Impressed by Clark

[quinnox]

He has been taking some heat tonight from the other candidates, and he is doing admirably. Although not a supporter of his, I am impressed.

[anti-elitist]

1. Dean/Clark 2004

Our best bet. Dean for his environmental/social views, with Clark to draw in the hawks. That is the only way we will get rid of the Chimp and his not-so merry men.

[DrFunkenstein]

9. Dean's Eco Record Is Spotty At Best

He was what we call a "pro-business" environmentalist, along the lines of a Christy Whitman.

[newyawker99]

30. Hi anti-elitist!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Mz Pip]

2. Clark did fine

whne he got the chance. The toughest questions about the world opinion of us went to the two candidates who have no chance of winning.

I would have loved to hear what Clark might have said.

MzPip
:dem:

[Avalux]

3. Clark was attacked early

then pretty much ignored during the Q & A session. He did well though.

[devinsgram]

8. I cannot stand Judy Woodwork

she has as much appeal as a 2x4.

[Skwmom]

5. No way Woodruff would let him answer that question. e/o/m

[union_maid]

4. Clark didn't get one question of substance

I didn't mind the first couple of "gotcha" questions, but considering he's a frontrunner, I was pretty amazed at the way they didn't bother to ask him anything substantive.

[devinsgram]

6. They know

when he talks people listen because he makes more sense then the rest. We all know CNN does not want that to happen.

[poskonig]

7. You gotta be able to pivot on questions.

The more experienced candidates do this seamlessly when given junk questions; Dean and Clark are just getting used to these kinds of things.

Sorry, no conspiracy here.

[DrFunkenstein]

10. Agreed, He Should Be Able To Turn These Questions Around

He looked extremely defensive, almost battered, by the volleys. Considering what it takes to be President constantly in front of media scrutiny, I was not very impressed.

[Julien Sorel]

15. ;-)

May I suggest John Kerry as an alternative?

[Bread and Circus]

19. Being President means to be constantly in...

front of the media being scrutinized.

Bush must not be our President then.

Only joking, actually I think Clark did ok.
He could have done better because I know he
can do better.

Ultimately I think he comes out on top because
he didn't attack anyone.

[DrFunkenstein]

22. Agreed There

Nice of him to stay above it. Even Edwards attacked Clark, and he doesn't attack anybody!

[Clark Can WIN]

29. good lord, we must have been watching different Clarks

I was afraid he would have difficulty with the attacks but I thought his uniform was going to blow his suit off watching him tonight.

I was pleased and proud.

[ronzo]

11. He's gonna be loaded for bear in the next cnn debate...

In the next month he'll be rolling out platforms:

<sub>Gen. Clark to kick off New American Patriotism Speech Tour

Clark Will Give Four Major Policy Speeches Outlining His Vision For A New American Patriotism

October 9, 2003 - General Wesley K. Clark (Ret.), will make a series of four major policy speeches over the next month to outline his vision for a New American Patriotism. The speeches will cover four main subjects: citizenship and service, health care, the economy, and national security.</sub>

http://clark04.com/press/release/014/

That was a total pile-on, but I think Wes held his own.

[SaveElmer]

12. He's learning how these media circuses work

Don't answer the questions from the media shills directly, because the questions are designed to trap you into saying something they can use as an out of context soundbite later on. Stick to your position, and turn the questions into a way to make the point you want to make, not what CNN wants you to make.

[DemCam]

13. Think Wes is learnin'

Big-Time. Did seem a bit strident...sometimes...because it is all so absurd. Bet he can't freakin' believe the lack of substance from some of the stuff...

OK...I can't believe some of the lack of substance.

He's serious man...and this format is just crap for a serious man...meaning a man with substance to offer.

The Q and A is just what gives Dems their bleedin' heart moniker...was the PLANNED?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

14. I Didn't Understsand One Question

Did the woman ask about the economy of Spain?


Sheeesh...

[Bertrand]

16. I think Clark did well on two points

I thought he effectively spun the criticism by Lieberman as "embarrassing" inter-party politics and that the venom should be reserved for Bush, and he was more forceful with his response to criticsm of his Democratic credentials like at the iowa forum. I think that's the best way for him to handle the criticism, and while Kerry was partially successful in spining the Lieberman critique as "honest questions", the impression was more lasting imo.

Overall, i think he needs to convey a greater sense of emotion, but he's coming along.

[JasonBerry]

17. Clark didn't have much of a chance to TALK

I don't support Clark, but I WILL say this: It seemed to me like he didn't have much of a chance to say anything in the second half of the debate. The loose with the timer format is nice - if it's fair. Maybe it's just me and my perception, but it really seemed he was almost left out of "Part Two"....

[union_maid]

18. I don't think it's just your perception

We were all sitting here stunned when she said that she had to have direct questions for Kerry and Lieberman. They'd had a ton of time each by then. Clark got less than a minute of the second half and didn't get a chance at the questions where he'd be able to supply subtantive answers in the first half. I think it was interesting for that alone. It made me wonder what the agenda was. For that matter, the questions leveled at Dean didn't seem to be the same quality that some of the others got.

[JasonBerry]

23. Very unfair

I didn't think it was just me, but I'm glad to hear others felt the same way. Seems very unfair to not have balance - especially when it comes to time alloted for speaking.

I agree, too, that Dean got softballs tossed his way tonight.

Poor production all the way around.

[DemCam]

20. Yes..

And the reason?

The questions weren't directed...at least as I saw it...

One had to act like a first grader and get the hand up...quick...

Me...teacher...meeeeee.

Really undignified...and

Embarasssssssssssing. at least to me.

PLUS...

the questions were so staged. I don't want to sound like a minority basher...but cheesh....

This was a staged event that put us to sleep at the end.

Okay...it put me to sleep...and allowed hacks to drone on and on.

(end of rant)

[JNelson6563]

31. I only caught the last half hour

and I think Clark was allowed like three words that whole time. I kept waiting for Judy-the-schill to say "General?"....but no, she was more interested in getting the candidates at each other's throats.

I think it was a very poorly run forum.

Julie

[gully]

21. Actually, I wasn't

but, as a Dean supporter I thought he was rusty tonight also.

Gep and Kerry did well IMO, although I did not appreciate the stunt pulled by CNN and Kerry supporters.

[DrFunkenstein]

24. Judging By Kerry's Face

I don't think he was too appreciative, either.

[union_maid]

25. Clark is not really a politician...yet..

Maybe he won't need to be. I mean, I think he probably is a very good one when it comes to negotiating on a fairly high level, but not so much when it comes to things like this. I see him sitting there, listening, smiling and nodding in agreement when someone is saying something he agrees with. It's kind of like it doesn't matter to him who says it, as long as it's said. When he vehemently disagrees, he'll say so, though. And his statement about Congress and not waiting for the election to change the war policy - that smacks of more concern for the country than for his candidacy. I guess we'll find out if that kind of thing can suceed.

[DrFunkenstein]

26. Wasn't This Guy A CNN Talking Head?

Don't you need some sort of blah blah blah skills to get that job? Obviously, Judy proved that the bar is set very high over at CNN.

Seriously, though, didn't he have to debate people on TV at least some of the time?

[KittyWampus]

27. Actually, Clark CHALLENGED THE WASHINGTON FOLK

One of the moderators had asked about Washington Insiders who've been in Beltway too long...

And MUCH later, when Clark FINALLY got a chance to speak... he challenged the Washingon folk to stop Junior's War Plan becasue 2004 will be too late.

[jayfish]

28. Towards The End Of The, Hand Picked, Audience Questioning...

session, Wes actually threw up his hand in disgust when he wasn't allowed to speak. I think an hour and a half was a bit on the short side for nine people to express their views. Especially when the moderator did most of the talking.

Jay