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FINDING DEMO: Democrats still looking for the right candidate to take on Bush
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| Contributor | ArmyDem |
| Last Edited | ArmyDem Jul 23, 2003 10:04pm |
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| Category | Commentary |
| News Date | Wednesday, July 23, 2003 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | by JOSH BENSON
TOM BROKAW Lookin' presidential.
No, Tom Brokaw is not running for president in 2004. Last month, despite the urging of his powerful friends, the 61-year-old NBC anchorman categorically ruled out any sort of candidacy. And that should have been that.
But his friends won't let the idea drop. Claiming to see no one with the stature to challenge President Bush among the declared presidential candidates, they persist.
"He simply is the greatest draft choice you could ever possibly imagine," says media executive Barry Diller. "He's such a natural on so many levels that I can't imagine how you could create it otherwise. Of course it's absurd, but there it is."
Alas, through a spokesperson, Mr. Brokaw reaffirmed his utter lack of interest: "I'm not running for anything, anywhere."
So … what about former General Wesley Clark? Is he running for president in 2004? He has himself been the target of a somewhat more serious draft movement, and he too is a well-recognized public figure. But unlike Mr. Brokaw, the general is not taking his suitors lightly.
"You know, in any election there's always a casting about for alternatives," says Clark. "But this is something that's beyond that. This is a genuine effort by people to create an alternative, not because it's good for the Democratic Party, but good for the country."
Many anti-Bush voters, unimpressed with their conventional options, are searching for a savior candidate. While it's difficult to quantify these restless types, it's clear that there is a substantial chunk of the electorate seeking someone who instantly has the stature -- or the celebrity -- to compete with President Bush for the attention of the electorate. They're apparently ready to consider anyone -- except, of course, for the nine Democrats who actually are running for the nomination. |
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