Clark has a domestic plan, but many aren't listening

[robbedvoter]

Clark has a domestic plan, but many aren't listening
By Dana Hull
Knight Ridder Newspapers
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/7469796.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
DURHAM, N.H. - Wesley Clark, the retired Army general seeking the Democratic nomination for president, faces a problem: Critics say his domestic agenda is vague, but when he talks about raising family income or lifting children out of poverty, voters and reporters often respond by asking him more questions about Iraq.


To try to persuade voters that he's got a vision beyond the battlefield, this week Clark's campaign kicked off a weeklong "Turnaround Plan for America," to prove that "The General" isn't one-dimensional.


On Monday, Clark pledged to raise family incomes by $3,000 during his first four years in office. On Tuesday, he concentrated on the environment and air pollution. Wednesday, it was access to higher education; Thursday, children and poverty; Friday, health care.


But Clark has four stars, a 34-year Army resume and a compelling biography. That sets him apart from the crowded Democratic field; elderly voters and children alike are drawn to his military background. He regularly tells the story of a young boy who grabbed his hand and wouldn't let go because he thought that Clark could bring his dad home from Iraq. Teenagers who want to join the Army often ask Clark for career advice.


EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[killbotfactory]

1. Well... from my exchanges with Clark supporters here....

They don't seem to care about that stuff very much...

They just see his military experience as a ticket to the white house...

[mikehiggins]

2. Not exactly

most of us see a progressive plan to bring America forward as a major concern of everyone.

First, though, we have to get into a position to do it. That means we have to win in 2004 and then win over the House or the Senate to get a chance to push a progressive agenda.

But first we have to win the White House and at the very least prevent Bush from appointing one or more Supreme Court justices.

The vast majority of us Clark supporters do not think Howard Dean will be able to do that. We'll support him if he is nominated because the stakes remain the same, no matter who the candidate is. We just don't think he can pull it off.

[Donna Zen]

3. Link?

I don't know any Clark supporters that make his military experience a top priority. I know many supporters of other candidates who like to hit Clark supporters over the head with it.

Foreign policy is very different than military experience. Also, I am pleased to support one of the most liberal candidates in the race.

Two of the most liberal groups in California (CDC) just endorsed Clark. Wow? Maybe they too have read his position papers instead of putting words into the mouths of Clark supporters.

[drfemoe]

11. well . since the original post/article ..

seems to indicate that his campaign has decided it has a 'perception problem' and now needs to focus less on his military experience, and bring the issues home; whether or not you *know* any Clark supporters who make it a top priority, that IS the way he has been marketed to this point both by his campaign and supporters at DU.

If 'foreign policy' is so very different than 'military experience',
why is he claiming he is an expert at the former based on the latter? :crazy:

Your request: Links?

Clark Says Military, Foreign Policy Experience Make Him the Best Candidate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=25227

There's a good deal of groupie feeling to some of these, based on his military persona ..

Offical Clark C-Span discussion
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=838721#839093

Clark supporters, was it love at first sight or did he have to woo you?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=877932

You can find more if you use the search function.

[BootinUp]

4. Well I for one

have mentioned in posts that any Dean supporter would be happy with Clarks domestic agenda. There are a few which respond positively but not many. I think we are all drawn to our candidates so strongly that it is hard to discuss the alternative openly.

Clark can speak to domestic issues. I hope the media will show some of it. Clark goofed in the last debate IMHO, when the moderator (was it Koppel or the other guy) threw him a domestic question and Clark gave a take on Bush with New patriotism answer.

edited: said foreign policy answer before

[neuvocat]

9. What kinds of exchanges are these?

The usual combative kind? You won't get too much out of being so confrontational, you know.

[Kosmos Mariner]

12. That is BS....

I like Clark because he really is passionate about domestic issues! Read his website, listen to him speak, he has a great vision. One idea I think is really cool is the money for colllege program. $6000 a year for the first 2 years of school. We have to increase our education in this country. I guarantee a generation of people would be very greatful for Wes being an education catalyst.


:dem:

[drfemoe]

14. What does he think about the missing $1 -3 Trillion

*missing* from the pentagon? I know he wasn't in charge of the budget, was he? But, seriously, do you think he might have a clue what the heck is going on?

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/05/18/MN251738.DTL
Military waste under fire
$1 trillion missing -- Bush plan targets Pentagon accounting
...
The administration's proposal, which would also give Rumsfeld greater authority to move money between accounts and exempt Defense from certain environmental statutes, prompted influential House Democrats to write Speaker Dennis Hastert last week complaining that the proposals would "increase the level of waste, fraud, and abuse . . . by vastly reducing (Defense) accountability."

"The Congress has increased defense spending from $300 billion to $400 billion over three years at the same time that the Pentagon has failed to address financial problems that dwarf those of Enron," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, one of the letter's signatories.
... more @ link

Kucinich mentioned this at the debate, but until now we haven't heard much about it. If you notice, the solution to the 'leakage' problem is to authorize rumsum to move money around and let the defense industry dump environmental protection.
At least some dems are waking up .. maybe?
...
"I've been to Wal-Mart," Kutz said. "They were able to tell me how many tubes of toothpaste were in Fairfax, Va., at that given moment. And DOD can't find its chem-bio suits."

CRITICS CALLED UNPATRIOTIC
... con't

[Justice]

15. Not true

Clark supporters care very much about domestic policy, and Clark's views on domestic policy.

Ask away!

Like Clark says, we need to get out of Iraq so we can focus on putting those dollars to use for domestic programs.

[BootinUp]

5. not many reading either.......n/t

[Mr_Bleedingheart]

6. Clark lost my vote during one of debates

When he was asked about software jobs and what could be done to ensure the industries future considering the many jobs that have gone to India and China.

Clarks response we will create other jobs.

What, oh yeah lets give up on the software industry.

So the millions of people that have been losing manfacturing jobs and are retraining to work in the software industry should just find yet another industry? Besides the health industry what other growth industries are left?

(oh and yes not an exact quote, just recalling from memory)

[tameszu]

7. Actually, he said that he would repeal tax incentives to export jobs

before he mentioned that if Indians do end up getting more software jobs, AFTER we have removed all of the gratuitous tax incentives to export jobs, and after we have worked to make the global trade system fairer, Americans can ALSO retrain and find other jobs.

I want to ask YOU: what is the progressive alternative? One of the things that India, a poor but democratic country has done, is to work very hard and sink a lot of money and effort into its education system to try to catch up with the richer West and to try to get its people better jobs. THAT is why India has experienced such a growth in software jobs--because it has worked damned hard to try to develop a high level of education and skills despite their poverty.

So what do you suggest? That we progressives support hitting Indians with punitive tariffs and condemn them to crappy jobs and even worse poverty? This is the PAT BUCHANAN solution, that says "who cares about people living in those rat holes, AMERICANS ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD MATTER."

Isn't the truly PROGRESSIVE and HUMANE solution to let them get part of what they earned and turn OUR wealth and innovative energy into developing new technologies, like alternative energy and environmental protection, as the General suggested? And, yes, software engineers will be able to get jobs in these new industries fairly easily--their skills and training will have a high degree of complementary in any of these high tech, computer, software, and systems-reliant sectors. Can you think of a better win-win solution? Very smart progressive economists like PAUL KRUGMAN cannot, but I am all ears.

I frankly am skeptical that the General ever had your vote in the first place, but if you really are open-minded, then you will consider my response.

[Mr_Bleedingheart]

19. what concerned me....

was that he seemed to slough it off, that it was just another industry we don't need to focus on.

I don't blame India, I think it is great that they have been able to tap into the industry. What I want to see though is that America stay focused on making our country great, which means in the software industry continuing to invent better software solutions and services.

Skeptical, well yes he isn't my first choice, but I thought he won that night (eventhough I wasn't impressed with the software comment.)

[Mr_Bleedingheart]

23. AFTER we have removed all of the gratuitous tax incentives to export jobs,

that sounds more like Dean than Clark.
I don't recall Clark making that comment at all, especially not in the context of the software industry question.

How to create some win win scenarios. Well lets invest in technology. For example, cars are an inefficient way for humans to travel. Lets spend that whole 2 billion dollars that 3 states have been vying for about 4 years now and build a Maglev train.

Maglev is a great investment in technology, that can be done here in United States. It will create hundreds and eventually thousands of jobs. It will create a demand for steel, manufacturing, technology, and specialty steel.

This completed Maglev train will result in less people sitting in traffic wasting time, less pollution, more people employed in a high technology job, and so on...

So there is one win win, I could write many more.

[Myra]

8. Thanks for that link robbedvoter. Clark has the whole package.

Ok, that came out wrong.

:evilgrin:

[Nancy Waterman]

10. Is Clark on the Daily Show tonight?

I think I read it somewhere. Comedy Cnetral at 11.

[tokenlib]

13. I support Clark because of his domestic positions.

I was on the fence until I knew he would protect Social Security and Medicare.. On the environment he is very concerned about global warming and feels that a focus on alternative energy would actually create jobs and boost the economy. Clark is very progressive--and
appealing on domestic policy. And now that his website is stocked with so many policy statements--anyone who find his domestic agenda "vague" is simply lazy, dense, or illiterate.

[Dr Fate]

21. His postions have a modern era T. Roosevelt feel to them...

Strong on defense, but progressive on social issues- I like him a lot.

[DakotaDemocrat]

16. Domestic issues...

He's talked time and time again about the domestic issues he faced as a leader of troops on bases. There's a story he's told that goes like this...

He's driving around with his wife on base and they run into a pothole on the street on base. His wife, Gert, says "That's your pothole, what are going to do about it?" He works on it. Gert gets more in on the General. "By the way, your commissary is out of Pampers - what are you going to do about it?"

He understands what he has to do to keep us safe and prosperous. He's even set up benchmarks for his presidency.

[Moderator]

17. robbedvoter

Per DU copyright rules
please post only 4
paragraphs from the
news source.


Thank you.


DU Moderator

[imhotep]

18. Clark's a libertarian

After hearing his economic views, especially on deregulating big business, it is clear that he is not a progressive.

[Dr Fate]

20. Anyone following the candidates IS listening.

....

[Mz Pip]

22. Don't have to listen

anymore. Gore endorced Dean. Nothing more to listen to or think about. Just get in line and march along. Don't have to think about it anymore.

MzPip
:dem: