Let’s start with all of the usual disclaimers. One, this is a rumor, with no direct, on-the-record quotes from anyone. Two, Bob Novak is an unabashed conservative with his own agenda. Three, there’s been no confirmation on this rumor from anyone.
That said, Novak reported over the weekend that billionaire investor/speculator/philanthropist George Soros is “privately expressing doubts” about Howard Dean’s prospects against Bush in the general election.
“In conversations with political friends, Soros confided he has become alarmed by Dean’s recent performance and wonders whether the former Vermont governor is capable of defeating George W. Bush,” Novak wrote. “In one such chat, Soros suggested he is interested in retired Gen. Wesley Clark.”
Soros’ opinion on the Dem nominee is not without consequence. As you’ve probably heard, Soros, a vehement Bush critic, is putting his money where is mouth is and is committed to spending millions of his own money to help defeat Bush next year. Already, Soros is providing the backing for the creation of an organization called Americans Coming Together (ACT), which will combine the efforts of unions, environmentalists, and women’s groups to develop “a massive get-out-the-vote operation” to defeat Bush next year. Soros has offered ACT $10 million.
With this in mind, if Soros is discouraged with Dean and optimistic about Clark, it may have an impact with key institutional interests who will play a major role in the nominating process.
Before you write in to remind me that Novak is a card-carrying right-winger, I fully acknowledge that his conservative ideology taints his perspective when writing about Dem politics. However, while I detest Novak’s partisan ideology, I do have to admit that the guy, loathsome though he may be, is a journalist who gets scoops. He knows everyone and has contacts on both sides of the aisle. If Novak has sources that tell him that Soros is souring on Dean, there’s probably something to this.
Just something to keep an eye on.