Centerfield

I hadn't thought about the way Clark was positioning himself ideologically. Very interesting -- and nice that you offered that perspective back when it might have mattered.

I have a general take on Clark that may be different from yours. I view him as a guy with enormous talent and accomplishments, but with underdeveloped political skills. He seems like someone who could become a formidable candidate, but can't quite get there his first time out.

He's kind of inconsistent in terms of presenting his message -- sometimes connecting with an audience, sometimes not, and making periodic gaffes.

I think Clark comes off as a condescending little twit. His tax idea was bold, but it is clear he thinks he is a cut above most human beings. The guy is clearly very ambitous, and I don't think that Democrats really ever bought that he was one of them.

It may seem that he was condescending in saying that he was a general while Kerry was only a Lt.. That's been totally misinterpreted. Clark's point is that he has experience as an executive officer, which Kerry lacks. It's not a trump card, but it is a significant point in his favor.

Clark was in no way demeaning junior officers. He was a junior officer himself in Vietnam when he got shot.

Well, first of all, show me anyone that's running for President who's not ambitious? And secondly, what's wrong with ambition?

That word is too often used (in business, as well as in politics) to denigrate people who have achievements. I think it's valid as a put-down description for someone who sucks up to the boss for their success instead of making their own achievements. But if the desire for self-achievement motives one to actually do the things that create accomplishments that bring it, that seems like a positive thing to me.

Every time Elliott Spitzer busts another corporate crook, I hear the Wall Street Journal editorial page moaning about him being "ambitious." Seems to me that what they're really complaining about is an Attorney General who is actually interested in enforcing the law. I want to see more "ambition" like this. And, if his success means he gains the respect that would allow him to run for governor or something like that, it would seem to me that that opportunity was actually earned.

To thine own self be true.

Politicians seem to have trouble understanding this simple lesson. Unless you are a genius like Bill Clinton, the people will see through your attempts to re-invent yourself into something you are not. Just ask Al Gore and Bob Dole.

Clark is a rooking at this and it shows. He might very well be a good president but he should have from the beginning taken a realistic platform consistent with some Democratic principals and his own.

As was suggested, he could have staked out a moderate Democratic agenda that was believable and then hoped that the electibility factor would work in his favor over Dean.