Reply #160: Let's face it...

[Donna Zen]

The vast majority of Americans vote on their impressions. I don't, you don't, but they do. (I will qualify that statement with IMHO, but I think I'm correct about this.) The DUers whose hair catches on fire at the mention of Clark, mostly do so because of a pre-formed impression of the military. I was one of those people but have dropped my baggage.

The Democratic Party polls consistently well on domestic issues. Clark will not change that impression, what he can do is nudge enough people into believing that the Democrats are strong on national security.

This is great for two reasons: It broadens the base and it frees up congressional Democrats who are now voting for pork barrel Pentagon crap because they are politically afraid to do otherwise.

States to flip (Clark can carry all of the currently blue states including NH, something that the others mentioned may lose) and he can carry:

Louisiana, Arkansas, Arizona, .... any really close states with a concentration of military. I've left out states with high concentrations of BBV and GEMS.

One other thing: With Clark at the top of the ticket, the convention can and must highlight our strength: domestic issues. There is no need to trot out the brass when the most decorated one now alive is standing at the podium.

Clark's problem is now and will be getting the nomination in party that is nearly incestuous at times. He could in 2004 and in 2008 win the election. BTW, as a volunteer for Clark, I can assure you that Clark's outsider-non-politician persona was exactly why many people wanted to vote for him.