Did You Hear About Clinton's Bash at Their Home/Bills' Clark Remarks?

[Starpass]

Heard on CNN today a reference to NY Times article. Bill and Hil had a bash at their home for fundraising. At it, Hil joked about thanking people for their money for "whatever campaign she might use it for". Then Big Dog said that the Democrats had two rising stars: his wife and Wesley Clark. I've seen articles for weeks that the Clintons are the ones grooming and pushing and raising money for Clark. Seems like this gives credence to it. Who knows, maybe they want Clark and then Hil for VP (she scores the highest with Dems and is pollsters say this is the one person females will overwhelmingly vote for over Bush). I think this primary is YET to begin........don't discount when the big powers in the party, start their push.

[kainah]

1. here's the article

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=104009

about Hillary's playful answer re: her campaign.

As for Wesley Clark, here's a significant paragraph from Sidney Blumenthal's "The Clinton Wars" that may shed light on Clark's relationship to Clinton:

p. 652: "Clark was called at night and informed of the Pentagon's decision (to force him into early retirement) without being given any recourse. He instantly received a call from a Washington Post reporter, who had been tipped off by the Secretary of Defense's office, to confirm the story. When the President learned what had happened, he was furious -- 'I'd like to kill somebody,' he told me -- but there was nothing to be done. Clark's enforced early retirement from the European post was a fait accompli. Secretary Cohen and General Shelton had considered Clark insubordinate. Clinton awarded Clark the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the British gave him an honorary knighthood. But the Pentagon's treatment of Clark left a sour taste amid the triumph."

BTW, Blumenthal's book is well worth the read. It can get a bit tedious at times but that's when speed reading comes in handy. ;-)

[chaumont58]

2. I hope Clinton's not getting involved the primary process

Maybe he is and maybe he isn't. I say again that there is so much down size to him getting involved before any state primary and before any of the candidates has even captured one delegate. The reporting that accompanies the Big Dog is not always accurate. Wow, there is a shocking sentence. Everybody and his brother has a bone to pick regarding the Clintons. I thought he was a good president. But, to listen to Scaife.net or almost any member of the far left, he was only slightly better than Herbert Hoover.

[diplomats]

6. I think he will not endorse anyone before there's a nominee

He understands it's the voters' choice. I'm certain he'll work behind the scenes if he does anything so I wouldn't worry.

[Pepperbelly]

7. I hope he is advising whoever he favors although ...

I understand his counsel is available to all Democratic contenders. And each have availed themself of it.

[blm]

3. I always go back to what Alterman said months ago.

That DNC insiders expected the ticket would be Kerry/Edwards, and Clark was being groomed to step into the VP spot if Edwards didn't catch on.

Starpass, you may not have heard, but, Marian Wright Edelman of the Children's Defense Fund came out in support of Kerry. Considering how close she is to Hillary, I expect they consulted.

[Starpass]

10. blm--I think there is something to Edwards dropping his Senate

bid and am too tired tonight to go into it. But he didn't do it on his glowing numbers....he's been assured of a VP slot. And I have some ideas on who's he would be. Kerry--yes; Clark--yes. Both having Clinton backing. Point blank and I will elaborate on it some other time or drop a message in your box, I think the big powers of the DNC are cooking up things. Of course, what we see in front of us is the bare bones. Behind the scenes all the deal making and bringing big money on board, etc. are taking place. I think you are going to see their candidates emerge and they know that right now no one is listening except political junkies. It's going to be interesting about January.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

12. I've Always Thought Clark/Edwards or Clark/Graham

Would be a very strong ticket.

I also like Clark/Dean and Clark/Landrieu.

DTH

[TacticalPeek]

16. Interesting,

three Southerner VP; like 'em all, but would want to see numbers next year. That's what matters to me: strongest ticket in history, suiting the occasion at hand.

[tjdee]

13. I had this thought fleetingly tonight as well.

Edwards was so relaxed at the debate, for a minute I went "hold on, he's got VP".

But, he might have just been relaxed.

[blm]

14. I agree...

Deb Callahan (League of Conservation Voters) and Edelman are in the Kerry camp now, and I'm just waiting to see who the Brady camp/Million Moms folks support, because that will nail down for certain where the Clinton influence is heading.

On Edwards, I also think that the open slot is not just VP, but, also Attorney General.

[diplomats]

4. That comment's from a N.Y. Times article that's been posted here

I'm pretty sure Hillary won't be VP but I have read the Clintons support the idea of Clark running. I imagine it's for the same reason other Dems want Clark to run - because they think he can beat Bush.

[TacticalPeek]

23. Beat?

Beat, clobber, drub, lick, shellac, thrash, whip, hammer, and pound!

And why endorse when there is no need? Like taking a court-length shot for the first play of the game.

Anyone wondering about a Big Dawg political blunder, be sure not to hold thy breath without an O2 tank nearby.

Wait, 'til Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then maybe there will be some pre-New Year visioneering.

[Kahuna]

29. It's always good to have a "plan B." It's foolish..

to put all your eggs in one basket. I believe Clark is plan b.

[hang a left]

5. well there is one I didn't see

coming. it would assure dems the white house, and they could not f with the elections.

[Unknown Known]

8. Hillary will stay in the Senate

There is no way, with the mediawhores in place, that Hillary could be a national candidate.

However, she will make a name for herself when she heads the Senate investigation into WH manipulation of EPA data on the NYC air quality after 9/11. I predict this will be a HUGE story in 2004.

The Clintons are surely going to back Clark for President.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

11. Goddamn, I Hope You're Right

The Clintons are surely going to back Clark for President.

This would generate instant interest, instant name recognition and instant funds.

DTH

[Clark Can WIN]

9. Ive seen this story in a few, only slightly differing forms

I think it's fabulous news and I also believe that the leak must be deliberate. :bounce:

[Bake]

17. Comment about Clark from a black female coworker

Hitting two key demographics which Gov. Dean may be missing:

"YOu know, I really like Wesley Clark , especially after seeing him on Bill Maher. AND DAMN HE'S HOT!"

Bake

[Kahuna]

30. Clark will wow black voters. I'm telling you...

I never pretend to be a spokesperson for my race. But this I do know. Black people like a suave kick ass dude like Wesley Clark. I wouldn't be surprised if Clinton hasn't taken this into consideration.

The name "Wesley" doesn't hurt either. Whenever I tell my friends about "Wesley Clark," the first thing out of their mouths is, "Is he black?" I say, "no. Why do you ask?" They say, "because his name is Wesley." I just shake my head and say, "alrighty then." :eyes:

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. Isn't Clark from Little Rock

I would imagine that Clark and the Clintons have been friends for a long time. It doesn't surprise me that they would support and encourage Clark to run.

[Donna Zen]

24. Story re Clark and Clinton

Clark met Clinton at Georgetown when he was applying for the Rhodes. Clark was 20; Clinton was 19. Someone talking to Clark asked where he was from and said, of there's another guy around here from Arkansas....thus, Clark mets Clinton. Clark said they talked for about 20 min. Way back.

[HazMat]

18. I hate to say this, but I'm slightly worried

about the Clintons, and what they're up to. They know that they're comments would go back to the media; I'm sure the comments were planned. The question is:

1.) Are they trying to sabotage the 2004 election so Hillary can run in 2008?

2.) Is Clark being set up for a fall, to be used to split up the vote ?

3.) Who do they really want to get the nomination ?

It just bugs me that they've leaked this NOW. Make no mistake about it, this was planned, everything that comes out of the Clinton camp (and any other camp, for that matter) is designed to have a specific effect.

[Pepperbelly]

20. that is right wing reasoning ...

The Clintons and their ulterior motives (always suspected but never proven).

Just what do you base this on outside of your own paranoia?

[HazMat]

25. I just wonder why they keep doing this

It takes attention away from the field of candidates we have now.

Certainly, you're not naive enough to believe that they didn't leak the information for a specific purpose ? The BigDog knows that anything he says is going to resonate throughout the party. Why not say that the entire field of candidates are stars, or something to that effect in support of our current field ?

[Donna Zen]

27. Sometimes

they just make it up! Clinton says many things in the press he has probably never said.

[Catherine Vincent]

21. I think you worry for nothing.

Some of you give my man Clinton way too much power. He was chatting at a party for goodness sakes. He may have said something similar about some of the other candidates. Maybe the person that heard about Hillary and Clark didn't hear the rest because they were stuffing their face or something.

[blm]

28. don't be...Clintons want a Dem win.

I really believe it. Even some of their close friends are supporting Kerry, and I doubt that would happen without SOME discussion with the Clintons.

[zeemike]

19. Clinton endorsing Cark?

What in that statement made you think that? Does acknowledging a rising star mean that you like them…respect them…endorse them?
Beware of what people imply in someone else’s statement. This just reminded me of; Al Gore says he took the initiative and the pundants say he was claming to invent it.
It is the art of twisting words to your own porpoise as a propaganda tool.

[Catherine Vincent]

22. Well said.

[Julien Sorel]

26. Nah, calling him a star was actually sarcasm,

to borrow the line of one of our more deranged posters.

Endorse: 2 : to approve openly <endorse an idea>; especially : to express support or approval of publicly and definitely <endorse a mayoral candidate>