Clark: Is this true?

[newsguyatl]

drudge reporting the following on clark:

"Wesley Clark fundraised for Republicans in 2001, for Pulaski County Republican Party (Little Rock)... December 2001: Clark registers to vote in Little Rock as independent... But in 2003, now he is a Democrat?... "


i hope it's not

[democrat in Tallahassee]

1. you can be a moderate republican and be human, you just

can't be a neo con and walk upright. Who cares as long as he can beat bush?

[newsguyatl]

2. i sure as hell care

if as recently as 2001 he raised money for the republicans!!!!!!!!!!


like i said, i don't know if this is true (i hope it's not), but if it is, democrats should certainly be concerned.

[disgruntella]

3. well, add me to the list

Of people who aren't all *that* concerned. Past party affiliation just isn't a deal-killer for me.

Does Drudge have a link? I refuse to hit his site.

[Zero Gravitas]

55. Drudge is a GOP shill

who I wouldn't trust to tell me the day of the week accurately.

In any case the claim is that it was for a county GOP organisation. maybe the people involved are decent people who happen to be moderate Republicans who happen to be long time friends of Clark? Dunno just a thought.

The amount of instant Clark smearing indicates that they are scared shitless of him.

[Code_Name_D]

80. You don't care if Clark is a secrit neo-con?

This may or may not be true. But and many other Clark suporters don't even seem to care to ask the question. Instead, you sit around like spiders, pouncing on any one else who douse dare ask. I fear your "inthusaem" is being exploited.

[disgruntella]

84. "inthusaem"?

:wtf:

[CWebster]

6. WHAT!

Where the hell is the Democratic Underground?

Swayed by the pretty lights and glitter?

[West Coast Democrat]

18. I Suppose CNN could look into it themselves.......

before being influenced by anything Drudge posts on his website.

[moondust]

4. His positions are what is important--not a label.

If somebody somewhere believes he has shifted his positions over the past several years I'm sure we'll get an earful of it.

You mean like Schwarzkopf and Powell campaigned for the Scrub*? Never heard of it. Doubt it.

[oasis]

35. Clark is concerned about America. He's in it to rescue the Constitution.

That's what a noble American would do. He won't draw votes away from Dems with an Independent run.

[MoonAndSun]

5. Since this is coming from Sludge, I am a bit cynical. But if true, what

would the reaction be if instead of Clark, the name mentioned was Dean, Kerry, Edwards, etc? Since I am a Dean fan, if this was an article about Dean, then I would definitely want a definite answer coming from the Dean camp asap. I hope Clark does the same thing.

[Donna Zen]

83. He also voted for Gore

BTW, prehaps not you but many articles published about Dean are completely brushed aside on this board by Dean supporters. I consider policy statements regarding Social Security a big deal, however, I'm smart enough to know that any Democrat who would seriously messing with a third rail as hot as that one and thus finding themselves booted out office, is not going to touch the big SS.

Get it?

This is a non-issue wedge item published by a slime wad who has yet to rid himself of the stench of hell.

My friend from Little Rock tells me that Clark is a big deal there. He probably gets invited to lots and lots of meetings and parties. She also told me that both of her parents are registered Democrats who would never think of changing that; however, they always vote repub. Didn't vote for Clinton; not once.

They are sick of bush...and are leaning Clark. Hey, expanding the base is a good thing, it keeps the neo-cons out of office.

She's a Green BTW.

[oasis]

7. Hillary was a Goldwater Republican. Arianna also ex-GOP.

Drudge will have to dig up better stuff than that.

[newsguyatl]

22. would YOU vote for arianna to be your president?

[tjdee]

27. No, but Arianna isn't an economics professor, four star general, etc. etc.

[oasis]

40. She can't run. Arianna's a naturalized citizen.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. and Dean grew up a Republican himself

so what?

[RevolutionStartsNow]

19. Dean

Became a Dem in college, so it's safe to assume he never raised money for or campaigned for a Repub, except as part of a family activity, maybe.

That being said, I'm not going to condemn Clark for this. I'm all for Repubs seeing the light and switching over from the Dark Side. But he should explain it to us, tell us how he came to realize that he was on the wrong side.

[newsguyatl]

24. lol

no kidding... what a lame weak ass response... "well DEAN was a republican when HE was a little baby" dumbass people... if true, with clark, we're talking 2 years ago!!!! heLLOOOO

[Blue_Chill]

48. So what? You've never changed your mind?

Please.... this lame weak ass thread.

[MODemocrat]

81. Ronnie Reagan was a Democrat but elected as republican president

I don't think anything is carved in stone. People change, sometimes for the better. Besides, I sure wouldn't believe anything Drudge has to say. He's a republican shill.

[salin]

9. First - to newsguy - remember the source

drudge often runs with tenuous at best sources/stories.

then to doubters - if true - remember repubs in Arkansas are the more extreme (rr) types, not quite the moderate (centrist) old schoolers.

However I find it hard to believe that he would run as a dem if he so recently were supportive of right wing repubs. Maybe in Perot's Independent party - but as a democrat? But stranger things, I guess, have happened.

[OKNancy]

13. I thought I remembered reading many times on DU

that Arkansas doesn't have a registration by party. You just go in and vote in the Dem or Rep primary.

Also Drudge is a big fat liar. I'll never forget his screaming headlines about Hillary being arrested.

[salin]

32. He has run some doozy stories

hasn't he.

[newsguyatl]

39. it's not saying

he was REGISTERED as one, it's saying he FUNDRAISED for one... BIG difference... re-read

[tjdee]

42. "Clark registers to vote in Little Rock as independent"

How could he register to vote as an independent when there is no party registration in Arkansas, is what OKNancy was saying.

[OKNancy]

47. THat's right

you are right and newsguy is wrong, as usual.

[cmd]

10. Is this your big news, newsguyatl?

If you are holding something really big, why bother with Drudge?

[caledesi]

11. He voted for Reagan...Go figure.

Saw this in the newsgroups:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=clark+and+reagan+vote&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&scoring=d&selm=3F686D67.E9835667%40pacbell.net&rnum=1

[VolcanoJen]

16. I voted for Reagan, too... my first ballot ever, 1984, age of 18.

I guess I'll just pack up my bags and leave DU now...

;-)

[PA-DEM]

28. I didnt

But I would have if I was of age, I like many people felt sorry for him(which in my opinion is the only reason he got re-elected). At that time I didnt realize I was a liberal. At that point I had no idea how bad a president he was. Minds and opinions change over time.

[SiouxJ]

36. I could have written that same subject line

I was brainwashed by my parents. Luckily I learned to think for myself. I'm not making excuses, I'm just saying people can change.

[davidinalameda]

56. guess we have to nuke you

hehe

:bounce:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

73. Hehe....looks like you caught one

:D

[sendero]

67. I voted for Reagan...

... twice. So what. It took until Iran-Contra for me to realize what a slime-sucker he was. People change. In fact, I'm deeply suspicious of people who have the same beliefs they did 20 years ago. Make me wonder if they are growing at all...

[CWebster]

12. this guy didn't even know until a few weeks ago

what party he belonged to? If he doesn't even KNOW THAT how could he possibly consider running for president? It is unreal.

[disgruntella]

15. No, it is real

And I'm loving every minute of it, personally. :smoke:

[CWebster]

21. Why?

So some uniform with no political experience can waltz in and not even know where he stands- or what he represents- or where he falls on the spectrum and make a pretty speech that says nothing other than tested sound bites and you feel like rejoicing that we have a packaged candidate with the official nod?

Where is the outrage? Where is the Democratic Underground?

[disgruntella]

44. Well, golly - NO!

You are putting words into my mouth. Stop doing that.

Believe me, I'm going to be looking at Clark's stances on the issues, and if they don't represent what I want as a voter, I won't support him in the primaries. I am not thrilled with the fact that not much is known about him, but I'm willing to wait and find out.

However - I'll ultimately judge a candidate by his/her positions on the issues, not by which box he checks. And this is what amuses me. People who are so concerned with party membership that they can't keep an open mind to a candidate like Clark. I rejoice in laughing at you, because I think you are wrong.

(Edit: spelling/grammar. I guess I should also add the "F" word since that's your preferred mode of communication.)

[Bertrand]

61. CWebster

So some uniform with no political experience

I assume you mean campaign experience, because (as has been stated many times before) to rise to the level of SACEUR and achieving 4 stars, you need to be an accomplished politician. As for the campaign charge, i think its not a major issue considering he would have advisors with alot of experience to help him along the trail. If he were to win the Dem nomination despite the financial lead of Dean and the late entry, i think it should eliminate your worries.

can waltz in and not even know where he stands- or what he represents- or where he falls on the spectrum

This isnt true. During the buildup to his announcement, Clark has given many interviews and speeches that have indicated where he stands on many issues (and where his ideology belongs). Many of the DraftClark websites could help you out here.

and make a pretty speech that says nothing other than tested sound bites and you feel like rejoicing that we have a packaged candidate with the official nod?

Clark declared in his speech that he will be laying out a specific plan on both the economy and national defence. Also, all of the other candidates have pollsters and advisers that handle their propaganda campaign, so to criticize clark for being "packaged" is misguided. Unless you are claiming that Clark is a puppet, and are willing to provide valid info to back it up, this whole line of complaining is bunk.

[disgruntella]

68. A logical response. Thanks for the post!

But the logic for some other people works like this:

The Democratic party is full of spineless shills for Bush and therefore bad Democrats. So we need an "outsider" candidate for the Democratic Party. UNLESS that candidate has military credentials -- then there must be NO evidence that the canidate has EVER strayed from the Democratic party. Except the Democratic party as it currently stands is full of spineless shills...

I'm getting dizzy.

[Uzybone]

70. LOL...

if you dont mind Im gonna have to steal that. That was very good.

[disgruntella]

71. have at it

I'll just stay dizzy.

[CWebster]

82. So long as the outsider is chosen to represent

the insider shills. Dig?

And I am amused that other candidate's previous positions--positions held years ago, are constantly dragged out and rehashed repeatedly--while here is an idiot who can't even define himself a week before he announces his candidacy for the presidency! That is hilarious, but then some of you are so busy covering that soft underbelly, you aren't in a position to appreciate how ludicrous it is.

Voted for Reagan...Christ, it gets worse by the minute.

[PA-DEM]

20. Oh please

Who hear didnt know he was running and didnt know he was a Democrat. Let's use a little common sense.

[CWebster]

26. He fucking didn't

how clueless can you get--he just declared himself a Democrat a week before he was running for the highest office in the land, eh world.

[PA-DEM]

34. Nice language

Okay clueless, the 8 months he was positioning himself for this announcement I suppose you thought he was running as a republican against Bush. WOW (Sorry he is stepping on Deans toes. Get over it.

[CWebster]

37. Why don't you fucking ask him

why he couldn't make up his fucking mind?

[returnable]

45. Fuck much?

Nice language.

And just because he didn't "declare" his party doesn't mean he didn't "know."

In fact, throughout the summer, when asked about his party affiliation, he simply stated he hadn't declared one yet.

Never once did he say he "didn't know" which party he belonged to.

It was all a strategy: He got headlines when he declared he was a Democrat.

Brilliant.

[PA-DEM]

54. Okay Mr. Vocabulary

Why would Clinton name Clark as one of the two superstars in the Democratic party. End of discussion.

[dfong63]

76. it wouldn't be clinton's first error in judgment

[dfong63]

77. so why couldn't he just give a straight honest answer?

[IranianDemocrat]

85. Remember he's a general and he knows all about strategy.

By not declaring anything, he put himself in a whole other category than all the other candidates therefore giving him unique media attention.

[Hawkeye-X]

31. Neither did Eisenhower

and he chose Republican. Based on today's political waters, he would be an moderate Democrat.

Hawkeye-X

[hamsterhuey]

14. The defintion of "fundraised?"

Heck, I once attended a GOP fundraiser for a moderate Republican because I knew someone involved in the campaign. Didn't vote for her, but does that mean I "fundraised" for the Republican? What does fundraising mean? How much did Clark "fundraise?" Sounds like another attempt to split the Democrats into more bickering and bitching (sounds familiar to anyone on DU?)

[PA-DEM]

17. When I was 18 , I registered as republican

Does that mean that I am less of a Democrat now?

[CWebster]

30. Was it a week before you declared

your candidacy for the presidency?

[oasis]

75. Campaign strategy. Clarks doles out piecemeal info for free press coverage

:think:

[tjdee]

23. I thought you couldn't register for party in Arkansas?

Drudge has NO link to back up any of that information, for starters.

I don't care if he was an independent before--he could have been voting Democrat.

He "fundraised"?

This is just more of Drudge/Rove's "throw it and see if it'll stick".

[chiburb]

25. We're supposed to trust "I've Got A Secret"...

From a poster who cites Drudge for a Clark bash?
Very credible, I can't wait.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CWebster]

33. Yeah really

these Clark people are thugs.

[chiburb]

38. Yeah, you're just asking...

With the obligatory "I hope not" after your Drudge cite, and a Dean endorsment on the side.
I'll take the "smartass" and "bite me punkass" as non-personal attacks, considering the source.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chiburb]

50. Gotta assume I'm not one of those fucking assholes...

Yep. I'm insinuating you ARE being insincere. Your candidate has a vested reason in the story being true, no different than Rove.
I care a great deal about ANY of the 10 candidates being treated fairly on DU, and your post smells like the many that have shown up lately; especially the Dean and Clark bashers. I'm not saying you didn't disguise it well, just that you didn't disguise it well enough.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

53. why would I want a Democratic candidate who's a Republican? PERIOD

Oh and can you clean up the language?

[chiburb]

60. See post #43. I was quoting him, not originating.

.

[DianeK]

41. i am a dean supporter all the way..

i am not a democrat..i am actually not registered with any particular party and since parties have a tendency to shift over time i vote my conscience..most of the time that is with the democratic party but in the case of local races, i vote independent (bernie sanders) and republican (jeffords).

It does not concern me that clark may have raised money for a particular republican candidate. If i were a clark supporter, i might look into the voting history of that candidate but it would not be a deal breaker unless i found something far more sinister

[dorktv]

46. I hope that your state lets you vote in the Primary...here in AZ

we can not vote for anyone unless we belong to their party...we are getting A LOT of Repukes this way.

[KamaAina]

49. Open Secrets shows only one donation for a Wesley K. Clark

of Little Rock.

It was to Erskine Bowles, the Democrat from N.C.

You'd think, wouldn't you, that if Clark were a Repuke, he'd have given money to Repukes.

Plus, if he's as closely tied to the Clintons as some seem to think, what on Earth would he be doing raising $$$ for their bitter enemies in Ark.?!

[Blue_Chill]

51. I don't care if it is true

I like what Clark stands for today and I would love a non-politician in the white house.

[ShaneGR]

52. Well, he voted in Dem primaries in 2002

That's the only way you register your affiliation in Arkansas. Vote in that parties primary.

[wyldwolf]

57. Well, if this is true, it can only help him...

...with moderate and conservative swing voters...

[oasis]

58. Opposing the war with Iraq is no longer the litmus test for some DUers.

:eyes:

[MnFats]

59. Boy, the White House 'talking points' machine...

....got right on it, didn't they?
how much you wanna bet:
The evening crew on each of the talk radio stations (we now have THREE spouting right-wing/Republican propaganda nearly 24/7) will be using this worthless shit on the drive home, and the late evening, and the overnight....until they get tomorrow's shit...

[TreasonousBastard]

62. BFD!

What if he did? Does that make him a bad person?

Does he have to have pledged his undying loyalty to the Democratic Party over the years to get a fair hearing here?

Need more details. Was a cousin running for office? Was the Dem running a crooked idjit? Maybe it was just a Chamber of Commerce speaking engagement.

Maybe it's just a baldfaced lie.

[LSdemocrat]

63. Here's a link to a Clark/Republican dinner

http://www.nwaonline.net/pdfarchive/2001/May/12/BZ%205-12-01%20A2.pdf

I have nothing against Clark, in fact he's currently my second choice.

[Zero Gravitas]

64. Thanks for posting that

Nothing about "fundraising" he just gave a speech to republicans in his home town saying that America should be involed with the international community in a constructive, multilateral way if only for our own good.

Drudge is liar, imagine that.

[salin]

69. actually

it was at the annual Lincoln Day dinner - which is like the annual Jefferson Jackson Day dinner for the democrats. In locals where I have lived it has always been a fundraiser. First heard a young former senators son who was running for Governor in Indiana speak (Evan Bayh), during the campaigning part of the meal - during off years (as 2001 would have been) its usually just a fundraiser and a 'state of the (local) party' sort of dinner. Last year (campaign season) Nancy Pelosi (then Dem Whip) spoke (and helped drum up liberal support for the centrist democrat Baron Hill) and raise money.

It is likely that this was the annual local party fundraiser.

Don't know what it means, or if or how significant it is.

[Renew Deal]

65. That's a positive article for Clark.

He is consistent in his principles and even takes a shot at the puke meme that he was "fired."

[neverforget]

66. Save your precious hatred for the enemy: BUSH!

This link is from Drudge! Why can't we wait until we know whether or not this "piece" has any truth to it and then discuss it? Instead, we're attacking each other over something we don't know if it's true. :grr: :argh: Karl Rove is laughing his ass off right now.

[Pepperbelly]

72. Is this the best they can do?

A lie and a distortion?

The lie --that Wesley registered in Little Rock as an independent. It is not possible to register in Arkansas by party. Arkansas has an open primary system.

The distortion is that Wesley raised money for the gop. What he did was address a county gop convention. :eyes:

And the lefties here are getting every bit as bad as the righties in gleefully spreading lies and distortions. I suggest that some here should take a hard look in the mirror and check themselves because some of you are behaving badly.

[ArkDem]

74. I would think someone with the information contacts

of a newguy could find out that when you register to vote you don't give party affiliation.

[Starpass]

78. I really, really, really hate to bring this up

But why do we always skirt around Howard's secret sealed papers in Vermont. You are sooooo paranoid that someone will be DLC or repuke light or XYSJFH........do you KNOW who Howard is?? No you don't until you get to look at those papers. Howard will, indeed, make repuke hearts sing if he's ever in the big white house. Howard stayed in power in Vermont because the repukes loved him. He just was cleaver enough to use a Wellstone and line and a whole bunch of people beeeeeeeeelieved. Howard is no Paul..by a long shot.

[eleny]

79. I've even voted for a Repug...

years ago. So be suspicious, sue me and then kick sand in my face. Pffft!