A new reality show made its premiere Thursday. The most significant figure is this week's Newsweek coverboy and front-page news in all the national papers. A former Rhodes Scholar, he graduated at the head of his West Point class and sits on the board of several major corporations. Sorry, reality TV fans, this is not a better version of "Joe Millionaire" (with a guy who actually has some dough).
New York City hosted a Democratic presidential debate among the ten leading candidates. The latest challenger for the nomination, retired General Wesley Clark, signed on to run for the presidency last week and quickly became the star of the show. Alone among the squabbling Democrats, Clark seemed above petty bickering.
The previous Democratic debate barely registered on the national radar. The Thursday debate was a completely new show or at least a dramatic revamp of the old format. Indeed, if it weren't for the bright quips of Governor Howard Dean ("If the percentage of minorities that's in your state has anything to do with African American voters, then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King") people would not have realized earlier debates transpired. This debate was new and improved. In all likelihood (Al? Hillary?), these are the challengers for the nomination. The cast is set. Let the show begin.
The debate was notable for two elements: the fiery and aggressive rhetoric that some candidates directed at each other and at the president, and the effect the newcomer had on his fellow candidates. The points are related.
Clark has certainly worried the front-runners. Senator John Kerry is no longer the most decorated veteran nor does he have the most foreign affairs experience; Dean will not continue to be seen as the biggest outsider. Clark has earned Bill Clinton's endorsement as his "star." The candidates shied away from the former supreme NATO commander as they tried proving their aggressiveness by ripping into their peers. The collective sentiment seemed: "Get rid of as many other guys (especially Dean) as possible, and try for Clark later."
It was dog-fighting reminiscent of the first "Survivor." Kerry (who had an up-and-down debate, seeming smarmy and negative at times and righteously patriotic at others essentially the two sides Democrats claim to see in him the most) continued his trend in recent speeches, putting Dean in his sights. Kerry fired a salvo earlier, explaining that the Vermonter's "bubble is bursting." During the debate, Kerry went after some of Dean's public gaffes, declaring Dean's information "wrong" and "absolutely wrong."
Kerry was not the only Democrat looking around for someone to yell at. Dean was quick to respond to Kerry's and the others' barbs, criticizing "Washington politicians" and their promises. Senator John Edwards (who fared well but was overshadowed) harshly criticized the Attorney-General, Representative Dick Gephardt (a winner at this debate because of his tough attitude and excellent defense of his healthcare plan) hammered away at Kerry, and everyone had tough talk for the president. Dennis Kucinich criticized everyone, and everyone politely ignored him.
Most criticisms targeted Dean, the front-runner in the New Hampshire primary. Kerry, Lieberman, and Gephardt engaged in an almost conspiratorial effort to incite the Dean "angry man" routine. Dean's polls have been slipping a bit, and the pros know how to move in for the kill -- get him alienated from the mainstream. He really believes he is an anti-establishment figurehead (despite his personal Yale history and Wall Street millionaire family), and the establishment politicians are weary of his act.
The most amusing episode (and most typical of the way Dean was held accountable for his impetuous behavior) of the debate occurred as Gephardt linked Dean to Newt Gingrich. Referring to Dean's oft-repeated claim as "the candidate of the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party," Gephardt punned, "I think you're just winging it."
"That is flat-out false flat-out false, and I'm ashamed you would compare me with Newt Gingrich," Dean responded. MSNBC would split the screen and show different polls reacting to criticisms. Dean is fun to watch. His sincerity is unquestionable, but one cannot help expecting him to become the Hulk if he gets any angrier. This is the anger he has for Democrats; if he won the nomination and faced Bush in debate, the man might explode. Reverend Al Sharpton chastised his behavior, for crying out loud!
As the politicians challenged Dean and others, they avoided Clark. Perhaps the spotlight is too bright, his national reputation too Teflon this week, or he only has nine days worth of political track record. Whatever the cause, these pros had little to criticize about the Democratic Party's new golden boy.
Clark pointedly did not engage his peers on the stage. His rhetoric aimed higher. "We elected a president we thought was a compassionate conservative we got neither conservatism or compassion." Clark set out to challenge the president, "who recklessly took us into war in Iraq."
Clark emphasized the flaws in the methodology of the administration and in its leader. As all of the others set about tearing into each other's careers, he avoided partisan feuds alone. He ended up the star of the show and demonstrated why the Democratic race is a completely new game.
