The Man on the Hill

I've got to think the folks running down the ticket are a tough crowd and not easily impressed.

Clark Looks for Endorsements on Capitol Hill

Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Presidential candidate Wesley K. Clark made a pitch to more than 60 House Democrats yesterday, trying to win over their support for his fledgling candidacy.

The enthusiastic reception Clark received -- several lawmakers left the meeting saying they were close to endorsing the former NATO commander -- underscored the fluid nature of the presidential race. Even though several senators and House members are running for the Democratic nomination, many of their colleagues are waiting to sign on to a specific campaign....

Rep. Mike Thompson (Calif.), who with Rep. Charles B. Rangel (N.Y.) organized yesterday's event, said the retired general's candidacy has generated "incredible interest" among Democratic politicians....

Several Democrats came out of the meeting heaping praise on the newest candidate. Rep. Brian Baird (Wash.) said he went in "skeptical" but came out close to signing onto Clark's campaign. "If the American people could spend an hour asking questions of Wesley Clark without a script and spend an hour asking questions of George Bush, Wesley Clark would win by 20 points," Baird said. "He was informed, articulate and has a clear vision for the country."...

Rep. David Scott (Ga.) wanted to know if Clark was "a stalking horse" for the Clintons. "He made it very clear he was his own man," Scott said, adding that he was inclined to endorse Clark because he is strong on national security and economic issues....

Members of Congress automatically become delegates to the presidential nominating convention, and they are influential in drumming up support for candidates back home by arranging events and meetings with local officials. "We connect back to people in our district," Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (Ore.) said.