Message, fortunes shifted
BEDFORD, N.H. -- After spending more than a month campaigning in New Hampshire, only to see his fortunes flag in the final week, retired Army General Wesley K. Clark took some comfort in vying for third place with Senator John Edwards, but still wound up far behind John F. Kerry and runner-up Howard Dean.
Before midnight, Clark boarded a plane bound for South Carolina, hoping to find stronger support in the South and Southwest.
Election night followed one of the most difficult weeks Clark has faced since he entered the race in September. Two weeks ago, Clark was gaining in New Hampshire, positioning himself as the most credible candidate to oppose Dean, who then led in polls. His aides were touting the wisdom of their early decision to skip the Iowa caucuses in favor of raising money and meeting New Hampshire voters.
Then came Iowa and the unexpected rise of Senator John F. Kerry, who shared Clark's military background and un-Dean-like demeanor. As they struggled to find a new raison d'etre, Clark's campaign tested message after message, alternately trying to position him as the candidate with Southern roots, the candidate with executive experience, and the candidate whose background most matched that of an "ordinary person."
His supporters, gathered at a Bedford restaurant last night, took comfort where they could. At 9:15 p.m., the first time televised returns showed Clark slightly ahead of Edwards, they erupted into loud cheers and chanted, "We will win the Southern states!"
Clark, too, stayed positive as he took the stage to Steve Winwood's "Back in the High Life."
"Tonight we leave New Hampshire as one of the final four," he said, as supporters hooted in delight. "Never underestimate what a determined soldier can accomplish when he's fighting for his country."
And aides said they were pleased to remain "in the mix" behind two New England natives.
"We're in better shape than anyone else going into this week. Money, organization, poll numbers, message, and geography are in our favor," said Mo Elliethee, Clark's New Hampshire communications director, who is now headed to Virginia, which holds its primary Feb. 10.
Despite the strong front, Clark's finish capped a disappointing final stretch. Clark's poll numbers steadily slipped, and while a few of his rallies still drew enthusiastic crowds, the giant town meetings Clark once held nearly stopped materializing and some aides seemed to downplay expectations in South Carolina.
One insider yesterday noted that Clark's family has started taking a more active role in the campaign, in an attempt to offset some of the week's difficulties. Clark's wife, Gert, has been doing more public speaking and appeared on morning talk shows. His son, Wesley Jr., arrived in New Hampshire over the weekend.
Clark made a last-ditch, frenzied campaign across New Hampshire on Monday, hitting all 10 counties.
He continued to campaign relentlessly through yesterday, even surprising some of his aides by making an unplanned trip to a polling place in Derry shortly before polls closed at 8 p.m. But last night brought the realities of electoral politics, with all of its ups and downs. Clark took the news standing, then left New Hampshire for a day in South Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma, and a week that could bring the last stand -- or a miraculous revival -- for the rookie candidate.
(Rick Klein of the Globe staff contributed to this report.)
