Clark seen planning Democratic nomination bid (Labor Day Announce)

[papau]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2003/08/12/clark_seen_planning_democratic_nomination_bid

Clark seen planning Democratic nomination bid
By Bryan Bender, Globe Correspondent, 8/12/2003

WASHINGTON -- In the strongest signal yet that retired US Army General Wesley K. Clark, the former NATO commander, is planning to join the Democratic presidential race, Clark told volunteers last week to step up their efforts and prepare for an announcement on Labor Day. If Clark, 58, does take on the nine announced Democratic candidates, supporters say he would offer a strong voice on national security issues and sell himself as a newcomer untainted by the political process. The grass-roots movement to draft the West Point graduate remains a campaign without a candidate. The Draft Clark Campaign 2004, which has no formal ties with Clark, has received pledges of nearly $500,000 and now has 98 chapters in 42 states.
<snip>

Clark has begun to showcase his political instincts. Last week, in an interview with National Public Radio, he called Bush's decision to invade Iraq without international support "one of the greatest strategic blunders the American government has made since the end of the Cold War." He has also moved beyond the realm of national security. Speaking on CNN, he recently blasted the Bush tax cuts, saying the growing deficit means "that the federal government can't do the kinds of things for America that Americans expect it to do. . . . That's things like taking care of our retirement security and Social Security." <snip>

[onehandle]

1. Gov. Ann Richards last night said that he's waited too late. nt

nt

[diplomats]

3. Other people have said that, too

We'll have to see.

[underpants]

8. I disagree (see below) and it could be a big + for the Dems

The media might actually start covering the race and people would see the alternatives to the Bush junta.

[onehandle]

11. Yes, it could be good press for the Dems. nt

nt

[Starpass]

50. Saw it and pathetic Ann was peddling her oseoporosis book which

any of us females (and I have the condition) get in pamphlets at our local doc's office---in fact, she admitted she is now a spokeswoman for the drug company that makes Evista. In so many ways, she was pathetic----I use to love her..but she is now pathetic and working for the corporations who shit on us day in and day out. Of course she doesn't want anyone who might take the nomination away from one of the corporation's boys. Ann is hawking for her booze money......I lost all respect for her.

[Eloriel]

59. Do you have any credible information at all that her sobriety has lapsed

I don't happen to care what you think of Ann Richards otherwise, and you may have viable criticisms otherwise. But unless you have credible information that she's drinking again after more than 2 decades of sobriety, IIRC, that is easily one of the most offensive things I've seen about a politician on this board.

Put up or shut up and apologize.

Eloriel

[Cush]

60. Clinton entered late as well

eom

[diplomats]

2. I really like Clark

and if he doesn't get the nomination I think he could be an excellent VP choice (if he's willing to accept it).

[MaineDem]

7. I really like him as VP

I like the guy, in general. (No pun intended.) I think he'd make a great VP.

[VolcanoJen]

46. I really doubt Clark has Veep Lust

I find it hard to believe that the former SACEUR would be interested in the Veep spot. More likely Sec State or Defense, I think.

- Jennifer

[booksenkatz]

10. I, too, prefer him as a veep choice right now

because one of my criticisms of Ahnold is that he knows nothing about how govt. works. I don't like "on the job training" for presidents, such as the disaster we currently have in the White House. (Texas governorship doesn't count as experience, just ask Ann Richards, she's the first one to say it.) A Dean/Clark ticket, for example, would be excellent on so many levels, would give Clark a chance to gain experiential stature for a run at the Big Job in 8 years.

But I do like him and would support him if he were the Dem nominee.

[Kahuna]

14. Duh??? Clark worked for the government all of his adult life...

America has elected generals before. To think about electing a general is not outside the realm of what's normal.

Some of you people need to really think about what you post before you post it.

[Larkspur]

26. Clark's entry would split the Dem party more than it is now and would

hurt Kerry, Graham, Edwards, and Lieberman. In fact I'd say that Lieberman would be the BIG loser, Graham next, then Edwards. Kerry would stay in but be crippled by Clark's entry. Kucinich will stay in and so will Al Sharpton.

Clark is no Eisenhower. Unlike Eisenhower, who had the FULL SUPPORT of the Republican Party behind him, Clark will have a splintered Democratic Party, whose donor pool is shrinking, except for Dean's, and no idea how to bring it together. And if he depends upon the brains of Al From and Bruce Reed for logistical support, he'll turn off the Dem base.

Dean may suffer some losses, but the base he is after is the 50% that don't vote and those alienated by the likes of Lieberman, Kerry, etc. and Clark has no clue how to attract this part of the base. Dean spent months listening to voters and he has expertly tapped into that experience. Clark's other problem will be that he has NO political campaign experience, and this will lead to many gaffes, not only by him, but by his staff. Organization is the key and organizing political campaigns is a lot different than military ones. If Clark runs a top-down campaign, which is what most military men do, he will have the same problems that the other DLC candidates do.

Howard Dean has fought and won tough election fights before, and he and Trippi have an innovative mind that would find a way to counter Clark. And of course, Dean's campaign is much more mature now than it was prior to the end of the 2nd Quarter. Those FEC matching funds will keep Dean in the fight for the nomination to the very end. Clark would be entereing the race when many of the big donors have already given to a candidate and he will struggle to build a grassroots network that could compete with Dean's loyal supporters.

Yep, if Clark enters, things will get interesting.

[JNelson6563]

38. given what you said here

and what I already knew, I think Clark and Dean would make an excellent ticket. (with Clark as VP)

Julie

[Kahuna]

56. Boo hoo hoo...

God forbid people might abandon Kerry etals because they would prefer to nominate somebody they actually want. I didn't realize, the primaries were about sparing Kerry's etals feelings.
:nopity:

[booksenkatz]

47. Sorry, I shoulda been more clear

I'm talking about an elected, governing position. I personally think that Clark is more than ready for the job of president, don't get me wrong.

[Kahuna]

57. Okie dokie..

:7

[liberalhistorian]

4. If he does enter the race, I think he would quickly

move to the top of the field. He does seem to be exactly what we need in terms of the "perfect" candidate, and the repukes sure as hell wouldn't be able to pin the usual "anti-military" or "soft on defense" labels on him that they love to tar and feather Dems with. Boy, would his candidacy REALLY piss off the repukes and freeps and other assorted right-wing creeps!

[diplomats]

5. Look what Stuart Rothenberg says

"I think the fact that he is a general in a party that has a reputation as not close to the military and in fact has a rather wimpy reputation (ouch!) when it comes to foreign policy and national security makes him an interesting figure," said Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report in Washington. "But as a serious contender for the nomination, he is not very serious. It's too late. He has no organization; he starts at square one."
Yet a groundswell has been building in the form of draft Clark websites established by such diverse supporters as Women4Clark, Veterans For Clark, and a series of online efforts in Iowa and other battleground states. Supporters are unbowed by the odds. "I think I have a sense of what's doable and what's not, at least in New Hampshire," said George Bruno, former state Democratic party chairman. "Time is running out, but there is still a window of opportunity here for a person with the kinds of credentials and talents that General Clark offers. The field isn't becoming more settled; it's becoming more unsettled."

[underpants]

6. Right he would enjoy a media buzz much as Ahhnold has in Ca.

The timing seems to be just about right to me.

[onehandle]

16. That I have to disagree with....

It's gonna be Arnold TV, 24 hours a day until he's a "looooser man" or he's sworn in. It's what Commander Rove is counting on.

I would like to see Clark have a platform to beat smirk up from, but unless Jon Benet is reanimated and killed again, Arnold is story number 1. Clark would be smothered until after early October.

[underpants]

18. Okay maybe wishful thinking on my part.

Arnold
Laci Petersen
uh anything else that comes up that is NOT a discourse on the disasterous crony capitalist junta occupying the White House right now.

[stlsaxman]

51. Yeah- Aahnold and Kobe will keep this from the headlines...

and Fox News will play him down as an "also ran"... x(

[Kahuna]

24. It would be worth is just to see the confusion amongst rush, hannity

and the the dittoheads. }(

[slappypan]

9. hooray!

:party:

[THUNDER HANDS]

12. do we know anything about him?

I mean, where he stands on issues.

He's about as qualified to be president as Arnold is to be governor.

[wndycty]

17. Here you go Magic. . .

He has not done a position paper yet (he has not announced) but here are some direct quotes:

From: http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/on_the_issues.htm
Affirmative Action: Clark is a strong proponent and supporter of affirmative action, diversity, and multiculturalism:
* “I’m in favor of the principle of affirmative action… what you can’t have is you can’t have a society in which we’re not acknowledging that there is a problem in this society with racial discrimination.” Meet The Press
* "I saw first hand the racial prejudice, the civil disobedience, the intolerance… I've often gone back to that experience. It's something I've related to." Waging Modern War by Wesley Clark
* Clark was recently one of several former military men to file a pro-affirmative action "friend of the court" brief on behalf of the University of Michigan in their battle against the Bush Administration efforts to dismantle Michigan's admissions policy. Clark said he was "surprised and dismayed" by the president's decision. (Read the consolidated brief (PDF) of retired military leaders (including Wesley Clark) in support of University of Michigan's affirmative action program.)



The Environment: Environmental protections appear to be part of Clark’s overall global and progressive vision for America.
* "Human beings do affect the environment and all you have to do is fly along the Andes and look at the disappearing glaciers down there and you recognize that there is something called global warming and it's just getting started as China and India modernize." (source – speech at the Council on Foreign Relations)
* "100 years out, the only things we leave behind that will matter are the environment and constitutional legitimacy."
* Opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on the grounds that "the gains in terms of US energy independence are relatively marginal" The Diane Rehm Show


Gays in the Military: "But essentially we’ve got a lot of gay people in the armed forces, always have had, always will have. And I think that, you know, we should welcome people that want to serve." Meet The Press

Guns: Clark has implied that gun ownership is primarily a local issue. He also believes that assault weapons should be banned for the general public, stating, "people who like assault weapons they should join the United States Army, we have them." (CNN's Crossfire, 06/25/03)

Health Care and Education: Clark is a strong supporter of a social safety net, including effective and well-supported systems of education and health care:
* "I grew up in an armed forces that treated everyone as a valued member of the team. Everyone got healthcare, and the army cared about the education of everyone's family members. It wasn't the attitude that you find in some places, where people are fending for themselves and the safety net doesn't work." (Source: Waging Modern War)



Immigration: "We’re a nation of immigrants. We should be encouraging every person from the Indian Institute of Technology that comes to this country to stay in this country. Become an American citizen. Join with us. Make a great company. Let’s all be wealthy and prosperous and happy together. Immigration has a vital part to play in that process." (Source: New Democrat Network speech)

National Security, 9/11, and The Patriot Act: Clark is wary of trading off individual rights that allow the government to escape accountability. Clark supports a review of the Patriot Act to assess its effectiveness and potential damage to individual rights. He has also called for more accountability surrounding 9/11 so we know what went wrong and how to prevent these attacks in the future.
* “I think one of the risks you have in this operation is that you’re giving up some of the essentials of what it is in America to have justice, liberty and the rule of law. I think you’ve got to be very, very careful when you abridge those rights to prosecute the war on terrorists. So I think that needs to be carefully looked at.” Meet The Press
* "One of the things about the war on terror that I am disturbed about is that we've essentially suspended habeas corpus. Which is something that's only been done once in American history and then only for a very brief period. When I go back and think about the atmosphere in which the PATRIOT Act was passed, it begs for a reconsideration and review.” (source – Salon.com interview)
* “We’ve got a set of hearings that need to be conducted to look at what happened that caused 9/11. That really hasn’t been done yet. You know, a basic principle of military operations is you conduct an after-action review. When the action’s over you bring people together. The commander, the subordinates, the staff members. You ask yourself what happened, why, and how do we fix it the next time? As far as I know, this has never been done about the essential failure at 9/11. Then moving beyond that, it needs to be looked at in terms of the whole intelligence effort and how it’s connected to the policy effort. And these are matters that probably cannot be aired fully in public but I think that the American people and their representatives have to be involved in this. This is essential in terms of the legitimacy and trust in our elected leadership and our way of government.” Meet The Press



Taxes and the Economy: Clark favors a responsible and progressive taxation system that creates jobs and doesn’t put this country into ruinous financial shape with gaping deficits. Clark, who at one point taught economics at West Point, was against Bush’s tax changes because they don’t effectively create jobs, they are unfair, and they imperil our nation’s fiscal health.
* “Taxes are something that you want to have as little of as possible, but you need as much revenue as necessary to meet people’s needs for services.” Meet The Press
* “ were not efficient in terms of stimulating the kind of demand we need to move the economy back into a recovery mode, a strong recovery and a recovery that provides jobs.” Meet The Press
* “The tax cuts weren’t fair… the people that need the money and deserve the money are the people who are paying less, not the people who are paying more. I thought this country was founded on a principle of progressive taxation. In other words, it’s not only that the more you make, the more you give, but proportionately more because when you don’t have very much money, you need to spend it on the necessities of life. When you have more money, you have room for the luxuries and you should—one of the luxuries and one of the privileges we enjoy is living in this great country.” Meet The Press
* “I mean, you look at the long-run health of the country and the size of the deficit that we’ve incurred and a substantial part of that deficit is result of the tax cuts. You have to ask: “Is this wise, long-run policy?” I think the answer is no.” Meet The Press



Women’s Issues: Clark is a strong supporter of women’s rights. Bluntly stating on CNN's Crossfire "I am pro-choice." He is pro-choice, supporting the rights of women to make these decisions outside of governmental regulation (Source – The American Prospect), and in the early 1980s, he proactively tackled spousal abuse as an army commander with a forward-thinking assessment of the demands of the modern family. (source - War in a Time of Peace, by David Halberstam)

[northernsoul]

36. thanks for the info

This is a very nice, concise look at Wesley Clark as a potential candidate.
Dean is my man of choice, but I'd have no problem getting behind Clark if he's the guy.

I think a Clark candidacy would be the final coup de grace for the incredible imploding Lieberman campaign.

[Kahuna]

19. Yeah right, Rat.. Many of us know about him because we have made

it our business to find out about him. Many links and posts have been put on DU about General Clark over the past few months. You have chosen not to learn about him. That's your priviledge. But please don't ASSume that because you have chosen not to learn anything about him, the rest of us haven't.

Also, this routine, "what do we know about him?...in light of all the information that has been posted, has become both transparent and tired.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

20. C'mon, Rat

He's about as qualified to be president as Arnold is to be governor.

That statement just shows you don't know enough about Clark.

DTH

[THUNDER HANDS]

22. well

Thanks for posting those positions before. I try to scan as much as I can and I'd honestly never seen his positions listed like that before.

But like I said, I'm not sure about him being President or VP.

If we nominate Kerry, we don't need Clark.

But if Kerry isn't the nominee, sure, throw in Clark, what the hell.

[BansheeBarbie]

48. Do WE Know Anything About Clark?

Actually Magic Rat, the question is- do YOU know anything about Clark.

Apparently not.

To compare Clark's military & governmental service record to Arnold's body building and movie career and make the statement that he's as unqualified as Arnold to be elected to office is assinine.

[GOPBasher]

13. Come on Clark!!!

I think he may be my favorite if he runs. I like everything I've heard about him so far.

[MidwestTransplant]

15. My only fear is that Arnold Inc. will drown out his announcement...

Had Arnold not entered the CA race, Clark entering the race for 04 would have garnered much of the focus that Arnold has been getting. But its better to have him in the race regardless, that's for sure.

[MissouriTeacher]

21. Comparing Clark to Arnold is nonsense

Schwarzenegger is nothing but a face candidate. He's actually a candidate and has yet to speak out on any issues! Clark has spoken quite eloquently on many different issues.

[Kahuna]

23. I fear that too.

:eyes:

[Sinistrous]

25. Clark's stated positions are almost an engram of my own.

Then why am I uneasy about his becoming a candidate?

Part lies in the adage, "If something is too good to be true, it probably isn't true."

Part lies in the litany of disappointments over the past months when I thought we had the Rovians over a barrel, only to see the impetus wither.

Part lies in the story of the Trojan Horse.

I would really like to enthusiastically support Clark, but I can't suppress my feeling (and it is only a feeling) that something isn't right here.

(I am not a znet'er and believe he was correct re: the Sarajevo airport.)

[ewagner]

27. Positive

His candidacy will be a positive for the party as a whole.

Let the best candidate win! Let's see how he and Dean both hold up under the limelight.

[dolstein]

28. I like Clark, but he's no Eisenhower

I think people are greatly overestimating Clark's ability to capture the attention of the primary electorate. Yes, he's a general and former NATO commander. But I'd be surprised if more than 5% of registered Democrats even know who he is right now. Eisenhower, on the other hand, was universally known and beloved, and had been courted by leaders of both parties for years to run for president. People also forget that despite his enormous popularity, Eisenhower only narrowly defeated Taft for the Republican nomination in 1952. Clark remains virtually unknown and had no natural political base. While veterans and Southernors would seem to be a logical base of support, Kerry has been building up support among verterans for years, and two other Southernors -- Edwards and Graham -- are already seeking the nomination. And why should interest groups back Clark over candidates who have voted with them time and time again? And then there's money -- the leaders for the nomination have around $10 million in the bank. Clark doesn't have any.

The only way Clark could have a shot would be if he put together a killer campaign organization that would command instant respect (e.g., Donna Brazille as campaign manager, James Carville as strategist, Warren Buffet as finance chair) and lined up some high profile endorsements (including a certain fellow Arkansan and Rhodes scholar). But I just don't see that happening.

[Philosophy]

29. Maybe he'll just announce his endorsement...

...of one of the other candidates. It's too late for him to catch up to the frontrunners now. He doesn't appeal to any new people other than the holdouts who are in the Draft Clark campaign. His candidacy would just siphon off a little support from a few of the others, fragmenting our message further. But an endorsement by him would be a huge boon to the candidate receiving it, probably making that candidate the instant frontrunner, and would probably ensure him getting the VP pick, which is the best job he can realistically hope for at this point.

[dolstein]

41. What have you been smoking?

<<But an endorsement by him would be a huge boon to the candidate receiving it, probably making that candidate the instant frontrunner.>>

You're kidding, right? I'd be surprised if substantially more than 5% of Democratic primary voters even know who Clark is, much less respect his views enough to allow his endorsement to sway their voting preferences. Clark has no constituency in the Democratic party, would have minimal impact even in Arkansas, his home state, and doesn't even have a fundraising network that he could use to benefit another candidate.

<<and would probably ensure him getting the VP pick>>

Not if the candidate he endorsed failed to win the nomination. Actually, if Clark wanted the VP slot, endorsing a candidate would probably be the dumbest thing he could do.

[genius]

30. So who's supporters will jump?

That's a question. I am not that familiar with Clark. People seem to like him though.

[RaRa]

31. It might be, but probably isn't too late

for Clark. I live in Chicago and when the candidates were here a week or so ago the local news said that a poll listed Braun as the leader with (I don't remember exactly) 22% or 26% of the vote. They were clear to say that most who polled hadn't heard of the other candidates. So if Carol Mosely Braun can be "in the lead" in Illinois right now, then there's hope for Clark (and everyone else, for that matter) I've also seen a few people here on DU who've stated that they'd jump (Dean's) ship if Clark ran. I suspect I might too, as this fellow can really pierce Bush's armor on foreign policy (perhaps we won't ever have to see that obnoxious photo of shrub in "uniform" - would they dare show it again with Clark running? I know, they have no shame). And, he may have a little bit more recognition than we think - my folks were pretty ignorant about the candidates (until I briefed them) but they definitely know Clark (from tv) and let's just say my mother got quite excited at the prospect of him running. He definitely has the looks and presence to steal votes from shrub.

[jiacinto]

32. It's a little late

But maybe he is angling for a VP slot. In any event a Clark Candidacy would help bridge the deficit Democrats have on military issues.

[aquart]

35. As opposed to Bush, who's so good at it?

Ye gods. We ain't got no gap. THEY have the Grand Canyon.

[Alexander]

45. That's not what Joe-Six Pack at home thinks.

Nor has Joe-Six Pack thought that for over 30 years. It will take a lot of convincing to get people to think we're as good with national defense as the Republicans.

[sujan]

44. I agree

[zekeson]

33. Clark will draw out folks who gave up

on voting. Here is a candidate with honor and integrity, strong defense, but offers the advice that it be used as a last resort, is socially responsible and progressive, is eloquent, intelligent, and confident. He was successful in the military, had success in bidness, and as a bonus is NOT a career pol. His list of debtors is smaller than your average candidate.

14 mos. is plenty of time. Hell, we gots a public with the attention span of gnats.

He will capture the imagination of the disenfranchised, help sort out the Dem playing field, and make GWB* look like the prep school, country club elitist pretender he is.

I'm leaning Clark.

[ronnykmarshall]

34. That's very true

There are plenty of people like myself that are luke warm at best with the current group.

[Poiuyt]

37. What would Bush/Rove say about Clark?

It seems to me that Bush could attack all the current Democratic candidates on one topic or another. And when Bush attacks, it means he's going to down in the gutter swinging away. I'm trying to figure out what negative things Bush could say about Clark. He seems like a candidate who would command respect. I know he doesn't have any true political experience, but I would think being Supreme Commander of NATO would take some political savvy.

We know Bush will fight dirty, what will he say about Clark?

[Chico Man]

39. A Clark / Bush debate would be interesting

If Clark brought up Bush's AWOL status that would be the icing on the cake.

[RaRa]

40. A "campaign" would bring it up, but Clark's too classy to say himself n/t?

[Chico Man]

42. Clark reprimanding bush would be hilarious

Bush would go off with his tail between his legs.

[stlsaxman]

52. A Clark/Cheney debate even moreso!

I'd LOVE to see Cheney sweating blood in a debate with Clark

[phrenzy]

43. Strange

All these people crowing about how 'unknown' Clark is or how it's 'too late' etc...

May I just ask you - WHEN did Bill Clinton announce and how KNOWN was he at the time?

It's amazing to me how people can't see the intangibles with certain candidates. Clark has Charisma (Kerry doesn't) - Respect from the pro-defense people (Dean doesn't) and has virtually no political baggage (none of the other candidates can say that)

More importantly - He has all the elements that make your average American vote for somebody. That is - he doesn't come off as 'slick' - he comes off as honest and down-to earth as 'dubya' does to some people. The difference is - he ALSO comes off as intelligent and mature.

I agree with almost everything that Dean has said - but let's be honest - his message is simply "let's punish Bush" - That's not gonna fly in a lot of states that it needs to fly in.

Clark has a POSITIVE vibe about him - one that makes people feel like he is a person that is as much about pointing out solutions as he is about pointing out problems (Dean seems to ONLY be covered for pointing out problems) -

Anyway, mark my words - If Clark steps in the other candidates are toast. He has "it" - and none of the other candidates do.

[NNN0LHI]

49. Clinton announced after Labor day and I never heard of him at the time n/t

[dolstein]

58. This is one of those myths that keeps getting repeated

Sure, Clinton may have waited until labor day 1991 to make his formal announcement, but he was campaigning for the nomination long before then. He had assembled a staff and raised millions of dollars by the time he formally declared. Clark, on the other hand, would be starting from scratch.

[Kahuna]

54. It's just plain silly. Two thirds of voters don't know who most

of the candidates are. A lot of political patrons and insiders are uncommitted. It's not too late for Clark to enter the race.

All of the naysayers should realize that if Clark decides to run, he will already have his infrastructure in place. The same way Clinton did it.

[realFedUp]

53. Run as a Republican Mr. Clark

Then I might take you seriously.

[Kahuna]

55. Whatever that means.

:eyes: