RK ARCHIVE - I Am Leaving The Clark '08 Camp

This is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. But, it's official I no longer support Wesley Clark for President.

I think Wesley Clark would make a great president, but thus far Clark hasn't been the best politician. That's actually a good thing, but it's the hardest thing supporting a guy no one else believes in. I know here on Daily Kos he has a lot of supporters. But, it seems that it's the only place.

I never thought I would ever get involved in politics, but watching Clark made me want to be involved. I saw Wesley Clark before the Iraq War on CNN, and the more I heard him speak the more he inspired me.

So, I wrote him. I told him how I felt, that I felt we needed his leadership to lead us forward. I didn't have anywhere to send it. I tried to look for his mailing address. No luck, I tried CNN, no luck. Then one day when I googled "Wesley Clark" as I often did I found an interesting website, "DraftWesleyClark.com". I saw that a man named John Hlinko was running it out of DC, so I emailed my letter to Wesley Clark to John Hlinko.
Hlinko emailed me back, and asked if he could put this letter on the front page of the Draft Wesley Clark website. As I was returning from Iraq on the USS Abraham Lincoln, I watched as week by week the Draft movement grew. I began to "blog", I began to exchange emails with supporters back in the United States. As our ship came closer to home, I grew more excited to become more involved.

Then just as I had predicted, President Bush landed on our ship. I really would rather not talk about this event. Let's just say to me, it was too flashy. It was rather interesting to have a President come to your ship and stay for a while.

When I returned to Washington State where our ship was ported, I began to become more involved by going to "Meetups" in Seattle. Here I met many great friends I still consider family to this day. They were impressed that a 19 year old sailor would go so far to help the Draft movement encourage Clark to enter the race for President.

Clark finally entered the race months after the Draft had begun. The first letter Clark received to run for President was in New Hampshire by Susan Putney. A stack of 1 thousand Hlinko had collected, and Susan Putney has placed my letter at the top of that stack.

He read my letter, and grew emotional from what I was told. He told Susan Putney that he knew that this "sailor had went to great lengths" to send this letter. Hearing this from my hero, gave me so much more hope and passion that carries to this day.

It was an interesting experience being involved with the Clark campaign in 2004. Getting to meet his son Wes Jr, getting intoxicated with him as well. Meeting Congressmen, Governors, Presidential Candidates. I was so very disappointed when Clark lost in the primaries. But I kept hope that he would be on the ticket. When Kerry chose Edwards, I was disappointed. Then Kerry ran a terrible campaign, never defending himself. Then, he lost. I was devastated. I cried, John Kerry lost on my 21st birthday.

I have recently relocated this year from Washington State, to Washington DC. Being interested in politics has made my move to DC so much fun. Congressman, Senators, historic places.

Then, I found a Former Secretary of the Navy who was running for U.S. Senate. I began to work on his campaign. Working on the Senate campaign for Jim Webb was the best experience I have had in my life. Jim Webb is like no other person I have ever met.

After we won, I thought about giving politics up. Then days later I returned. I can't ever give up something I believe in.

But here's the thing, after all of my work for Wesley Clark I don't believe he can win the Democratic nomination. Winning in the General Election is one thing, but not in a nomination with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the field.

I still very very much believe in Wesley Clark the individual, just not Wesley Clark the candidate. I am not alone either. John Hlinko who started the Draft Wesley Clark movement in 2003 is now working on the Draft Obama campaign. One of my closest friends who was very involved in the Netroots aspect of the Clark campaign was shunned by Clark's people and has lost the passion he once had before.

In my opinion Wesley Clark would make the perfect Vice-Presidential running mate for ANY nominee, even John Edwards. I am personally hoping that Barack Obama is our nominee in 2008. As Democrats, we need desperately to show the American people we are tough on National Security issues. Clark can solve that.

I am sorry Clarkies, I am sorry Wesley Clark, I am sorry everyone who I am dissapointing. I love Wesley Clark, but it's time for me to leave.

Comments

From one former sailor to another (relawson - 12/21/2006 9:31:20 PM)

I don't know that Clark is even running - he hasn't been very vocal - either that or the media is ignoring him again. I don't blame you for leaving his camp - he hasn't asked people to stay.

I would support Clark, Edwards, or Obama for President. I just don't believe that Obama can win, truthfully. He does not have the experience - and after carefull analysis the ability to win debates. He needs to go around the block a few more times.

I don't think Clark can win either, but I think he has better odds than Obama. Edwards has the best chances in the south, he will rally the working class, and with a strong anti-Iraq war VP on the ticket will rally the anti-Iraq war base.

No matter what candidate we choose, we must assume that in 2008 the overwhelming opposition to the war that we see to day will have let off steam. If we have begun troop withdrawals by then, the anger over Iraq will be drawing down. In short, 2006 was the year of the anti-war candidate. In 2008, it will be "the economy stupid" once again as the primary issue, IMHO.

I think when you make your prediction for the best candidate in 2008, you need to base it on where you think Americans will be on the war issue, or if another issue becomes more important to them. It is really a roll of the dice. But we had better think about that roll right now and figure out where the odds are sooner rather than later.

PS: I was a sonar tech. Good times. Got out in 1996, so been awhile. My ship has since been mothballed and in 2004 became a target for a practice torpedo. It now lies at the bottom of the sea. Sad really, it's like losing a home.

From another "former Naval person" (Stan Davis - 12/21/2006 10:15:08 PM)

(With apologies to Winston Churchill, who referred to both FDR and himself as "former Naval persons.")

I appreciate your honesty, and I can assume that your decision has caused you a certain amount of inner turmoil.

I became a Clark Draftrooter in late June 2003. I've never wavered in my support for Wes Clark in whatever endeavor he might choose. Last time as well as this time, if there is a "this time," I think we all know that getting the nomination would be much more difficult than winning the "General" election, if he's the nominee.

Clark is still my choice for President and will remain so until he says he's not running. I don't have a better idea. I don't think Hillary can win the general election, Obama is too inexperienced for the world we live in, Edwards brought nothing to the ticket last time, and eliminating those, Clark has as much chance as anybody to succeed. Bill Richardson is the only one who comes close to Clark's experience, but he's about as exciting as yesterday's breakfast toast.

I'll be surprised, actually, if Clark jumps in. I think he will run only if all three of the following are true: (1) He thinks that that's the only way to have the influence he wants to have in putting America back on track; (2) His wife and family give the nod; and (3) He sees a path to success.

Best wishes. I hate to lose any Clarkies, but I understand your feelings and, again, appreciate your honesty and forthrightness.

(Former) LT Stanley M. Davis USNR
Communications Officer, USS Vogelgesang (DD-862) (1971-72)
Operations Officer, COMDESRON TWO (1972-73)
Lakewood, CO

PS: I participated in an exercise in which a former Navy destroyer was to be the target for jets and ships' guns. The destroyers were supposed to sink the vessel after the jets made their runs. I thought that it was going to be great fun. Then the first bomb from the first jet split the vessel in half and down she went. I found it very sad, since thousands of sailors and officers had proudly served on that ship.

Bad news my friend... (relawson - 12/22/2006 12:47:41 PM)

"Vogelgesang was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 24 February 1982, transferred to Mexico and renamed Quetzalcoatl. She was decommissioned by the Mexican Navy in late 2002."

I have no idea what the Mexicans have done to your ship. I would be demanding answers from Mexico if I were you ;-)

Actually, your ship has a very interesting history: http://en.wikipedia...._(DD-862)

I wonder how her story ended - or if it continues. I am trying to imagine what purpose it could currently serve.

Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Other Leaders (cycle12 - 12/22/2006 12:00:21 AM)

Thanks, "drmontoya", for your obviously sincere and heartfelt words about General Wesley K. Clark. My youngest son is a sailor, he's the same age as you, and I know that neither one of you would ever "give up the ship".

Likewise, I feel the same way as you about Wes Clark, strongly supported him in 2003/2004, continue to do so today and cannot, will not give up on him until he states that he is not running for President in 2008.

Similarly, I adamantly and publicly supported Jim Webb from the first of April, 2006 forward and would never have given up on him, either.

There will be no better U. S. Senator than Jim Webb, and there is no better potential presidential candidate than Wes Clark.

I can appreciate and respect your reasoning and opinion, but I'm staying on board with Wes Clark.

Best of luck in all your future endeavors and pursuits, sailor.

Either way, I, for one, am very proud of you.

And I'm equally proud of Wes Clark.

He can be our next President.

Thanks again!

Steve

I have no ties to the military other than the name of a loved one on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall. (NCgrassroots - 12/22/2006 1:03:20 AM)

I see the world exploding around us. (Best for ones sanity not to watch too much television). Wes Clark's son once said that his Dad knew things that would make your hair stand on end; things he wouldn't even share with his family.

But sadly our political scene has turned into "American Idol", propelled on by the MSM loving the horse race above all. Once again we have polls on likeability; just like those famous polls asking "who would you most like to have a beer with?".
Never a poll on proven competence. I want none of the top tier candidates to become the "Decider".
Edwards, my former Senator, is the one I know the BEST and trust the LEAST. Populist? what populist? He wasn't one when he represented me!

If Wes Clark decides not to run, I will hope that Al Gore runs, and I will pray that the nation will grow-up and realize he was the far better man back in 2000. Until then, I tell myself that it is way too early for me to stop supporting the General. This early situation has been propelled by Hillary's money, and as I said before, the MSM. In my opinion, it's all turned into some kind of superficial game; and maybe we will deserve, once again, what we get.

Wes the "heart" of a new Democratic movement (Bernie Quigley - 12/22/2006 6:57:06 AM)

dr: Appreciate your sincerity and heart-felt concern. We are at a classic 60-year post-war generational turning point in history. Whatever happens in '08 I think it will be brand new. It is classically a time when things unravel and fall apart; a time when denial is the order of the day, nostogia prevails, hubris abounds, incompetance is rewarded. Then it snaps & a new order returns to center. In some way, Wes Clark will be the center of that new order. General Clark would make a great President and I volunteered for him here in NH in '04 and will again if he runs. But it is not always the President who is the representative person of the new period - it is the "man in the center" as historian W.J. Cash called him; Jefferson Davis was a minor figure as President of the Confederacy, Robert E. Lee the "man in the center" Cash refered to. Likewise Lord Nelson was the "representative man" of the Victorian age; Tedy Bruschi is the "representative man" at the New ENgalnd Patriots; it is a bull dog in the heart of the people, not necessaryily the man on top. Whether he runs of not, General Clark will be that man in an Edwards Presidency or a Warner Presidency or a Sebelius Presidency - might even be better as we will have him in varying capacities - Chief of Staff, SEc. of State, SEc. of Defense - for 16 to 20 years in different administrations, carrying the theme of character, honor and integrity back to our country like a flame cupped in his hands; once the country gets used to him it will require him and won't let go of him. One way or another, Wes Clark will mark the age.

Don't give up your passion because of his campaign people (Used2Bneutral - 12/22/2006 6:13:34 PM)

There are many of us who worked our tails off with the local committee for Webb and either Andy or Judy (or in my case, both) who were absolutely ignored by the kids of the Webb campaign that were almost one third my age(58.5)....

I also had that same problem last year with the brand new wet behind the ears campaign people who were hired to run the delegate campaigns I helped mostly. But, I had patience and persistence, AND I continued to supply the best support I could inspite of the initial non acceptance.... eventually the capaigns grew and needed bodies and certain skills I had been offering and even just doing all along. All of a sudden just being there always made several of us a lot more appreciated. The magic word is patience.... I remember a saying when I entered college in the late sixties that still applies and the current group of mid to low twenties age of the young campaign workers has their own version of, "Don't trust Anyone Over 30".

If I were to recomend anything, wait until the 2007 elections have completed and still track your favorite for 2008..... WE NEED YOU to help take the Va. HoD back and get control of the policies that will drive the re-districting in 2010 and let us turn this absolute "Red" state into at least a true "Purple" state.... In the mean time Don't lose your passion and energy my friend.... especially to kids your own age :-)

Clark hasn't announced...yet (vadem - 12/23/2006 11:24:51 PM)

Because he's been so darned busy over the past 2 years traveling the length and bredth of the country to make sure Democrats all over were elected and we took back at least one house.

He will only run if he feels it is the best thing to do to serve his country once again. He knows he has something of value to offer, but he wants to be certain that is what the country needs and that he is the best one to provide it.

Just because Clark hasn't jumped into the fire with the others who are teasing us with "maybe/probably/I'll let you know in a week or so" doesn't mean he won't. He's giving this very serious matter it's due with appropriate time to consider. I have no doubt, being the master strategist that he is, Wes Clark will plan his next moves carefully, after he has fully thought it out.

Those who know and support Wes Clark don't need to have an announcement in hand in order to continue to believe he is the man with the capability of pulling us back from the brink and turning this country around again--both abroad and throughout the global community as well as at home. I will patiently wait for his decision and in the meantime, continue to work to strengthen the Democratic Party. There is no other candidate out there who captures my attention at this point. This is the same way I felt 4 years ago when I first met Wes Clark as he appeared with Aaron Brown on CNN. The candidates running then (many of the same ones as now) offered little to assure me they knew what was needed. They still don't.