Outside the Beltway

DO OR DIE FOR CLARK?

James Joyner · Tuesday, September 23, 2003 · 1 comment

Howard Fineman makes an admittedly bizarre prediction:

I know that what I am about to say may strike you as ridiculous. Political junkies will be justified in wondering whether I am engaging in hype, since I am a contract player with NBC and its cable affiliates. But I’ll say it anyway: The CNBC-Wall Street Journal debate this week in New York City could be a make-or-break event for Wesley Clark and, therefore, a pivotal moment in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

CLARK IS ON the launching pad, instantly ahead of the pack and running even or ahead of President Bush in new test match-ups. This week he either takes off or begins falling back to earth like the other mortals.

Well, that’s true almost by definition. Obviously, the candidate with the momentum is the only one who can lose momentum.