What Clark's Announcement Means

It's hard to say, isn't it? First thing, it will probably kill Kerry's campaign. All Kerry has had going for him is his military service, and Clark's experience as NATO commander trumps that.

Overall, it *could* be a good thing, since the presence of Clark will focus new attention on the hideous situation we face in Iraq and the president who took us there.

The Washington Post asks the right questions about Clark, which really are just that--questions:

It is unclear whether Clark has the personal and political skills to mount a serious run for the White House, according to Democrats who know him. He has never run for office and has virtually no experience with domestic policy. Several people who worked with him during the Clinton administration also found him abrasive and controlling, two traits that could hinder him on the campaign trail. Several Democrats who have met with Clark in recent weeks, however, walked away impressed with his ideas and confident he would quickly become a formidable candidate.

Dailykos paints the dismal scenario: Clark hires attack mutt Chris Lehane, who's roaming the streets after being booted out of Kerry's campaign, and thus begins a nasty back and forth which brings down both Clark and Dean. The *really* dismal scenario is that this does so much damage to both men that Gephardt or Lieberman (or Kerry, if he manages to stay in) gets the nomination. Even if Clark manages to get the nomination this way, the conflict could so anger Dean fans that it deprives Clark of a vast and energetic group of people (that's us) who could otherwise help him bring down Bush.

Here's hoping that Clark keeps it clean and leaves Lehane out in the cold, and that Clark's voice joins Dean's in helping the American people understand just what the worst president in the history of the United States is doing to this country.

At this point, Dean is way ahead in terms of national organization, motivated supporters, proven campaign skills, AND demonstration that he has a visionary domestic agenda. We'll see if Clark can overcome the doubts about him and catch up.