Durandal7
Jan 7, 2004, 10:47 PM
Clark closes in on Dean's lead as many consider switching votes
By Andrea Stone, USA TODAY
Retired general Wesley Clark's military credentials and disciplined manner are attracting some Democrats who had been leaning toward Howard Dean for their party's presidential nomination.
Clark's unexpected surge in this week's USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll, twinned with Dean's constant battering from rivals, has put them just 4 percentage points apart, within the poll's margin of error. Clark also moved into second place Wednesday in a New Hampshire poll. As a result, several candidates expanded their attacks Wednesday to include the former NATO commander.
"I was somewhat impressed with Dean, but I think progressively I have changed my mind because he seems to be so angry. I'm much more impressed with Clark, his demeanor," said Sharon Nollette, 57, an engineer from Spokane who plans to vote for Clark in Washington's Feb. 7 primary. "Unlike Dean, he comes across in a manner that is respectful."
Ken White, 64, of Hampton, N.H., was a Dean supporter but is leaning toward Clark in his state's pivotal Jan. 27 primary. "I still like (Dean), but I don't think he can beat (President) Bush," said the retired market research executive.
Dean, the former Vermont governor, still leads among Democrats polled nationally with 24%. But Clark is close behind at 20%. That's a change from three weeks earlier, when Dean had 31% to Clark's 10%.
Most polls in Iowa and New Hampshire, where the first contests will be held this month, still put Dean ahead of his rivals. Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri is trying to overtake Dean in the Iowa caucuses, which Clark chose to skip. In New Hampshire, Clark is vying with Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts for second place.
Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report, said the shifting numbers reflect voters' tendencies to change the standard by which they evaluate candidates as the first contests near. Dean got an early bump from anti-war Democrats, he said. But "now the rest of the party is having their say" by comparing Dean's credentials to Clark's.
University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato is skeptical about Clark's growing strength nationally. But he attributed Dean's decline to the attacks leveled against him. "He has tried to remain above the fray," Sabato said. "That may be a strategic mistake. An attack unanswered is an attack agreed to, and they've been hammering him hard."
An American Research Group survey in New Hampshire confirms Clark's gains. The survey found that although men ages 45 and older like the general best, a new TV ad running there is playing well among women, who have been less inclined to support Clark.
Ann Poteet, 33, a Portland, Ore., librarian expecting her second child, said she is leaning toward Dean, but Clark remains an option. "I would change my mind if I thought Dean didn't have as much support as he has now," she said. "I want to support somebody who has a good chance" to win.
It should be an interesting primary, it may have an unexpected outcome.
By Andrea Stone, USA TODAY
Retired general Wesley Clark's military credentials and disciplined manner are attracting some Democrats who had been leaning toward Howard Dean for their party's presidential nomination.
Clark's unexpected surge in this week's USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll, twinned with Dean's constant battering from rivals, has put them just 4 percentage points apart, within the poll's margin of error. Clark also moved into second place Wednesday in a New Hampshire poll. As a result, several candidates expanded their attacks Wednesday to include the former NATO commander.
"I was somewhat impressed with Dean, but I think progressively I have changed my mind because he seems to be so angry. I'm much more impressed with Clark, his demeanor," said Sharon Nollette, 57, an engineer from Spokane who plans to vote for Clark in Washington's Feb. 7 primary. "Unlike Dean, he comes across in a manner that is respectful."
Ken White, 64, of Hampton, N.H., was a Dean supporter but is leaning toward Clark in his state's pivotal Jan. 27 primary. "I still like (Dean), but I don't think he can beat (President) Bush," said the retired market research executive.
Dean, the former Vermont governor, still leads among Democrats polled nationally with 24%. But Clark is close behind at 20%. That's a change from three weeks earlier, when Dean had 31% to Clark's 10%.
Most polls in Iowa and New Hampshire, where the first contests will be held this month, still put Dean ahead of his rivals. Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri is trying to overtake Dean in the Iowa caucuses, which Clark chose to skip. In New Hampshire, Clark is vying with Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts for second place.
Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report, said the shifting numbers reflect voters' tendencies to change the standard by which they evaluate candidates as the first contests near. Dean got an early bump from anti-war Democrats, he said. But "now the rest of the party is having their say" by comparing Dean's credentials to Clark's.
University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato is skeptical about Clark's growing strength nationally. But he attributed Dean's decline to the attacks leveled against him. "He has tried to remain above the fray," Sabato said. "That may be a strategic mistake. An attack unanswered is an attack agreed to, and they've been hammering him hard."
An American Research Group survey in New Hampshire confirms Clark's gains. The survey found that although men ages 45 and older like the general best, a new TV ad running there is playing well among women, who have been less inclined to support Clark.
Ann Poteet, 33, a Portland, Ore., librarian expecting her second child, said she is leaning toward Dean, but Clark remains an option. "I would change my mind if I thought Dean didn't have as much support as he has now," she said. "I want to support somebody who has a good chance" to win.
It should be an interesting primary, it may have an unexpected outcome.
