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
I note that my personal pick, Evan Bayh, is still at the top of intrade : )
http://www.intrade.com/jsp/int...
The recording is here:
http://securingamerica.com/
Again folks this is politics.
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
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.
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.