as to why I like Clark:
-Clark has consistently articulated since last year a coherent and realistic critique of the war and the Bush Admin's policy.
-But he hasn't just been saying "Bush is bad." Or "war is bad." Clark has clearly and intelligently articulated why he thinks war was unnecesary AND presented a realistic, multilateral alternative that would be better for both America and the world community, in both terms of both morality and law. He places a great emphasis on international law and international institutions, two things that this country has been pretty prickly toward. I think his credentials would make it possible for him to drag the U.S. into fuller and fairer participation in these institutions.
-He is a very clear speaker who is able to communicate complex positions in terms normal people can understand, but without dumbing down his message. He's quick on his feet and does very well in interviews. He doesn't mince words and he doesn't come across as whiny or overly negative--but when he does hit, watch out! I think Tom DeLay is still picking pieces of Clark's shoe leather out of his butt...
-He takes a long-term view of the environment, the economy, and the constitution. America needs more people who are willing and able to look at things seriously from a "100-year" timespan point of view. He's a solid progressive who can articulate his positions in terms that make them seem reasonable to moderate conservatives. He can talk about economic justice in a way that won't strike red staters as whiny. And he's solid on all of the core progressive issues: pro-choice, very skeptical of the PATRIOT Act, would strongly uphold separation between church and state, opposes ANWR drilling, supports more federal education funding, and so on.
-He's from the south, he's telegenic, has great academic, military, and business credentials. He has a moderate position on guns, lack of political baggage, and background as a general, so it's very hard to paint him as a "librul radical." People know him from his stint as CNN war analyst. And of course can speak to security issues with a great deal of credibility. All of this gives him a prima facie great profile in terms of electability.
-Clinton likes him and thinks he'd make a good prez. A good number of traditional lefty Dems are among his supporters. And so does Michael Moore. That captures like 96% of the Democratic Party, doesn't it? :)
He has a burgeoning Internet draft movement that's generating a lot of buzz and some money, and he's done nothing to promote it--that has to say something about his charisma.
Also, this
http://www.esquire.com/features/articles/2003/030801_mfe_clark_1.html">Esquire profile is very sweet. There's no way you can't lurve him after reading it. :P
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