Clark: 'I'm not only a Democrat by conviction... but by genetics, too!"

[wyldwolf]

Clark: 'I'm not only a Democrat by conviction... but by genetics, too!" He invoked his grandfather from Minsk, Russia, and his father, the Chicago Democratic Party boss.

With Florida's senior senator fresh out of the hunt for the Democratic presidential nomination, retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark swooped into the state Monday to lure support for his own start-up candidacy.

Clark, a career military man who has rocketed to the top of national polls despite only recently revealing he's a Democrat, used a visit to the Rascal House restaurant in Sunny Isles Beach to further solidify his credentials in the eyes of party activists and financial donors.

''People are still willing to look at the field,'' Leesfield said. ``Most Democrats like me are concerned about nominating someone who can win in November.''

Clark huddled privately Monday with local Democratic elected officials, many of whom had remained loyal to Graham until he abandoned his struggling bid last week. U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch of Pembroke Pines, who wants to run for Graham's seat if Graham decides not to seek reelection next year, introduced Clark to supporters as ``the real deal.''

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/7011596.htm

[wyldwolf]

1. updated with link

[gully]

2. Then why did he say this in February of this year....

"I'm not a member of a political party..."

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/5118237.htm

[kiahzero]

3. Because he wasn't registered as a Dem yet? (n/t)

[gully]

6. But he mentions 'genetics' wasn't his father registered at the time?

"I'm not only a Democrat by conviction... but by genetics, too!" He invoked his grandfather from Minsk, Russia, and his father, the Chicago Democratic Party boss."

:shrug:

[wyldwolf]

7. You speak as those this matters to people ofhter than you and a minority..

..the polls say otherwise.

[gully]

11. Yes that's the scarry thing. The polls show a man we know very little

about in the lead.

Speaks to the mentality of our nation IMHO. Sad statement really.
Though Wes may be an amazing man, and he may make an amazing President? We just don't know much about him politically.

[wyldwolf]

20. But just the same...

..Clark leads. And for those of us comfortable with him (lots of us), that is just dandy!

[HFishbine]

24. Lead?

What lead?

Dean: 17% (14% on 9/13)
Gephardt: 13% (14% on 9/13)
Clark: 12% (6% on 9/13)
Kerry: 10% (14% on 9/13)
Lieberman 9% (22% on 9/13)
Braun: 6% (4% on 9/13)
Sharpton 4% (5% on 9/13)
Edwards 3% (no change)
Kucinich 2% (no change)


http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Politics/iraq_economics031014_poll.html

[wyldwolf]

31. Yeah, lead...

I like the part in the ABC poll that says:

Given the sample size, one can say with only 60 percent confidence that Dean's lead is a real one.

But, also...

Ipsos-Reid/Cook Political Report Poll. Oct. 7-9, 2003. N=787 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.6.




The race that matters most.

[dfong63]

23. it was an amazingly stupid thing to say

Though Wes may be an amazing man, and he may make an amazing President? We just don't know much about him politically.

it was an amazingly stupid comment. imagine if political orientation were really genetic. there would be all sorts of repercussions. it was also a terribly misleading comment. the guy voted for nixon and reagan, and fundraised for the repubs. actions speak louder than "genetics", apparently.

[JVS]

8. He might be genetic Communist with relatives from Minsk!

:-)

[JohnKleeb]

25. hey I am 75% communist that means heh

Only country in my blood that hasnt had it is Ireland.

[wyldwolf]

5. I guess for the same reasons...

Howard Dean ducks from stating his positions on many things.

[gully]

9. I dont' think he 'ducks' do you think Wesley ducks?

I think Dean is crystal clear.

[wyldwolf]

10. Sure he does, would you like to see?

[gully]

12. I know Wes ducks the issues, and I've seen every piece of slander

on Howard Dean you can muster. I don't think Dean ducks anything. He has changed his mind in the past 8 years on a couple things. But, then again Wes was a Republican not long ago so??? I guess we should have a little grace huh?

Off to the park.

Peace

[wyldwolf]

17. here you go!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=532105

[Donna Zen]

21. I'm very surprised!

Since I know you post and read at DU, I know you are unaware that the answer to your suggestive question is "no." Clark was never a registered republican or a registered indy. Arkansas registration requires no party affiliation. Period. No matter what other candidates want to spin on the Sunday morning shows, even though they know better, the facts don't change.

It is a troublesome sign when party affiliation morphs into nationalism thus making any accussations okay if they advance the desired myth.

[gully]

28. There is no myth about Clark voting for and speaking in favor of

Republicans.

I'd have little problem with his ambiguous status were it not for that.

[Skwmom]

19. Don't forget the sealed records. e/o/m

[JVS]

4. I won't point out the obvious ways in which that statement reflects......

his insecurity as a Democrat.
LOL

On Edit: The stupidity of that quote ranks right up there with W's comment about gazing into Putin's soul.

[leetrisck]

13. Hardly - nothing ranks with "Slimy Shrubs"

stupidity -

[JVS]

15. Being a member of a political party through genetics is as stupid...

as Soul-gazing.

[Terwilliger]

14. Since my Dad is a Repub, and my mom was a Democrat

:eyes:

BY THE WAY!! Clark's father was a Chicago Democratic party boss? During the time of Daley, perhaps???

[bicentennial_baby]

16. Um no

Clark's father died in 1949.

[JVS]

18. Your dad was a Republican? You are not part of the Dem. master-race!

;-)

[KittyWampus]

26. Now THAT Was Funny

And Clark made a dopey comment...

[IndianaGreen]

22. Good Gawd!

''I'm not only a Democrat by conviction,'' Clark, hoarse and woozy from the flu, told 100 diners. He invoked his grandfather from Minsk, Russia, and his father, the Chicago Democratic Party boss, telling them that he is a Democrat, ``genetically, too.''

It is bad enough that Clark thinks of himself as a gift to the Democratic Party, as Michael Kinsley pointed out in Slate today, now he invokes genetics like the controversial 1994 "The Bell Curve."

Do Clark supporters think that this makes Clark look good?

I hope it was the cold medication that he was taking that made him say this.

[KittyWampus]

27. It Was A JOKE- A Bad One

But it was a Joke nonetheless,

Everyone's entitled to a few...

[Code_Name_D]

32. I am not laufing.

Strange how limbaugh seases to be a "force for truth and justice" when some one chalanges him. He then morfes into an "intertainer."

Clark seems to be in the same camp. Its only a joke when they reulize that no one is laufing.

[IndianaGreen]

34. I am glad to hear that!

Humor is something that most politicians are really bad at, and they shouldn't try it. The exceptions are quite notable, Presidents Kennedy and Clinton were quite good. Kennedy in particular was great with the quip.

[dolstein]

29. Well, Michael Kinsley's a twit

I'm not sure what your excuse is.

[ShaneGR]

30. Give em hell General!!!!!

He's going to give them the truth, they're going to think it's hell.

[Pastiche423]

33. "Borrowing" from Dean, AGAIN?