In Kerry veepstakes, Clark is the wild cardPage 2 of 2 -- On the Republican side, George W. Bush's choice of former defense secretary Dick Cheney from the GOP stronghold of Wyoming added some heft, literally and figuratively, to the ticket. But mostly it emphasized what voters were looking for in Bush: A return to a government of low-key professionals, with corporate briefings replacing Clinton's dormlike White House of all-night brainstorming sessions.
In a campaign already turning on issues of military authenticity, nominating Clark, who commanded NATO forces in Kosovo, would give the Democrats a team of decorated veterans to go up against a president and vice president who failed to see combat. During the primaries, Clark received better reviews on the hustings, where he galvanized audiences with an electric stump speech, than he did in debates, where he sometimes sputtered. He made it through the harsh vetting of media with only a few scars and became reasonably conversant with domestic issues. Unfortunately for him, he showed his worst colors in dealing with Kerry, beginning when he tried to pull rank in New Hampshire by pointing out that he was a general and Kerry merely a lieutenant. Kerry slapped back that lieutenants take a lot of bullets, while generals often find themselves second-guessed. Then the last days of his campaign, Clark reportedly told a few reporters he was hanging on because he heard Kerry might be exposed as having had an affair with an intern. The affair never materialized, but Clark may have revealed a problem of his own, not being able to keep his mouth shut. On a more basic level, Clark never was able to validate the central premise of his candidacy, that he could offer an alternative military strategy for protecting national security. Having led a broad international coalition and fought a successful war without suffering casualties, Clark ought to have had a lot to say about how to protect the country. But the anti-Iraq war seat on the Democratic dais was occupied by former Vermont governor Howard Dean, and Clark seemed more intent on proving he had mastered health care than strategic bombing. The promise, however, remains. Clark has authored two books on modern warfare and worked closely with the allies America needs most. He could deliver what some Kerry supporters are seeking in a "dream ticket" with John S. McCain, Republican of Arizona: An image of two experienced warriors saddling up to rescue the country. Kerry could do far worse.
Peter S. Canellos can be reached at canellos@globe.com. © Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company.
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