Clark Would Complicate GOP Plans

If the general decides to run, he'll be behind the eight ball in Iowa and New Hampshire, as well as in the crucial fund-raising game. But Clark may be gunning for a vice-presidential slot, where he could draw voters hesitant about a too-left-leaning Dean or Kerry candidacy.

Why should Republicans be scared of him? "In the way Reagan brought over Southern Democrats, Clark could bring over moderate Republicans. The right-wing should be worried because of Clark's swing-state appeal."

He's whip-smart, silver-haired handsome, articulate and a retired general. He sounds like an Arkansas good-ol'-boy, but was first in his West Point class and a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University.

He saw combat in Vietnam, commanded NATO forces and fared well toe-to-toe with Tim Russert of NBC's "Meet the Press," perhaps the ultimate test of candidate battle-worthiness.

Many Dean supporters like him as a VP. There is a 90% chance he will run.