Anyone worried about Clark's...

[robsul82]

...lack of political experience? By that I mean, his never holding any political office before this run for the presidency (and c'mon, he's running). I think that might hurt him in a run against Bush, and I fear Bush might use a "What the Hell do you know about running a country, you've never even run a city!" argument on anything Clark says. I do want Clark to run, honestly, but I'm worried that no political experience might be his Achilles heel, and that's why I think that if I were Clark, I'd be talking to the 9 already in the race and arrange to announce that I would be running as the VP nominee with ___________ IF they got the nomination. Honestly, I think even if Sharpton managed to get the General on board an if and only if VP nominee, Sharpton would jump to the top of DNC considerations for the nomination. What do you guys think?

Later.

RJS

[Dookus]

1. i think

he can rightly point out that being SACEUR is a harder job than being Governor of Texas, where the Lieutenant Governor actually does the heavy lifting.

No, I think Clark's experience is HIGHLY relevant to the office of President, and he will be able make that case forcefully.

[southern democrat]

2. I don't know how much credence to put in Bush asking Clark

if he knows how run a country.Bush can't even tie his own shoes.

[MoonRiver]

3. Clark's answer to Bush will be.....

"what the heck do YOU know about running a country?? Look at the miserable mess and chaos YOU have left US!"

Clark ran the entire NATO Allied forces, which is a hell of a lot more than Junior, nere do well except by the graces of his powerful father and well connected pals, accomplished before he illegally seized the American People's White House. And in typical loser Junior style he has screwed up yet another opportunity that was stolen for him. :mad:

[tjdee]

4. He has extensive diplomatic experience.

While I'm not jumping ship for Clark, we will be able to see if he has the chops it takes to run a political campaign. He will either win the nomination, proving he can beat 9 other good candidates, or he won't and will go away. So why would I be worried now?

If you want to get into the actual *work* of a politician, I'm fairly certain that Wesley has as much experience compromising and setting a bit of policy within the ranks. Also, he has already met with international heads of states, etc. Not to mention his command of four languages. I worry less about his ability to do the job than I do about his ability to meet and greet, and all that stuff.

[Mz Pip]

5. Not really

and maybe it's a good thing he isn't entrenched in Washington politics.

What Clark is lacking in Washington experience he more than makes up for in his knowledge of geo-politics, which is completely lacking in the current administration.

I really believe he can help heal the breach Dubya caused with our allies. Clark seems to be about bringing civility back to politics. For me that is more important that sitting in the Senate or the House.

MzPip
:dem:

[Donna Zen]

6. Commanders multi-tasking abilities:

Clark ran schools for 40,000 kids, health care for several hundred thousand, housing etc. He fought for and won better pay and working conditions for those troops. He managed that while running 18 armies.

Also, Clark has worked in the West Wing (iirc) in the office of OMB and participated in formulating this nations budget. Later as J-5, Clark worked in and around the Clinton White House directing military planning and policy (2-3 years). In short, Clark has spent more days working in the White House than any of the other candidates, and certainly more days than Mr. I'm-on-permantent-vacation junior awol bushco.

Don't worry, if he decides to run, something I am personally very doubtful about, the rightwing will attack him early and often. I'm sure we'll hear how "undermisqualitfied" his is. They don't want to run against him.

BTW, one reason I've have grown to like Clark is that he thinks our being out here having our very own town meeting is great.

[Walt Starr]

7. Clark has YEARS of political experience, I assure you!!!!

One does not raise to the rank of full bird colonel without some level of competency in politics. Brigadier generals should be considered highly proficient at achieving political aims.

Clark is a retired Major General. His level or profiency at politics is extremely adept. I'd stack him up against any four term member of the Untied States Senate, governor of any state, or anybody who has served 12 or more terms in the United States House of Representatives.

Calrk has at least ten times the political experience of Whistle Ass and is at least as experienced in politics as any Democrat currently seeking the nomination.

One generally cannot rise above the rank of O3 (Captain in the Army, Marines or Air Force or Lieutenant in the Navy) unless one is an extremely political animal. Major Generals are the cream of the political crop. Generals (four stars) drive the politics of the military.

To make a comparison, Kerry or Hatch is probably the equivalent of a Major General in political ability. Byrd or Lott would have four stars. Nobody currently in a position of leadership in the House would rank above two stars.

[Unknown Known]

8. Clark is 1/2 Jewish, raised S. Baptist & Catholic convert

He's got all the bases covered!!

[billbuckhead]

9. Actually Clark has far more national political experience than Dean

If that's the Deanies best hope when Clark's Arkansas tornado hits them, then they are in Dean Quixote fantasyland. Wesley graduated 1st in his class at West Point, was in the Ford misadministration and became Supreme NATO commander, this guy is no political neophyte, even on the world stage.

[Walt Starr]

11. One does not rise to the rank of Major General by being a

political neophyte.

Clark has more political experience than almost all of the other Democratic Candidates.

The United States military is perhaps the single most political organization in the world, and it plays in world politics, not just the U. S. political system.

[Renew Deal]

10. lol

O8)