" I'm assuming you mean if we use Bush & Company as a model it's a failing proposition because they are such miserable failures.  "

Not particularly because they're failures, as much as there is no central "voice" in Bush's administration.  The Republicans got behind him early because he was telegenic and could raise a lot of money - his position papers were all focus grouped and the language was parsed to appeal to the largest segment of the population. (BTW, The September issue of American Prospect has an excellent section on use of language in politics.) Once he got in, all that was dumped and "The New American Century " was on.  But the far right couldn't fill all the administrative posts, so the moderates and wingnuts have been in a control battle since Bush's "appointment".  That's why they're failures - there's no place for the Buck to Stop.  If the Democrats do the same thing with Clark, (and that's what it looks like) they're asking for trouble.

I fully agree with your point on the pack not stepping up to the plate and they're distaste for Dean.  All the Media anointed "leaders" hung back and put out Vanilla while Dean positioned himself early as the main critic of the administration and the Democrat's default as the loyal opposition.  Now that he's been proven right, the only candidates who are playing catch up are Kerry and Gephardt.  I think there's some resentment in play here, but the Democrats are really worried about the "New England librul" tag and how it plays in the south.  Even though his record is more twoard the moderate side, the Republicans are going to hammer the Opposition to War and Allowing Gay Marrage cards heavy in the south - they're already talking this up on Fox and Talk radio.  This will force the Democrats to spend more assets in the South, leaving the North open for a big Republican push.  Dean and Kerry lose in this scenario, thus Clark.

The problem I have with Clark is there's nothing there save his Military record.  Although it instantly negates Bush's homeland security advantage, everythig else is open to attack.  I only caught the last hour of the debate, but what I saw of Clark in an unscripted environment didn't make me feel any more secure in his candidacy.