I finally have my candidate.

Up until now, I've avoided committing to anyone. I guess I was still feeling burned by what I went through as a Clarkie last time around. I'm happy to say that I am now completely behind Obama. I have a really good feeling about things, and am ecstatic about tonights caucus results (I am sad about Dodd and Biden though).

Just wanted to get that off my chest. GOBAMA!!!!

:bounce:

From a guy formerly known as "Clarkie1"

:toast:

I'm hoping Clark has a prominent role in the Obama administration. I suspect he will. Obama is not one to let politics (read, an endorsement) get in the way of doing what's best for America.

:hi:

...you know that MADem!

expect a cushy role in government.

Put it this way--if Edwards or Clinton end up winning, Oprah ain't getting a cabinet job. And she'll probably get the lousy seat near the kitchen at the White House dinner.

And Oprah was what is called an EXAMPLE.

Here, let me break it down for you, since you are having "trouble."

OPRAH has something in common with CLARK--neither have HELD ELECTIVE OFFICE.

OPRAH is also a SUPPORTER of a Presidential candidate.

See, OPRAH supports OBAMA, while CLARK supports CLINTON.

Clear so far? Go back and review if you are unsure, now.

Candidates who are victorious provide cushy jobs to their SUPPORTERS as REWARDS for their loyalty.

All jobs are cushy, because they can be parlayed into lucrative post-government gigs (see Lott, Trent, or Giuliani, Rudy as examples).

Their supporters do NOT have to be "government level" (WTF is THAT??) to GET these cushy jobs.

That's how HECKUVAJOB Brownie, the Arabian Horse whiz, got to be FEMA Director, see? That's how SHIRLEY TEMPLE, a former child star, got to be an ambassador during the Nixon era.

:eyes:

You're displaying a sorry lack of understanding of the process. I'm not sure if it's deliberate, or what.

You plainly don't, and you also don't even, apparently, know who is Obama's "military mind." He's a retired USAF general.

You take Clark and throw him at Obama because he's familiar, but they're oil and water. Clark has been stumping for Clinton since September.

That he supported Clinton is not a deal killer here, many times the pres reaches out. Clark is strong on defense issues, also opposed iraq from the start, is also quite progressive on domestic issues. He would compliment Obama with age, experience, foreign policy bent and geographically.

My fingers are tightly crossed for Edwards, but BO is my second choice.

No one is reading my damn links. Why do I even bother to put them up?

Clark has FORMALLY ENDORSED Clinton. He is campaigning for her, HELPING her.

Obama ain't gonna give him a swell job for doing his part to support his opponent.

That ain't how it works.

But he will ultimately support whoever our party nominates.

That's all were trying to say..

is that Obama will not REWARD him for supporting Clinton.

Christ!!

If Obama is gonna reward a former military individual, it won't be Clark--it will be THIS person:
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/10/retired_general_supports_obama_in_new_ad.php

WHY??? Because this person SUPPORTS OBAMA.

The first person I donated and signed up for website updates in '03 was for Senator Edwards..

But then came along John Hlinko and Josh Marqulies and they created "DraftWesleyClark" and that was it... (BTW, John Hlinko is working with Obama's campaign now!)



What a fun time that was after the initial draft site became official!!

I, like Crunchy Frog and others here were devistated when he opted not to run in Iowa, and when he subsequently dropped out a few weeks later..

I know how you feel now... I didn't warm up to Kerry until General Clark sent us all a note "instructing his foot soldiers to join Kerry's camp; that he was ordering it!"



After that, I became a moderator at Kerry2004 for the remainder of his run and I fell in love with him as a candidate!

If Senator Edwards makes it.. I'll definitely support him.. But on the flip side, at some time down the road if he asks you to support another candidate, you'll feel good about doing it.. You'll see.

That second link is dated SEP 07.

For Chrissake, CLINTON will "back" whoever wins the nomination. EDWARDS will "back" whoever wins the nomination. OBAMA will "back" whoever wins the nomination. So will GORE, for that matter.

The party sticks together.

But Obama isn't going to "reward" someone who has been stumping for his opponent in a BIG WAY for the last few months in IA and NH.

If you think President Obama would give someone who CAMPAIGNED for his opponent a plum job in his administration, you're off your rocker. Quid pro quo isn't just a GOP concept. You reward the people who work hard--for YOU.

Go back and read my links. Clark is CAMPAIGNING for Clinton. ACTIVELY.

:eyes:

The level of acumen here disappoints quite often.

No, wait...let me give you ANOTHER very recent--YESTERDAY, in fact--link:

http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=7568636

Council Bluffs (KPTM) - A former presidential candidate returned to the race in Council Bluffs Wednesday.

General Wesley Clark went door to door trying to get support for Senator Hillary Clinton.

While General Clark says he's supporting Clinton, he says regardless of who you support, it's important for everyone to get involved.

"I hope that every Iowan will go to a caucus. I don't care if it's Democrat or Republican, it doesn't matter. Just go out and take advantage of the freedom that we have in America," said General Clark.

After his stop in Council Bluffs, General Clark plans to head North to Sioux City for more campaigning.

I'm not on your schedule, see?

Telling people to go to bed is a pretty chickenshit way of trying to weasel out of a discussion when you can't support your own arguments.

My post contradicts me? Where? Point it out, specifically.

I'm not the one claiming that 'President Obama' is gonna give Wes Clark, who's been working for Hillary Clinton since September, a job.

We know the general is busting his ass for Hillary, however, should she eventually bow out -- the good General will still offer his services to our nominee.

And likewise - I think he'll have an outrageous future in the next Democratic administration!

Here's Obama's "uniform"--it ain't Clark: http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/10/retired_general_supports_obama_in_new_ad.php

'refusing' Wes would be good proof.

Merrill McPeak can in no way provide assistance comparable to that of Wes Clark.

Isn't Samantha Power working with Obama? She's a Clark favorite.

stiff arms those who don't support him. Like ALL politicians do.

You apparently (based on your comments comparing the two generals) don't realize that McPeak was SENIOR to Clark. He was COS of the USAF, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and at one time the TOP officer of the entire USAF. Clark never got that high in the Army.

McPeak will get the good 'former uniform' gig, and he'll probably be the guy to make recommendations to Obama too, should he win the nom.

in my opinion; that's how bush et al have gotten us into our current mess.

'Senior' to Clark is irrelevant; Clark is the best of the best, in understanding history, working today, and planning for the future.

Wes Clark was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe and also the Commander-in-Chief, United States European Command.

he wins.

You're just wrong. All the insistence in the world that it's "no way to run this country" will not change the basic fact that Wes Clark will not work in an Obama administration. Merrill McPeak wouldn't work in a Clinton administration, either.

I used to WORK for Wes Clark, I know who the hell he is and what his job titles were. But thanks for trying to be helpful.

Hint--A USAF COS is SENIOR to a SACEUR/CINCUSEC, who reports to--and is junior to--the Army COS who is counterpart to the USAF COS.

I do know Wes Clark.

Formally. Actively.

I'm feeling really optimistic for the first time in a long time. Obama is smart and dynamic and exciting, and I think he's going to make a really fine president.:toast:

:toast:

..I was a Clarkie too last go around.

~ ~ ~

I'm feeling right at home.

:toast:

Congrats. :P

Great night tonight, eh?:party:

And you know why I feel that way.

:toast:

The rest of America will be along shortly...

:woohoo:

LOL.

I love DU but I realize we are NOT representative of the mainstream.

In this instance, that's a very good thing!

This time I was behind Biden, but I vowed I would not fall in love with anybody again after what I (we) went through when Clark came off the rails. Early on in the race, I supported Obama, thought about Edwards - but I am now backing Obama too.

He's young, he's fresh and I want to know more about his plans for the future.

:hi:

I was depressed for months afterwards. I don't plan to ever fall for a candidate like that again, though I can't say that I regret it; it's a once in a lifetime sort of thing for me.

was the ULTIMATE in depressing, getting stuck with Asshat for another 4 years. AGH!!!

But soon the nightmare will end. :hi:

Thereafter, the media disappeared him, and that was basically the end. I remember that heartbreak too well. I've tried not to fall in love this time, too. But I was then and am now a big fan of John Edwards, tho I like BO, too.

I still remember very vividly. :(

So glad to see you and your post!

:hi:

Check out my new article!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=132

Love ya! :pals:

On another note, I had no idea this post of mine was going to trigger a flamewar. x(

many now feel they have nothing to lose....

It will be better by next primary, when they will have gotten used to losing. :)

I'm excited too. :dem:

Was for Biden. Only seemed logical, having been a Clarkie (except for that whole "I'm endorsing Hillary" thing, lol).


Now, and I can't believe I'm saying this (it always seemed we Clarkies and Edwardians were natural born enemies, eh?), I'm leaning slightly Edwards. If there is a wave to be caught here in these United States, I think one of "populism" vs one of simply "change" is the better, much more important wave. And hey, it does take a certain bravery to run on such a platform.