Can the Democratic Party regain the White House?

The former general who led Nato forces during the Kosovo campaign has confirmed his decision to run for US president.

Wesley Clark becomes the tenth candidate to seek the Democratic nomination to run against George W Bush in 2004, after months of speculation.

Mr Clark has no political experience, but his military background could make him a formidable candidate.

Polls have suggested that President Bush is vulnerable because of the weakness of the economy and violence in Iraq.

But so far the candidates have made little progress in challenging President Bush - a recent poll found that two-thirds of Americans could not name any of them.

Is Wesley Clark the right man to change that? What sort of president would he make? Can anyone else beat President Bush?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

General Clark is very late in filing his candidacy but he is definitely an asset to the Democrats. His role should probably be as a running mate of Howard Dean (for VP). Both Dean and Clark are very articulate. Dean has everything going for him except for the lack of military experience, which Clark can more than make up for. If Dean needs to appeal to the American Nationalistic fervour that we have seen lately, Clark can just do that.
Shan, US

It pretty much depends on who elects the next American president - the American people, or the Supreme Court.
Vijay, USA (India)

Bush clearly needs to go, but with the Democrats fragmented, I don't see it happening Ben, Wisconsin, USA

I don't foresee any of these candidates beating Bush, not because they don't have what it takes to be a better president, but because of this Nations blatant refusal to look at candidates beyond their partisanship. Bush clearly needs to go, but with the Democrats fragmented, I don't see it happening
Ben, Wisconsin, USA

Of course the Democrats can regain the White House in 2004. We are still more than a year away from election night and in political terms that may as well be a decade. But President Bush will likely win. Why? Because Americans will realize by then that their president was courageous enough to gamble his political future in order to do what was right. While President Clinton was working to find a way out of his legal troubles, terrorists thrived unchecked. Now we are paying the price and President Bush is simply writing out the cheques. Wesley Clark is a formidable candidate but the world has gotten too complicated for him to win on the Iraq issue alone.
Waldo, US

Bush doesn't stand a chance. Even with a conservatively biased and corporate controlled American media, the truth is out and can no longer be suppressed. Americans are tired of being conned and now after the Iraq mess are ready to get a real leader in office. Gen. Clark or Barbara Lee (the only dissenting voter on invading Iraq) have my vote. God blesses all the world not just the "amerika" Bush envisions.
Anthony Riga, USA

I used to have faith in the average American. I used to think that the guy on the street had enough sense to see when he or she was being "played" by a fancy story. Sadly, this slick Bush team has proved me wrong. They let their oil and defence buddies plunder our pockets and to add insult to injury, pass tax laws that enrich only the very wealthy - yet somehow have convinced voters that they are average Joes. Wake up, America!
Christy, USA

President Bush will win next year's presidential elections by the simple fact that corporate America will provide the money. And between now and then if Bush kills either Saddam Hussein or Osama his popularity will go through the roof - all the Democrats combined surely can not top that.
Elias, Abdi, USA, USA

The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

Hillary Clinton could win by a landslide if she chose to run J. Jones, US

Hillary Clinton could win by a landslide if she chose to run, but I doubt that she will. People that say the party candidates are too many, or fragmented, or unknown just don't fully understand the nominee process. It's still very early to place your bets in my opinion, though I have a feeling Howard Dean will best represents the average democrat on the issues.
J. Jones, USA

I am pleased to see that MR Clark is listening to the many people who have contacted him and urged him to take on this fight. He is listening to public opinion, and he is placing himself in an arena where only the very brave or very stupid would willingly go to. I choose to believe he is very brave.
Jools, Northern Ireland

The Democratic Leadership has lead to financial disaster; one has only to look at California, San Francisco in particular and the US in general to see that massive "giveaways" and social engineering programmes result in insurmountable debt.
Mike Concannon, San Diego, CA

A Clark candidacy will help to focus attention on Bush's lack of military experience. While General Clark was off defending his country in Vietnam, George Bush was AWOL from the National Guard.
Shane Gentry, USA

Shane Gentry, USA: General Clark was not "defending" his country in Vietnam, he was "in-va-ding" another country.
Aristotelis Oikonomou, Athens, Greece

He certainly seems to have the qualifications and background, yet unfortunately its seems to be more important in US Presidential elections that one has the financial backing for the campaign and charisma both on and off screen.
Mark Cummins, Sweden

I found that the Americans are so attached to their stars and stripes that it's scary Abdul M. Ismail, UK/Bangladesh

A Howard Dean/Hilary Clinton (President) and Wesley Clark (Vice-President) relationship would translate into a formidable opponent and could certainly regain the White House. Wes Clark would give the strong backbone to support those candidates who have the required political base. However, having lived and worked in the US for a few years, I found that the Americans are so attached to their stars and stripes that it's scary and that this incumbent administration will simply use this sense of nationalism for their own advantage - and the general public will fall for every piece of Republican rhetoric that's thrown at them. Only when the Democrats realise this and form a strong counter offensive, will they win in 2004.
Abdul M. Ismail, UK/Bangladesh

According to statistics, most American citizens' don't even vote. The ones that do are most from the southern states, where the support for Bush is simply overwhelming. The democrats are what are best for America. It's just a case of whether the electorate realizes it sooner or later
Richard, UK

Clark is the perfect opponent to pitch against Bush..he is an ex-army person, has Europe's respect and has a clean image, plus most importantly he is educated...
Deepak R, Canada

The Democratic Party has splintered itself into too many fragments Ed, US

The Democratic Party has splintered itself into too many fragments. Can you envision Al Sharpton supporters getting excited about a short haired ex general who never addressed civil rights in his life? Or, an ex general who gave orders to enlistees trying to deal with union labour bosses? The Democratic Party is a checkerboard with too many holes in between to be effective.
Ed, US

Bush said he would pull the US back from world engagement, reduce the tax burden, focus on the economy and, more recently, fight terrorism. The result is the economy suffers, jobs are exported, the war on terrorism is sidelined by an unnecessary war in Iraq ("Iraq" is turning out to translate from the Arabic to "Vietnam?"), the deficit has soared to unfathomable levels, taxes have been cut for the wealthiest, environmental laws are being gutted, our dependence on foreign oil is actually increasing... As a Republican myself, I think the answer to this unmitigated disaster we call "Bush" might be "Wesley Clark".
Jose' K., USA

I don't think the average American cares to know enough about most of the issues. Bush will win due to him gun-toting cowboy image alone.
M.C. Bass, USA

I don't think the US - or the world - can take another four years of Bush. Go Clark!
John, USA

Can the Democrats win in 2004? Better questions are: Will the votes be counted correctly? And will the courts allow the election to proceed?
Jeff, USA

Mr. Bush will retain the Presidency in 2004. The Republican Party will also acquire additional seats in Congress. Mainstream America is quite fed up with the liberal Democratic Party and the next election will reflect this.
PJ Previte, USA

This guy can take Bush....anytime. And on top of it all, he was never involved in the political field...Go get him!! Clean this place up....give back America to the world.
Marc Fiquet, Spain

Candidates are basically advertised on television like cars A Goldstein, US

The Democrats probably can't win, because they can't match the money of the Republicans. And it's hard to dispute the fact that United States elections are won by spending advertising money to manipulate a dumbed-down, consumer-crazed public. It's sad but true that US "democracy" (or should it be called "television network-ocracy") has come down to that: candidates are basically advertised on television like cars.
A Goldstein, US

Although Wesley Clark's entrance into the ring is welcome, I would much rather see him mated as a vice presidential candidate to a president candidate who is farther left. In my mind, Howard Dean has the message and Wesley Clark has the moderation necessary to reclaim the presidency in 2004.
Skee Yagi, USA

Democrat doesn't need to take on Republican Party for the next election. GW Bush style of presidency is going to hand it over. The only problem democrats will face is that when they win the presidency, they will inherit the mess made by Bush and his self serving administration.
Mike, US

The Democrats must regain the White House in 2004 and I am sure that the whole world will be praying that they do so. Any of the candidates will be preferable to the Blundering Bush! Howard Dean sounds sincere while Wesley Clark seems to have an impeccable education to bolster his claim. It would be good, though, if Hillary Clinton were to throw her hat into the ring. It would be nice to see her as America's first Woman President.
Melanie Kumar, Indian

Clark will make an interesting candidate if he can put together a compelling domestic package to back up his excellent foreign policy credentials. There is little for Bush to boast of right now, and many Americans are angry about his domestic, diplomatic, and military failures. Any of the Democratic candidates would be better than Bush.
Erica Catlin, New York, USA

Gen Wesley Clark was supreme NATO commander in Yugoslavia. Clark called the destruction of a Yugoslav train filled with civilians by a NATO missile "an uncanny accident." He said the same each time that NATO bombed civilian targets, which happened frequently." Clearly, having just entered the race, he will be scrambling to clarify his positions. What is clear: Clark's entry will further splinter Democratic voters-at least for now.
David Major, Netherlands

I pray that someone besides Bush is elected President in 2004 Betty Ann B., USA

I pray that someone besides Bush is elected President in 2004. I admired him for his strength after 9/11, but his actions and decisions for the last year and a half are very disheartening. At the rate we are going, the USA and the world will be plunged into depression, unending war, and chaos. Just because his Republican friends have jobs, doesn't mean the rest of us are doing fine.
Betty Ann B., USA

Most of the Democrats will not confront Bush on the lies on war, tax cuts for the rich and curtailment of freedoms. If they don't get aggressive on these issues, they don't deserve to win. Go Green and vote for R Nader if the Dems don't reform!
Mark Capellaro, Seattle

Wesley Clark has an excellent chance of getting the Democratic nomination and beating Bush. I have been embarrassed by the way Bush has treated our allies opposed his Iraq war policies. I think we are all seeing that the emperor wears no clothes. He will go down as the dumbest president we have ever had!
Linda M., US

The Democrats have had years to get it right, and have not done so, so let President Bush have a shot at it. At least we can trust him.
James Garland, USA

Of course they can and I think they will. Remember Bush senior! The debate in the US is finally being engaged.
Peter H., US

Democrats have an advantage in 2004 in that many of their party members are outraged by the Bush Administration. This means that they can expect greater turnout than an average election. Of all the candidates, Howard Dean has been best at organizing this anger. If he can move far enough to the right so that moderate Americans can vote for him, they will and he will beat President Bush.
Matt, US

America needs a new President, one who the American people actually do elect this time! Alan Twomlow, UK

I hope so. I have watched Howard Dean's campaign for a while now and have to say that I admire him greatly. He could do a lot to restore the rest of the world's faith in America which is seen as a selfish, blinkered nation by many. America needs a new President, one who the American people actually do elect this time!
Alan Twomlow, UK

General Clark is a breath of fresh air for the Democratic Party, the only one both serious, mainstream, and credible enough to effectively challenge Bush.
Leo, US

There will not be a Democrat President in 2004. First of all it is almost impossible to beat an incumbent President, regardless of his approval rating. President Bush, despite the problems in Iraq still has among the highest approval rating ever. If the Democrats thought they had a chance, we would see Hillary on the list of potential candidates. I don't believe the Democrats can take the White House especially with the current list of candidates they have.
Todd Smith, CA., USA

I'm a 27 year old registered Republican and I will not vote for President Bush in the next election. The President has used 9/11 as an excuse for military aggression against Iraq. The actions of this administration make me ashamed not only to be a republican but also an American.
David, United States

The real question is do the Democrats really want the White house this time around? G Estrada, USA

The real question is do the Democrats really want the White house this time around? They are better off letting the far left wing of the party make a go at it and watch them lose. Then in 2008 they can bring the party back to the middle and have a walk-in into the White House. The republicans have no one after Bush, and with eight years under her belt as Senator, Hilary will make a great choice for the Democratic nominee.
G Estrada, USA

I followed him extensively during the NATO operation in the Balkans and I think Mr Wesley is genuine, honest and strong person for the job. He can bring respect to America on the out side world as well.
Yohannes, USA

The Democrats do, in fact, have the potential to win in '04. Bush's approval ratings have been in steady decline his entire term, and they currently show no sign of rebounding. If the Democrats choose decisively on a strong candidate such as Howard Dean, and back him firmly rather than continue infighting, they could very well win. One can hope they will, in any case.
Ryan, US

If things continue to go badly for Bush in Iraq and also at the NYSE there is no doubt that the Democrats can challenge for the White House. November 2004 is a long time from now and Bush has been dropping in the polls. Wesley Clark is a well spoken Rhodes Scholar with an impressive security background. Not to mention he is from the South, which is where the last two democratic presidents came from. Now if only we can get the first Tuesday in November 2004 to become a holiday we can get people to vote.
Grant, US

I think a Dean/Clark ticket could be a wonderful thing but doubt even together they can oust Bush. The Bush team has learned that by repeating lies and wrapping themselves in the flag they can convince enough of the public to support them. It's a very frustrating time for rational Americans.
C Scott, USA

The American public will be unwilling to turn over the reins to a newcomer Chris, US

The Democratic Party can indeed regain the White House - in 2008. Wesley Clark has no experience, and at this time in world affairs, particularly with the ongoing struggle to neutralize the terrorists, the American public will be unwilling to turn over the reins to a newcomer. General Clark's military background will actually work against him because the Democrats will be loathe to allow such a man represent them as President. I'm becoming more disillusioned with Bush and his simplistic world view, and I would jump at the chance to replace him, but so far there is little to choose from.
Chris, US

The Democrats don't have a chance in the 2004 election. There may be vulnerabilities for Bush, but with crop of candidates the Democrats have put out there, they don't have much hope. They are currently leaning to for left for the majority of Americans. The addition of Wesley Clark isn't going to make a difference.
M. Daly, USA

No political experience? In this era of spin and voter apathy, that sounds like a positive advantage.
Jon E, France

Sorry Democratic hopefuls but you'll have to wait and try again in 2008. Not enough star power to challenge Bush.
Jason, US