Is Wesley Clark even a democrat?

[TheDonkey]

The one thing that has always bugged me about Gen. Clark is how he tip toes around the question that I believe is vital in an elected offical... What party does he affiliate with??
Now I can respect someone who is partisan but to not even know what your party is? What's the deal with this.

Has Wesley Clark ever said he is a democrat, and does he even have liberal views?

Help me Clark supporters, this isn't a bash I'm just very concered no one is brining this up.

[terryg11]

1. why does he have to have a party affiliation?

if you like what he says and think he's the best candidate, why does it matter?

[JVS]

4. Because his supporters want him to have a party's nomination

[terryg11]

8. Oh.

it's like an acceptance thing. I understand that it's alot easier to win when attached to one of the big two parties but couldn't they nominate him anyway even if he never declared himself a dem?

[JVS]

12. No. It would be stupid.

[TheDonkey]

7. It gives insight on his future policy

I've seen him speak and was quite impressed by his intellegence and demeaner. BUT he didn't answer many questions dealing with issues, domestic policy, and political leanings.

This is a very important thing to know so a voter has a "vague" idea on what the canidates views are. To my knowledge he hasn't talked about much in-depth other than Iraq.

Does anyone know?

[MissouriTeacher]

9. Check out www.draftwesleyclark.com

They give an insight into his stances on the issues by culling various statements he has made on them.

[TheDonkey]

10. thanks for the link! n/m

[terryg11]

11. actually I believe he has addressed many of these topics

maybe not given specific details about what he would do on some issues but his stance has been pretty clear

[LouKYDem]

2. Even if he isn't...

Even if he isn't, I'm sure he'd be better than Bush. Of course, we don't want to have a candidate that is just "better than Bush," but instead, the candidate that would serve the best interest of us all. For some people, that is Wesley Clark... and I'm okay with that. I have my candidate, and everybody else has their candidates. I personally know very little about Clark, but I do know that he isn't a "conservative" by any means.

[MissouriTeacher]

3. Just listen to him speak...

and it will erase all doubts that, at the very least, he's not a Republican.

[Wonk]

5. Everytime I've seen him asked he's dodged the question.

http://www.googlefight.com/cgi-bin/compare.pl?q1=%22Wesley+Clark%22+Democratic&q2=%22Wesley+Clark%22+Republican&B1=Make+a+fight%21&compare=1&langue=us

Googlefight "Wesley Clark" + Democratic vs "Wesley Clark" + Republican
13,900 to 9,100

All that means though is a count of indexed pages that mention both terms. ymmv

[MissouriTeacher]

6. This could be a good thing...

even though he will eventually have to declare himself part of one of the two major parties, he could be trying to appeal to Americans' disastifaction with the two parties in general by de-emphasizing his partisanship.

[Dookus]

13. Agreed....

I think it's unfortunate that he'd need the support of a major party. He'd be the ultimate independent candidate, but I don't see how he could fund a campaign and get the ground-soldiers he needs outside one of the major parties.

I suspect he will run as a Democrat, and I also suspect he'll win.

[Wonk]

14. My weird idea for the night. What if he were to run as a Green?

[Kahuna]

24. Green isn't a major party, so I'm sure he wouldn't do that.

:eyes:

[TheDonkey]

15. Well he should just say he is independent?

I think his hesitation looks like he wants to be an oppurtunist. I checked out his website and was very pleased with some progressive comments he made. But he should definetly be upfront about what is on his voter registration card (does he have one?).

Maybe it is just because I'm so proud of Democrats, it is very bizarre for someone to be so ashamed or worried to be associated with a (D).

[Dookus]

16. oh,

I don't think he's ashamed of anything.

First all, as a career military man, he was obligated to stay out of party politics. Then, as a CNN commentator, it was probably better that he not announce it.

I think he will announce soon (rumors are on Labor Day).

I think he'd be a fantastic candidate.

And..... I find him incredibly hot ;)

[Catch22Dem]

20. Clark voted DEM in the 2000 election

He was a Clinton appointee, and was considered by many in the Army to be too political, more precicely, too liberal.

[Pastiche423]

17. Dunno

:shrug:

He won't say.

Why wouldn't someone be proud to say they are a Democrat?

[grasswire]

18. Ralph Nader wasn't a Green...

....yet he ran on that party's nomination.

I don't think it matters.

I suspect his reticence is part of a long military career where you want and need to work with both sides.

[Pastiche423]

19. I din't vote for Nader

And it matters a hell of a lot to me! I want a Proud Democrat in the White House!

[Kahuna]

25. What does "pride" have to do with it? It's just a label. Anybody..

can call themselves anything they want to. That doesn't make it so. If he talks the talk and walks the walk that should be enough.

Many of you people criticizing Clark for not being a declared dems aren't proud democrats yourselves. Many of the people criticizing Clark for not being a declared Democrat didn't even vote Democratic in the last election. The rest have done nothing but demean and criticize the Democratic party in every way. So we have heard you. The Dems are week and we need an infusion of leadership. Enter General Wesley Clark. Still you squawk. :eyes:

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

21. Clarke Has Consulted With Terry Macauliffe and Donna Brazile

This article "Wesley Clark, Still On Maneuvers" states that he has consulted with both Terry Macauliffe and Donna Brazile. Brazille was quoted as saying he would make a "compelling candidate" and she hopes he will run. The fact is, he isn't declaring himself as a
Democrat at this point but all of his contacts have been with the Democratic Party. It's said that he is a good friend of Hillary. As far
as his views, they are probably slightly to the left of Dean, who would be my second choice. Clark will be my first, if he declares.

http://www.primarymonitor.com/news/stories2003/clark031203_2003.shtml

[newyawker99]

29. Hi aint_no_life_nowhere!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[VoteClark]

22. He is better than a Political Party

[Wonk]

23. Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address re: Military Industrial Complex

http://www.eisenhower.utexas.edu/farewell.htm

[wndycty]

26. I'm back

Clark supporters I am sorry I was not here yesterday to put up the good fight, but I went to the Illinois State Fair to stump for. . .GENERAL WESLEY CLARK!!! Throughout the day we met with various statewide elected officials to promote GENERAL WESLEY CLARK!!! We did not get a chance to talk to Gov. Blago, but we talked to Lt. Gov. Quinn, Attorney General Madigan, Chief of Staff for Speaker Madigan, State Rep. Meeks, State Sen. and US Senate candidate Barack Obama, State Controller and US Senate Candidate Dan Hynes, US Senate Candidate Blair Hull, US Senate Candidate Gary Chico, Fmr Talkshow Hostg and US Senate Candidate Nancy Skinner, as well as numerous county and township Democratic chairpeople, reporters and Democratic activists.

With one exception, all of them gave positive feedback (at this point these people are wise not to support anybody) and there was no negative feedback, the one exception was the ONLY ONE WHO HAD NOT HEARD OF HIM, but that was very interested after hearing about him. ( I am going to post this in a few Clark threads).

[Kahuna]

28. Wow! You're my new hero. I need to find the NJ chapter so that

I can do what you're doing.

[Dover]

27. Don't trust ANYONE with military connections

I don't want ANYONE connected to the military, no matter how benign,
as the next president. I'm sure Clark is a great guy, but I do not trust the military.....and for all I know Clark may be their boy.

The Pentagon's influence in this country is way over the top and out of control. The risks are too great right now to put someone with military connections in a position of leadership, imo.

[libertad]

30. and how do we know he's not a "plant". Why does he have so

much blind Democratic support? He won't even admit he's a Democrat, if in fact, he is. It may be a big set-up by the repubs. I wouldn't put it past them.