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Press Sees Dean and Clark Topping Democratic Polls, With Bush's Fate Hinging on Economy

A pair of Washington outsiders-former Vermont Governor Howard Dean and retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark-may have the best shot at capturing the Democratic primary election for the presidency, says William Press, Syndicated Columnist and Co-Host of MSNBC's Buchanan and Press television program.

The keynote speaker at the SVIA's 2003 National Forum and a former chairman of the California Democratic Party, Press argued that candidates who are perceived to come from outside the Beltway culture have fared well in recent presidential elections. He cited as examples Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, all of whom reached the White House from governorships.

Regardless of which candidate the Democrats nominate to face President George W. Bush next fall, Press predicted that Bush's fate would be determined largely by the state of the economy. "If it stays bad and things go south, he could be in trouble," Press said. "If the economy bounces back, he is probably going to be okay." The economy ranks in the "top three" issues of the campaign, he said, followed by the war in Iraq and the war against terrorism.

Press described Dean as a political phenomenon for the way he has pioneered the use of the Internet, and in doing so drawn into the political process people who had previously stayed on the sidelines. "It has been said that he (Dean) is too liberal to be elected president, but as governor of Vermont he balanced that state's budget 11 years, with no legal requirement that he do so," Press observed. He said Dean also held down taxes and won a triple-A rating from the National Rifle Association, accomplishments typically not associated with liberals.

While a political novice, Clark brings an impressive resume to the presidential campaign, Press said, having graduated first in his class from West Point in 1966 and later becoming a four-star general and NATO Supreme Allied Commander. Clark will appeal to voters concerned about defense and homeland security, Press said, adding that he thinks Clark "could go all the way."

Press discounted the chances of two Democratic heavyweights vying for their party's nomination, Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, saying they had lost touch with the majority of voters on the issue of Iraq.

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