November 19, 2002
NOT FADE AWAY:
A New Democratic Dark Horse?: Wesley Clark begins fundraising in NYC. Is the military man what the dems need to get back on track? (VIVECA NOVAK, Nov. 17, 2002, TIME)Are dyspeptic Democrats ready to turn to a military man for leadership? Retired four-star general Wesley Clark, who has been famously opaque about his party preference and political future, met privately last week in New York City with a group of high-rolling Democrats and told them he was seriously considering a run for the White House, sources tell TIME.
Hard to see the Pelosi Party turning to a white Southern general. He'd be better off running for the Senate as a Republican against Blanche Lincoln, who's up in '04. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 19, 2002 11:25 PM
When was the last time the Democrats nominated a general?
Posted by: Dean at November 20, 2002 2:06 AMmaybe mclellan?
Posted by: oj at November 20, 2002 7:34 AMWinfield Scott Hancock in 1880 (Commanded II Corps in the Army of the Potomac). He lost narrowly to Gen. James Garfield (who was a staff officer in the Army of the Cumberland).
Posted by: Jon at November 20, 2002 8:36 AMHancock is one of the main characters in The Killer Angels.
Posted by: oj at November 20, 2002 8:41 AMThanks, Jon
Posted by: oj at November 20, 2002 8:41 AMHancock won the Battle of Gettysburg for the Union.
Excellent general, massively underrated like George H Thomas.
If Clark was content to be a senator, he would have run against Hutchinson last go-around. There was talk about it, but he didn't. That means that he's either (a) not going to enter politics or (b) holding out for the big prize (or second slot) since Hutchinson was weaker than Lincoln will be.
I don't think there's any mistaking his party affiliation.