UT Daily Texan urges Wesley Clark to run for President

[bluestateguy]

For the Democrats, there is a clear candidate who can capture the South with his experience, appeal and credibility on military and foreign affairs. The only problem is that he hasn't decided to run yet.

His name is Wesley Clark, and he's a West Point graduate (first in his class), retired four-star general, former supreme commander of NATO, military commentator for CNN and - like Bill Clinton - a Rhodes Scholar from Arkansas. In the MoveOn.org primary, he came in first among the write-in candidates, with nearly half as many votes as notable declared candidates like Joe Lieberman, Dick Gephardt and Bob Graham. He's also the subject of the growing "Draft Wesley Clark" movement by Democrats who see him as their party's best hope for victory in 2004.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/07/07/3f0919a62f49b

[BulletproofLandshark]

1. Too Late?

I'm wondering if it's too late for Wesley Clark to enter the race. Sure, Bill Clinton didn't enter the '92 race until 10/91, but he didn't have to split Dem campaign contributions with 8 or 9 other candidates.Also, Bush 42 wasn't looking at $200 million being put in his campaign coffers. Granted, stranger things have happened in elections, but I think Gen. Clark would be better served by positioning himself as a VP candidate. Personally ,I would LOVE to see a Dean/Clark ticket bring down the hammer on Boy Emperor/Cheney. A moderate northern governor paired with the former general from down south would be lightning in a bottle.

[izzie]

2. I like Clark my self but I think you are wrong here.

Can take the South? You know you have two things you must fight.The ex Dem that have moved into the right wing and the people who have gone South and are going to be more South thinking than the ones their. One thing they are is bigots. I do not think their is one person who can drag these people away from the right wing of the GOP.Just read what they say. These people are zealots. Even when you read and a man will give facts over there, they turn on their own and only believe what they want. Bush could put on Jack Boots and they will go with him.That part of the GOP is feeding on that even as Bush now picks up DEM subjects and is starting to run on them. He is playing both sides as he always does. It still may work if our leaders do not get out his record. Clark, Dean no one will pull these people away. We will have to aim towards the old time GOP.

[newyawker99]

3. Hi Tinman!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Chicagonian]

4. Dean/Clark is my current favourite ticket.

Kerry/Clark works for me too.

[TheBigGuy]

5. I think its too late for Clark, too.

He should have got his organzation up and running a year ago at least. This primary season is starting real early this year....and hes too late to the game.

I dont think hed win the South, either. I do think he could win some southern states, yes, but no the entire the region,

[zls44]

6. WELCOME!

Welcome to DU2 Chicagonian!:toast:

[TheBlob]

7. I don't think it's too late for Clark at all.

Americans have the attention span of a knat.
And I think if Clark jumps in donations will come fast and furious from many unexpected sources.

I think this is all part of the "strategery".
He will announce a run for the Presidency.
But it will be after Labor Day.

I'm finding the people who say it's too late for Clark are already on board for Dean or someone else (either financially or in principle).

Personally, I think it's too early to jump on any of the current Dem bandwagons just yet.

Something big is gonna happen and it may just be Wesley Clark.

And the fact that he won't announce a party just yet is not a negative either. He'll be a Democrat of course, but in the mean time he's letting people see him not as a party member but as an individual. And it takes away any sting (or spin) that comes with being put in a box "He's a Democrat, they're all adulterous peaceniks" etc. etc.

It's just one Blobs prediction, but I say Clark is gonna go for it.
I'll meet you guys on the other side to see who was right.

[Mz Pip]

8. The only people

really paying attention this early are political junkies like us. I've talked to lots of people who just aren't plugged in, yet. I don't think it's too late, either. Give it another month.

Clark also has growing grass roots support. I think he received more write in votes than Gore in the MoveOn primary. I also think he will appeal to an across the board spectrum of people.

MzPip
:dem:

[tjdee]

9. Clark had better make a friggin decision.

No one has, really, ANY clue of his domestic agenda, and if he can even articulate a domestic agenda, no one has any clue on how inspiring he is, how well he stumps, how he connects with people...

Every time I think about it, I get annoyed.

I'd go for Edwards/Clark or maybe even Clark/Edwards, but I'm also really impatient to see what the dynamic looks like if he does enter.

[grasswire]

11. how many times????

How many times have you been referred to the draft clark website so you could read about his statements on domestic matters?

Have you bothered to take the time to read up? Well?

[TheBlob]

12. Yes, "impatient" is another word that comes to mind

when considering those who think it's too late for Clark.

But in the world of politics where "Timing is everything", impatience has no place.

[Cheswick2.0]

10. he doesn't know if he is a democrat or Republican

I am interested in someone who has earned their party stripes. I'll wait and see what he says on the issues, but I am not one of those that think we have to have a military person so we can win the south.

[Mz Pip]

13. Party Stripes

And what might those look like? The DLC party stripes that so many complain about, the party stripes of the the candidates who voted for the war?

Remember Perot? He pulled 19% of the vote and he did it from both parties. Plenty of people wil support Clak regardless of his late entry in the "party." With so many folks complaining about lack of balls from Democrats who certainly have earned their party's stripes, not being part of that may be a good thing.

MzPip
:dem: