It looks like candidate Wesley Clark

[wndycty]

It looks like candidate Wesley Clark
By BILL STRAUB
Scripps Howard News Service
Sep 11, 2003,

Retired four-star Gen. Wesley Clark is close to entering the Democratic primary campaign for president.

Clark, 58, a Rhodes scholar and former NATO commander who led a successful military effort in Kosovo against strongman Slobodan Milosevic in 1999, spoke with Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe in New York on Tuesday and met over the weekend with representatives of an organization seeking to draft him for the nomination.

Those involved in the sessions left with the impression that Clark intends to become the 10th candidate in the Democratic field.

"He's obviously very serious about this," McAuliffe said. "If he gets in we would welcome him."

Clark is "talking to an awful lot of people" about entering, McAuliffe said, and a lot of people are urging him to run.

"I think, in his heart, he really wants to do it," McAuliffe said. "He's going through the process now to see what it means exactly to run for president."

McAuliffe said the party would benefit from "a four-star general traveling around the country talking about the Democratic Party, talking about the differences and failures of the Bush administration."
-snip-

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_3016.shtml

[molly]

1. He would become my number 2 choice if he were to run

I still like Edwards who is currently number 2.

[Democat]

2. Whether he gets the nomination or not, he will be great for the party

He will take the Democratic message to people who might not listen to some of the other candidates.

The more different people we have out there connecting the Democratic message with the public, the better.

Let us just hope that the other candidates don't start bashing him and he doesn't bash them.

[kwolf68]

3. And

I want to hear more. Clark is intriguing, but right now what would he fight for as President?

[wndycty]

4. Let him announce. . .

. . .you will be impressed, but I don't blame you for waiting to see what he is all about.

[kwolf68]

8. I hope so

I refuse to become enamoured with anyone until I know their stands and to know that what they are saying is true.

I did hear an Interview with Clark on NPR some time ago and he is a very impressive man there is no doubt. Whatever his convictions are, I trust he would stand behind them, but I need to see what he says.

I trust he won’t be as Liberal as I am on many issues, but if he can reign in the corruption of this government, bring social and not corporate power back to the White House and stand up for that without voice or power then we can talk business.

[Kahuna]

17. Democracy. It's the democracy, stupid!

Did you see him on Bill Maher? It seems that will be his message. He doesn't recognize the America he served in uniform for 34 years.

[TacticalPeek]

26. You say 'democracy'; I say 'accountability'.

Democracy is what we want to get, or get back, or increase.

But accountability is the way to get it, starting with making sure that votes count. Accountability runs all through our political, economic and social system, so that when it breaks or deteriorates, hell is paid, as we witness today.

The attack is against unaccountability, lost accountability, fictitious accountability. AWOL.

Strike at the weakness with your strength.

[jos]

5. Prediction: He'll be a dud

He'll get single digits in Iowa and New Hampshire, and then drop out. He's better off aiming for the VP position.

Reasons? Late entry. No indentifiable base. No political experience. And I say this without any malice towards the man. I'm just trying to take an objective look at his likelihood of success.

[Kolesar]

14. Wes Clark announces he is going to start knocking on doors & town meetings

It would be nice to know what politics entails. Let me give you an example: Ross Perot

[diplomats]

16. A large majority of Dems are undecided about whom to support

No one has anywhere near the support that Al Gore did at this stage in the last presidential election. Clark has plenty of opportunity.

[davidinalameda]

22. objective prediction?

hmmm--who are you supporting right now to be so threatened by the entry of Clark?

He has political experience. He was NATO commander. He not only had to deal with Washington politicians but Europeans.

Base--he's retired military. How many millions of veterans who don't like the way Bush is using the military would vote for Clark. He brings a strong foreign policy base to the race--much stronger than probably any other candidate except for Graham.

Late entry--who's getting the most press right now--Clark and Dean. Dean's been running since November 2000 and Clark is the new kid on the block.

[jos]

23. Kucinich

I don't feel threatened. It's just that he's not an Eisenhower, or even a Colin Powell, in terms of fame. Without that, I don't think he can overcome his lack of a base WITHIN THE PARTY, his lack of DOMESTIC political experience, and his late entry.

[Capn Sunshine]

6. Yet another tease

C'mon, for chrissakes!! Either Do it or not!
This Kabuki theater is getting really irritating.

[FlashHarry]

12. No sh*t

This is getting really stale. In fact, I don't think this qualifies as LBN--it's just a retreat of the myriad other 'looks like he's running!' stories. Hurry up an wait, again.

I like Clark. A lot, in fact. But this shiznit is getting old!

[DoYouEverWonder]

19. What's the big hurry?

Timing is everything. Why should he jump in without really thinking the whole idea threw?

[glarius]

7. As a non-American he impressed me when he said that he was very

concerned with the way the Bush government was alienating the leaders of the rest of the world. To me, as a Canadian, that is VERY important!...Also he's a Rhodes scholar, which is quite a step up from the mental midget now occupying the White House.

[hyphenate]

13. I agree!

<quite a step up from the mental midget now occupying the White House.>

Amen

[Palacsinta]

9. There are quite a few Repubs in my area.....

which is very conservative and heavily Republican, who are talking favorably about Clark and asking me a lot of questions. People around here are very tight with a buck.........this military money hemorhage is getting to them....they see Clark's military experience, at this point in time, as very desirable.

[diplomats]

15. I think that's the key

Clark can appeal to a decent number of Repubs. Also, Clark is the candidate most feared by the GOP.

[Capn Sunshine]

10. Hey!

did he announce yet?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I didn't think so

[Julien Sorel]

24. He's trying to figure out how to counter the 600 million

Dean is going to raise through the internet. When he does that, then he'll announce.

[Skwmom]

30. Clark will raise plenty through the internet.

Once he jumps in, I think donations will flood in.

[madrchsod]

11. well we could go from

a rhodes scholar ,to a dunce,and then back to a rhodes scholar. that would be nice. clark would restore our relations with all the people bush pissed off,meaning the whole world....

[blessedleader]

21. Amen! n/t

[robbedvoter]

18. Cronkite said it too on Larry King.

I agree with the poster who refuses to become enamoured just by hype. Just do a little reading/watching. I did that for a while. Then I became enamoured by the idea.
Here's a list of medals to get you started:


Among his military decorations are the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (five awards),
Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Silver Star, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star
Medal (two awards), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) and the Army
Commendation Medal (two awards), NATO Medal for Service with NATO on Operations in Relation
to Kosovo, NATO Medal for Service with NATO on Operations in Relation to the Former Republic of
Yugoslavia.

His Foreign awards include the Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the
British Empire (United Kingdom); Commander of the Legion of Honor (France); Grand Cross of the
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Knight Grand Cross in the Order of
Orange-Nassau, with Swords (Netherlands); Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Republic
of Italy; Grand Cross of the Medal of Military Merit (Portugal); The Commander's Cross with Star
of the Order of Merit of Republic of Poland; Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg; Grand Medal of Military Merit (White Band) (Spain); The Grand Cordon of
the Order of Leopold (Belgium); Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defense First Class (Czech
Republic); Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic; Commander's Cross, The Silver Order of
Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia; Madarski Konnik Medal (Bulgaria); Commemorative Medal of
the Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic First Class (Slovakia); First Class Order of
Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas (Lithuania); Order of the Cross of the Eagle (Estonia); The
Skandeberg Medal (Albania); Order of Merit of Morocco; Order of Merit of Argentina; The Grade
of Prince Butmir w/Ribbon and Star (Croatia) and the Military Service Cross of Canada.

[FuseONE]

20. .

I think if he had declared a lot earlier, he might be running in front by now. Sadly, he's going to be playing catch up the whole time if he does decide to run now, which is a shame, because I think he's a great candidate. Can you imagine....a Rhodes scholar vs. Bush in a debate on TV?

[malachi]

31. Can you imagine....

a road vs. Bush in a debate on TV?

[xchrom]

25. if he does -- i'd love it

but in the context that i think dems have a fantastic gaggle of people running for the nomination. and i'd be happy with several.
everyone with some great ideas, and extreme criticism of bush -- get on board!

[tlb]

27. I don't see him as anything but a distraction

in the campaign. Less money for the others to put out their message, less press, siphon off some supporters, etc.

Considering how Bill CLinton was building him up last weekend ( two stars in the democratic party: the junior senator from NY and Clark ) it also fits in with the DNC/DLC effort to supress the chances of any candidate such as Dean not in their pocket.

Net effect, counter productive and damaging to the party's chances in 04.

Sorry Clark supporters, thats how I see it.

[diplomats]

29. We need someone who can take advantage of Bush's

vulnerabilities on security issues, and Clark can do that, IMO. You do know Charlie Rangel is supporting Clark, don't you? Is he interested in damaging the party's chances in 2004? I don't think so.

[Julien Sorel]

32. Devastating.

Sorry Clark supporters, thats how I see it.

Simply devastating.

[MODemocrat]

28. It's an absolute that Clark will be good for the democratic party

because he has the military experience, which would benefit this country, and he has the nicest demeanor. However, he will be my second choice, because I am concerned about domestic issues. How well
does he understand the ordinary working families trying to earn a
living for their families; and how well does he understand the needs of the elderly and the extremely poor people of this country? Will he have an agenda for those needs? I'm excited about the prospect of his ability to knock Bush down off his illegal throne, and begin to bring our wonderful country back to it's former status of respect.