I continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of former Gen. Wesley Clark, despite the fact that he holds no public office and is not a candidate for anything. This status, however, may soon change.
Chatter is getting louder in Arkansas that former NATO boss and Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark will run for guv in 2006. Associates say that his presidential run, as well as his friendship with the Clintons, is boosting his name recognition in the state. They also say that he’s hooked on politics and still considers himself a potential future presidential candidate, reports [U.S. News & World Report’s] Suzi Parker. Since the election, he’s stayed active, using his presidential E-mail list to reach out to supporters and future donors through his political action committee, WesPac, Securing America’s Future.
How would Clark do? After all, Arkansas, like its southern neighbors, is a “red” state (Bush beat Kerry 54-45, which was even worse than Bush’s 51-46 victory over Gore in 2000). Any chance they’d be open to a Dem governor? Absolutely.
As “red” states go, Arkansas remains a state that Dems do very well in. Both chambers of the state legislature enjoy Dem majorities; both of Arkansas’ senators (Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor) are Dems, and three of the state’s four House members are Dems. In other words, it’s hardly a GOP stronghold.
If Clark does run, he’ll likely face Asa Hutchinson, a former House Rep and Bush’s undersecretary of Homeland Security for border and transportation security, who has already expressed interest in the race. Stay tuned.