Today Show: Tin-Eared Clark Apes Dean Laundry List of States, Disses "Junior Officer" Kerry

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

In the wake of Howard Dean's self-destruction, any Democratic candidate with half a political brain would have learned two lessons: don't be boastful or arrogant, or insulting to your fellow candidates, and for gosh sakes, don't follow in Dean's disastrous footsteps with a recitation of a laundry list of primary states.

To judge from his just-completed appearance on The Today Show, the diagnosis is in: the "brilliant" Wesley Clark is a political half-wit, and the prognosis by at least this observer of the political scene is that his candidacy is terminally ill.

With a Today Show appearance the morning after the SOTU, Clark was given a prime perch to refocus national attention on himself with just days to go before the NH primary. Clark squandered the opportunity with a churlish and ultimately embarrassing performance.

A few days ago, Clark first boasted that he is a former four-star general whereas Kerry had been a mere "junior officer." At the time I thought it was a momentary gaffe, never to be repeated again. But it's obvious that the this invidious comparison has become a standard feature of Clark's pitch. He trotted it out again in response to a question from Katie Couric as to whether Kerry's Iowa win was the worst possible result for Clark.

Kerry might well have won Iowa on the strength of the moving endorsement of the Vietnam vet whose life he saved. Clark's attempt to denigrate Kerry's service was, therefore, not merely ungracious but politically tone-deaf.

Then, at the end of the interview, in characterizing the state of his campaign, Clark boasted that he had support around the country. Incredibly, he began to tick off a long list of states where he believed himself to be strong. The camera panned to Katie, who was clearly shocked and appalled that someone would be foolish enough to imitate Dean's diastrous performance.

She actually cut Clark off with this funny-but-lethal line: "You're not going to recite a list of all the states, are you? We don't have time!"

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Clark revealed himself as the worst kind of vainglorious ex-military man. Someone who thinks he will impress people by flashing his general's stars.

And his mimicking of the very line that surely cost Dean any shot at the presidency demonstrated that this political neophyte lacks the instincts necessary for success in the race to the nomination.

My firm conclusion: Clark is gone.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show ping.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I've been wondering if Dean was supposed to crash and burn in Iowa, and Clark's demise is slated for NH.

With Kucinich, Sharpton and Lieberman not pulling forward from the pack... this leaves Edwards and Kerry as the front runners, immediately after NH.

So nice of Gephardt, Mosely-Braun and Dean to leave the playing field so quickly.

[The Wizard]

Katie note: She must be the child of Doris Day.....I watched a movie of a young DD yesdterday, and they look exactly alike....

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Since it does nothing but raise my blood pressure, I can't watch Perky Katie.

Incredibly, he began to tick off a long list of states where he believed himself to be strong.

Did he scream "Aaaaaaaaaeeeeeeaaaaaaggggh!!!!!" when he finished?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I've been wondering if Dean was supposed to crash and burn in Iowa, and Clark's demise is slated for NH.

I don't think that scenario was pre-ordained, but it certainly seems to have played out that way. I think it's very likely to be effectively a two-man race - Kerry and Edwards - coming out of NH. I'd put my money on Kerry. Particularly in a time of war, Kerry's foreign policy and military experience will count with voters. That being so, Kerry might be able to wrap things up quickly by offering Edwards the VP slot - he is of course a good fit as an appealing southerner.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Did he scream "Aaaaaaaaaeeeeeeaaaaaaggggh!!!!!" when he finished?

Nope. Katie did.

[Jim Noble]

Clark revealed himself as the worst kind of vainglorious ex-military man. Someone who thinks he will impress people by flashing his general's stars.

REMF.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Your use of "REMF" sent me scrambling to the acronym dictionary. I see it stands for "Rear Echelon Mother . . . uh, Figure"!

[apillar]

Let's face it, for better or for worse, military service stopped mattering in 1992. Clinton, the draft dodger got elected and then went on to beat war hero Dole in 1996. Military service wasn't a factor in 2000 between Gore and Bush.

The Democrats can't have it both ways, they spent the 1990's saying that military service didn't matter and that, in fact a draft dodger such as Clinton was more honorable than a war hero. Now all of a sudden we are suppose to fall all over ourselves to vote for Kerry or Clark because they were military man. Bzzzt! wrong answer dems you burnt that bridge with Clinton.

I respect John Kerry for not taking the "Clinton" way out of military service. It sounds like he was a legitamate hero. But, quite frankly, I don't see how that makes him an expert on the current situation and the war on terror. The world is a very different place than it was in the late 1960's. It would be like claiming to be a computer expert today just because you were certified on some of the old vaccum tube system 35 years ago.

[AppyPappy]

He's propped up by Clinton so the media will give him mutiple chances to fail. But I think we will fail anyway. Clinton needs to get in Kerry's ear fast without it looking like he is dumping Clark.

[DugwayDuke]

"Clark revealed himself as the worst kind of vainglorious ex-military man. Someone who thinks he will impress people by flashing his general's stars."

These "generals stars" only appeal to two types of people. Those who think Clark was a real general, and not Hillary Clinton's pet. And, those who think that they will camoflauge the democrats aversion to anything military.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'd agree, but for the fact that 9/11 has changed the equation, and elevated the importance of military experience for symbolic, as well as practical, reasons.

[Arrowhead1952]

......Someone who thinks he will impress people by flashing his general's stars.....

Since he is no longer in the military, he should be considered a PFC.
Private F'ing Civilian.

I agree: Clark is history.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Remember that both Kerry and Clark are anti-war on terror, they do not support this war.

They will honor the troops, but not the mission, wrap themselves in the flag, and then say America was never threatened in such a way that warranted war. Trotting out their war time records is a way of trying to reinforce their pro-military stance, when in fact they are not truly supportive of our defense efforts. They are trying to distract the population with noise.

[samtheman]

My firm conclusion: Clark is gone.

I think you're right. It's going to be Kerry vs. Edwards, with Dean hanging in at about 20% in each contest due to his cash and hard-core looney-tune supporters.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'm wondering if we'll see replays of Clark's disastrous recititation of a laundry list of states, and the brutal way in which Katie cut him off at the knees.

What could Clark's advisors possibly have been thinking. If there was ONE thing an advisor should have said to him, it would have been "stay away from anything that reminds people of Dean's performance."

Isn't Clark supposedly surrounded by the top pros from the Clinton campaign and administration? Either they fell down on the job, or "General" Clark isn't taking orders from mere "junior" political officers.

[Just mythoughts]

"Clark is gone." Who will fire him?

The debate tomorrow night should be curious, and I do hope that Brit takes these donkeys to task for their babel.

Too bad the 8th, the stealth candidate, Hillary won't be on the stage.

[nuconvert]

Every time he opens his mouth, he commits political suicide.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

"Clark is gone." Who will fire him?

The New Hampshire voters, for starters. I'd say there's a good chance he'll finish third. Where does he go with no finish in Iowa and a third in NH?

[Agnes Heep]

Mandrake ... have you ever heard of fluoridation?

[grania]

A few days ago, Clark first boasted that he is a former four-star general whereas Kerry had been a mere "junior officer.

From that one would assume that Clark is a mere "junior" politician.

Someone posted that a Senator outranks a General. So, I guess Kerry could also regard Clark as his "mere" underling.

Clark used the word "mere"? Ouch...what a snob. Also, what an idiot...the picture of Kerry meeting the guy he saved was moving; nothing "mere" about that moment.

No, I'm not DU; I'm just trying to figure out objectively where Clark's arrogance could lead.

[proud American in Canada]

great insights, as usual.

I happened to see it live--it was unbelievable when Katie told him not to recite "every state in the Union."

[phil_will1]

"...Kerry might be able to wrap things up quickly by offering Edwards the VP slot - he is of course a good fit as an appealing southerner."

I saw Edwards in an Iowa interview disavow any interest whatsoever in the VP slot. We all know how much stock to put in that ... LOL

I also read that Kerry, when asked how he could possibly compete with Bush in the south, said that all he had to do would be to pick a running mate from that region. Not exactly a high point of Sen. Kerry's campaign to date.

I personally doubt that ANY Democratic ticket could compete with Pres. Bush in the south this election cycle, but my sense at this early juncture is that a Kerry-Edwards ticket would be about as strong nationwide as any they could field.

[arasina]

What a well-written analysis, glgb! It seems Clark needs his "Mary!" Mouth Stopper.

As for Al-Qaety Khourek: Are you sure she wasn't saying that about not having enough time for him to list the states because she believes they are his to win? He's the Clinton's candidate; Al-Qaety would never diss their man.

[CasearianDaoist]

Mandrake ... have you ever heard of fluoridation?

No, it's the strawberries...the strawberries...

[Pan_Yans Wife]

or "General" Clark isn't taking orders from mere "junior" political officers.

It may also be true that the "junior" political officers may not be motivated for Clark's victory.

[Jim Noble]

These "generals stars" only appeal to two types of people

What sort of a man would someone have to be to get a fourth star from the Clintons?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks, arasina. LOL for "Mary Mouth Stopper"!

Wish you could have seen Katie's performance. There's no doubt she was appalled by Clark's laundry list shtick, and her "we don't have time" put down might go down in Today Show annals. I'm predicting we'll see clips in the news from this today, and/or that Rush will pick it up.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

In fairness, Clark probably didn't say "mere," but he certainly repeated the "junior officer" line. He clearly doesn't understand how the American people think. Asked to choose between a big-shot general, and a lower-ranking guy who apparently was a true hero, they'll go for the "junior officer" every time.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

But Kerry is a Senator, and Clark is an UNEMPLOYED general. I know that protocal demands that a person is always refered to by their former highest rank, "former General Clark", "former Senator Moynihan", etc... but Clark looks like he is desperately trying to pull OUTDATED rank, and is dismayed that is orders are being disobeyed.

[TheGeezer]

Nope. Katie did.

LOL!

[duckman]

I am really surprised the Iowa folks placed J F'in Kerry in first place after his interview with Rolling Stone. Guess they didn't hear him.

[Pharmboy]

What intestinal fortitude you have: Couric and Clark on the same screen.

Thanks for the report and ping...I hope they didn't ruin your breakfast.

[YaYa123]

I dunno bout Dean being gone. Mathews experts last night feared he could even go third party. Tons of money, lots of support, nothing to stop him.

"vainglorious" What a great Clark adjective! He's a little Napoleon all right. Also very very thin skinned. He won't be able to resist sniping at his opponents, belittling them, and touting his military credentials even when his handlers tell him to cool it.

The Thursday night demo debate with Brit Hume hosting will be good television.

[proud American in Canada]

"he could even go third party"

Fantastic idea!!!

Go for it, Howie! ;)

[ErnBatavia]

Noble calls ANY military vet he doesn't like a "REMF"...he called me one once during a pissing match, with no clue whether I was a "Remington Raider" (typist) or Medal of Honor recipient.

[cookcounty]

Clark is not the only one that didn't learn from Dean.

After the SOTU address last night, Kerry was interviewed by Peter Jennings. He put his "I hate you" game face on and went after Bush with the full set of knives. He ranted and vented and as time ran short, Peter struggled with how to get him to stop, trying to interject at a few points, but Kerry's mad bulldozer just kept on. He was so anti-Bush, but in such a negative way that I was talking to my TV, calling for more. "Leave him alone, Peter!" I yelled.

This is why only Edwards and Lieberman (yes, Little Joe!) have even a chance of winning this. Would YOU want to spend a day at the ball game with a Kerry, or a Clark or a Dean? Clinton had a certain smarmy charm, and exuded "fun guy." Not these guys. No way.

[Just mythoughts]

Too soon to make that call. Clark was placed into a very crowded field for a reason. I don't think the plan was just to compete with Dean.

The plan has many contingencies. Hillary is getting long in the tooth, politically speaking and it is not in her interest for another liberal to take her spot.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks PB. Stomach's holding up well. I'm on a record-run of four consecutive Nexium-free days. Then again, Hillary was only briefly on the screen last night.

[Petronski]

Ah, Katie, but then I had them. That's when I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with geometric logic that there had to be a duplicate key to the mess hall. It was the missing quart of strawberries....

[phil_will1]

"The New Hampshire voters, for starters."

I see NH as pivotal for several of these candidates. Can Kerry and Edwards sustain their momentum? Can Dean recover? Can Clark and Lieberman get back in the game? SC would seem to favor Edwards and Clark, making NH that much more important for the others. Dean, it would seem to me, HAS to finish in the top 2 in NH, for example. This race is going to thin out quickly now, after months of being very, very crowded. That, of course, was Terry McAuliffe's plan all along. None of these guys can afford any missteps for the next 45 days or so. It should be interesting.

[commish]

You are now seeing why "General" Clark was so dispised by us in the military.

There are two types of Generals - GENERALS and O-7's. THis is how we in the military distinguish between those who deserve the rank and those who merely have it on thier shoulders. Clark was an 0-7, he was not a General.

To him anyone lower ranking was just a pawn on his personal chessboard and not worthy of his recognition as a person. He did not care one Iota for any of his troops, and was only interested in what helped Wesley.

He was and still is a self-absorbed holier than thou prima Donna.

[DugwayDuke]

"What sort of a man would someone have to be to get a fourth star from the Clintons?"

Perfect question. BTW, according to my usually reliable memory, the word was that Hillary picked Clark for his fourth star and the NATO command. So the real question is:

"What kind of soldier would someone have to be to get a fourth star from Hillary."

You may also recollect the rumors that Clark is a "stalking horse" for Hillary.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Excellent insight. Clark is "ov-ah"!

[cookcounty]

This could be a fun week. Clark and Kerry trying to out-Dean Howard, what a hoot.

DDD! ---Democrat Demolition Derby!

[Lazamataz]

I love you.

[phil_will1]

"Mathews experts last night feared he could even go third party."

That suspicion has been around for several weeks now. William Safire wrote a column on it and I believe George Will speculated along these lines, also, if memory serves. Safire's column was particularly interesting, in that he said that the Bush landslide that it would cause would NOT be good for the country. I am inclined to agree with him.

Dean appeared to me to be directly confronting that rumor in one of the debates when he asked for a show of hands as to how many of his opponents would commit to support the Democratic nominee if they lost. Dean and all the others raised their hands. Of course, that was before Dean's meltdown in Iowa when he was riding high in the polls.

[Ditter]

Hummmmmm, an acronym dictionary, I should get one.

[Knute]

"Clark revealed himself as the worst kind of vainglorious ex-military man. Someone who thinks he will impress people by flashing his general's stars."

I have only met two generals in my travels. One was pompeous and thought he was better than us mere mortals. The other was a true gentleman who fully realized that he put his trousers on one leg at a time. Sounds to me like Clark is of the former ilk!