Does Clark hurt Dean?

According to the Washington Post, some Dean supporters are changing allegiances since Clark joined the race. I'm still trying to figure that out, and the only reason I see to prefer Clark is his military background. However, I still question the basic assumption that someone with experience as a warrior would make a good President. I just don't think people have thought this through very well. For example, the Post article says:

Lynne Pedersen of Meredith, Mass., was holding Draft Clark signs when the novice candidate arrived in Manchester [NH] on Friday. A registered independent who usually votes Democratic, she said, "I'm looking for a security blanket for our country, and I don't think any of them [the other Democrats] represent it, but Wesley Clark does."

Now think about that for a minute. What is a "security blanket for our country"? Isn't a security blanket something very young children cherish because they believe it somehow protects them or makes their lives better? In other words, isn't a security blanket merely a false sense of security? Why do we want a false sense of security for our country? No thanks. I'd prefer someone who's spent his life helping people and who has a proven track record to back up his policy positions. At least until we see more from Clark about what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. I mean, the guy does come across amazingly well on tv, but that's not all that's necessary to be a good President, nor is being able to fight wars.

Meanwhile, it looks like Dean is ready to take Clark on. Yesterday on CBS Dean said:

"I think that Wes Clark is, first of all, a good guy," Dean told CBS's "Face the Nation." But Dean added, "I think what you see in the Wes Clark candidacy is a somewhat of a desperation by inside-the-Beltway politicians."

"You've got a lot of establishment politicians now surrounding a general who was a Republican until 25 days ago," said Dean.

Hmm. So does this mean all hope is gone for a Dean-Clark ticket? Perhaps, but I'm pretty sure neither of them was ever too interested in playing second fiddle, anyway.

Posted September 29, 2003 06:16 AM | election 2004