Wes Clark Scheduled For Dinner In Italy on DNC Convention Wednesday

By: Shawn
Published On: 8/13/2008 11:37:31 AM

In an interview with Rachel Maddow on AirAmerica radio yesterday, Gen. Wes Clark told listeners that he is not currently planning on being in Denver for the Democratic National Convention.

With the announcement that the convention's theme for Wednesday is  "Securing America's Future"  and Clark's hard working political action committee WESPAC subheading is "Securing America's Future" left many to hope he has been selected to be Senator Barack Obama's Vice Presidential running mate ... Gen. Clark threw cold water on that hope, saying he had dinner plans in Milan for that night.

I note the RK poll results have Wesley Clark in the lead for VP ... with almost twice the number of votes for any other candidate ... but if Rachel's interview is an indicator ... I'd say the tone in Wes Clark's voice was one filled with the air of major disappointment... and he will not be Barack Obama's VP selection  
   


Comments



No real surprises here (DanG - 8/13/2008 1:55:30 PM)
I think Clark pretty much was taken out of serious consideration a while back.  I think that Kaine got hurt for VP suspects when the Russia/Georgia thing happened.  I think Bayh and Biden are the top choices.

I note that my personal pick, Evan Bayh, is still at the top of intrade : )
http://www.intrade.com/jsp/int...



Lame. (Tiderion - 8/13/2008 4:20:49 PM)
See now we need more than ever a military/foreign policy VP. The Clark NATO credential will be nice to counter McCain on Russia as well.


Actually, he said . . . (Bernie Quigley - 8/13/2008 5:22:43 PM)
"I'm not sure yet," when he was asked if he was going to be at the Convention. He then said the convention hadn't really formulated in his mind yet and "we'll have to wait and see." He then went to his usual aside and persona, saying, "I'm a business man . . ." and said he "is scheduled" for dinner in Milan on Wednesday night. He's being coy. There is no way in the world that he is not going to be at the convention. His commentary on this podcast completely parralled Obama's comments RE Russia/Georgia.

The recording is here:
http://securingamerica.com/



Thanks for the link (Shawn - 8/13/2008 6:11:01 PM)
 I hope you're interpretation is correct and "He's being coy."    


I Still Believe.... (Flipper - 8/13/2008 6:02:35 PM)
that Bayh is the best choice.  He has plenty of foreign policy experience to back up the ticket.  And with Indiana in play without Bayh on the ticket, Obama might be able to pull off the unthinkable and carry Indiana, with an assist from Bayh.  It just opens up another front in the industrial midwest and mucks up things for McCain.  From a pure political standpoint, Bayh is by far the better choice.


may give up a Senate seat (teacherken - 8/13/2008 6:30:55 PM)
since current governor is a Republican, and it is not guaranteed that he will lose to Democratic nominee


"I have dinner plans in Italy"? (Roland the HTG - 8/13/2008 6:39:12 PM)
Sounds like "No I can't, I'm washing my hair." With excuses like this one, I'm guessing Wes Clark didn't get to stay home "sick" from school much.


That Clark vote is from Daily Kos bleedover (justicat - 8/13/2008 8:13:31 PM)
Biden still the best choice.  Supported Clark in '04, but if he wants to be a political player, he should run for something.  


Scheduled is the operable word here! (totallynext - 8/13/2008 9:57:07 PM)
As we all no in politics - we can schedule something all day long - in the end - things get changed and rearranged and then cancel because of some other "more important" fundraiser and event.

Again folks this is politics.



Obama Clark 2008 (NP - 8/13/2008 10:51:29 PM)
http://www.obamaclark.com   sign the petition

Obama/Clark would make me very happy.  I just don't see any other that would be as exciting.  He's classically educated, he's diplomatic yet a real truth teller, he's long time military and knows enough about war to never choose it first, his degree is in economics, he is from the south, he is a little older, the NRA would be OK, and he would have been hillary's VP so it would go a long way to soothe her supporters.  Plus he wanted the position (ran for Pres).  Obama Clark 2008



I agree wholeheartedly! (ObamaClark 08 - 8/14/2008 12:08:11 PM)
I still believe in my heart it will be Wesley Clark as VP.  He is the only choice for VP and here's why:

1. Officially, Obama says the main criteria for his vice presidential pick are that the person must have integrity, independence, vision, a useful "knowledge base," and the ability to help him govern. Clark meets all of these criteria.

2.Unofficially, Obama knows that if he does not pick Hillary as his VP, he will need a "friend of Hillary" whom Hillary's supporters can rally behind. Clark meets that criterion.

3. Obama knows that he's weakest among middle-aged educated women, so he needs a VP candidate who can appeal to them. Clark meets that criterion.

4. Obama needs a white male who appeals to voters in the southeast and southwest, the voters that may resist electing a black man. Clark meets that criterion.

5. Obama needs somebody who appeals to independents, moderates and even crossover conservatives nationwide. Clark meets that criterion.

6. Obama needs somebody older than himself because his base of voters in their 20s and 30s is not enough for victory. Clark meets that criterion.

7. Obama needs somebody with military credentials that match or exceed the military credentials of John McCain. Clark meets that criterion.

8. Obama needs somebody with impressive experience in foreign policy and dangerous international conflicts. Clark meets that criterion.

9. Obama needs somebody trusted by intelligence agencies and yet who has openly opposed the use of torture in the war on terrorism. Clark meets both criteria.

10. Obama needs somebody whom voters see as capable of being the president and commander in chief (just in case). Clark meets that criterion.



Clark Not Headed To Denver (Saturday Aug 16 update) (Shawn - 8/16/2008 4:34:10 PM)
I'm saddened to say the interpretation I put on Wes Clark's interview with Rachel Maddow ... what was said and how it was said looks to be the correct ... according to Down With Tyranny!
General Wesley Clark is not attending the Democratic National Convention. I was told by General Clark's personal office in Little Rock as well as by the director of WesPAC that he would not be attending.

Clark was informed by Barack Obama's people that there was "no reason to come."

General Clark has been given no role of any kind at the convention.