Clark was a Rethuglican until a month ago.....he couldnt run against *...

[Gin]

so he changes parties...how transparent is that?

Dean is my man, with good fiscal policies and a clean slate as a Democrat.

President Dean, yes I like that.

[bicentennial_baby]

1. If Clark was a Republican

then why did he vote for Clinton 2x, and Gore in 2000? Why did he campaign for Democrats running for office in 2002?


http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c4789004/20029892.html

[CMT]

5. but then why did he raise money for the Republican party

as recently as June, 2001? that is where he made his comments about Reagan and the first Bush and that the second Bush has "a great team" including Rumsfeld,ect. It was at a Republican Party Fund-raiser.

[wyldwolf]

9. The same reason he did for Democrats as recently as fall of 2002..

...he has friends in both parties.

[CMT]

13. fine

and some of his friends are now people that Kerry and Dean are calling on to resign.

The facts are that he admits he was a Republican and voted for people like Nixon and Reagan and the first Bush and he then says he switched to Clinton and Gore but he still was raising money for the GOP as late as 2001--I'm sorry but why should this man be the Democratic nominee over the many lifelong Democrats who are running?

[TLM]

48. Looks to me as if CLark is not dem or republican...

but rather simply an opportunist.


Sorry but I’m not voting for anybody for the dem nomination who does not have an established democratic record… and LIEBERMAN has a better record than Clark.

[Noordam]

15. can you PROVE he voted for Clinton and Gore NO NO NO nt

[bicentennial_baby]

18. And I can say the same to you

Can you PROVE he voted for Nixon and Reagan? No. So, we'll both have to either believe him or not, 'k?

[Trek234]

63. Yes we can

Clark said he voted for Nixon/Reagan.

Or are you saying Clark is a liar?

[NNN0LHI]

30. Can you PROVE "you" voted for Clinton and Gore? Yea, me neither

Damn hard to prove a negative. Ain't it?

Don

[Trek234]

62. Well let's see...

Why would you vote for Clinton when Clinton is giving you a high ranking military job? Hmmm why why why.... Just can't figure it out.

[ShaneGR]

2. There's this thing called a PRIMARY

If he was a rethug, he would be challenging Bush in a Republican one. What is it with these junk posts.

[Gin]

3. He changed parties a month ago.

gin

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Says who?

[carpetbagger]

61. Howard Dean says so.

n/t

[janx]

6. Was he actually registered as a Republican, or did he

just vote that way back in the eighties?

There's a difference.

[wyldwolf]

7. Sources? No? Wishful thinking? YES!

...so obvious with those like you.

[Gin]

43. here is a link...."Just when and why did Clark become a Democrat anyway"

http://www.politicsus.com/front%20page%20archive/091803.html

[wyldwolf]

52. This is the same old same old addressed here over and over..

...it doesn't say or imply Clark was a Republican.

[Bertrand]

53. No

It says he registered as a Democrat less than a month ago, not that he was a Republican and switched parties.

[w13rd0]

33. Well, when he decided to run (oh, when he was "drafted")...

...as he said, there was only one choice, running for the Democratic nomination. See, the Republicans already have their nominee...

[Cappurr]

8. Please document your contention that Clark was a registered republican

And I have always spoken very highly of John Dean and seriously considered voting for him in the primary. But with the flagrant flaming posts against Clark, containing the same kind of lies and exaggerations that the Deanies say they detest in the RW, I'm starting to wonder what kind of man attracts supporters like you.

[wyldwolf]

12. Well said...

A few of the Deanies are really showing their desparation by using rightwing tactics to detract from Clark.

Just like the rethugs, they're repeating the same lies and exaggerations even after they've been exposed.

It's the old rightwing way: Repeat it enought and people will believe it.

[Tinoire]

47. Here you go Cappurr

This is not proof that he was a Registered Republican- rather that he only registered Democrat this month, September 2003. I think I read earlier that he was a registered Independent but honestly not sure. Keep thinking highly of Dean. My esteem for him is growing.

You should really read this thread when you have time because it may provide you with a few more missing pieces that I didn't find very re-assuring:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=423043#424808

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Speaking on May 11, 2001, as the keynote speaker to the Pulaski County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner, Clark said that American involvement abroad helps prevent war and spreads the ideals of the United States, according to an AP dispatch the following day.

Two weeks later, a report in U.S. News and World Report said Arkansas Republican politicos were "pondering the future of Wesley Clark:" "Insiders say Clark, who is a consultant for Stephens Group in Little Rock, is preparing a political run as a Republican. Less clear: what office he'd campaign for. At a recent Republican fund-raiser, he heralded Ronald Reagan's Cold War actions and George Bush's foreign policy. He also talked glowingly of current President Bush's national security team. Absent from the praise list -- his former boss, ex-Commander in Chief Bill Clinton."

Clark told CNN's Judy Woodruff earlier this month that he had decided to register as a Democrat. Left unsaid and unknown at this point is exactly when and why he decided to become a Democrat.

http://www.politicsus.com/front%20page%20archive/091803.html

[eileen_d]

10. This issue needs to be discussed

over, and over, and over, and over, and over again...
Because "Is Too!" and "Is Not!" is productive dialogue... :eyes:

[MoonRiver]

26. Yes, most ReTHUGlicans believe exactly that. It involves smearing

and lying about the competition. :eyes:

[Pepperbelly]

11. flame bait ... and pathetic at that. I predict a ...

locking in the near future.

[Democrats unite]

14. Yes Dean will make a great ...

V.P. the Presidency is out of his reach though.

[Noordam]

16. clark is at best VP material

IT IS ABOUT THE ECONOMY STUPID

I want an economy president not a war president

[Democrats unite]

17. I want a President just like Clinton!

And I see that in Clark.

[DemExpat]

19. Gimme a C.....

-l-a-r-k!

Clark!

DemEx

[DemCam]

44. Got somethin'

I don't know what yet...but I've learned over the years to trust images that come to me over and over after an event...and after the debate, for hours and even through the night...the image of Wesley Clark kept appearing behind my eyelids.

He hit an emotional connection with me...and I think that means he's the closest thing to "that Thing" in the field.

[PassingFair]

54. Whoa!

Maybe you're "channeling" Clark's democratic birth father too! See you at Lourdes!

[robbedvoter]

22. Economy president - right! That's why I want Clark:

http://www.clark04.com/speeches/002/

[leetrisck]

29. If one believes Clark is VP material

wouldn't it stand to reason that he's presidential material also.

[Renew Deal]

20. Clean slate???

What about SS, Medicare, Toxic label by the Sierra Club. And sealing his records? Real clean slate.

[madaboutharry]

21. What is troubling

here is that when Jim Jeffords switched parties and became an independent he was cheered as a hero by democrats. He was voting with republicans up to the last minute. Democrats have been begging John McCain to become an independent. Democrats have been begging Lincoln Chafee and Olympia Snowe to leave the republican party. These defections would be greeted with celebration. Dean has deeply disappointed me with his attacks on Clark's loyality to the democratic party. It is gutter politics and I expect more from him. Anyone one who joins the Democratic party should be accepted and welcomed. Clark should be tested and challenged on policy, not on this issue. I know a lot of people here listen to Mike Malloy, I listen often myself. But I think he is wrong when he makes statements asserting that he hates all republicans and that all republicans are evil. I think this kind of message undercuts one's credibility. I personally know republicans who think Bush is an idiot and has royally screwed up the country. It is participating in a rather immature analysis to paint anyone who has ever been or voted for a republican as marked for life with a big red R on their forehead.

[JVS]

25. Is this the meme of the week over at www.clarkland.com?

Jeffords screwed over the republicans, that is what made us all happy. Jeffords did not ask for Democratic support. He went from against us to neutral. Clark is trying to go from against us to our leader. There is a HUGE difference between the situations.

[DemExpat]

28. Hopefully Clark will screw the Repubs 'big-time'.....

DemEx

[madaboutharry]

32. No, actually

It is my very own meme from this morning.

[JVS]

40. I've been hearing it for a few days

[DemExpat]

27. Wondering about the heroic Jeffords act too....

I also welcome a whiff of fresh air with Clark's bi-partisan roots.

:hi:

DemEx

[TLM]

51. Jim Jeffords did not switch parties to seek higher office.

Clark did switch parties to seek higher office.... that of CIC over a 4 star general.

"Dean has deeply disappointed me with his attacks on Clark's loyality to the democratic party. It is gutter politics and I expect more from him. Anyone one who joins the Democratic party should be accepted and welcomed."


I'd be happy to welcome congressman Clark into the party.... and after he has an established record of demcoratic service, I'd be happy to vote him into higher offcie.

However he has no such record and is only just joined the party and does not just want to be welcomed, but voted in as our nominee for president.

That's a bit different than being simply accepted and welcomed, don't you think?

[Kool Kitty]

56. What is important is that he is a Democrat now.

Don't we want people to leave the republican party and join us? Why is this such a huge problem?

[leetrisck]

23. In Arkansas, I don't believe one has to register

as Democrat or Republican. If you were voting in a primary, you could change every time if you chose to do so and vote in one or the other.

[Padraig18]

24. Ummm

He has said repeatedly that he voted for Clinto AND gore both, and if we can't DIS-prove that, we're only going to hurt ourselves in the long run by continuing to bring this up. The man SAYS he's a Dem, and since i have no proof that he's NOT, I take him at his word.

[blkgrl]

31. Clark wants to privatize social security

I don't understand why he's getting a free pass on this issue.

[OKNancy]

34. That is absolutely not true

Prove it.

[LWolf]

35. Clark's getting a free pass on a lot of issues.

And I don't get it, either.

I'm dismayed when I see that democrats who would be protesting loudly an obviously anti-dem statement or proposition all of a sudden rationalize it if their candidate supports says it or supports it. And it's not just Clark supporters who do so. I understand compromising here and there if you've found someone who stands for most of what you do. I don't understand the willful popularity contests; "I like this guy best no matter what he says or does; no matter what his record is." That seems like self-destruction to me.

As for Clark, is there an issue that the other candidates don't address as well or better? I'm left to assume that the hoopla is a military one; dems afraid they can't beat bush because of the current terrorist fears and military presences around the world without an actual military guy at the helm. Like bush has some sort of military experience that makes him a military leader. :eyes:

And the military connection is what raises flags for me. I'm betting that when Clark defines his position on domestic issues, it won't sound too much different than the rest of the candidates. They're dem issues, and he'll have to address them.

But privatization....that's a republican agenda. Where's the concern?

[Pepperbelly]

38. why would anyone be concerned about a bullshit lie? nt

[OKNancy]

39. Because it's not true.

There is no concern there because it's not true.

[LWolf]

41. What we really need

is a domestic platform. That would help us determine the truth of that statement. Does Clark have something organized and defined on domestic issues that we can look at? The impression that I've gotten...just my impression...is that he has alot to say about foreign affairs, and isn't ready to talk about domestic affairs in detail. Which I would think he would be prepared to do; he's had all of this year to develop something to present to us, while the rest of the candidates have been campaigning.

If he has come up with something recently that I don't know about, please give a link. I'll check it out.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

36. COMPLETE BULLSHIT

You are either ignorant or deliberately spreading misinformation.

DTH

[Pepperbelly]

37. where in the WORLD did you get that misinformation?

It is utterly, absolutely untrue.

[blkgrl]

45. MSNBC's Townhall show

A couple of congressman/senators were on and spoke about what Clark was for. Another issue was that when Clark spoke, the Republicans really liked what he had to say (at many points his rating among Republicans was above 75% favorable). I'm sure that means that Clark has a good chance of bringing voters together, but I'm very concerned that he thinks privatizing Social Security is a good idea.

[phegger]

57. Clark...

...has flat-out said that he does NOT favor privatizing Social Security. Is some kind of group hysteria taking over here or what??

-ph :smoke:

[kiahzero]

46. That's funny

Because it's entirely not true, perhaps?

I mean, you can only trot out "He voted for Reagan! He's Satan" so many times, but I thought you guys could come up with something a little better.

He answered that question pretty decisively (though a bit long-winded, I'll give you), during the debate last Thursday.

So stop spreading FUD.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

42. Clark has admitted voting for Nixon twice, Regan twice and bush sr once

Clinton twice and Gore once...ok now move along...nothing to see here

[IranianDemocrat]

49. I'm glad you're supporting McGovern...errr...I mean...Dean.

.

[noiretextatique]

60. a general appeal to decency: please STOP using McGovern's name as a slur

it's not only unfair...it's undeserved and reprehensible. the man was and is a fine DEMOCRAT, and with a long and distinguished career as a public servant. thank you.

[Clovis Sangrail]

50. Green is the new Orange n/t

.

[IranianDemocrat]

55. KUCINICH, GREEN or DEAN right?

.

[JohnKleeb]

59. Thats kinda funny you think like that

I am a Kucinich supporter and believe me Kerry is up there on my list as is Gephardt and Edwards well they are in my middle. Now Clark he isnt. I am pretty near green party politics too.

[phegger]

58. Based on what?

Clark was a Rethuglican until a month ago

Based on what?

(Besides hysterical hyperbole and misinformation)


-ph :crazy: