Clark Watch: Approaching Critical VP Mass????????? See these links....

Are we seeing the beginning of the buildup here???? Following gleaned from various mail groups, etc. Gloria

#1
Subject: Carville says Veep pick: Edwards or Clark

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1084354029141800.xml


HUMOR, PASSION FLAVOR DEBATE
Pundits laugh, bicker on presidential race
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
By Steve Ritea
Staff writer
Several of the nation's top political pundits kicked off a business software conference in New Orleans on Tuesday with partisan bickering over this year's presidential election that touched on everything from the economy to U.S. involvement in Iraq.



Asked whom he expected Kerry to choose for his running mate, Carville predicted it would either be retired Gen. Wesley Clark, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards or former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey. >>

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#2
AND THIS.... Comments from Donna Brazile re: Clark for VP

Article link: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news? pid=10000103&sid=a743V_cFmNno&refer=us

(SNIP): Clark, a retired four-star general who was the former supreme commander of NATO, campaigned on opposition to the war in Iraq, which he called ``the wrong war at the wrong time.'' Brazile said the insurgency in Iraq and the scandal over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners may boost Clark's chances. ``He's had a consistent position on the war, opposing it under the conditions and circumstances in which it was launched,'' she said. ``He looks like a sage when you reflect back on what he said and

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#3

Subject: Dem consultant in Philly:"Kerry credible if he picks a war VP"

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0513/p01s01-uspo.html

(Snip)

The name now circulating with the most excitement is Gen. Wesley
Clark, the retired former NATO commander who ran against Kerry for
the Democratic nomination. General Clark, along with some of Kerry's
other opponents, has been traveling the country and appearing as a
surrogate spokesman. Now, say some analysts, with the prison abuse
scandal, Clark is the obvious choice to put on the ticket. "These
pictures have placed Wesley Clark on the very short list," says Ken
Smukler, a Democratic consultant in Philadelphia. "Kerry, even as a
war hero, was never going to be able to make the case he was a
stronger war president than Bush, until the pictures came out. Now,
the easiest way for him to become credible as war president is to
pick a war veep."

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#4


http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/040517/whispers/17whisplead_2.htm


> Back-door strategy
> Wes Clark, the former Presidential candidate thought to be angling for Sen. John Kerry's running-mate job, has surprised everyone by endorsing New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who's in charge of the Democratic Convention. But party insiders say it's a tactical move. Clark doesn't think Richardson's truly in the running, they explain. He's being nice in hopes of getting the New Mexico guv's support.


Comment on this US News "Whisper"=====

I saw Richardson with Clark back during the primaries...Trust me, Richardson has no problem supporting Clark. So this sounds more like a possible 'getting them off the scent' move to me....

Clark's heart. If he watched 60 Min II tonight, no way will he turn it down if asked.

BTW, I had to laugh when I read Carville saying another possibility is Bob Kerrey. Kerry-Kerrey?

too abrasive.

Or a tropical disease.

Stay cloistered, Bob.

and both kerry and graham were on the final short list but weren't picked.so i'm not sure how much i will believe this. but i do trust carville.

but recent history shows the vp pick has mostly been surprises or those not expected to be picked which is why i sometimes think kerry will do something like pick someone we didn't talk about much.

stories.....We've been talking about it, but the media hasn't been...

And you have to notice that most of this is coming from various Dem pundits and picked up by the media.

Also, the Keane piece from the Boston Herald today...from Kerry land...
nice little intro to the idea of Clark as VP....

:D

but I fear that he may be too lacking in charisma to be on the same ticket as John Kerry. Kerry isn't the most exciting guy we have ever nominated (stump speech wise I mean). Clark's positions are great but his speaking skills and charisma are a little suspect. That being said, my opinion doesn't matter, because in the end, whoever Kerry picks as his running mate will be great and will receive my full support. If our running mate is Clark, Richardson, Edwards, McCain, or another, I would be happy.

He has tons of charisma - it's one of his major attributes. Just my opinion, I guess. :shrug:

It's a better format, anyway.

http://c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQueryText=clark+Henniker+town+hall&image1.x=0&image1.y=0&image1=Submit

Clark is a Charisma God!
He can't be beat. But hey, neither can Edwards. Both would make EXCELLENT choices, as I've felt for months now.

decision......things are heating up!! (that's Thursday AM)

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.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0513/p01s01-uspo.html

I wrote a letter to the Christian Science Monitor in reference to their Clark for Veep article. Link above.

You can also send one by going here:

http://www.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/encryptmail.pl?ID=CFF0C5E4&url=/2004/0513/p01s01-uspo.html

Dear Editors,

I read the story, "Kerry can't seem to get a bounce". I agree with the article's assessment that General Wes Clark would make a perfect Vice Presidential pick. My overwhelming reason, although I have many, stems from the fact that Clark saved 1.4 million Albanian MUSLIMS while leading the war in Kosovo. In the current Iraqi War climate, I believe that his achievements during the Kosovo War would help the Muslim world see The Kerry administration differently then it does the Bush administration. This improved perception would go a long way in repairing the feeling of resentment many in the Arabs world feel against America.

Other reasons for a Clark VP choice include Clark' humble roots southern success story. He was already vetted during the 2004 primary and by a 1997 GOP congress (four star confirmation). The primary polls showed that Clark was effective at attracting the male vote (a current problem for Kerry) and as a former CNN military analyst; Clark is telegenic in a subdued masculine manner. His experience in an executive position (NATO Supreme Commander) and his alternate articulate message as what could be done about Iraq and the War on Terror would greatly strengthen the Kerry Campaign. Clark's Independent streak as one who has voted for both Republicans and Democrats would also have cross over appeal to the swing voters needed to win the election. Veterans not satisfied with either Bush or Kerry could cast a vote based on Clark's addition to the Democratic ticket. Clark achieved a measured amount of success during the primaries considering that he was not afforded much free media publicity (unlike John Edwards). All in all Clark's many attributes make him the most qualified for the Vice Presidential post.

The question is whether John Kerry will have the wisdom to see the political treasures represented in Wes Clark as he hides in plain sight.

Kerry, if smart, should realize that Democratic War Heroes vs. GOP Zeros would be a catchy campaign motto; and he should not forget the "Vote the Heavy Medal Ticket" bumper sticker!

Respectfully,

I would have to have that one! That is a great line!

I'm really trying hard not to get my hopes up too high. I've barely recovered from the devastation when Clark dropped out of the race!

I fervently hope, but don't expect that it will be Wes. I know I will be extremely dissapointed if it isn't, but I hope to not go through the emotional devestation that I did before.

DU is hardly an unbiased source, but all the love for Wes here is heartening!