The thing about Clark is he's the best chance, as of this moment, for the Democrats to take back the White House. Dean and Kerry would not have posed a serious threat to Bush. Someone had to step in to become a clear front runner and somebody Americans could immediately get behind. It's not out of the blue that Clark has shown up and suddenly the left wing power structure is falling in behind him. There was obviously some strategizing going on and the Clintons did seem to bend Clark's ear.

While the Republicans are warming up the cheap shots, see GA's comments and articles, so far Clark has just got his feet in the water and there's a ways to go yet. Things will depend greatly I think on Clark's handlers/advisors. A political campaign is not one man, Clark is just it's face. As an example, look at Bush, he's a bit of a dimwit as a public speaker but he had a powerful team to get him elected. Clark will make some verbal errors, as GA so gleefully pointed out, but this is because he's campaigning on the fly. This will be a whirlwind tour for the general. He has not had the two years Dean has had to prepare his stock answers to every question. This is what politicians do. Say this, when asked that. Bush is handcuffed by this because he's not at all a guy that can think on the fly and is weak as a public speaker in general.

 Clark's advisors are going to be prepping him as they go, if they gain momentum in the process, come election time Clark will be strong. It will be interesting to see how a guy like Clark, so used to giving orders, does with all these political hacks telling him what to say and how to respond. See GA, when Clark makes a mistake at this point it's because he has not yet been transformed into a "politician" and he's actually being honest...where what you would prefer out of your politicians is control...controlled and studied answers...makes you look like you know what you're talking about even when you don't. A sort of honest dishonesty. This was a key with Bush in his campaign. Clark is at least a better public speaker but it is true, he'll have to control what he says like never before.

 So far I've heard the dumb story about "starting WW3", that he's just a Clinton toy, a way to help get Hillary in the White House (maybe as VP-then on to the Presidency, her dream), and I hear conservative nitwits calling him Gen. Gump, a title that far better suits Bush in his playtime flight suit.

Is Clark the best candidate? That remains to be seen, depends what his team can do. Is he the best chance? Absolutely, the rest of the Democrats running were not going to capture the publics imagination or vote. So, if all you're looking for is a guy to knock off Bush, well Clark is the man for the job. Again if this Chinese fire drill they call the Democratic party can get organized and put this thing together and Clark is a good student. 

  I gotta admit it's funny GA to see you posting articles about Clark starting WW3 when the sitting president has had us on the verge of exactly that with his bully and bumble foreign policy.

                                                        Reg

ps sorry about all the shots at GA but you'd think a magazine guy could be a bit more insightful with his input.