Could the Democratic presidential field grow to 11?

Speaking of Democratic presidential candidates (see below), the field of nine could conceivably grow to 11 by the fall.

Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), who indicated a few months ago that he would not run in 2004, began hinting the other way yesterday.

Appearing on “Face the Nation,” Biden said he was still considering a run for the Dem nomination. If Biden does run, it’ll be his second attempt. He ran in 1988 and was doing fairly well until a plagiarism controversy forced him to withdraw.

While Biden is still mulling over his options, grassroots supporters of Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark are kicking their efforts into high gear.

The folks over at DraftWesleyClark.com have begun airing radio ads on three New Hampshire radio ads and on the Don Imus program. Clark drafters have begun raising money to buy more air time in Iowa, South Carolina, and Michigan.

The ads are kinda cute. Here’s the text of the commercial:

Man: A Message from DraftWesleyClark.com.

Woman: Is it just me, or are there a million people running for president?

Man: Yeah, but I’m not really inspired by any of them.

Woman: Wouldn’t it be great if we could create our own president? A real dream candidate?

Man: Yeah. We’d make him really smart.

Woman: Rhodes Scholar. Oxford graduate.

Man: Dream on.

Woman: OK, West Point graduate, too. First in his class.

Man: War hero?

Woman: Vietnam combat veteran, four-star general. Supreme allied commander of NATO — just like President Eisenhower.

Man: Let me get this straight: genius, war hero, four-star general, how about…

Woman: Business visionary? Chairman of a company developing technology that could someday break our dependence on foreign oil.

Man: All that in one? That would be a dream.

Woman: No, that would be General Wesley Clark. And that’s why we’re working to draft General Clark to run for president. For more information, please visit DraftWesleyClark.com. General Wesley Clark. Vietnam combat veteran, Rhodes Scholar, four-star general, business leader and, with your support, the next president of the United States. Paid for by DraftWesleyClark.com.

Now I’m not sure if including the reference to President Eisenhower was the right move, but it’s still a strong message and an effective ad. The ad can’t hurt, but Clark is going to have to make up his mind soon. Time is definitely running out.