Gen. Clark Reportedly Is Asked to Join DeanIn baseball terms, this is a blockbuster deal if it happens. Jumping up and down in glee will make my spare change fly out of my pockets, so I won't.
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean has asked retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark to join his campaign, if the former NATO commander does not jump into the race himself next week, and the two men discussed the vice presidency at a weekend meeting in California, sources familiar with the discussions said.
Clark, in a telephone interview yesterday, said he did not want to comment about the private meeting. Asked about reports that the two men had discussed a wide range of issues, including endorsing Dean, joining the campaign, possible roles in a Dean administration and the vice presidency, he said only, "It was a complete tour of the horizon."
Another reason is my disappointing track record in expecting a lot from the world of politics, so I'll just settle for being the messenger. For now.
UPDATE - I received a bunch of e-mail overnight misconstruing what I said here...I guess I was too subtle, so I'll clarify. I like this. I really do. It's exactly what a Dean ticket needs. But I am old enough not to hang any hope on anything until it actually happens.
Other e-mail asked me why I'm not really getting behind Clark as a presidential candidate. Simple. Political experience. Clark's been a great general, a great American and a great TV analyst. But I don't think he's ready to take on Team Crackhead in the 2004 street fight. Dean is. This doesn't diminish Clark's ability to be a White House giant.
Next November, Dean is the quarterback we need. Clark is the running back who can score the touchdown.
