Republican strategist: "Clark worries me the most"

[tameszu]

OK, so that "Republican strategist" is nutbar David Horowitz, who is pretty much a shrieking loon. However, this weird quasi-ambush interview by Newsmax with Clark identifies Horowitz as a White House operative (desperation much?).

The interview is actually a pretty good even though (i) it was conducted in Dulles Airport; and (ii) Newsmax's status a conservative cheerleading digital rag is a bit off-putting (it does make me more confident that the Horowitz quote was authentic, and not a plant).

And although the White House isn't right about much these days, I think they are right to be worried.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

1. Clark should shit or get off the pot

1.) Is he is democrat?

2.) Is he running?

[tameszu]

3. Give him 10 days

1) Yes.

2) Maybe. Depends on how his wife feels about it.

You'll have your answer by the end of the 1st week of Sept.

[Unity]

4. Yes

1.) Yes
2.) Yes

[PurityOfEssence]

33. Is he even in the bathroom?

Hey Thor, how'd a serial contrarian like you join the vast Dean orthodoxy?

Just askin'...

How do you like Edwards?

Does it surprise you that Kucinich likes him?

Personally, it seems like Clark's being a southern belle here, waiting to see if those seventeen gentleman callers lined up in the parlor will fight enough for attention...

Your chum, Purity

[JNelson6563]

61. isn't it obvious Purity?

Thor is being contrary! ;-)

Julie--non-contrarian Dean supporter

[w13rd0]

2. Rove and Thinking...

...Rove wants X, Rove is afraid of X...

All of this is dependent upon Rove having a correct perspective on the sentiments of the electorate. He sees any candidate that opposed the war as an "easy mark" because the war was so CLEARLY right, uh huh. He might want to rethink that. Point being, we should be less concerned with what Rove does or doesn't think. More people voted for Gore. We have the numerical advantage. What is required is a ticket that brings those people out, and supplements them with returning those that don't bother to vote to the polls.

[tameszu]

6. It's good to instill a little fear in the enemy, I think

And it wasn't Rove.

Turnout is key, but I think knowing what one's opponents will do to suppress your turnout, or push up theirs is important. And I think this kind of quote is a clue that the GOP have been planning to run hard on defense and the war on terror and so on.

[snyttri]

23. Clark is stronger against the war than Dean and the GOP thinks he's

tough for them. Clark should be able to mobilize the Dem base and add to it. With redistricting and mostly Dem (I think) Senate seats up in 'O4 it will take way over 50% to get working control of government.

Based on limited info, Clark may be equally as liberal as Dean.

http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/on_the_issues.htm


And Dean may have gotten his foreign policy from Clark.

What started as a point-by-point review of his economic and health care policies turned quickly into his dissertation on foreign affairs in Cuba, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Iraq. Dean has been getting tutored on foreign policy by numerous experts, including retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar. He has also had several private conversations with retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, the former NATO commander who some Democrats see as an attractive running mate for Dean if Clark does not join the race himself.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34389-2003Aug22.html

[realFedUp]

5. Clark should run as a Republican

just think....Bush could be out in the primary!

[tameszu]

8. Eh, not gonna happen--he's WAY too liberal and the elite GOP dislike him

McCain would be a better choice for this kind of job. And McCain honestly loathes Bush.

P.S.: Those people who are daydreaming about McCain crossing over and endorsing Kerry if he won the nom...I can't see it happening, but it would be the coolest thing ever!

[AlinPA]

37. McCain supported Bush after the primaries in 2000

If I remember correctly he even did some campaigning for him here in W PA. (McCain accompanied Melissa Hart who won as a new rep. in 2000)
He may dislike Bush, but he still toes the line as a republican.

[tameszu]

56. But, oh boy, did he ever have to bite his tongue

The primary campaign was so nasty that Bush had to talk to McCain for several weeks before McCain decided to back him. I'm certain that McCain still thinks Bush is a twit.

McCain is very conservative, but he has integrity. He does toe the Republican line, but I could see him going (I) if this silliness gets much worse.

[spotbird]

62. Didn't McCain go to FLa. to campaign for Jeb in'02?

He is also a major supporter of the war. Campaign reform benefits only the Republicans.

It is very clear what McCain is at the end of the day.

[Kurovski]

13. THAT is a great idea

When R's SAY they're worried about a candidate I could give a rip. Those twits don't EVER tell the truth about whom they're scared of.

When they say " Oh, how I do hope that candidate runs because they haven't a chance!" that's when you know those little liars are worried.

--Edited for grammar

[juajen]

54. Well, you have a point, but

have you checked out the "Republicans for Sharpton" website?

[Bake]

70. Kinda like Brer Rabbit

"Oh please please please don't throw me in the briar patch!"

Bake

[snyttri]

36. Clark may be more liberal than Dean.

http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/on_the_issues.htm

If you like Dean, why not assume that his advisers, Clark has been one of them, are sympatico?

If you've been following his appearances he has been a very effective Republican basher. He was particularly good last Sunday with Wolf Blitzer saying Tom Delay puts politics over patriotism.

http://www.digitalclark.com/

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

49. Important point:

Clark has been advising Dean.

Does it mean anything? :shrug:

[snyttri]

50. Dean supporters accuse Clark of being a Republican, but Clark has

been tutoring Dean on foreign policy. Do you think the Dean foreign policy that resulted from that tutoring is Republican?


"What started as a point-by-point review of his economic and health care policies turned quickly into his dissertation on foreign affairs in Cuba, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Iraq. Dean has been getting tutored on foreign policy by numerous experts, including retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar. He has also had several private conversations with retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, the former NATO commander who some Democrats see as an attractive running mate for Dean if Clark does not join the race himself."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34389-2003Aug22.html

[Maple]

7. Oh pul-eeze

this guy has more PR than policy

[tameszu]

10. Easy Maple

Not Clark's PR--his drafters have been the ones putting it out (including me, I admit).

He has vision, and if and when he announces, he'll have policy.

BTW, his Iraq policy is already more detailed than any of the 9 declared candidates. Whether or not Clark declares, this is something that the whole Democrat Party has to seriously think about.

[shockandawed]

22. if and when he he announces, he'll have policy????

This is from a Clark supporter? Where do I sign up? What, will he shit out his platform upon announcing, like some sort of golden egg?

Arnold pulls a platform out of his ass, NOT the savior to the Democratic Party.

Back seat Clark.

[tameszu]

25. I'm sorry, but to whomever replied to me:

Things you've said in the past have been repetitive or hackneyed enough that I've put you on ignore.

I am guessing that this last reply is little different.

[wuushew]

9. Has David Horowitz been right about anything?

This is a honest question, how many things about election 2000 made by him came true. The only way to know what is on conservative's minds is to evict the current resident of 1600 Penn. Ave. and confiscate all memos before Rove has time to shred or burn them.

Man I miss the use of whitehouse tapes.

[tameszu]

11. Like never! That's why I called him a shrieking loon!

But, you know, that thing about the stopped clock...

[MisterP]

14. yes, but this is a clock with its hands torn off

:o

[tameszu]

16. Hee!

And a few cogs loose, I know! But you'd think he'd at least know what he's scared of...as long as he hasn't been hitting the pipe too hard...

:crazy:

[TacticalPeek]

17. I expect the current investigation of Rove

will produce delightful documents, some of which will be leaked and others on the record.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=211244&mesg_id=211244

[tameszu]

44. Oh wait: He was right about Coulter

He said that she went over the line, and that she's too nuts even for him...hmm, maybe that's still not exactly right...

[Lefty48197]

12. I think they all fear Clark.

I'm thinking Gephardt or Bill Richardson would be a great VP selection too.

[DJcairo]

15. Clark won't run

I don't think Clark will run. The best he can hope for is that Dean picks him as his VP. However, Dean would then have to admit a certian vulnerability on the issue of national security if he were to pick a general as his VP candidate. Admitting weakness is not a Dean chracteristic. If he wins, expect the most secretive presidency since, well, George W. Bush.

[TacticalPeek]

21. Welcome to DU, DJcairo!

Looking pretty likely that Clark throws his helmet in, but another 2 weeks will tell the tale.

[newyawker99]

58. Hi DJcairo!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Clete]

18. LIARS Club.

Between now and the election, there is no need to believe what any of these whore pundits say. They will try to influence results, divide camps and in general cause mayhem. Many of them may be plants from the RNC too.

If Horowitz were honest, he would be afraid of all of them except Lieberman.

[shockandawed]

19. This is bait

They dont fear clark. They fear dean. Rove baits people. Don't fall for it. Sure this is a plant quote. It is bait, trying to get him to over reach.

President Clark? No way. He would get bashed from here to Iraq and back by the establishment, who would discredit him and make fun of him for not being a man enough soldier to fight in this important war. They will call him a turncoat and a traitor.

He has NO other substance, and NO credibility on any other issues, because he has NO experience in anything other than training baby killers. He would be slaughtered.

The whole problem here is that Clark wants to run, but cant. That is why there is this awkward delay. I think he is just waiting for Dean, Kerry or Geppy(?) to emerge as the front runner before he pulls along side and grabs the VP seat, where he belongs.

[TacticalPeek]

24. I thought the establishment just LOVES baby killers? n/t

[tjdee]

28. The awkward delay is his wife and family.

He has no credibility on any other issues...

That master's degree in economics, that CEO position in his consulting firm, that diplomatic work with foreign heads of state (which Dean doesn't have), nope, that's really nothing.

[snyttri]

31. Clarkophobia

Basically every independent jounalist who writes about Clark says he has projected advantages over all the candidates. It's not just Republicans (who also say that). Michael Moore said the Democats should nominate someone who can win this time--and identified Clark and went down his resume.


http://www.esquire.com/features/articles/2003/030801_mfe_clark_2.html

[spotbird]

63. You're right.

That article seemed strangely favorable about a potential Democratic candidate from Newsmax. They don’t shrink from describing folks with even Democratic leanings as the spawn of Satan.

[snyttri]

74. They have Clark smears on Newsmax too. Horowitz is just one of

many from all sides of the political spectrum who have said Clark could be the most formidable candidate.

[imhotep]

20. The working class: "Clark worries us the most"

This election is too important to have on-the-job training for a guy with zero experience to be handling the economic future of 8 million people without jobs. His "experience" may qualify him for Secretary of Defense, but thats the extent of it....

[tjdee]

26. Indeed, Americans were SO hungry for an experienced man,

that's why Bush only got 47% of the vote and almost won that election.

Sigh...
Clark isn't some colonel off in Anchorage or something.
His experience is comparable to the Secretary of State--plus executive experience. His "lack of experience" has more to do with the necessary evils of running a campaign, debating, things like that. If he has nothing to say, won't the Dem primary voters tell him so? Do you feel that Sharpton should drop out? He's never been elected either, and in fact has lost 2 or 3 times.

[snyttri]

27. Whether Dean or Clark is nominated there will be on the job training.

If they favor the same policies and are effective leaders either should be able to achieve good results. I would guess they would name some of the same cabinet members/advisers since Clark has been advising Dean on foreign policy.


http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/on_the_issues.htm


http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/Biography.htm


http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/in_the_news.htm

[TacticalPeek]

29. eh?

"handling the economic future of 8 million people without jobs"

And which candidates have this experience?

edit: oh yea, I forgot: aWol.

[imhotep]

35. every candidate

has political experience except Clark.

[Pepperbelly]

38. LOL

And fucking politicians had nothing to do with where we are right now?

Give me a break.

[tjdee]

40. Like Sharpton, a 3 time LOSER??

Sharpton, to you, is a better candidate than Wesley Clark?

Really?

[TacticalPeek]

47. I agree only if you mean "electoral political experience".

And while a factor, its not a disqualifier with me. There are ways I can see it as a qualifier sometimes.

[juajen]

55. Sounds as if you have not read his bio

This man is smart, smart, smart, as in "Bill Clinton" smart. He has all the experience he needs and then some. There are certainly still questions about his candidacy, but his qualifications are impecable.

[Pepperbelly]

30. I would trust nothing that any pundit says now or ever ...

There are so many ways to view what these people say. Are they frightened or is it a 'don't throw me in that briar patch' ploy or is it a reversal on that? Who the hell knows or cares? These assholes are seldom right about anything.

Something else though that I want to say. I am growing weary with the Clark bashers and I will say this to you --I have heard most of you whine and snivel if someone even questions your candidates yet persist in the most scurrilous and cowardly insults of Wesley Clark. I know it is quite easy for you to do so, cloaked in the safety of your apartment, house or whatever but in the real world, words have consequences. And since you persist in making snide, punk-assed, chickenshit remarks and you are not readily available to answer for it in person, I suppose that the best I can do is place you on ignore. I have never used the ignore function in here and have been here almost since the beginning but these childish shit-flingings are prompting me to do so.

But some of you are going too far. But note this: even though you will be placed on ignore, cowardly insults on a www board show you to be a sniveling scatavor, snickering like a child hiding from responsibility. In the words of Monty Python, I fart in your general direction. :D

[TacticalPeek]

32. LOL!

But be careful and in tune. You don't want to be mistaken for a whistle ass. That distinction belongs to some of the perps you note.

[Pepperbelly]

34. well ...

it pisses me off. Wesley is family of mine and neither the medium nor the community so kindly provided to us by Skinner and the gang allow me to answer in the say I would actually prefer. It just angers me when I hear people tell awful lies and voice the basest suspicions predicated on nothing more than their own paranoid fantasies.

[TacticalPeek]

41. "Ye shall know them by their fruitcake" n/t

[tjdee]

45. I can agree with that.

Some folks feel that their wishing makes a thing so.

I guess most of us do that, but some take it to another level, LOL!

[JNelson6563]

60. yeah..."some" haha

Did you ever write for the Watchtower? ;-)

Brother Some.

Julie

[tameszu]

43. Very true

I just thought this would be interesting tidbit to help pass the time on a Saturday evening...I even threw up piles of caveats about crazy Horowitz and I didn't expect that this many haters would pop up, or that it would irritate anyone...well, I learned my lesson...

:dunce:

[mandyky]

39. Whatever the GOP/Rove says they mean the opposite

Maybe they have some Vietnam dirt on Clark or something, who knows.

[Pepperbelly]

42. unless they think that we think that ...

they think ...

It is ridiculous to predicate anything based on what the gops say because they will lie and *they will mix the lies with truth to attack you!

*nod to William Peter Blatty for that one.

[tameszu]

46. Also remember: Never start a land war in Asia!

Just thought that might be a helpful reminder...

[UTUSN]

51. Agreed, What They Think, What They SAY They Think

They love disinformation. My local radio wingnut sent this:

**********QUOTE********
.... check out today's Washington Post. They
have a piece on Bush and the what has happened in Iraq and Israel and how
his foreign policy high ground for the campaign (I'm bastardizing) may be
eroding. I'm not sure I believe it but it is important to note that those
knuckleheads believe it.

Plus, the Demos have to have someone the voters
can believe in to make the case against Bush on his conduct of the war on
terrorism. I know you don't like to hear this but Biden is the best one to
do that and he's not in. We're rooting for McGovernDean.
*********UNQUOTE*******

[Woodstock]

57. rotfl

:) I was just thinking the same thing!

[TacticalPeek]

48. Actually, that Nam dirt is on Powell and aWol, bigtime. n/t

[Nashyra]

52. Pepperbelly Thanks for all your info on Clark

I've not seen one article where Clark has had anything critical to say about another candidate but yet he is continuously bashed here by some. I think he will be a great candidate if he decides to run and I have formed my opinion by reading and listening to interviews, by becoming informed and of all the candidates he excites me the most. I've said it before, to this voter he combines the best of Dean and Kerry.

He has said all along that it would not be until the end of summer or begining of Sept before he made an announcement, and everyone trying to bash him because he is not declaring sooner is using that as a red herring to create doubt about his credibility. It won't work, can't wait until Labor Day or shortly after, he will be an exciting addition to the Democratic process.

[Renew Deal]

53. Roves worst nightmare.

There are several articles out about the difficulty that Bush would have with Clark.

[NicRic]

59. Gore was their biggest fear !

However they took care of that problem early ! Gore won the popular vote ,as we all know ! I believe he easily would have gotten even more votes in a 2004 bid for re-election . The repugs knew this ,so they played the game of pretending thet hoped he would run again ,when in fact ,they knew Gore would unite the Dem party like nobody else can (something we badly need)!The fix is in again for bush in 2004, unless we throw them a left curve they did'nt see coming. Alot of emotions are raised in Dems,with what happen in 200 and Gore, we need to get fired up, and this rematch would do it foresure. In Gore you have someone with exprience , a proven record , and a nationaly reconized name ! The minority vote would have also have been out in full force to vote for Gore. His recent speech ,gave us an example of what we are missing by not having Gore running. He laid it all out on the table,and did it in a way everyone could understand ! Still hoping for a Draft at the convention ,I will go to Washington DC ,for the frist time ,to watch a Gore inaguration,4 years late ,however better late then never ! Does anyone know where Clark stands on the issuses, I have nothing against him ,I just dont know what all the talk about Clark beating bush in 2004 is about?

[WesWesWes]

64. Clark makes sense

I have become cynical. The un-spun truth is self evident, scientifically irrefutable, that we are now are governed by an administration whose motto is, “If it is a bad idea, bring it on!” I wonder at those who don’t get it (if not, why not as it is all so plainly screwed up? Or is it just me…) - but something in Clark has restored and inspired. The other candidates are all fine men, but for me, Clark shines as the complete antithesis of the cowboy clown, and to the 20-some disillusioned republicans I know, Clark is very appealing. Someone wrote not too long ago in this forum that Clark was the president they’d been promised as kids.

The late Carl Sagan remarked, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” In the same vein I might postulate that extraordinary times require extraordinary men. By all accounts Clark is extraordinary. I hope he declares soon, I hope he declares as a Democratic candidate. I want to know more about this man.

[chaska]

67. Gore's not running.

There have been several trial balloons of various sorts launched on the subject. None took off. There is a draft Gore organization that is also going nowhere. I believe Gore is sincere when he says he's not running. This is just not his year to do it. He may yet get his chance, and more power to him, but he won't be the next president.

Here's a Wes site http://www.clarkcoalition.com/.

Peace, tolerance, unity at ya'll. Remember the message - repeat after me: 'I have no enemy but Bushco'.

Hang in there Pepperbelly.

[poskonig]

65. *Dean* scares them the most.

Dean can challenge Bush on economic policy (with his record of balancing budgets and tax cutting), foreign policy (consistent opposition to the Iraq debacle), health care (MD), and has moderate positions (e.g. on guns) that make him a winner in the national elections.

Plus Dean will bring a tidal wave of supporters to the polls in November.

Clark? Well, he can say he is a general, in his usually dweeby, vague manner. Whup-de-doo.

I'm guessing the GOP wants to break the anti-war vote so they can beat down Gephardt in the general election.

[Pepperbelly]

66. you do your candidate no good ...

with your insulting tone and deprecating statements. Perhaps there are groups to help one deal with self-defeating behavior.

[poskonig]

68. If you're going to change your vote

because someone choochie-coos you on an internet forum of all places, you are voting for the wrong reasons.

[Pepperbelly]

69. merely pointing out the fact that ...

shit-talking relflects badly on your candidate and perhaps there is help if you act in a self-defeating way.

I support Clark and have made negative comments about other candidates on precisely ONE thread, in one post, just to show how silly it is to do so.

But, freedom of speech and all, say what you want but when you bash others' candidates, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth when your candidate has to ask the ones you've denigrated to fully support them in the general.

[poskonig]

71. Dean reflects on Dean.

This "go easy on Clark or I won't vote for Dean" bs isn't going to fly.

If you are making voting decisions based on internet discussions with strangers, seek help.

[Pepperbelly]

73. why do you think behaving ...

boorishly serves your candidate?

When I wear an avatar, I sincerely try to be positive to the other candidates. I have said nothing negative about any of them yet some yahoos seem to believe that they serve their candidate well by behaving like children. If you are wearing a button or a bumper sticker or even an avatar, you reflect on your own candidate. No one makes decisions based on what an asshole on the www says or writes but it still leaves a bad taste.

Why is that so difficult for you to understand? BTW, there is nothing brave or cute or even spiffy about behaving badly in an anonymous medium. It just makes the person evidencing the behavior look like just another blowhard tap-tap-tapping away behind a computer screen.

But alas, it is not up to me to teach you manners. That task falls to others. But I do hope you realize that it does not reflect well on you. Rather, IMO, it appears boorish and cowardly.

on edit: as I think about it, do you actually want your candidate to win? That appears debatable at best.

[poskonig]

75. I believe adults can make decisions based on facts.

My manners are fine.

If you do not like honest appraisals of candidates from other people, then don't read them. You didn't challenge ANYTHING I said on a factual basis; you merely expressed disgust because I was critical of *your* candidate, Clark. ;(

Grow the hell up.

[Pepperbelly]

76. whatever ..

You didn't make factual criticism, just a childish schoolyard taunt. How old are you anyway? I wonder after reading your rather lame rejoinder of "grow up".


If you don't take responsibility for the image of the campaign, why make who you support public? Do you always try to hurt those you love?

:D

[poskonig]

77. You're reading too much into things.

You're miffed because it was pointed out Clark is usually dweeby and vague, and has little going for him besides his general title. You successfully dispelled these falsehoods by calling me a big meanie.

During the Dean campaign, for instance, there was a lot of criticism. There still is. Many thought Dean looked stiff or cranky at times. Others thought he was too conservative. Some thought he was too liberal.

Some Dean supporters are very touchy, like you. Others pointed out performances where he did better, pointed out how Dean has been improving during the campaign trail, and clarified the issue stances.

Honest criticism is not necessarily "condescension" or "taunting." Most people can hear things about their candidates like "Kucinich needs to do something about his hair" for instance, without going ballistic.

Think about it.

[Pepperbelly]

78. If ...

"dweeby and vague" passes muster with you as factual criticsm, then your acumen speaks for itself.

Think about that.

[leesa]

72. They want us to vote for Clark

Makes me think he is yet another Republican plant. They know Dubya's not doing well, so they have to get another corporate representative in there fast. Keep the military-industrial complex squeezing our collective nuts.

[snyttri]

79. Is Micheal Moore in bed with the Republicans? He said he wants Dems

to nominate somoene electable like Clark.