RK ARCHIVE - Why I Support General Wesley Clark For President

A few weeks ago when I decided to come back to the Clark '08 camp after a short flirt with supporting Obama it was not because out of pure loyalty but after hearing the strong rumors that Clark was mounting another run I knew I couldn't give up on my hope that Wesley Clark could be our President.

However, I'll admit. I had my doubts. In fact, under my previous logon djm4america I had made it very public that I didn't know if Clark was running or if he could win since he had not done the type of courting at least publicly that other 2008 Presidential contenders were doing.

Then, I have been seeing this race unfold since then and I have come to the conclusion that Clark is the best candidate for the Democratic Party in 2008 and have come to the conclusion in all seriousness and honesty that he could beat any Republican in 2008.

We have seen Obama being attacked for having Hussein as his last name and that "wasted" comment, Edwards for having expensive homes in Georgetown and North Carolina, Clinton for being "responsible" for dirty Clintonian campaign tricks, and Biden for being a racist.

We have heard the rumors about Richardson, we mostly are in agreement about the chances of Kucinich and Gravel. And I really like Dodd's message and passion but still unsure if it's going to resonate or translate into votes. And to date, we are all still very uncertain of Al Gore's decision whether he will run or not run again.

I think we have great Democratic candidates running for President, and should Clark not run I think any of them would make fine Presidents.

They all have their negatives to overcome with the MSM, and the rest of the country. Yes, I hate the MSM too and I wish people were better informed but we can't change that in 2008.

The RNC and the right are already on the attack for 2008. And the Republican Presidential prospects are pretty much getting a free pass on virtually everything. Guliani is a cheater (not that it matters to me, but they lit Bill on fire), McCain is a flip-flopper (not that I care about McCain, but they took Kerry to the cleaners), and Romney is Mormon (which doesn't matter to me but they look into Obama's "not Christian enough" faith).

They scrutinized our candidates, and thrive off our so called "infighting" but when Republicans get portrayed it's like they are freaking saints.

Even with Clark, they will say all the things we heard in 2004. "He's not really a Democrat", "He voted for Nixon", "He was fired from the military", "He's really running for Vice President".

But, I truly believe not only is Clark the best candidate because he's been right on the war, concerned about our environment, and in the belief that we deserve a fair standard of living .

I mean.. really attack him? And the other thing if General Clark gets attacked... he will respond. Something your never really see with Democratic candidates. As we seen with Dukakis and Kerry.

And that's exactly what we need to lead this Democratic Party back from being this so called party of "weak" and back to the party that literally kicks ass.

Has that much changed? Some, we know this country is angry about the war. But we still have to convince the majority of Americans that we the Democratic Party will not only look out for their best economic interests but also keep them safe and secure.

He doesn't just talk the talk, he walks it too. He's done it, he's lived it. He's been to war, he's waged a peace, he's been an executive, he's changed domestic policy, he's warned twice against a war.

And I ask you here today, to support General Wesley Clark for President in 2008 for our country, for our party, and for our future.

Comments

Clark's comment from two evenings ago regarding his running: (NCgrassroots - 3/1/2007 9:46:03 PM)

"I learned a lot in that last race (04). So when you ask me when am I going to declare, do I have plans......Trust me".

Much more interesting quotes in this diary.

http://www.dailykos....

All this in his interview with Amy Goodman the other evening in NYC. He met with about 30 Clark supporters before giving a speech and this interview.

I see no point in supporting Clark when he's not even running (DanG - 3/1/2007 6:53:10 PM)

I glad to see you excited over a candidate, Doc. But don't you think you may be jumping the gun? After all, Clark hasn't really given that many hints that he's running. It's kind of hard to ask us to support him when he isn't really running yet. Quite the opposite; the reports of him warming up to Clinton just make one think he's playing for VP of a Cabinet post.

I like Clark. But I can't consider supporting him when he hasn't given us any hint that he's running.

DanG, can you give specifics? (vadem - 3/1/2007 11:05:18 PM)

What has Clark done or said recently to indicate he's "warming up to Clinton" ? I keep pretty close tabs on what he does and says since I'm expecting him to run, and I haven't seen the Clinton connection. If you follow diaries about Clark, he certainly does give indication that he's strongly considering a run, that he wants to run. But, what he does say is that he knows we have a short period of time to do everything possible to stop Bush from war with Iran. He knows what his duty is right now, so he's focusing on that. www.StopIranWar.com. Read the diary referenced above, watch the YouTube clips, and you'll read and hear the urgency in his words. Anyone heard the phrase "Nero fiddled while Rome burned" ? Is that what our other candidates are doing, while Bush is going forward with his Iran War plans under the radar?

Well, technically, he's not a Pres. candidate yet. (NCgrassroots - 3/1/2007 11:40:10 PM)

But more importantly, he always says nice things about other Democrats with the exception of Joe Lieberman. (Of course he's not even a Democrat anymore). Clark even said some nice things about Edwards not too long ago; despite having been trashed by Shelton back in 04, who it was later revealed was working for Edwards. Clark can be very gracious. It's the Diplomat in him.

Please go to the link to that Kos diary that I posted. You will enjoy it!

Clark doesn't talk trash about Democrats (vadem - 3/2/2007 7:58:48 AM)

As NC Grassroots said, he's a diplomat and has always refused to say anything negative about a fellow Democrat. Anything. He's always courteous and classy and says whatever positive thing is appropriate and also encourages any of his supporters to never talk disparagingly about other Democratic candidates. In no way should anyone misconstrue that he's angling to be her VP. Those who support him know why they do, and those who don't will continue to look for tidbits like comments in that diary to frame their reasons for non-support. Time will tell.

Agreed, "vadem" (cycle12 - 3/2/2007 9:10:03 AM)

In fact, during the 2004 Presidential campaign, before Clark dropped out of the race and after an event moderator in New Hampshire made a somewhat disparaging remark to Wes Clark about John Kerry, Clark stopped him and made sure that the moderator understood that Clark had the greatest respect for Kerry and would not stand by and allow Kerry to be demeaned.

Nervously, the moderator retracted his statement about Kerry, Clark thanked him politely and then continued with his planned remarks.

That's the kind of guy I can support for President - Wes Clark.

Thanks!

Steve

Chris Lehane -- need I say more? (Texas Kat - 3/2/2007 11:30:07 AM)

I will anyway.

The guy who 'floated the meme' was Chris Lehane - who hasn't a clue about what WKC thinks - so take the whole thing with a grain of salt.

In fact, more than just a grain.

WKC is indeed always polite about other Democrats - even ones floating rumors from other camps designed to discourage his potential bid for 08.

I expect to see Lehane's name show up on another candidate's FEC report any day.

You said re: Wes Clark (eve - 3/2/2007 12:54:07 PM)

"...the reports of him warming up to Clinton just make one think he's playing for VP of a Cabinet post."

The evidence suggests that Wes Clark's view on the key issue of the use of American military power is the polar opposite of Hillary Clinton's.

So it just doesn't make sense that Clark would consider accepting VP in a Clinton administration.

Keep in mind that Clark testified before a Congressional Cttee in the fall of 2002 and warned against war in Iraq and predicted many of the tragic events that have unfolded there.
In spite of Clark's testimony and Jim Webb's Washington Post op-ed against the Iraq War, the U.S. Senators who are now running for president including Hillary Clinton voted "yes" on the Iraq War resolution.

The judgement of Clark and Webb on Iraq was excellent. That of Clinton, Edwards, Dodd, Kerry, Biden was very poor.

I have a lot of respect for the personal courage that Webb and Clark showed during a time of high war fever to stand up to warn against Bush's "preventive" war.

Given that and given that Clark is now taking a stand to stop a preemptive war on Iran stopiranwar.com it just doesn't make sense that Clark would be interested in a VP position in a Clinton administration.

Their view of the world and the appropriate use of American power is apparently quite different.

Kind to the Clintons (Bernie Quigley - 3/4/2007 11:25:14 AM)

Wes Clark has always said kind things about both Clintons, and specifically to Hillary at last years Clinton International agenda event. They are both from Arkansas. He is friends with Bill and he personally likes Bill and values having worked with him. Bill was his commander-in-chief when he risked his army career and went to him with a play to act on Kosovo (in opposition the the army). And rarest of all, Clark is a gentleman. I heard him speak in NH two days ago and didn't see him warming up to anyone. He spoke specifically about the possibility of an impending attack on Iran by the Bush administration & he is the only prominent American to be doing so. Last week he complained in NY about "celebrity" politics foiling up the current Democratic race. That would certainly influde Senator Clinton. My feeling is that Democrats are falling into denial RE the Mid East and wnat to return to some idylic past era. An attack on Iran will bring Clark back to center.