I went two whole days without mentioning Gen. Wesley Clark’s potential presidential campaign, so I’m returning to the topic with several important updates.<\/p>\n
First, the New York Times reports today that the general has decided that he wants to be a candidate<\/a>.<\/p>\n “It’s safe to say he wants to run,” said a longtime friend who has had frequent political conversations with General Clark. “But he approaches this like a military man. He wants to know, Can I win the battle? He doesn’t want to have a situation where he could embarrass himself, but I’m absolutely certain he wants to run.”<\/p>\n The article adds that a long-rumored obstacle — his family’s apprehension — has been cleared, and Clark’s wife now wants him to run for the nomination.<\/p>\n Another Clark confidant told the Times, “He is going to do it. He’s just going back and forth as to when” to announce.<\/p>\n Sounds pretty encouraging, but it still may be a couple more weeks until an official announcement. If Clark runs, “it would transform the race,” and he would “instantly be among the top tier,” Kuttner said.<\/p>\n “Just imagine Clark, with his distinguished military record, up against our draft dodger president who likes to play ‘Top Gun’ dress-up,” Kuttner added. “Imagine the Rhodes Scholar against the leader who can’t ad lib without a speechwriting staff. Oh, and he’s from Arkansas.”<\/p>\n Amy Sullivan at the Washington Monthly also has an excellent article<\/a> on Clark in the magazine’s September issue, saying it’s not too late for Clark to enter the race and succeed.<\/p>\n “Arguably, Clark matches each of the strengths of the current crop of contenders, and then raises them one,” Sullivan explained. “His Army background — stretching from Vietnam to Kosovo — out-oomphs Kerry’s military record. His service as commander of NATO forces compares favorably to Dean’s executive experience as governor of a small New England state. He adds gravitas to Edwards’s aesthetic appeal, charisma to Lieberman’s thoughtfulness, and sincerity to Gephardt’s liberal policies. That’s why more and more Democratic insiders are beginning to argue that — at least in theory — Clark is the best candidate to beat Bush in a general election.”<\/p>\n As for entering so many months after the current field of candidates, Sullivan argues Clark would benefit from media attention and quickly develop a strong following.<\/p>\n “Formally announcing his candidacy would give Clark an immediate boost,” Sullivan said. “And he’d likely get another one from the press. Candidate Clark would be something entirely new in a mostly bland field, with the kind of backstory — a ‘credible,’ moderate, intellectual former general — over which reporters tend to swoon. If Clark can generate media interest the way Dean did for his fundraising prowess, he may not require months to build voter interest.”<\/p>\n On her blog, Sullivan is a little more candid<\/a>: “Wesley Clark, he’s our man, if he can’t do it, we’re screwed.”<\/p>\n
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\nThe political press also continues to be enamored with a Clark candidacy. Bob Kuttner, editor of The American Prospect<\/a>, had a column in the Boston Globe<\/a> this week in which the liberal former professor sounded awfully excited about the retired general.<\/p>\n