Tommy Ates OnlineŠ: Clark Must Stay Above Fray

For Clark, so far, so good. Hes seen as a legitimate candidate. Now comes the hard part -- beating Dean. The former General has rallied his troops in Iowa and New Hampshire in the race for a distant second in both states. Now, he is moving away from domestic issues to focus on his trump card, national security. The only problem is in order to become the liberal protector that Democrats cannot do without he must directly attack Dean. That would be a mistake.

(PRWEB) January 6, 2004 --The former General has rallied his troops in Iowa and New Hampshire in the race for a distant second in both states. Now, he is moving away from domestic issues to focus on his trump card, national security. The only problem is in order to become the liberal protector that Democrats cannot do without he must directly attack Dean.

That would be a mistake.

The decorated former Generals reputation is one of a soldiers soldier." Although out of the Army, for Wesley Clark to maintain his military 'character, he must tow the line of being loyal to party and attacking President Bush and his policies, not join the fading pact, punching Howard Dean.

Clarks slight shift in tactics, going on the offensive against his chief rival, may garner some temporary traction leading up to the Iowa Caucuses, but any movement may be stifled by growing split in his campaign on how the candidate must stay on message. Clarks Clinton-handlers want him to moderate his views quickly, firmly establishing himself to the right of Dean (though dovish enough not to offend the Dean Machine faithful). The former General in Kosovo simply wants to be himself. In the process, the candidate follows suit with a list of verbal gaffs with dead aim at Bush and Dean.

An expletive over whether he can beat the President in November. But in fodder for cable news and Karl Rove, the non-issue over whether Howard Dean asked Clark to be his possible running mate should he win the nomination, and only a few days later, for the maverick General to discount the idea altogether.

The campaign banter, largely speculation and distraction, was raised purely on his own volition. Anger and future predictions may excite the base initially, but the electorate, even in Schwarzeneggers California, desire empathy over anger.

Clarks job in surpassing Howard Dean is to show how angry, liberal rhetoric can be tempered by military discipline. Differentiate himself from the pack, a Wesley Clark candidacy should produce a sound plan for the social and fiscal changes necessary to jumpstart a lackluster economy, and social courage to confront the roots of terrorism in the Middle East, beginning in Palestine (and Iraq).

To his credit, Clark already has some war footage which can be applied on the campaign trail as well as last years testimony against former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosovic for genocide at The Hague. What more Democrats are noticing before Iowa and New Hampshire are the Clark message of national security, which contains a re-emphasis on strengthening homeland security and the inclusion of international allies on the current war on terror, making traction. Due in no large part, to the Bush administration raising the terror level in the homeland as well as the small scale attacks orchestrated by al Qaeda in recent months.

So, if the past year has left any doubt, election year 2004 will be an 'event driven race. For a military general with no political experience, as long as national security remains the most important issue for Americans this election year, Wesley Clark will be viewed as a viable contender for the nomination.

Therefore, instead of angling at Dean with intra-partisan attacks, like the apparent front-runner, the General must ride his military guns through to a solid second place finish in New Hampshire, then quickly pivot over to South Carolina, using his Southern roots and military experience to woo conservative military, veteran voters, but most importantly, stalwart white men, whose growing absence and gradual shift to the Republican platform has stymied growth within the Party.

However, this plan can only work if Governor Dean continues to make campaign gaffs and loses momentum (and if Osama bin Laden isnt caught).

For now, the Clark campaign staying 'absent in Iowa, in favor of better press (and visibility) in New Hampshire may be strategic. Playing the photo op with Clinton campaign commercial in the Granite State can be considered wise in enlarging his appeal to moderates. Developing a comprehensive social, domestic policy gives him parity with the office-holder competition.

But a military man throwing political mud against those candidates he previously swore to protect doesnt sit well with moderates and independents, especially after the ascending reverence of the military and emergency personnel after September 11th.

Having nearly fulfilled a life of public service, the former General has excellently portrayed the 'frank hero that America desperately needs after nearly 3 and ˝ years out in the pre-emptive wilderness.

To win against Dean, Wesley Clark must continue act as if Americans need him, not want him to be President.

Tommy Ates loves the left because the left is always right! Tommy Ates has appeared in several publications, such as The Houston Chronicle, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, The Wichita Eagle, The Macon Telegraph, and Global Black News, among others.
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