CNN - Kerry campaign calls Clark a "serious contender" for vp

Saw this posted at another forum. Sorry no link, it apparently was just on TV.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: regardless!!

puts him in the "Very Serious" category for me.

Happy days are here again... :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

on Rush's site he has this quip posted:

“One of the names that's surfaced at the top of John Kerry’s VP list is Wesley Clark and people can't figure it out. Why do you need two war heroes? If you go out and get Wesley Clark are you not admitting that your first war hero, your nominee, can't carry the water on that issue?”

Makes ol' Rush a tad nervous, I'd say.

Old Rush is quaking in his boots!!!

The WH will be ours!

Ha ha ha pigboy!!

I love it!!! :toast:

ONE person in the White House with wartime experience, during a war, is infitely better than NONE.

Maybe TWO people in the White with such experience at such times is twice as good (if you could in fact double "infinite").

Better two war heros than Chickenhawk Chaney and his faithful sidekick, AWOLLad.

Now there's a ticket I would be proud to vote for.

Like JOhn he's not very good on the stump. He won't be the VP

I hope you can accept it, even though you disagree.

I'll grant you Clark wasn't the most effective stump speaker during the primary season.

However, that said, the primary role of the VP in the general election will to be an aggressive and effective critic of the current administration. The proverbial pitbull, if you will.

And in that capacity Clark has no peer among the current crop of potential VPs.

"the stump", but the man is brilliant. Every time he speaks, I can feel the sensibility, intelligence, and deep caring that is in his heart. Plain and simple as that.

I listened to Clark give the radio address. The guy is intelligent, but there's something else. Somewhere in there there was thoughtfulness. He sounded human, soothing, like he cared about the average Joe. So long as national security remains at the forefront, Clark is the guy to be VP.

who can attack Bush, not to the converted like us, but to make sense to the swing voters. He has to go against Bush.

I'd just like a VP that's held elected office prior to being on the big ticket, that's all.

Later.

RJS

EOM

Such great news. We'll win!

Why General Clark is the best choice for VP:

Polls show Kerry ahead of W on domestic issues, behind on national security. Overall a dead heat. W may creep up domestically as economy improves, so Kerry needs to siphon away some of W's support on security. This election WILL be about national security and terrorism because W will make it that way, and look at the headlines from Iraq dominating the news. Bush has already put Kerry on the defensive questioning Senate votes and the "ribbon-throwing" incident. All Bush has to do is neutralize Kerry on war/terror, and he keeps his lead. Kerry can co-opt the national security theme on Bush.
Enter Wes Clark: Clark can stand up and say, "Vietnam was a disaster, but I stayed in the military afterwards to build the great all-volunteer Army we have today. Sen. Kerry said "Send me to Vietnam" and served with great courage and honor in that war. Sen Kerry criticized that war afterwards, and I consider that dissent an act of patriotism, for he had the nation's best interests at heart. Sen. Kerry backed up that service by serving his country for these many years in the Senate, including not forgetting Vietnam as he worked with Sen.McCain for years to retrieve our POW's. I am proud to stand with Sen. Kerry, a man I consider to be one of the great patriots of our time". (As he wraps himself in the flag and talks about winning the only war NATO ever fought, this man who is one of the most decorated military heroes in U.S. history). This man can bring in military and ex-military votes which NO other VP candidate can do,and he is"squeaky-clean.

There are many other areas where Clark complements Kerry:

1.Ability to step into the Presidency if necessary. Clark has a career of military and diplomatic leadership unparalled. He has earned the respect of European leaders and understands the Arab world. NO ONE has Clark's credentials to help repair our alliances around the world and gracefully resolve the Iraq problem. Plus, something that many people do not realize, as one of our major military commanders, Clark had the "domestic affairs" responsibilities similar to those of mayors and governors. He was responsible for the everyday lives (schools, healthcare, safety, career advancement, etc.) of those under his command, numbering hundreds of thousands at times

2.Clark brings a "common man" background, someone who grew up poor, earned an appointment to West Point where he finished 1st in his class,
became a decorated war hero--someone with the brains, talent, and drive to go into the business world and make lots of money--who instead chose to serve his country for another 30 years or so. If this man isn't a true American hero, I don't know who is.

3. Agreement on issues: Kerry and Clark are very closely in agreementon Foreign Affairs / Homeland Security issues as well as on Free
Trade, and most domestic issues.

4. Campaigning against Bush: Clark has demonstrated, both during his campaign and since endorsing Kerry, that he is both loyal to Kerry and is a tireless campaigner against Bush. Clark has "fire in his belly" on defeating Bush. Clark can take on Bush/Cheney on all issues, especially those
where Bush would like to think he is strongest. 4. Helping to win Electoral Votes - Clark should help to win all the Swing States that Al Gore just missed winning and retain the Blue States that Bush would like to have. Most candidates are mentioned because they might win one state for Kerry, Clark could help in ALL of the above swing states. This is because he is an Arkansas Southerner who also proved to be popular in the Southwest and among Hispanics and American Indians. In fact, with General Clark's military background and "All American" image he has more popularity than most democrats such as John Kerry in all parts of the country where Republicans tend to be popular. With his Military Supreme Commander status, if he could get just 10% of military families to vote Democratic (who would otherwise vote Republican) this could change the outcome in a number of states. Although Wes is now a very progressive Democrat, his past background makes people feel secure. His comfort with Religion also helps. Both Kerry and Clark have a long history of using guns (despite being pro gun control.)

5. Taking on Dick Cheney: There will be a VP debate. Only Clark can face Cheney and cite Pentagon "inside information" about how Cheney decided from the beginning to go to war with Iraq. On all military related issues, Clark will be more believable than Cheney to millions of swing voters.

6. Raising funds for Kerry: This is very important to Kerry since Bush has raised so much money. It was Wes Clark who raised almost $9 million in January alone, pre-matching funds. This was about 2 million more than his closest rival. In the 5 months of his campaign, he raised about as much as Dean. While Dean started the Internet dominance, Clark continued it with equal success and still has the best web site and Blog Community around. Since Dean isn't suitable as Kerry's VP, Clark is the best choice to attract the "outsider" type people who support Dean. Clark was often the 2nd choice among Dean supporters and their 1st choice for VP under Dean. In summary, with Clark as VP choice, there would be BY FAR the largest fundraising boost to the Kerry campaign as well as a likely union with Howard Dean and his supporters. Lets also remember that Clark was the most popular with the wealthy and powerful Hollywood crowd.

7. Mutual respect: Since Kerry and his VP choice will probably be together for months, getting along with mutual respect is very important. They have to be able to share each other's secrets. As was demonstrated in Wisconsin, their mutual respect for each other's careers is apparent.

8. Kerry and Clark already have a name for their ticket that no one else can claim, "Two Patriots, one mission." This alone will be worth millions in free advertising. Undecided voters are easily swayed by these powerful slogans.

9. Appeal to the Church going Americans and Patriotism-Wes Clark has a background that includes several faiths. He is the "most comfortable" of all the major VP contenders with "God" and "American Patriotism". The Flag really means something to him. This is why he is a danger to Republicans in all parts of the country. He still is Karl Rove's worst Nightmare.

10. Is VP the best position for Clark? Some would say that Clark should be saved for Secretary of State or National Security Adviser. However, if we waited, it is very possible that Kerry would lose a close election. Additionally, as VP, as long as Kerry respects Clark, he could be used as a 2nd Secretary of State, Defense and Homeland Security. As shown by Cheney, a VP can be very powerful when they are strong and respected in National Security issues.

Please, for the good of the country, select Wes Clark.

Ken Steiner

Great post!

For once, I have nothing to add. :)

the WES WING lives ... :kick:

Great analysis and I agree with all of it. I believe we have the winning ticket in our grasp. Everyone needs to get behind Kerry/Clark. I'm not sure if this was in that great analysis, but, if anything, God forbid, happened to Kerry, Wes Clark would be a confident, strong, leader who could sooth our hurt and lead brilliantly. I have great faith in this ticket.

Seriously, that was an extremely well written and well thought out exposition on exactly why Wes Clark should be our VP nominee. I REALLY think he could be the perfect match with Kerry.

BTW, I LOVE your suggestion for a campaign slogan...Two Patriots, One Mission

That would sell like hotcakes.

Wes is the best!!

And you are right...for the good of the country!!!

Ken:

As a devotee of General Clark, I find this to be a very valuable analysis and I must say I agree with every word. You should be writing political commentary rather than the shallow, ignorant, ill-informed empty suits that are doing so professionally!

You've put together a very spot-on report. Thank you.

Vickie

I am not confortable with Edwards. I liked your "Two Patriots, one mission" slogan.
Tank you!

You've said all that needs to be said. Thanks so much for such a wonderful and insightful post.

U-WES-A!!!!!!!

Excellent post. In regards to #10 I think VP is the best position for Clark. Hatred and partisanship in Congress is at a record high. Clark as a non politician with an excellent track record in bringing bitter enemies together for the common good is just the man for the job. I believe he will be extremely good at helping Kerry get his agenda passed through Congress. In addition, as a non politician and a respected patriot, I believe he will be extremely good at exposing the extreme republican partisan hacks in Congress leading to a net Democratic gain in the 2006 election.

I'd also like to add that picking Clark for VP will reflect very favorably upon Kerry. They've always said that you can judge a man by the company he keeps.

I worry about some of the attack points against Clark. His statements on abortion during primary season were more than a little shaky & I still think his removal as NATO commander under not-happy circumstances will be made an issue.

Not trying to rip him, just looking at where Clark will be attacked by the Bushies. I'm sure Kerry is doing a good vetting of him to decide whether any issues are of concern.

they could come up with would be that he voted for a Republican 15 years ago and, in a general election, that's a snoozer.

Besides, all he has to say is that he's pro-choice and would vote in that direction if he had to break any tie in the Senate. That would be the extint of his actions toward that issue, anyway.

I think, as has become popular among vice presidents since Al Gore's "reduction of governmental overspending" project and Cheney's "rule the world" project (haha!), that Wes's project should be to get us out of the mess in Iraq and restore our position in the world.

Very impressive list!!! I hope you don't mindif I post it all over. I won't take credit for it though.

Thanks and Welcome!

-Ding

I agree with every word of it! Go Wes Go! :bounce::bounce:

on edit....I HOPE you have posted this on Kerry's web site??? Please? :)

Clark was against the war, which could make a dent in the Nader/anti-war factor.

Given, this is a small factor, but it's most probably going to be a very close election. If we were to get 3/4 of those Nader voters, we'd be winning in almost all of the polls today.

I also love Clark. I want to have him in a really visible position. He is so intelligent, articulate, honest, and...handsome.

I work with this very irritating person (man). Early 60s. Typical male chauvanist, get on your nerves type. He spent many minutes making fun of me when I was working for Wes Clark.

TODAY, we were discussing the drug (meth) epidemic here in our area. In response to his comment that "these people" don't actually think they're doing anything wrong, I said, "Yeah, that's why I think...." I quickly stopped talking. My daughter asked why I stopped and what I was going to say. I replied "Well, I think **'s a Republican". He said that I only think that b/c he wanted me to wonder. Then, I said "And I think he likes George Bush." He then proceeded to tell me how much he DOES NOT like George Bush. He said he didn't like Bush I and Bush II is an even bigger asshole. LOL.

Then, the really heartbreaking part AND HE ACTUALLY SAID THIS TO ME TODAY - "Actually, the best guy for the job (of President) was the guy you supported."

I have heard so many people say that. And, like I told my co-worker, "I will believe that until the day I die."

Oh, if only......

It's a good story. A reminder that the Republicans agitated so hard against Clark because they knew the gravity of the threat he posed. If he won't be President it looks like he may help lead the nation as Vice-President. Break out the Chee-tos!

Dubya's chosen snack as well. ;-)

Senator Kerry can not go wrong with either John Edwards or Gen Clark. It now appears that defense and the war on terror may be the best issue and so Gen Clark may be the better candidate.

to join JFK2 on the ticket. We are going to need him to assist with the exit strategy...which we STILL haven't seen.

I love Edwards, but I think given the mess we are in, Clark makes a lot of sense.

The sound you hear is Karl Rove pissing himself.
Added bonus: I was very impressed by Clark's staunch populism during the primaries.

Things are looking better. It seemed that Wes dropped off the radar screen for a while.

Obviously, I would looooooooooooooooooove the ticket and Wes would eat Dick "other priorities, three deferrments" Cheney for lunch in the debates. (I know he was weak in the 9 person talk show that passed for the Dem debates, but one on one on National Security, wow, my heart is all aflutter).

If not, I hope Kerry finds a place in his administration for Clark. He is truly a national treasure.

(Gush mode/off)

They said that the decision wouldn't be made until June at the earliest.

The wait continues...

I didn't support him in tghe primaries, but the more I see the more I realize Wes Rocks.

With Clark adding some polite fire, the Dems could really go for it.

That's our Wes

Which is something that will not happen under other circumstances. And I'm sure Wes grabs a lot of other Indy and moderate Repuke votes. He's clearly the best choice.

So many people unhappy with Bush, but think of Kerry as a typical liberal.

Because Clark was a 4 star, moderates & independents, & unhappy repubs can find the ticket more acceptable if Clark is on it.

on the advantages of the Clark addition!

:bounce:

Yeah yeah yeah.

My Dad (who voted for Bush in the last election) WILL pull the lever for a Kerry/Clark ticket. It is the way to go.

Sorry to Edwards supporters, but two Senators with the same voting record on the big issues really does nothing, IMO.

Go Clark!

(Also, donate to WesPac if you can!)

Click here!!

If you're rich you can give $5,000 - if you're not, any amount is just as welcome. :)

Most of the shit that dogged him during the primaries will be irrelevant in the general election. I don't expect Bush to be denouncing Clark as a closet Republican or war monger. The pukes will trot out the 'tried to start World War III' stuff and all they'll do is chase their own nuts to the Dems. (Half of Bush's base really wants someone who's willing to start WWIII)

all of Wes's praise for Shrub was after 9/11 and about the war in Afghanistan...he's handled that well in the primaries.

Maybe I won't have to remove my Wes Clark bumper sticker afterall...I can just put the Kerry sticker next to it!

I would never remove my Clark sticker!! In fact, unless Clark's on the ticket, I won't be putting up a Kerry one. As long as folks know I'm against Bush - that's enough.

:D

and I don't like to leave the same stickers on too long anyway. They start to look old and weathered.

This bodes well!

I was worried :cry:

hmmmmmmmmmm?????????

let it be true. I'm praying for it even though I'm not religious.

And also up my donations to the Kerry campaign!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1573667

Just caught the repeat of Dem Pollster Mark Penn and Clinton's Political Advisor (95-97) on CSPAN.

Check out the comments about Kerry vs. Bush on security issues!!!

when people complained about news people not mentioning clark during vp talk i knew you shouldn't take it seriously and think those they mentioned would be the only ones kerry actually considers.

kerry isn't going to make decisions based on media whores and while this doesn't mean clark will be picked for sure it is still confirmed now that clark IS in consideration. and THIS comes directly from those who are working with kerry on vp.not just rumors as was the case with many others. i believe that guy kerry hired to lead the vp search himself said they were looking at clark.

Could never stomach someone who as recently as 3 years ago
was raising money and praising shrub.

Could never vote for someone who thinks generals are superior
to sergents.

Could never vote for someone who was for Iraq war as a CNN
analyst, but then turned against it when running in the
primaries. Proves to me he either is a phony or flip-flopper.

Besides he has never one a single election anywhere, not
even for dog catcher. He proved his ineptness in politics
by uttering daily faux paux's. Cheney will eat this man
for breakfast and spit him out of the crooked side of his
mouth.

General Clark on the ticket would bring enough informed voters to make up for your staying home. People who endorsed him -- like George McGovern and Michael Moore -- represent the views of many more who've paid attention to who Clark is, what he's said, what he's done, and what he can do for the country.

Odd that a Sgt. would support a guy who thinks that officers are superior to enlisted men, isn't it?

:eyes:

(My own theory is that Clark isn't going to be VP, because he really doesn't want it--I think that Clark would much rather be the chair/head of the new cabinet-level agency coordinating international development that he proposed in his book!)

I'm going to point out the obvious and say that officers are superior in rank to enlisted men (I think...). Is that perhaps what Clark meant? I vaguely remembering hearing something about Clark comparing his military career to Kerry's... can't remember exactly what was said.

Where do they hide?

are many informed detractors.:)

Informed of what?

Republican propoganda about how we all need to be afraid and militarily vigilent? I guess. Republican propoganda about how 9/11 changed everything? Sure. Republican hate propoganda about lawyers? I guess so.

It's amazing, however, how often I get requests for links from the Clark crowd concerning things that are simply common knowledge. See below.

Stick to the Mets, crunchy.

of other people's posts"?

Shit, all Clark has to do is sneak in a magnet and threaten to hold it in Cheney's general direction and that cyborg of a half-human will melt like the Wicked Witch of the West. I wonder if there will even be a VP candidate debate...

In regards to the "recent past", a great many people have been "turned" by this dreadful administration, some of whom are now making valuable contributions to the effort (Arianna Huffington, Joe Wilson, Richard Clarke and David Brock leap to mind), so it's not an impossibility. In regards to "hasn't held political office"...GWB held political office before seizing the white house, so did Cheney. GWB was a titular all-hat-no-cattle governor in a state filled with backwards ass fucks, and Cheney had one of the most right-wing voting records in the Senate.

if Clark is on the ticket, your staying home will be no loss at all.:7

...It would be a great move...

It would generate excitement at DU; outside DU, Clark is not terribly popular.

Then why does Clark consistently poll 2nd (to Edwards) among registered Dems as a VP pick?

At least not in the one held contemporaneously with the primary elections or the ones shortly thereafter.

I'm aware of a few online polls where he comes second, but the online population is not exactly representative of the voting population and they all are expressly "unscientific." Are you aware of any real polls that show Clark coming in second?

This really is getting to be annoying. Why do you guys insist you have evidence when you don't? Why do you attack as "uninformed" anyone daring enough to state the truth?

People will not stop talking about it if Kerry picks Clark- it will be an "upset"- a Clark pic WILL generate media excitment.

WHY, every time this is mentioned from a credible source, does the nastiness and hate posts from certain "other" supporters suddently escalate to new heights? Or, is it just b/c I didn't sleep well last night and it grates on my nerves worse than usual?

but don't necessarily think he is the best choice. It is nice he has so many enthusiastic supporters on DU, but some are so sure it is going to be Wes that I think they will be bitterly disappointed if it is, say, Dick Gephardt (not that I want Gep more than Clark).

I actually like Gephardt. It would not bother me a bit if he were chosen. I would probably worry until all the naysayers on here who call him boring and a loser on the ticket were proved wrong, but I would not be disappointed that he were chosen.

Right now, I still like Bill Richardson a lot as well. That's kind of a moot point, though, since his name is never mentioned. But, then, people say the choice is usually a surprise - not someone who has been talked about.

The only thing that bothers me about these VP threads is the constant attacks on one candidate or another. There is just no point in it at this stage of the game. There are experts, along with our nominee, who have been given the power to make this decision. I can't see where anything I say or don't say on DU will have any effect whatsoever on that decision. All the bashing does is serve to upset a fellow Democrat. How much sense does that make?

On edit: Of course, I would love for Wes Clark to be VP - but my happiness and support of John Kerry does not depend on it.

He makes Missouri much more likely in the dem column.
Gep also has deep connections to labor which can only help
in november. Gep (not withstanding his loss in primary) also
helps in every neighboring state in the mid-west such as Iowa.

A proven democrat, with impeccable dem credentials is far
preferrable than that loose cannon Clark, who has never won
even as a dog catcher. Look for weekly faux paux's from
Clark on the campaign trail. SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!

and invited such venom toward Clark. As I said, I like Gephardt and never felt otherwise. I was very sad when his campaign didn't turn out like he had hoped.

Inviting venom, that is. The mere appearance of Clark's name in a thread title invites those who are working against him to go out of their way to bash. They often overplay their hand and reveal their agenda by using the same talking points (dogcatcher, loose cannon, republican, rookie, fired).

doesn't it?

Of course, in Tennessee, those same neo-cons voted for Edwards...
'nuff said. ;)

Gert would be a great asset on the campaign trail. A lot of us were impressed with her during the primaries.

Vet + Vet vs. AWOL + DUI.

No contest.

I knew it. I'd say it's between Clark and Edwards, but I haven't seen Edwards as visible for Kerry as Clark has been.

of clarkies getting there hopes up, they did this in the primaries and he got slapped by Edwards.

It's bad enough Kerry is being branded a flip flopper, Clark is king of all flip floppers, is he even a democrat yet? does he support the war or not?

but not Clark or Edwards.

Not only is your post incorrect (Clark never got slapped by ANYONE least of all Edwards) it is bush-speak (flip flop).

are getting nervous.

Free Republic misses you terriby.

Feel the bitterness.

Jealousy is an ugly thing.

Slapped in the primaries by Edwards? No, he just left because he understood the inevitable. Count the delegates before he left. He wasn't being smacked around by Edwards, he just wasn't getting any credit for his success. When he dropped out, they both had won the exact same amount of states: One.

:)

In closed primaries (Dems/Indies ONLY)
Who slapped whom?
NEW HAMPSHIRE
OKLAHOMA
ARIZONA
NEW MEXICO
NORTH DAKOTA (Where Edwards didn't even get any delegates)

In open primaries (where neo-cons who will NOT vote Dem in the fall)
OK... in this one, Edwards won, including my home state, of which I'm very familiar and in which I knew there was a neo-con rally to vote AGAINST Kerry and Clark and for non-vet, Edwards.

"Former NATO commander and presidential candidate General Wesley Clark was in Alabama Tuesday. He spoke to a democratic fundraising dinner in Birmingham on behalf of democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry."

READ ALL ABOUT IT! Pic and video footage included. Click on the little camera for the 5/11 story of Clark and Iraq.

http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=1860185&nav=0RdEN2wD

Sweeeeeeeet.