry people say that Kerry has had Senate experience, all we have to ask is, "How did Kerry's Senate experience stop Bush form putting this country in the mess it's in?"

Steph

Even as I sit here typing in my comment, I hear the very end of Dean's speech, yet again, on the T.V., and that frenzied build up to the final YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! Saying that it's not very presidential is to be very kind. I've heard others suggest perhaps bi-polar. They have improved medications for that, but as a consideration for president? Not so much.

Clark, Edwards and Kerry are all good candidates. Edwards comes off as a good guy but lacks experience. I originally supported Kerry because of his military background, due to 9/11, I felt we needed someone with that background. But I was uneasy with that choice because I didn't think he could beat Bush. Also, he's been in Washington so long, too long.

I became so excited and hopeful when Clark decided to run. A brilliant man with experience and desire to work with other countries, a strong military background, knowledge of economics and he makes me feel safer. He is compassionate and is a born leader. He will beat Bush.

Ann

Howard Dean's speech was incredibly embarrassing to watch. I felt sad. It was like watching him throw 2 years of campaigning down the drain, not to mention all of the hard work that his supporters have done on his behalf.

I use to be a Dean supporter until Wes Clark entered the race and I must say, I am a PROUD supporter of General Clark. He's the man who should be our president. He's highly intelligent, a Rhodes Scholar, West Point Graduate...#1 in his class and has the BEST chance of beating Bush in November. I know one thing for sure. Wes Clark will never give a speech like the one we witnessed Monday evening by Howard Dean. He will ALWAYS do us proud!

I do feel sad for Dean and his supporters, but it's time to move on to better things, Wesley Clark.

Vickie

Howard Dean was scary in that concession speech. It is sad that he could not have excersized better control or judgment. Hope he regains his balance and does not beat himself up too badly over it. Just for his own peace of mind. If I had been a Dean supporter, I would have been vastly disappointed.

The Dean implosion demonstrates how stressful running a campaign is. The energy, commitment and emotional balance a candidate needs for the campaign - is measured in terms of how fit that candidate is for the highest office in the land.

I am reminded of this statement of George McGovern in his endorsement of Wesley Clark, whom I am supporting: Clark radiates an "'emotional health". He is confident, happy, and engaged. Clark seems nearly free of cynicism - which is amazing in itself in these troubled times.

I feel very strongly that Clark is the leader we need in this country - to set us upon a course for a positive, responsible, healthy and vibrant America. Check out www.clark04.com and join us in our support for this wonderful man.

Linnea

Wes Clark, the Complete Package

Last night on C-SPAN, I witnessed an event that I will never forget. Wes Clark’s townhall-type meeting, “Conversations with Clark” showed what the soundbite-driven commercial media can never communicate, a candidate who is the complete package with all the qualities necessary to undo all the wrong that has happened since the last election. Head and shoulders above the other candidates, Wes Clark possesses leadership skills, intelligence, experience, empathy, and ability to articulate and implement well-crafted, effective policies in all areas. In last night’s meeting, I saw Wes Clark speak as insightfully and knowledgeably on education and affirmative action as he did on veteran’s rights, military affairs, and foreign policy.

The townhall meeting was held at a VFW Post and the veteran who introduced Clark was an ex-Dean supporter and selectman (town official) from Massachusetts who prefers Wes Clark over John Kerry. The veteran spoke with a quiet but passionate conviction that is shared by many Clark supporters. In his opening remarks, Clark showed how his modest beginnings and desire to contribute to the common good of our country have shaped his life and career. Then he spoke on a wide range of issues, displaying all of the attributes I have mentioned above. Next, Clark answered all of the audience’s questions thoroughly and directly, without any equivocating. Perhaps even more telling were the informal encounters Clark had with audience members as he walked about the room after the formal conclusion of the meeting. (Thank goodness for C-SPAN, which is never in a frenzy to move on to the next event.) Clark’s humanity and natural “people skills” were more evident than ever.

Wes Clark is a gift that is being offered to the United States and the world. I pray that the people of New Hampshire will be the first to help America take advantage of this gift of a truly able leader, Wes Clark.

S Lee

I believe that General Wesley Clark is the only viable challenger to "W".

One thing that really annoys me is that other democratic candidates often criticize the General for having backed Bush and other republicans on certain issues in the past, the implication being that he's not a 'real' democrat. One only needs to educate himself/herself regarding his positions on the issues to know that he is clearly not a republican.

On the contrary, I find it refreshing that the General would support policies that he found to be logical and/or 'for the good of the country' (I'm not implying that George W was ever logical), rather than mindlessly positioning himself strictly along party lines (a la Rudolph Giuliani's support of Mario Cuomo in his 1994 bid for re-election as NY governor).

I am non-partisan and have never voted in a presidential election (I was too young to vote for John Anderson in 1980). I believe that Wes Clark is the best presidential candidate to come forward in at least the last two decades (except maybe Carter, and Colin Powell hasn't run thus far).

Should Wes Clark succeed in reaching the Oval Office, I will have to discard my current belief that truly honorable men of character and dignity cannot attain the highest office of the land.

NaT Hayes

Howard Dean's speech was no less presidental than George Bush telling opposition in Iraq to "Bring it on" when our soliers are dying.

I'll take a hoop and hollering speech anyday over that.

Meta James