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After reading TPM's interview with Clark today, I'm switching to Clark!

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trumad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:33 PM
Original message
After reading TPM's interview with Clark today, I'm switching to Clark!
The guy is absolutely brilliant! He will crush Bush...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/oct0301.html#1001031244pm
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DoveTurnedHawk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:34 PM
Response to Original message
1. Welcome Aboard!
We're thrilled to have you, man!

:bounce:

:toast:

DTH
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retyred Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:12 PM
Response to Reply #1
19. Ah Yes
One more for the good guys!


Welcome,Welcome,Welcome,Welcome,Welcome,





CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
"I'm going to give them the TRUTH and they'll THINK it's hell."
Retyred IN FLA.

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_NorCal_D_ Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 04:50 PM
Response to Reply #19
68. Great!
:bounce:
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diplomats Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:35 PM
Response to Original message
2. It's a great interview, isn't it?
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janekat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:37 PM
Response to Original message
3. Great to have you - same thing happened to me
he's great!!!
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bicentennial_baby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:37 PM
Response to Original message
4. Welcome Trumad!
The more you hear Clark speak, the more you'll love his mind! He is brilliant and insightful. If you have'nt seen it, go to Cspan.org and watch his NH town meeting. It's really something. :hi:
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tjdee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:40 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. I would suggest this as well.
He did a very good job at the NH meeting.
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ShaneGR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:23 PM
Response to Reply #4
24. Hey, did you notice where that interview took place?
In the backseat of a car! Unbelievable. Who talks like that in the back of a car? The guys brilliant.

Heck, I just liked how he let the writer do an interview like that!
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vi5 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:38 PM
Response to Original message
5. After finding dissapointment with Dean I'm not backing anyone...
I have always said I will support whoever the nominee is and will donate money to and campaign for them tirelessly. But I just can't invest myself in this primary roller coaster any more at least until it gets closer.

That being said I really like Clark and I like the things he is saying. All the other bullshit being thrown at him is simply claptrap at this point. If he keeps up this pace I will be happy for him to be the nominee.
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Bertrand Donating Member (764 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:41 PM
Response to Original message
7. Clark actually brings up PNAC by name
that's pretty ballsy stuff politically.
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DoveTurnedHawk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:43 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. Yeah, I Know
Edited on Wed Oct-01-03 07:43 PM by DoveTurnedHawk
My tinfoil hat might be on, but after I read that my fears for his safety redoubled. At the rally today, security was light and he really put himself out there while meeting the crowd. Any wackjob with a weapon could have gotten to him, potentially.

Stay safe, General!

:scared:

DTH
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trumad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:48 PM
Response to Reply #8
12. The PNAC comments really stood out for me...
I have a keen interest in the PNAC as noted by my website..
http://pnacrevealed.com/

Plus... I actually saw Clark speak in a small gathering at a University in Florida... Admitfully I was a bit critical of him at the time because I thought he was a bit flat. But it wasn't a political speech so I cut him some slack..

After reading this interview I was stunned at how much his mind reminded me of Clintons...

Can you imagine Bunnypants in this type of interview...LOL
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bicentennial_baby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #12
14.  I Know!
I would be shocked to hear the words "metaphysical" and "doctrinaire" leaking from chimpy's slimy mouth!
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RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 04:42 PM
Response to Reply #14
67. That's what I like
the fact that he's got great analytical skills.
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DemCam Donating Member (911 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:59 PM
Response to Reply #12
17. I like "admitfully".
Just about as good as "doctrinaire". :-)

And yes...I can imagine Bunnypants. Oh........if only it could happen.
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DoveTurnedHawk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:57 PM
Response to Reply #12
28. He Is Clinton WIth Slightly Less Charisma But Much More Character, IMO
The man's entire history is amazing, he exemplifies excellence and honor and integrity and courage.

I don't know any other candidates who have called PNAC out on the carpet by name, like Clark has.

DTH
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Kahuna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 04:32 PM
Response to Reply #28
65. Not a spellbinding orator like Clinton. But his aura..
is definately Clintonesque.
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remfan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:45 PM
Response to Original message
9. It's a very good interview
and only served to impress me even more.

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devinsgram Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:46 PM
Response to Original message
10. Told you so!!!
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bhunt70 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:46 PM
Response to Original message
11. great article
Thanks!
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seamarq Donating Member (159 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:48 PM
Response to Original message
13. The more I see him interviewed...
the more I like him. Great interview!
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w13rd0 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:52 PM
Response to Original message
15. I'm only halfway through it...
Edited on Wed Oct-01-03 08:10 PM by w13rd0
...but I thought I'd give due props for mention of PNAC...

I'll return with my full opinion.

Well, I'll grant this, he's an incredibly intelligent fellow, and a remarkable salesman. I can certainly see him having an impact on the party and the presidency, no matter the die cast...
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RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 04:51 PM
Response to Reply #15
69. Have a verdict yet?
hope it's a good one
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w13rd0 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Oct-04-03 02:56 AM
Response to Reply #69
79. Yeah, I gave it in an edit, should have noted that...
...sorry...
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Girlfriday Donating Member (570 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 07:54 PM
Response to Original message
16. Welcome trumad!
:hi:
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0rganism Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:04 PM
Response to Original message
18. Clark is a man who can really represent Americans. I'm quite impressed.
He's got the smarts, no question, but can he handle the sleaze?

I truly hope he contributes to raising the level of discourse among the various candidates. He's one of a very strong field that can make big waves by criticizing bush* more than slamming one-another on mis-statements from 10 years back.

Funny thing, I think he really could get elected to congress or a governorship, even if he doesn't make the cut for the presidential nomination.
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SammyWinstonJack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:13 PM
Response to Original message
20. Am seriously considering Clark
Haven't made a commitment as of yet. Still to early for that. But I do like Gen. Clark. He impresses me and I don't give two hoots that he just became a Democrat or that he hasn't as yet registered as such. Also don't care that he hasn't held a political office nor that he voted Repub in the past. People are allowed to change their minds and I only care if he is sincere in his political views now. He seems to be.
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uconnyc Donating Member (185 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:18 PM
Response to Original message
21. I love this guy too!
Frankly, I could careless about his past, voting record...People change, I know I sure have, practically everyday.

I simply ask myself if I trust Clark - I do. Then I ask myself would he be a great president and fight for the things that I feel are important - I feel he will. Finally, CAN HE BEAT BUSH? - I think so.

I am right now 50-50 between Edwards and Clark. I will vote for whoever has the better shot of winning the primary.


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SWPAdem Donating Member (951 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:21 PM
Response to Original message
22. Welcome, trumad
Edited on Wed Oct-01-03 08:21 PM by SWPAdem
Pretty impressive, huh? While I firmly hope that he will be able to withstand the rigors of campaigning to become our candidate, he will be an outstanding addition to our party.
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union_maid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:31 PM
Response to Reply #22
25. He's doing well with the rigors
He's getting slimed every day and just seems to move right along. He explains things if he's asked and other than that, doesn't appear to let it affect him. Very smart and probably born of experience working in a very tough milieu. He really is wonderful. I only hope the BFEE and company realize that if anything happens to this man this time, we're not such an innocent or naive nation.

I love the way he said that Americans expect government to fix the things that individuals can't fix. That says it so well and so simply.
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SWPAdem Donating Member (951 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:51 PM
Response to Reply #25
27. I think so, too
He looks really invigorated by the campaign. I'm going to join in a rally in DC on Friday morning...can't wait. I just wish that my signs and tee shirts could make it in time.
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molly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:22 PM
Response to Original message
23. Yes, Wesley Clark is brilliant and
he has many more attributes.
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0rganism Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 08:39 PM
Response to Original message
26. HAHA! You gotta love the McLellan press conference, too
That had me in stitches, ROFLOL.

What a maroon! "Uh, that must have been the guy who was here before me. What all did he tell you? Please don't ask me that." The press corps OWNS his ass! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I feel kinda sorry for Scott, he should have known when Ari bailed something was about to hit the fan, but still. He's so young and clueless, and now he's getting dragged into this shitstorm kicking and screaming. That's what happens when you trust republicans.
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Bertrand Donating Member (764 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 09:13 PM
Response to Reply #26
29. What a horrible choice by the Admin
at lease Ari lied with conviction. Scott looks like he's about to cry.
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WillyBrandt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 10:49 PM
Response to Reply #29
37. Agreed
I always had a morbid fascination with watching Master Ari work. Mhy favorite was--and I (mis?)quote from memory--"I think it's incumbent upon those who opposed the war to tell us where the weapons of mass destruction are."

I'm sorry--I hate the guy, but that's just brilliant.
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Bertrand Donating Member (764 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 12:40 AM
Response to Reply #37
38. Ari Fleischer...artist?
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0rganism Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 01:18 AM
Response to Reply #38
42. Bwahahahahaha -- that's terrific!
I looooved this bit at the end:
---
"When Fleischer produces a rare vivid image, it appears to be unintentional. But is it? On Wednesday, he was asked about the president's thoughts regarding the American who was caught fighting for the Taliban. Rather than say he didn't know the president's thoughts or that the president had no thoughts—dangerous territory—Fleischer rushed through only a few throat-clearing pieties to declare that "the president hasn't really entered the realm of conjecture." The image lingers, like one of those huge allegorical paintings in art museums: George W. Bush poised at the portals of the Realm of Conjecture. Will he enter? In the background are vignettes of other adventures: in the Land of Deficits, the Precinct of Chad, the National Guard of Texas. A clutch of advisers stands nearby, warning him away. Notice the brilliant blue of Dick Cheney's tie …

"Don Rumsfeld paints a world reasonably similar to the one we really live in. Ari Fleischer creates an entire alternative universe. That is what makes him the greater artist."
---
I would add that Scott better study up and get some good misdirection chops going, maybe from watching old Ari tapes, or he's gonna be a sobbing puddle of mush within a month.
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catforclark2004 Donating Member (208 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 09:44 PM
Response to Original message
30. You are more than Welcome!!!!! Now let's get ready to RUMBLE!
Thank god he's not a seasoned politician...that's what makes him believable, the fact that he's not. Since he is good looking....if he was too smooth, that might be a problem.
Plus......
We need a General in the aftermath of 9/11.....we know the War in Iraq is a bunch of crap...but until we get a handle on terrorism, we need a man born to be a leader to work with the rest of the world.

Plus the man speaks Russian, Spanish & French....

Hello Kyoto Treaty
Hello World Court (of some sort)
Hello United Nation
Hello France & Chirac
Hello Canada & Kretien
Hello Germany & Schroeder
Hello people of Spain
Hello People of Italy
Hello People of England
Hello People of Chile & your boss
Hello people of Brazil & your boss
Hello People of (even)North Korea (maybe not your boss)
Hello People of Mexico & Fox
Hello India
Hello Turkey
Hello People of the continent of Africa, we really will help with Aids
Hello New Zealanders
Hello people of Austrialia
Hello people of Russia
Hello NAACP
Hello Energy efficient auto cafai standards
and yes....Hello people of the Middle East...le't see what we can do...
Hello Alternative energy....
good bye shortly to Saudi, we'll catch you on the rebound.
Goodby endless terror Alerts as distractions
Goodby ANWRR Drilling
Goodby EXXON, ENRON, HALLIBURTON & BECTEL
Goodby chief of the Supreme Court (since you may not survive for another 4 years)
Goodby Ashcroft, Choa, Paige, and Mr. Homeland Dept. DODO
Goodby ardent religious faith with my politics
Goodby New FCC REGS
Goodby Fox as the white house spokesman
Goodby Trickle Down
Goodby Greenspan
Goodby Leave no child behind...
Goodby to Energy crisis
Goodby to blackouts
Goodby PNAC insiders minions....we now will know who you are

But most of all "GOODBYE TO pRESIDENT TOY FLIGHT SUIT BUNNY PANTS &
etal"!



Those who Experience WAR work of PEACE

Support our Troups, ELECT ONE!
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catforclark2004 Donating Member (208 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #30
31. Those who experience WAR work for PEACE
SUPPORT OUR TROUPS, ELECT ONE!
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KittyWampus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 09:51 PM
Response to Original message
32. Clark Is One Of Two Candidates Who Can Deal With PNAC
The TPM interview reinforces this view for me.
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Kahuna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 03:04 PM
Response to Reply #32
61. Pray tell what other candidate has even hinted about..
taking on the PNACers?
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RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 04:56 PM
Response to Reply #32
70. He knows the details
Whether any of the others try or not, none of them know it as well. I was amazed he knew enough to relate the situation back through the decades to SALT II and other things.
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frank frankly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 09:52 PM
Response to Original message
33. wonderful interview, wonderful candidate
so glad to have Wesley in the campaign!
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Donna Zen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 10:17 PM
Response to Original message
34. Clark 101
Following the Clark campaign is an education. I read the TPM interview and came away with an entire head full of new ideas and the supporting knowledge. An example:

And in an odd replay of the Carter administration, found itself chained to the Iraqi policy -- promoted by the Project for a New American Century -- much the same way that in the Carter administration some of the same people formed the Committee on the Present Danger which cut out from the Carter administration the ability to move forward on SALT II.

He just connects all of the dots...., he's not going to be a tool of those forces. He knows where the bodies are buried and the dangerous policies they put forth.

After work today, I sat with several teachers while we read aloud from a laptop screen:

And you don't measure that either in terms of popularity of the school, or in terms of the standardized test scores in the school. You measure it child-by-child, in the interaction of the child with the teacher, the parent with the teacher, and the child in a larger environment later on in life. ...

If you want to improve schools, you've got to go inside the processes that make a school great. You've got to look at the teachers, their qualifications, their motivation, what it is that gives a teacher satisfaction, what it is a teacher wants to do in a classroom. We've got to empower teachers. Give them an opportunity to lead in the classroom. Teachers are the most important leaders in America. All that is lost in the sloganeering of this party. And the American people know it's lost. So you asked me to give you one thing about this party that's in power -- it's the sort of doctrinaire ideology that doesn't really understand the country that we're living in.


I'm telling you, we almost wept.
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DemExpat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 07:42 AM
Response to Reply #34
57. I get all emotional too, Donna,
when I read a potential world leader saying the things he says so well.....

DemEx
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Mz Pip Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 10:45 PM
Response to Original message
35. The was terrific
One of the Assistant Principals at my school saw my Clark bumper sticker. He asked why I supported him. Said he's been too busy to pay much attention to politics. I said I'd bring him some articles and he said no, he wanted to hear why I supported him from me, what it was about him that made me put that sticker on my car. So I told him as much as I could and he seemed pretty impressed.

I'm going to give him that article tomorrow. The remarks about education are pretty impressive. :-)

MzPip
:dem:
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bicentennial_baby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-01-03 10:46 PM
Response to Reply #35
36. Same here!
I'm working on my Amer. Foreign Policy prof., and I'm bringing him the article next week.
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Katie Donating Member (591 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 12:59 AM
Response to Reply #36
40. trumad great article! ty! going to pass it on
to everyone i know.
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stickdog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 12:43 AM
Response to Original message
39. I'd Rather Bush-lite Than Switch! (NT)
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Dookus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 01:17 AM
Response to Original message
41. Wow!
Just read it.

I've been a Clark supporter for a very long time, but this is amazing. I would defy ANY of the candidates (much less the current resident of the White House) to be able speak this eloquently, intelligently and knowledgeably on an extemporanous basis about the questions JMM asked.

This man is brilliant. If some wanna call it "bush-lite", then they either haven't read the interview or they're remaining willfully ignorant.

The brightest people in politics today would be hard pressed to sit down and write essays as eloquent as his off-the-cuff answers. His knowledge of history, diplomacy, foreign-policy, economics.... I'm in awe.
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Rowdyboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 01:40 AM
Response to Original message
43. Wes gives me hope
no one else does...Sorry, JMO
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Kahuna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 03:11 PM
Response to Reply #43
62. We gotta stick by this guy with everything that's in us...
I think he has a vision...a dream like Martin Luther King had for a better America with better citizens.

People who assail us Clark supporters for supporting someone we know little about and who hasn't been a lifelong dem just don't understand what we see in Clark. We see something bigger and better than a "D" after his name. If you think that damned "D" is the most important thing facing us right now, you just don't have a clue about what we're up against.

With all the dumb shit that's been passing for political discourse here for the past few months, I've been almost ashamed of that "D" after my name, wishing I could change parties. But to what? We can make a new democratic party of our own choosing. I welcome a leader like General Clark who isn't tainted with partisan fighting. He's a clean slate indeed. That's what I think we need right now. Face it. The old shit just ain't working.
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RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 05:17 PM
Response to Reply #62
71. Yes, Vision
That's exactly it. It's more than about beating Bush, it's about forging a new positive vision.
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joanski01 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 05:02 AM
Response to Original message
44. Thanks, trumad.
What a great thread! No bashing.

I really like Clark.
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stickdog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 05:26 AM
Response to Original message
45. Did I read the same article all of you people read?
Just because you aren't supposed to actively participate in politics in the military doesn't mean that you have to close your eyes to the obvious and fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans. Does it?


CLARK: I voted for Al Gore in the election of 2000. I had voted for Bill Clinton previously. For me, the issue was: make sure before you pick a party -- you don't have to pick a party in Arkansas to vote, you just vote, and I voted in the Democratic primary, but that didn't mean becoming a member of the Democratic party. Before you pick a party, make sure you know why you're picking a party. Make sure you understand what the partisan political process is in America. What does it commit you to? What does it mean? How does it affect the rest of your life? What is it all about? And so I thought I'd take a look at both parties.


When was this? A Rhodes Scholar who works for the government and reports to members of both parties for decades has to wait until after he's discharged to "take a look at both parties"?

What do y'all make of this?


CLARK: I was fortunate. I was well-enough known that both parties invited me to consider them. The Republican party invited me to participate in a fundraiser and run for Congress. The Democratic party invited me to be their nominee for governor of the state of Arkansas. I was tremendously honored by that. And it was clear as I looked at the parties, looked at the culture, watched the dialogue, it wasn't just that I had voted for Al Gore, I really believed in what the Democratic party stood for. And so when it came time to choose a political party, I chose the Democratic party.


Allow me to translate: "Since I was your classic political mercenary frontman, I decided to shop around before choosing a Party."

Do you Clarkies seriously expect the rest of us to believe that Clark never realized the differences between the Parties until well after he left the military???


CLARK: I have strong views. I have strong feelings about what's right and what's wrong in the way of policy. I taught economics at West Point, I taught political philosophy. I worked in the South Bronx in 1966 for three or four weeks in the neighborhood youth corps as part of the Johnson administration's anti-poverty program. So I had seen urban poverty. I worked as a counselor at the Little Rock Boys' Club back in the late '50s, early '60s, ended my last staff member position at the Little Rock Boys' Club in 1965, meeting kids from not the most affluent backgrounds. You get a certain feeling for America. And that's the feeling for the America I know. That's the America I want to-you know, I want to give everyone in America equal opportunity, including those people that are like I grew up with.


OK, General, you've had strong Democratic views and convictions for a long time now. So why did you feel the need to "take a look at both parties" before you decided that you were a Democrat?


*****


Now, can Clark talk a good game? Sure.

Is he an intelligent guy? Undoubtedly.

But can we believe a word that comes out of his mouth? That I don't know.

Can anyone help me with my fundamental difficulty here?
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Forkboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 05:41 AM
Response to Reply #45
46. Stickdog
I don't really disagree with much of what you say,but I think you should at least let these people have a thread with some positive vibes,so to speak.

You wont be changing any of these posters minds like this,and you'll have many more opportunities to raise your points in a more fitting setting.

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stickdog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 06:15 AM
Response to Reply #46
47. Can't you see that I want MY MIND changed?
Edited on Thu Oct-02-03 06:34 AM by stickdog
I've had it in my head for a long time that Dean/Clark or Clark/Dean would be the Dems ticket to a landslide victory.

I never even clicked on the Dean vs. Clark threads for a long time. When I finally did, I was shocked by the weak, bullying argumentative techiques that Clark supporters were using to defend Clark.

This set off alarms and I started investigating further. It kept looking worse and worse still. However, it's just a strong impression that I'm getting. It's not anything concrete because Clark is too much of a blank slate for that.

I still think Clark is a force, and I'd really rather go back to considering him a force for good.
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union_maid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 06:43 AM
Response to Reply #47
51. There's plenty of time to decide
I was one of those waiting, but not as long as my husband had been waiting. If you knew my husband you'd have to feel at least a teeny bit better about Clark than you do know. My husband is suspicious of the right and of the military to the point where paranoia can come up in conversation. He would wear a tin foil hat well, and proudly. I don't know of one time in the 26 years we've been married when he's ever erred on the side of giving the benefit of the doubt to anyone on the right of center or even close to that. He's a news junkie and always knows who the players are before I do. Last year he got seriously ill and was home and relatively immobile for three months. He watched CNN all the time. He never for a minute believed in this war in Iraq and from everything he saw and heard he formed a very positive impression of Clark. He did some reading and research and decided that the best thing for the country was if Clark got into the race and was very pleased when he did. Me, I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying until a few weeks before Clark declared. When I did start paying attention I was blown away.


If you're open minded then just keep paying attention and look at all sides. There will continue to be smears and for good reason. Clark is a threat to more than just the Bush administration. I said this in another thread and it can't be said enough - he can marginalize the right wing. They were marginal in the past and we won't be safe from administrations like this one until they're marginal again. Clark is the only candidate who can do that.

The neocons look at American as a country divided and they're only trying to defeat the other side. Clark doesn't look at it like that and it really isn't like that. Most people don't think twice about voting for a Democrat one time and a Republican the next or vice versa. It's only political junkies like us and like freepers who see every election as a battle in a larger war. I think we're essentially right about it, but it's not the way the country as a whole thinks and that fact is very important. It makes the difference as to whether we have to prevail against half of our fellow Americans or can convince a lot of them that we have some good points. Clark, of course, had yet another way of thinking when it came to his vote. His job was to work with each administration and they came and went in the three decades that he did his job. To accept Clark at his word, you have to accept that there are other mindsets. I think that Clark's has changed and is more like ours now, because of this administration.


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stickdog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 06:47 AM
Response to Reply #51
52. I appreciate the thoughts. (NT)
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Lexingtonian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 06:17 AM
Response to Reply #45
48. Since you asked....
Can anyone help me with my fundamental difficulty here?

Well, yes. Remember the saying "A mind is like a parachute- it only works when it is open"? There's a surprising amount of apt advice in it! Oh, classism is an ugly character trait. I recommend getting rid of it.

When was this? A Rhodes Scholar who works for the government and reports to members of both parties for decades has to wait until after he's discharged to "take a look at both parties"?

Well, to help out with your ahistoricism, the Democratic Party is presently far from the party it was in 1994 and somewhat different from what it was in 1998. And it will be a different party again in 2005.

What do y'all make of this? Allow me to translate: "Since I was your classic political mercenary frontman, I decided to shop around before choosing a Party."

Can you even imagine that someone could just have liked the traditional nonpartisanship of public servants, found being above the vulgar fray preferable, or are you too young to remember that there used to be a lot of serious people like that?

Do you Clarkies seriously expect the rest of us to believe that Clark never realized the differences between the Parties until well after he left the military???

Why is everyone supposed to understand things- as superficial, zealous, misinvested, lacking in nuance and grace, and dogmatic in such things- as you do? Can you even conceive of the possibility that there may be wiser people than yourself out there?

If your last dip into national party politics was in 1993 or so, and you walked out of the Pentagon and back into it in 2001, there would be a lot of change in terms and understandings and aims to catch up on. In 1993 there was still substantial overlap in political positioning between the Parties; in 2001 there was still a little. Why not give Clark some benefit of the doubt? Why assume that Clark is talking about exactly the things you expect him to?
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stickdog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 06:41 AM
Response to Reply #48
50. Look, I can hack the Reagan stuff. Even Bush I had a few
Edited on Thu Oct-02-03 06:44 AM by stickdog
identifiable positive moments.

But Bush II?

Our government was taken over by brazen mobsters and anybody with half a brain should have clearly seen that.

I mean, they bully, graft and practice aggressive unilateral imperialism OPENLY.

And what about CAPPS II?

When was the last time an American citizen hijacked a domestic flight?

Not only that, but terrorists can game CAPPS II with just a few innocent practice runs -- making flights LESS SAFE.
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DemBones DemBones Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 07:39 AM
Response to Reply #45
55. I'm not supporting Clark, but I can answer your question.


"CLARK: I was fortunate. I was well-enough known that both parties invited me to consider them. The Republican party invited me to participate in a fundraiser and run for Congress. The Democratic party invited me to be their nominee for governor of the state of Arkansas. I was tremendously honored by that. And it was clear as I looked at the parties, looked at the culture, watched the dialogue, it wasn't just that I had voted for Al Gore, I really believed in what the Democratic party stood for. And so when it came time to choose a political party, I chose the Democratic party."

stickdog: "Allow me to translate: "Since I was your classic political mercenary frontman, I decided to shop around before choosing a Party."

That's a cheap shot. Clark was sought after by both parties, which is hardly his fault, except that he had done well and become a general. He has said he voted for Nixon and Reagan -- and Gore. Did he vote for Clinton both times or once? Did he vote for Bush I or Dukakis? Carter or Ford? Do his overall presidential votes trend Democratic, particularly in the more recent elections?

In any case, he was supposed to stay out of politics while serving in the military -- and I'm sure you agree that's good policy -- and he has apparently not voted based solely on party affiliations. So it seems perfectly logical to me that when he started considering a run for office, he'd have to look carefully at each party to decide which one his views are most compatible with.

stickdog: "Do you Clarkies seriously expect the rest of us to believe that Clark never realized the differences between the Parties until well after he left the military???"

Again, I'm not a Clarkie, have supported Kucinich from the get-go and will do so throughout the primaries at the very least. But the issue is not that "Clark never realized the differences between the Parties until well after he left the military???" It's that he'd always, according to what he's said, operated as an Independent, so had to examine the two parties before deciding which one to join. Additionally, most of us complain about the parties becoming too much alike so I don't find it too surprising, though I've always been a Democrat and believe the Democratic Party is superior to the GOP in its overall views.

I have criticized your candidate, Dean, for being too much like a Republican, specifically a Rockefeller Republican who mixes socially liberal views with traditional GOP conservatism. I see this problem (being too far right on several issues)) with other Dems running this year but have yet to pay much attention to Clark. He may be yet turn out to be GOP Lite but what I've heard so far sounds better than Dean to me, though he has negatives in his record, too. If we're going to talk only about electability, Clark has a definite edge over Dean.

I'll be supporting Kucinich, though, and also checking up on Clark just as I've checked up on Dean.

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kiahzero Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 04:33 PM
Response to Reply #45
66. Yes, I can help you out
You haven't taken into account the enormous amount of group-think in the military. The military slants extremely Republican, because of a percieved hatred in the Democratic party towards the military.
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roguevalley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Oct-04-03 03:30 AM
Response to Reply #45
80. He was sort of busy with the war in Kosovo and because I had a
nephew there getting his head shot off with the Danes,
<GOD BLESS THE DANES! They are a great group of UN folks
to get put with> I am very glad he was eyes on the prize.

As for having to commit to a party to vote ... some
states allow you to be non-committal or independent.
You don't have to be one or the other. Perhaps to those
that don't have that system, this must seem odd. But
then, you are called quizzling a helluva lot of people
in Arkansas and other places, who vote without declaring
a party.

Frankly, I like this boy. He grows. He's smart and for
the first time since the assassinations of Kennedy,
Kennedy and King, I feel something akin to hope.
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A-Schwarzenegger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 06:30 AM
Response to Original message
49. One of my FAVORITE parts
"The wife would come in and say,
'Ah, the towels don't match the bathroom
and you've got to buy new bathroom mats.
And now what are we going to do for curtains?
The curtain rods don't fit in this kind of the house.'
You know, all these expenses of moving on top of not
making very much money. It's just a question of who you are."

When you have a General sometimes people
think he just walk around and bark orders and
bomb people and and never take off their
stars. This kind of causal human talk like above shows
how the General is just like every other henpecked
husband when he takes his uniform off and trying
to watch the game in his undershorts while your wife
nags the shit out of you. This kind of down to earth
anecdoat humanisez the General and shows who you are.
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Bread and Circus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 07:21 AM
Response to Original message
53. Clark Treasure Trove: must see.
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RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 05:43 PM
Response to Reply #53
72. Especially the NH townhall meeting
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DemExpat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 07:35 AM
Response to Original message
54. He IS brilliant, Trumad.....
and this article really verifies my ideas and feelings about him as a fantastic Democratic candidate!

Welcome aboard.

This article is a MUST SEE for everyone.

:kick:

DemEx
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OBrien Donating Member (243 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 07:41 AM
Response to Original message
56. He's been my man for months!
The more I saw and read the more I was convinced he can beat Bush... and make America proud again.
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RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 10:19 AM
Response to Original message
58. backseat of a car, too!
Thanks for this great article.
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Kahuna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 02:56 PM
Response to Original message
59. Remember how we DUers yearned for someone to..
take on the PNACers because our own Democratic leaders were unwilling to do it? Remember how we assessed that this has been a long running problem in America and that until it was addressed nothing in America would change? We all knew that everyone in D.C. is aware of the BFEE and PNAC but have rolled over for them for years.

Now General Clark who is/was an registered independent with progressive leanings comes along and is ready to do the heavy lifting to put an end to this mafia who which has caused countless deaths and misery. And what do the lefty disruptors do? They join the righties in tearing down the ONLY person in America willing to put himself out there for the good of our country. Methinks they would have snubbed Martin Luther King, Jr because he was non partisan.

I have run out of patience with this narrow-minded ideology. I'm just asking all who lamented with us about how the BFEE has been running down our country for the own evil purposes stop the nonsense right now and look at the big picture.

If we don't support General Clark we have no right to complain as the PNACers and the BFEE continues to roll over us all. Like MLK, Clark is putting himself out there for US. It's dangerous for him. He needs us as yes... his army to help fight the bushistas. He cannot do it by himself.

Thank you trumad for having the vision to see what is truly before us and for making an informed judgement about General Clark.
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stickdog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 03:02 PM
Response to Reply #59
60. CAPPS II
Edited on Thu Oct-02-03 03:03 PM by stickdog
Very recent praise for neocons.

Party shopping.

Three legit concerns with the only answers being, "Trust us. He's on our side and he can beat Bush because moderates don't know that."
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 03:22 PM
Response to Original message
63. Nader will miss you!
<seraches frantically for flame proof suit>
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RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 04:18 PM
Response to Reply #63
64. It's about context
For instance, when you read this interview, notice that he praises Republicans (and Democrats), and yet you won't see any reasonable democrat saying he is out of line praising republicans in this interview. It's about context. And all those people who are saying....but, but, but -- he praised republicans! -- are taking random quotes out of context.

Here, in this interview, you can see the context when he praises republicans (and democrats!). And I don't think he's out of line.
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LoneStarLiberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 07:01 PM
Response to Reply #64
75. Clark vs. Non-Clark
While we're all here in an open forum with all that involves for hurt feelings, flame wars, and the like, since this is a Clark-friendly thread and I've been backing Wes Clark since the Draft movement began, here's something I'd like to ask to my fellow Clark backers:

Have any of you entertained thoughts of switching to back someone else based on the scree posted about Wes Clark on DU?

I ask because I have to think that some of the anti-Clark people who post this stuff really think that's going to happen. I don't know of anyone here (granted I don't know too many Clark backers here) or on the ground who have felt anything except an increased loyalty to Clark based on such behavior. The Deanies in my part of Texas have been particularly bad on the ground to the Clark movement...sooner or later I hope someone in their state leadership will get the memo to them that obnoxiousness isn't a positive trait.

While it goes with participating in an open forum, it just strikes me as being so incredibly stupid. "I don't like your guy so I'm going to dogpile on every single thing that is questionable about him." Great way to convince me of your guy's merits. Welcome to my IGNORE list!

And oh is it ever growing...

Anyone else care to comment?
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bicentennial_baby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 07:06 PM
Response to Reply #75
76. I'm with you
I did months of research on Wesley before I decided that he was indeed the one I wanted to support this time around. And I feel no less supportive of him now than I did before the all-out Clark hatin' began. I knew it would come, and it's not going to change how I feel about my candidate. In fact, it makes me like him more :evilgrin:
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RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-03-03 09:14 AM
Response to Reply #75
78. More like the opposite effect
Most of the attacks turn out to be nothing for me to be concerned about when I look into them. The attacks have either turned out to be out-of-context quotes, over-reaction, misrepresentation, misinformation of facts, biased presentation presenting only half the story, or something that I actually agree with. And the more I see of Clark, the more I'm convinced I picked the right guy.

But the vitriol does turn me off. Dean is slipping from my #2 choice to #3. I've taken care not to go into any Dean-bashing threads (or even other candidate bashing threads), because I'd rather not participate in character assassination attempts, even though I have serious reservations about many of them.
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burythehatchet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 05:59 PM
Response to Original message
73. Thanks to you all for sharing your thoughts
I'm almost there.
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bicentennial_baby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 06:50 PM
Response to Original message
74. Kick
:kick:
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amazona Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-02-03 07:10 PM
Response to Original message
77. yay good choice
I still lean toward Sharpton but I have to say I do like the looks of Clark.

I don't want to give up any Senators, so please don't be offended if your candidate is a Senator, people. Nothing against Dean either...just happen to like these two better.


abb is my motto
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