Can Clark survive without Dean?

Right from the start, the stated rationale for Wes Clark's candidacy has been simple: "I'm the only Democrat who can beat George Bush in the fall." But the larger and far more compelling rationale has always been, "I'm the Democrat who can beat George Bush in the fall because I'm the only one who can beat Howard Dean now."

And that's why, in light of Dr. Dean's current difficulties, the most interesting question about tonight's NH debate will be whether Gen. Clark and his team have been able to come up with another convincing reason for Democrats to take a chance on a candidate who, despite an important and honorable record of public service, has never actually demonstrated the ability to win an election. I suspect that that's a pretty big hill to climb, and it'll be fascinating to see how he tries to go about it.