Wash. Whispers: They're already flocking to Clark

[wndycty]

I know that people who are not Clark fans are tiring of the Clark posts, but hey the man is in the spotlight.

Thursday, September 11, 2003

They're already flocking to Clark
Wes Clark mania threatens to go nuclear next week if, as expected, he becomes the
10th and last candidate to join the nine other running for the Democratic presidential
nomination. Whispers learns that once in, top Democratic elected officials, strategists
and donors are ready to join the Clark Brigade. Many of Clark's team-in-waiting are
Clintonistas , like the former president's handyman, Bruce Lindsey, scandal
spokesman Mark Fabiani, and maybe even ex-deputy chief of staff Harold Ickes,
who's close to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Also, New York Rep. Charles
Rangel has pledged to round up endorsements from House and Senate members.
What's more, www.DraftClark2004.com, the Web site that's cheering Clark's entry, has
lined up 200 coordi

nators in all 50 states, says spokesman Michael Frisby, president
of Frisby & Associates, a Washington-area PR firm. And forget about that talk that all
the retired four-star general and former NATO boss wants is the veep nomination.
Supporters say that's a dirty-tricks campaign pushed by rival Howard Dean who's
scared of a Clark candidacy. Says Frisby: "Wes Clark firmly believes that he is the best
choice to be president, not be vice president or hold any other government post."

http://www.draftclark2004.com/

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/whisphome.htm

[goobergunch]

1. I do think that Clark will get a lot of superdelegates if he enters

so I'll have to mess with my spreadsheet to add another candidate...*sigh*

[Renew Deal]

14. I know of 2-3 that have come out for him.

Potentially more.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

2. Two Words

Fucking. Awesome.

GO CLARK!!!

DTH

[glarius]

5. What impressed me was when he said "I don't like the way we are alienating

our friends."....As a Canadian that was good to hear....That and the fact that he is intelligent and well-informed....A huge improvement from the current mental midget in the White House!

[clar]

3. Nah, even though I've grumbled

about the posts, I think you should enjoy all the press.

[blessedleader]

4. I made the switch . . .

From Dean to Clark.

y'all can too. :-D

he's one sexy man!

[Stuckinthebush]

6. You switched to Clark because he was sexier!?

;)

Just playing...

[pearl]

13. I Welcome Clark

And as a Dean Supporter, I really believe both of them elevate
the discussion in the party. They are both emerging from a grassroots
movement. That's what we want. I'm thinking a draft movement is helping excite the base. The base, really have a lot of momentum
going here.

:bounce: :bounce:

[Kahuna]

19. Well...

Clark is sexy. It doesn't hurt. :shrug:

[diplomats]

7. He's a babe

But, of course, that's not why I support him :evilgrin:

[DoveTurnedHawk]

9. I'm Telling Ya

If he picks Edwards or Landrieu for VP, it will be the best looking ticket ever! :-)

DTH

[markus]

30. Landrieu for VP

Where did that come from? And when did Breaux start talking about retiring. Geez, ya go on vacation for a few weeks.

My mom and sister usually keep my up on Breaux and Landrieu stories.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

32. I'm a One-Man Meme, Markus

I don't know of anyone suggesting Landrieu other than myself. :-)

DTH

[Kahuna]

20. Of course not..

:smoke:

[GainesT1958]

8. Looks as though the guy I've been waiting for is going to do it...

I said to myself all along, if Al stays put on his decision not to run, I'd sure hope that Gen Clark decided to go for it. If this works out, we may be in for quite a successful year next year--top to bottom, as they say!

Run, General, RUN!:kick:

B-)

[DoveTurnedHawk]

11. Cheers, GainesT!!!

:toast:

DTH

[Capn Sunshine]

10. GEE Now ALL HE HAS TO DO

is announcing he's running!

WHEN IS THAT GONNA BE BTW?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

12. Get Over It

It'll be by next week.

No one's going to remember or care about any of this after he announces. You might want to plan getting another meme ready with whcih to attack Clark.

:eyes:

DTH

[Kahuna]

21. Well Cap'n... This poll may push him over the edge.

:7
Dare I go get that bottle of champagne for next week?

[Clark Can WIN]

15. VERY VERY COOL

:grouphug:


:kick:

[chaumont58]

16. I'm a Dean fan and I say bring 'em on

Its what the primary campaign is for, sorting out. The thing that doesn't sit well with me is the Clintonistas(as the article puts them). Where ever Bruce Lindsay is, Clinton can't be far away. If that is true, it bothers me. Clinton and Clintonites have worn thin with me since Clinton gave Bush a pass regarding his invasion of Iraq.
Obviously, Clark is a very bright man. So is Dean. There can not be too many bright people in politics. Lord knows the repukes don't have many. I'm against a person running for his very first elective office right at the top. Its not illegal. Its not unconstitutional. Its just my own particular prejudice.
I would like to see Governor Dean get the nomination, but he will have to compete and win in the primaries. If he doesn't win, I will support the nominee, providing he is not Holy Joe.
The shit we hear right now is just that, shit. Its a horse race the beltway whores want to blather about. About the only people watching this little drama are the whores and political junkies like me.

[diplomats]

28. Clark has been critical of Bush on the war from the beginning

and he'll be the candidate, not Bill Clinton.

[Kahuna]

17. Woo hooooooooooo! God I hope this is true...

Even half true would be good for the Clarkistas! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Starpass]

18. Yesss, I said that this is exactly what was going on!!

Clark wasn't just going to raise his hand and say "'cuse me, I'd like to join and run"!! When I heard the Clintons involvement I knew that Clark was going to hit the ground running with money to burn and edorsements, etc. The Clintons/McAuliff, etc. are the big power brokers of the party and they were putting together the framework and the strategy. Indeed, they want to 'explode' and explode all over GWB just as he goes to Congress to con them for more money. Just heard the debates and heard all the congressmen say they are going to make George devulge, explain, etc. Kerry said that if he doesn't come clean, show where the dough is going to these Haliburton non-bidders, etc. and DOES not do what he needs to do to get international help, he will vote for the money to support the troops but he will vote against the rest. I'm so looking forward to the announcement.

[Kahuna]

22. Yepper! I've been saying the same thing. Clark's..

organization will be up and running. As the General said on Real Time, 'you can't crimp it too soon.'

[diplomats]

23. Check out this:

And forget about that talk that all
the retired four-star general and former NATO boss wants is the veep nomination.
Supporters say that's a dirty-tricks campaign pushed by rival Howard Dean who's
scared of a Clark candidacy. Says Frisby: "Wes Clark firmly believes that he is the best
choice to be president, not be vice president or hold any other government post."

I hope that kills that rumor.

[Cocoa]

24. backroom candidate!

just what we need.

Forget the people that have been talking to voters for months, what we need is someone anointed by power brokers.

:toast:

[Kahuna]

25. The voters will decide. Clark has been drafted in case..

you've forgotten.

[Dookus]

26. umm...

no, last I read we'll still have primaries.

I presume when powerful party leaders endorse YOUR candidate, whoever it is, you'll tout it loudly.

[Cocoa]

29. my candidate is the king of power broker support

Terry McAuliffe was spouting Gep's lines on MTP, for chrissakes.

The difference is that there is real rank and file support underneath it, and that Gep's been out in front of the voters from the start. Actually they all have.

I'm still open-minded about Clark, but I don't see this last story as a positive by any means.

[diplomats]

27. You never heard of the Draft Wesley Clark movement?

The power brokers came on board after the grass-roots effort caught on. Both Dean and Clark have strong grass-roots support, and I think that's important.

[LeftCoast]

31. I'm somewhat concerned about Clark's late entry

Specifically as it appears he doesn't have much in the way of a national organization yet and only a few months till the 1st primaries. If he wins the primary though, he's got my vote for Pres.

[PopSixSquish]

33. Some Wild Speculation on My Part...

but I am wondering what a Clark/Edwards ticket would do to the race? I think it would certainly force W and company to concentrate on some Southern states that they normally wouldn't have to.

And before anyone gets on their high horse about the South - if you force a candidate to spend time in a state they took for granted, that's a good thing.