A Report On The Clark Meet-up In Northern Virginia

Just got back from my first Clark meet-up here in northern Virginia. Here are some quick thoughts:

1) About 45-50 people attended - mix of old/young, male/female, predominantly white but not exclusively so.

2) Two speakers - one a retired colonel who worked with Clark under Clinton, the other a rep from the VA legislature who is the first pol in VA to endorse Clark.

3) Quite a few military people in the crowd, both retired and civilian (working for the Army, Air Force, etc.). An exceptional amount of knowledge re: how the military works, politics involved, etc. Some very good discussion with regard to Shelton/Cohen and why they have gone public with their comments. The colonel who spoke (I neglected to write his name down - stupid Bear) read earlier comments from both that were quite complimentary of Clark, and surmised that the reasons for his early removal from NATO command was due to personality conflicts (jealousy) and that the replacement for Clark was also due for a 4-star promotion, and this was where they had to put him . Also was fairly adamant in his views that the reason Clinton went along w/same was that he was given faulty information concerning Clark, and that he (Clinton) was "pre-occupied" with other matters at the time. :)

The VA rep that spoke said quite clearly that he could not support a Democratic candidate that could not carry Virginia ( a dig at Dean, mostly). He argued (I believe correctly) that VA is a bellweather state as far as the south is concerned, and that Clark was and is the only candidate that can successfully appeal to the conservative democrats that exist here. Said that * would clobber Dean in the battle for who can keep this nation more secure, but that would be a non-issue against Clark.

Overall, I was VERY impressed with the meet-up. Everyone there believes (as I do) of the need to nominate a candidate with the dreaded "gravitas," and that Clark is that man. For those of you still carrying around that "woe is me, Bush can't lose" - two words.

You're wrong.

Part of the reason I haven't backed Dean is I don't think he can win here.

What is the beef with Democrats there? Do they blame Dems for the nasty economic times during the '80s?

can win here. Gore only lost it by a hair and that was because they pulled resources at the last minute, figuring it was lost.

I say they can win - IF they start paying attention and visiting Ohio NOW. Our primary may be late, so whoever the nominee is probably figures by then it'll all be over as far as the getting the nomination. But what they all keep missing (and this is turning into a bloody mantra for me) is that while they are neglecting us, Bush and Co. are here every other week raising $$ and making the press. They're gonna hit the general election playing catch up in OH which I think is a pretty stoopid strategy for a "must win" state.

eileen from OH

as i posted earlier I couldn't attend my meetup. Clark is our best choice against * in '04.

It's amazing how Clark meetups have grown in just two months time. Thanks for posting your report.

types. Excellent news that many military were in attendance. And the bit about VA was most interesting. A Dem took the governorship in 2001 as I recall. Could be a sign of the times for the correct Dem presidential nominee.

Although noVA is overrun w/defense contractors and ex-military double-dipping as defense consultants. Sat next to a woman who worked for the Army - said her entire office was for Bush, but she was workin' on 'em. :)

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is strongly democratic. it's the rest of the state (perhaps with the exception of the virginia beach area) that is majorly republican.

noVa is continually re-inventing itself due to its burgeoning population. There are indeed good sized pockets that are still Democratic strongholds, but VA counties to the northwest and west of DC (75 mile radius, give or take) are STRONGLY Republican. I know - I live in one. :(

Lots of good info and planning

Hope is eternal dawg. Bush will lose and Clark will be the one who sends his PNAC pushin ass back to Texas where he belongs.