" General Clark, your supporters at DU

send their love and support," I said as I thrust my hand over the shoulders of the man in front of me. He looked at me with a puzzled look in his eyes, you know the one. The one that is usually followed by the comment, "You wacko", then his eyes widened and softened and he grinned at me and told me to tell you all thank you. First I have to get this silly bit out of the way. He is stunningly gorgeous up close. He is a lot smaller than I thought, shorter and very slight and he has the softest hands. He grins and his eyes light up and he is a beauty all right. Enough of that.

The annual Ad Astra dinner for the party in Kansas was tonight. My husband and I had never been. I ran into my friend who used to be the chairman of our party. He was just standing there stunned. He had never seen so many there. It was standing room only folks, in Kansas of all places. Part of that was of course General Clark being there but everyone is committed as hell and ready to work.

The speech was pretty much parts of what we had heard before but instead of saying he would do it he said Kerry would do it. Was it called the 4 point platform? I can't remember from before but he delivered it with a strong but hoarse voice and I couldn't count the times he was stopped by a standing ovation. It was whooping time in old Topeka tonight. He was remarkable to listen to. Because of short time and a late flight it was not too long but very impassioned and I had a blast. I now have my very own 4 stars and some pictures that I will post once I get that all set up.

As someone who was very worried that he was a republican plant I came around slowly to him but I did come around. Tonight I can say with certainty that he is one of us and a very good one of us and I am proud to be on the same side he is on.

I was up at 4AM this morning to take my son to his conservatory audition so I am going to close this up. I fear I am not able to do the event justice but I wanted to let you know. I shook his hand and looked in his eyes and clapped until my hands are sore. What a wonderful man and a wonderful night.

Oh yes, THANKS to WesDem. I owe you.

and I am happy you had the opportunity to attend.

come here so this was my first real opportunity. Thanks, it was stimulating and I am very glad I went.

Thanks for speaking up. I continue to hope like my fellow DUers that he will play an integral part in both the campaign and the new administration.

That was a great report. I am jealous too. thank you.

:hi:

don't forget the pics. :loveya:

More, more, more. :7

Sounds like a wonderful night. :loveya:

and does have soft hands!!! I put my arm around him for a pic, and then later, he came out of the building here at the Mesilla Plaza and was suddenly right in front of me. I'm only 5'6" and he seemed to be not much taller than that, probably because he has a slight stoop. His body/posture reminded me so much of my father.....

And yes...he is darned good looking!!

It sounds like you had a wonderful night, & I really appreciate your report.

We'll be waiting for the pictures!!

...taking the time to tell us about it.

I'm going to my precinct caucus here in Texas on Tuesday (one week after Super Tuesday - thank you very much Tom Delay you asshole and your Texas redistricting clusterfuck :mad: ) and I'm pretty sure I'll cast for the General. (This'll be my first time so I'm not quite sure of the protocol)

Anyway, I miss Clark's presence in the campaign and will throw all of my support to Kerry, but Tuesday will be my chance to acknowledge his influence in getting me active this year.

Thanks again and don't forget to post the pics!

I hope he's catching on and we can kick that asshole out of there.

Last weekend I saw a pretty good story/profile of him covering the 22nd District. No smarmy comments or anything.

He is a huge long shot - we all know congressional districts are almost bullet-proof locks for any incumbent...and Delay is no ordinary incumbent. But the exposure to another POV will be instructive to some swing voters, I hope.

I think we should help him all we can to make a strong showing against Delay, even if he is a long shot.

http://www.richardmorrisonfordistrict22.com/index.html

He even blogs :)

is a slight spinal curve. You can see it if you pay attention when he turns to the side.

He's a good man. A truly decent human being. I don't like his endorsement of Kerry, but I like HIM. Glad you got to meet him. That up close and personal stuff is why I really do like the man.

It is quite noticeable. He's been swimming every day since he was a teenager.

He took a bullet thru his right shoulder too, and had to retrain his body to overcome the damage there, as well as to his hip, leg and hand. Wanting a military career, where bearing in uniform is important, he would have had to adapt.

event and giving us your report. I hope you got some good pictures, I can't wait to see them.

I'm glad you finally figured out that he's not a Republican plant, (or if he is, he's a really good one).;-)

This makes me so happy :cry:

Interesting too to see the impressions of other people who've met him. I agree that he's breathtaking up close--looks at least ten years younger in person & is one of the 2-3 handsomest men I've ever seen.

However, he was actually taller and more substantial than I'd been led to believe he would be. The man is built like a brick s**thouse--wide shoulders, big chest, narrow hips--and exudes an energy that precedes him like a shockwave. It's also surprisingly (at least to me) sexual.

I don't know how many of you have seen this piece by Gene Lyons, but I was sure this paragraph was hyperbole until I actually met Clark:

"I want to be careful how I say this, but he has an almost feline presence -- and by that I don't mean "catty," as in bitchy. I mean like a big cat. I once encountered a mountain lion in the Point Reyes National Seashore in California, on a rainy day in winter, when I was all by myself. We stood stock still staring at each other for a few seconds. And there was this moment of "Gee, that's a cougar, this is really cool." And then an instant later, came the feeling of "My God, that's a lion!" There's nothing between me and him, no fence. Clark has a little bit of that kind of presence. You sense a tremendous personal authority about him held in and contained by self-discipline. Not somebody to fuck with, is another way of putting it."

http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/03/10/int03221.html

Okay, I'm off to take my cold shower now... :evilgrin:

But I agree with your post.

I watched him for hours & hours on CNN during the war, & I thought he was magnetic. There's something very powerful, that draws you to him.

That's the mind control.

Wait a minute! Sorry! Wrong thread . . . ;-)

The mind control!

I love that!!

I always thought he looked like a Tiger on the hunt, and as far as physical apearance, his face is one I would term "beautiful" which I rarely do when describing men.

Wes Clark has a truly "beautiful" face. The smile just kicks me into thrills-ville. LOL Those gorgeous sparkling blue eyes, that bright smile, and then that very masculine, low-key and slightly gravelly voice....Ahem. He's really something.

He's an amazingly compassionate and caring Commander in spite of a few policy matters I disagree with (Depleted Uranium dangers really frustrated me. I figured he'd be among the first to condemn its use and he defended it instead. :()

I worry that he's such a basically decent human being that he may be overlooking some blatant manipulation by those far less honorable than he is.

"Wes took off his tie. He signed it and it went up for auction. It quickly was sold to raise money for the party for $3,400. It was a young guy who bought it. Wes was wearing a Kerry button. He is campaigning for John Kerry, no doubt about it."

Can you believe? Another frikkin TIE story. :D

(This was posted on the Clark blog.)

man in crowd: "Kerry/Clark!!"

Wes: "It doesn't matter to me what that ticket is. What I want to do is I want to see a Democrat, John Kerry, in the White House. That's the mission! Okay?"

(yikes)

and I am so glad that you passed that message along! :yourock:

I never get tired of hearing Wes Clark stories. He gives such a great speech. He's come a long way since Sept. I'm so glad Kansas liked him. Kerry is a lucky man to have Wes out stumping for him.

He IS gorgeous, isn't he? When we were in Nashville we went to his rally and the man had on a bleached denim shirt with brown corduroys and a pair of brown tasseled loafers....OMG. I just couldn't keep my eyes off of him. He looked SO good and is in incredible shape for a 59 year old. Over and over I said to myself...."OMG, he is gorgeous. OMG, he is gorgeous." :loveya: He is definitely one FINE looking man....and has a heart to match, which makes him even better.

I can't wait to see your pics! Thanks again for the report.

I'm sorry! At least your clean? :evilgrin:

It's awful, isn't it? The man has SO much going for him besides his looks, but THAT is just the icing on the cake. He is SWEEEEEET! He looked SO damn good that night! Small waste, broad shoulders, and that FACE! OMG! and that SMILE! Damn!~~~~~swooning~~~~~ :loveya:

I think the only thing Clark didn't have going for him was enough exposure as a Democrat before running. He is absolutely the most marvelous person, and I still am hoping he'll be on the ticket.
:loveya: General Clark!!!!

http://larry-in-kc.forclark.com/story/2004/3/6/3517/26974#3

:D

I think I met Larry but am not sure. Our tables were supposed to be together but because of the unexpected, standing room only crowd we got split up and our table ended up in the back at the corner. From my vantage point I could see the entire room and after every point he made someone, usually more than one stood up. I was impressed in how he got the crowd fired up without becoming like a cheerleader. He simply made his points. My immediate thoughts were that everyone hates Bush*, not a surprise, but the most interesting impression I got and I still think this morning it is the correct one was that folks were more "for" Clark and not quite as excited about Kerry. I always thought this state would like Clark and I left with that impression. He did say when we had the poor man cornered that the most important job we would ever have was to fire up Kansans to vote for Kerry. He looked us each in the eye (that was actually kinda scary) and told us we had to do this job. Nothing was more important from now until November. I do not know if it is just him and his being a past commander but I got the impression that he wanted us to know in our deepest cores that this is do or die this time. Damn, I felt like I was going into a fire fight. Several people overheard comments like this from him and from our other leaders. The lasting impression was that things are much much worse than we can even imagine.

just continuing on your thoughts about how it seemed they were more excited about Clark than Kerry. I remember a television interview with a Tennessee couple where they said they really liked Clark or did they say they loved him?, but that Kerry was who the party was getting behind and they had to vote for Kerry.

(oh oh sounds like Clark had that room under his spell, please refer to my warning about his mind control training)

wish I could have been there
;)

"He looked us each in the eye (that was actually kinda scary) and told us we had to do this job."

Wes is serious.

"The lasting impression was that things are much much worse than we can even imagine." :scared:

Wes Clark is a fine man. His eyes are remarkable to look into--even on the television screen. John Kerry is might lucky to have Wes Clark on the stump for him.

Ksenija also has a blog up about the dinner.
http://ksenija.forclark.com/story/2004/3/6/1407/37821
Here is Larry's composite:
http://larry-in-kc.forclark.com/story/2004/3/6/3517/26974

and give them thumbs up.

That means a lot to me. By your act I feel like I was present there for that moment when you said that to General Clark. We all so much want him to know just that and it was very kind of you to use your brief moment to make sure that he does. I love the way that you described the moment when he keyed in on what you said.

For someone that the media tries to say can't campaign well, Clark does have a way of getting ovations from crowds.

wonderful paper(?) 2 articles. I have not read them yet but here they are for you all. I am still stunned by how wonderful it was to really feel a part of all of this. I was a "live presidential speech virgin" until last night and now I feel somehow more a part of the team. I have another one of those days today so I will not be back here except maybe briefly to check in so please, if you have any questions ask and I will most likely be back tomorrow with time to answer them. I will bookmark the thread in case it drops. Thanks all for the responses, it was thrilling

http://cjonline.com/kansas

Edit to add I can't tell you how cool it was to tell him about you all here at DU. I was a little worried that he would not know what I was talking about but he most certainly did. My normally timid self has changed because of this place and I was so very proud to be able to mention this group and this board. Several of the Clarkies at my table knew of us, one had posted here once or twice but others wrote it down and we may see them join in our conversations soon. I was so proud of you all.

I was wondering if he would know about DU. He's so cool. :D

he knew exactly who I was talking about. I do not have any personal experience with politicians or great leaders so I do not know how they learn to react to people but his reaction seemed very genuine. It was the same reaction I would get from anyone in the same circumstance. I have a feeling this board is watched fairly closely for opinion.

Perhaps this is just an emotional reaction since this was my first national political speech but I was totally taken by this man. I can see why he was a good leader and the kind of man you would want as a leader. I felt like I would follow him anywhere and do whatever he wanted. Some people just simply have leadership skills and they practically drip from him. I may still be on another team and I may still disagree with him on some things but I tell you, he would have made a great president simply because he inspires you to want to do the right thing. I would love to hear Kerry and see what my impressions would be.

that a DK supporter like yourself could get these great vibes from the General. I was an early DK admirer myself, and the General really does believe in progressive values. He is the most amazing and unique guy for a "General" that we may ever see.

to see that. I have the problem of being creeped out by military stuff. It is a personal reaction, I by no means have any disrespect for the military in general. Other than that this man sounds very good, very progressive. I almost cried when he was speaking about lifting up everyone, making sure everyone was cared for. I mean really, you could feel the sincerity behind his words, it was not lip synch. It surprised me how he seems to honestly feel this, it did not feel like a speech he has given before, it sounded like it came straight from his heart. Yup, mind control. LOL

edited to add the LOL just so no one thinks I was being serious

not the least of which, to me, is his depth of caring. That was one of my main talking points - HE CARES. He cares about his country and the people in it. I am so happy that you got to see that. You don't know how much I would have liked to have found out how that caring translated into what he would do. IMO, he would truly have been great.

when Wes is at his side. I have never seen Kerry look as animated and inspired as he did when Clark endorsed him. He was lively, interesting to listen to, and looked like a regular person. I hope he remembers that as he chooses his VP.

To really settle my mind and trust John Kerry with our General. That kind of energy cannot be faked. I don't know if Wes wants to be VP or if Kerry wants him as VP, but I am sure as I can be Wes will play a major role in the upcoming Kerry Administration. :)

Thanks so much for the report! I so look forward to a Wes Clark San Antonio appearance sometime in the next few months. I have yet to see him in person though I have been a dedicated supporter since July.

Ironically, I took my children to a Dennis Kucinich rally here in San Antonio yesterday! He was awesome, as I knew he would be. The newspaper said there were around 400 people present, which is really outstanding since there was very little publicity, it was late Friday afternoon, and Kerry is getting all the buzz for his appearance here today.

:toast:

Let me know about that one. I have to get outta here and will not be back until tonight so I will have to wait. General Clark was dynamic.

The setting was a beautiful park downtown. It was a fabulous day, clear blue skies and temps in the mid-70s, so it was a perfect location for him to speak. He spoke from a gazebo, and he walked down the steps to speak more to the crowd.

People chanted "We love the Kooch!" over and over at the beginning. There were at least 15 news cameras there which surrounded him when he first arrived.

He spoke about bringing the troops home and universal health care, I remember in particular. He spoke about poverty in our cities and how that is a weapon of mass destruction and he could have told Bush how to find it. The crowd was very enthusiastic and the planners did a great job. There were signs all over the park and red/white/blue bows. He was very relaxed and even funny.

It seemed to me that everyone was relaxed and happy to be there, very respectful and enthusiastic. I don't know how it all ended, because I had to leave about 30 minutes after he started talking. The newspaper mentioned his visit this morning and even had a great picture.

This is wonderful. I am truly moved.

:loveya:

DTH

Let's hear about Clark or Clark/Kerry activity in that state. I understand there is a lot going on left coast.

But I'll write something up about this when I get a spare moment. There IS a lot going on out here, and this Clarkie for Kerry is doing what he can!

DTH

It also led me to the news that the blog is still there. I couldn't get to it a couple of weeks ago and thought it was gone for good. I am so happy to find out it isn't.

Thanks for conveying a message of unity from all of us.

it was MY pleasure. I saw the pictures, not very many and not terribly good, one really funny with his mouth open. I have to go to rehearsal and a concert after so I will not be back until tonight or tomorrow so I will try to get them posted. BTW, since my computer is broken I do not have my links. Does anyone know a good free place to host my pics so I can get them on here? I can't remember what I used before.

I ran home for a bit between my rehearsal and concert. If I am still keeping my eyes open after the concert I will try to get them up tonight. They are not great and there aren't many but I will put them up anyway.

a place to put the pics up, I could load them on my webpage.

Thanks. There is one I doubt he would care too much for folks to see but I will put it up anyway unless seeing a kinda stupid picture will offend any of you. I will try to get them up, if not I will send them to you.

before you know it, you'll be posting threads about Clark, and wanting to know his schedule, and watching for his TV appearances, and forming web sites about him, and contributing to candidates in his name, and getting a special avatar, and....

Thankfully, none of us here have taken things to that extreme, for as we all know we are quite rational.


Arrghhhhhhhh, come back Wes!!! :)

Not us :7

Jealousy is so hard to tame... :)

The more I stare the more I obey

I think I will stay with my Kucinich for a while but when I get back tonight or in the morning I might send you a PM about this. My transformation over Clark has been major, been over time and was pretty solidified last night. Sometimes you can just tell when you see someone up close, ya know? It sounds pretty stupid but I was majorly impressed and it takes someone pretty special to call up a reaction like I had to him.

I'll look forward to it.

That was great, thanks a bunch! :loveya:

DU Clarkies are a special group, unlike the official blogs and such, we've fought in hand-to-hand combat defending the General, it's created a special bond between ourselves, and between us and Clark. It's great to know you could tell him his DU footsoldiers still love him!

Your evening sounded great and exciting and it gets this old Clarkie all emotional again... He's the best. We are so lucky to have him out there fighting for us!



 
 

Jim4 and I used the cheerleader the other night to raise over 500 bucks for the old man! She was great, as always. :)

How did she do that? I know she's a popular girl! :)

 
 

;)

WesDem deserves the credit...she is a terrific soldier for the General, but you knew that.

Your Clarkie cheerleader gets a nod too for making an appearance.

:)

and now I learn she also has "connections"... hmmm. Who knew she was such an insider operative? ;)

*edit* I'm working on a new Kerry banner/avatar, too!

 
 

it seems our Jersey has been keepin some secrets from us.

;-)

jersey is a secret operative for General Clark, maybe she's involved in some of that mind control business.:tinfoilhat: :scared:

Ssssh. Don't tell MuseRider :eyes:

She's reporting everything we do and say to the DNC!!

:bounce:

 
 

to do!

I'm shocked, just shocked I tell ya! }(

and THIS happens. You guys! :7

I have had some really fun experiences with most of you and a few bad with only a few of you. Perhaps all the concerts this week plus the excitement over the event has tipped me over the emotional edge. Yes, we are very lucky. He was very, very good last night. Anyone who could get all these staid old Kansas Democrats up on their feet cheering like that has something special.

None of us expected to get so smitten by a General. When I first started looking into Clark it was the pragmatist in me taking the lead, looking for someone who could beat Bush. I was shocked to find someone who stoked the fires of my deepest idealism. The course you are currently on is familiar to all of us I think. Getting the chance to personally meet Clark definitely speeds that journey. He is such an honorable person, and far more immediately human than I would ever have expected. That jumps out at you in Clark's presence. His sincerity is obvious, as is his dedication.

When I heard about the movement to draft Clark for the Democrats, my reaction was: Alright! This is a guy who can take down Bush!

I already respected him for what he did in Kosovo and his CNN stuff, but I never really knew the depth of the man until he ran. Then, well, he made be a true believer, one of the loyalists. Damn that military mind-control shit! ;)

 
 

I've always been a cold hearted pragmatist as far as politics go. I was originally drawn to Clark out of pure pragmatism. Then he ended up bringing out my inner idealist that I didn't even know was there.

Isn't it amazing?

thinking I'd gone crazy, but willing to look at a general if it meant getting national security issues off of bush's table. Pragmatic and clear eyed I looked at a general. Until.....I think it was the May MTP....or maybe when I finally sprung for "Waging Modern Wars"....or maybe I'll never be sure.

I do know that my "Founder of the Draft" pin is precious to me. And I do know that I would do it all over again, because the more I listened, the more I wanted to live in Wesley Clark's vision for America. Call me a policy wonk, but on issue after issue after issue, Clark called on America to live up to her promise. It totally blew me away; awakened the kid in me who believed in that civics text; and dispelled the cynical ghosts who took up residency in a young girl's soul at Kent State. Ironic.

Clark speaks to us of a better America, because he holds fast to its philosophical underpinnings.

I've seen Clark up close, I've seen Clark do a traditional speech with Q & A. Great and brilliant. But it was the performance at Pembrooke that was breath-taking. It was in the round...and he was a panther. Athletic and balanced. To begin, he was talking and waving his arm and thanking all of the great Democrats on the stage with him, and then he just stopped and bringing the mic close with both hands, tilted his head and smiled at us said: "and they agree with me." The roar went up and up. After that he just moved, counting the points with his arm in the air and briefing us on where we are and where we could be. The applause became a series of waves crashing against the panther-dancer who led us in a charge to change. I would go there all over again.

Clark has no idea where he will play his next role. He sees like a seer how far we have strayed from our guiding principles, how hard it will be to return to our roots in the Enlightenment, but he knows what the first step must be. Get George W. Bush out of the White House. When he tells us to work towards that goal with every fiber in our being, he is telling us what his mission is. And from here on out it is Mission...Mission...Mission. The Democracy is in grave danger.

We are really in trouble, and it is really that bad.

:cry: I want my mama!

Definition: That funny feeling you get of speechlessness when encountered and influenced by a brilliant four-star general.

Great, isn't it?

Here I am - being struck by the four stars:



Edit: removed one pic; used a different size on other: They were WAY too BIG.

...four-star encounter was in the Cleveland Plain Dealer back in December...I had the stupidest look on my face...and the General? Well, he was absolutely dashing as usual.

The man has hands a soft as buddar! (misspelling intentional)

At least with guys anyway lol

With the women posting about the softness of his hands...?

*ahem*

;)

 
 

...his eyes are the most deep violet...LOL

...but oh-so-soft are those hands!

Thud.

I think I fainted...LOL

But why anyone would care is beyond me!



 
 

I don't see a swimsuit...yum!

I knew it was just a matter of time till the Speedo pic was posted!

Nothing wrong with eye candy. :)

I still haven't figured out how to resize that other pic. It is a better one of General Clark posing with another lady on our trip and the Flat Wes we carried with us.

and I just don't get how people kept saying Clark was not doing well with women...everyone I spoke to about him thought he was one fine looking man..even my 16 year old daughter said he was a "hottie."
So where did the BS about women not liking him come from?
I love Wes :loveya:

Showed Clark was stronger with Men than Women. Dean had all the NH ladies bamboozled apparently :)

The theory was that the Democratic women where not ready to trust a General, then there was the "he was a republican" BS etc, etc.

I even had a sign on my front lawn. :(

- thanks to incapsulated for help in resizing

lol, that pic looks messed up? Should look like this:

I am borderline computer illiterate, ya know!! I really have no earthly idea why mine looks like that.

Still a cute pic. :)