Revitalized Clark Campaign Is Advancing After Missteps

The former NATO supreme allied commander burst into the Democratic presidential race in September as if he were storming a beach -- only to retreat amid confusion with his message, questions about his partisan loyalty and divisions in his campaign organization. Now he's advancing again.

In several recent polls, Clark has moved into third place in New Hampshire, site of the critical first primary next month, with some surveys showing him within striking distance of Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts for second.

Clark has reorganized his staff, quickly built an impressive fundraising base and focused his message on his most distinctive asset -- his experience as a military leader in an election when national security could loom larger than in any presidential race since 1980.

"I'm the only person [in the Democratic field] who can stand toe-to-toe and challenge President Bush as a wartime leader," the retired Army general said in an interview.

With Clark's money and potential appeal in moderate Southern and Western states that highlight the primary calendar in February, some Democrats believe he may be the best-positioned to emerge as the alternative if front-runner Howard Dean stumbles.

"The more time passes, the more I am convinced this is the year of the outsider," said Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist who served as Al Gore's campaign manager in 2000. "The only possible candidate who can come in with the Dean sort of momentum is Gen. Clark."

Yet Clark remains uneven as a candidate; he is often compelling but sometimes unsteady on the details of domestic policy. And many analysts believe he can emerge as a serious threat for the nomination only if he finishes within the top two in New Hampshire -- not an easy task when Kerry and Dean, the former governor of Vermont, both hail from neighboring states.

Clark, who is making his first bid for public office after a 34-year military career, remains a candidate defined as much by his potential as his actual performance.

"I see Clark as the wild card here," said the campaign manager for another Democratic contender. "Does he become a real candidate or does he become a novelty? I don't think we know the answer."

When Clark entered the presidential race in September, his unique selling point seemed to be his ability to combine a critique of President Bush's foreign policy and the war in Iraq, which could attract liberals, with national security credentials, which could appeal to more moderate voters.