Dean/Clark 2004?

The Washington Post is running a story about a possible team up between Howard Dean and Wesley Clark.

As much as I would like to see this, I still think the early Dean/Clark announcement rumor is in the same category as the Hillary or Gore will enter in 2004 rumors: things that are whispered about around town that occasionally gain enough cache to make it into print but which have more basis in the fevered dreams of political reporters than in actual reality.

I mean really, what does this story base its headline on? Dean and Clark have been talking to each other? Good news. But Clark has been talking to Kerry to apparently. Does that mean a Kerry/Clark ticket is imminent?

Lord save us from journalists who have to create news in order to make their lives interesting.

Update: The New York Times has more details:

After months of friendly discussions about national security and other issues, Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, asked Gen. Wesley K. Clark to join his presidential campaign in some capacity if General Clark decided against making the run himself, aides for both men said tonight.

"The governor's told him repeatedly that he should run if he wants," Joe Trippi, Dr. Dean's campaign manager, said at the campaign headquarters here. "I'm sure that along the way the governor's made clear that we want General Clark's support if he decides not to run for president. I assume every other candidate has done the same thing."

So, there is more substance to this story than I said above, but not as much as is hinted at so breathlessly in the Post report. Dean has asked Clark to join his team, but only if Clark decides not to run and not necessarily in the capacity of Veep (at least at this time). This is a very believable report.

It's nice to hear that the Dean and Clark appear to get along so well with each other. That bodes well for the future.