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Hello Clark people - I just saw Clark speak in person

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SpaceCatMeetsMars Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 03:21 PM
Original message
Hello Clark people - I just saw Clark speak in person
He came in to Maine for a quick fundraiser and speech, quick because New Hampshire is all important right now. I went to the speech. I don't have much to report, but I thought he was quite impressive and connected really well with the crowd.

I was trying to look and listen as skeptically as I could and look for any hint of phoniness or snobbiness or egomaniacal tendencies, but he came across as serious and absolutely sincere. I think he means every word he says and it came across to me that he is running because he cares about the country. He seemed in person to have a confidence and no arrogance.

I haven't seen any of the other candidates, but I think Clark is definitely one that can inspire people. The crowd seemed serious and very thoughtful. From talking to people and observing the crowd, I am sensing a quiet, determined anger in people.

Also I thought people felt the same way I did, how nice to hear someone intelligent speak who believes strongly in the same democratic ideals that we do.
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kstewart33 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 03:24 PM
Response to Original message
1. Thanks for the post
It's encouraging to hear that Clark is connecting with people. I wish there was some way he could catch up timewise with the other candidates.
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Cush Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 03:25 PM
Response to Original message
2. thanks for the report
I've seen his townhall meetings on CSPAN and he always seems to shine. He just needs to carry it over into the debates (which he did in the last one)
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Toucano Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 04:23 PM
Response to Reply #2
8. I don't hold much hope for that.

Because the conditions of the debates (the agenda of the moderators, the number of participants) don't lend themselves to thoughtful, well-reasoned answers.

The media just wants a soundbite. When they don't get it, they claim the candidate evaded the question. :silly:

His arena is those face-to-face meetings, townhall speeches, even the wireside chats. Anything where he can address the real concerns of the people, rather than the fake CNN questions and media whore wedge issues.

Just my observation. :)
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DemExpat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 03:27 PM
Response to Original message
3. Thanks, CalamityJane for your first-hand report and impression
of Wes Clark.

I love his intelligence, wit, and sincerity too!

:kick:

DemEx
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SheilaT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 03:31 PM
Response to Original message
4. There is nothing quite like
seeing the candidate in person, is there?

People in Iowa and New Hampshire may not fully appreciate how lucky they are to have the opportunity to meet the candidates early and up close. Too bad all of the rest of us don't have the same chance.
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SpaceCatMeetsMars Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 03:40 PM
Response to Reply #4
5. I was talking before the speech with a woman who
grew up in New Hampshire and a man who has dealt with some of the past and prestent Maine representatives. They said that seeing politicians in person really gives you a feel for who can talk directly with people on their level and who is a phony or out-of-touch.
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Jerseycoa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 03:42 PM
Response to Original message
6. Great
I love reading about Clark's appearances. Thanks so much.
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RedEarth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 04:11 PM
Response to Original message
7. I too had the opportunity to see Clark this past weekend and ..
came away very impressed. Needless to say, he is very smart, however, he didn't speak above the audience. He answered some tough questions and related well with people. There were several people there who mentioned they had voted for bush, however, would switch to Clark if he were the nominee.

Bottom line, I honestly think Clark will have the best chance to beat bush. However, regardless of who the dem candidate is, I plan on supporting him. Main objective is to get rid of bush!!!!11
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SpaceCatMeetsMars Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 04:27 PM
Response to Reply #7
9. Whoever wins the nomination will get lots of support, because
that seems to be the general sentiment all over when you talk to people. Having only once before gone to see a candidate in person, I expected a different feel to the event, like expecting just to see political types this early and that it would be more frivolous.

But instead, there was the feeling that people are dead serious about doing whatever it takes to get Bush out of office. When Clark talked about the things like the 2000 election and said how this was an America he didn't recognize, I looked out at all the faces in the crowd and felt glad to see in person all the other people who hated that travesty of democracy down to their cores and are sick and tired of taking it. That was the feeling between Clark and the crowd.
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sendero Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 04:31 PM
Response to Original message
10. I like Clark...
... and while I haven't seen him in person, on television he is absolutely convincing to me. Whatever he might be, I don't think he has a phony bone in his body....
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DemCam Donating Member (911 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 04:37 PM
Response to Original message
11. I totally agree...CJ
For those who talk about his arrogance...like the hack piece done by the hack Paul Greenberg today...must be projecting their own arrogance onto Clark.

There is a monumental difference in self-confidence and comfort with oneself and arrogance.

In fact...he has a "quiet American confidence" :P

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Lefta Dissenter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 04:39 PM
Response to Original message
12. I've shaken his hand TWICE
admittedly both in the same day on two different ropelines. Boy, if you want to be convinced about that guy's sincerity, see him in person. He connected SO well, and he was just beaming when he saw the group of Albanian people who were there to express support. He did an impromptu talk right then and there that focused on Kosovo. And the Albanian folks were smiling so hard, I thought they'd burst.

Don't forget, Clark is going to be on C-SPAN tonight - a town hall meeting in N.H. at 7:45 ET.

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RedEarth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 04:48 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. Thanks for the heads up regarding C-SPAN
I will definately watch it....
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FrenchieCat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 04:59 PM
Response to Original message
14. Looking forward to C-Span...
To watch the man that should be President!
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Justice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 05:08 PM
Response to Original message
15. Appreciate The Post
I have seen him twice, once in NH on his first trip there and again in Boston after the Rock the Vote Debate. I wish everyone who wanted to see him speak in person could do so.

Clark inspires people. He is intense and passionate about America, about democracy and about our right to speak freely.

He would even support all the folks here who bash him -- as it is their right to speak out.
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RedEarth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 05:18 PM
Response to Reply #15
17. Justice... he basically said the exact same thing when I saw him
If elected, he mentioned he would like to hold town hall type meetings and would welcome those that supported him as well as those that disagree with him...freedom is what he fought for.
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Justice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #17
22. No Doubt! Go Wes Clark
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Bread and Circus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 05:15 PM
Response to Original message
16. I just want to say that I love Maine, it's a great state...
I did my residency in Maine...
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Renew Deal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 05:34 PM
Response to Reply #16
19. I would like to add that I love Maine also.
It's beutiful with a lot to offer. The cold is tough, but the place is a must visit.
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SpaceCatMeetsMars Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 05:34 PM
Response to Reply #16
20. I'm not a native but
I've lived in New England for 7 years now and absolutely love it here.
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in_cog_ni_to Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 05:25 PM
Response to Original message
18. Were there LOTS of people there?
I agree with your assessment of Clark's sincerity. He does mean everything he says and it shows. Now, if the press would only give him some air time. :(

Thank You for the post.
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SpaceCatMeetsMars Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 05:37 PM
Response to Reply #18
21. Well it was a large-sized room
in the city hall, maybe 150 people or 200 or so. I'm not sure how many, but the local organizers feel that there is growing support
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chaska Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 06:16 PM
Response to Original message
23. Thanks for the report, Calamity.
and for your objectivity and fairness.
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Buns_of_Fire Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 07:35 PM
Response to Original message
24. Remember when? (Slightly off-topic)
The Conventional Wisdom was that Boosh would probably have NO significant opposition come 2004, since no one with any sense would want to be humiliated and relegated to the dustbin of history? That this was a lost cause, destined to failure?

Then, surprisingly, out of the mist, rode the Magnificent Nine Ten Nine. They rose to challenge El Capon, because it was right and just that they do so. Such is the stuff of which heroes are made. And I respect them all, knowing that whoever emerges victorious from the primary battles has a damned good chance of being our next President -- deserving of a capital "P", for the first time in four years.

So go for it. No matter who is eventually nominated, you've backed a winner. (And you're pissing off the freepers, which is always a nice side-benefit.) Just maintain that passion for the eventual nominee, and we can move mountains (or at least move Commander Codpiece back to Crawdad on a permanent basis).

We now return to your normally scheduled thread.
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Lover of Liberty Donating Member (19 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 07:41 PM
Response to Original message
25. The problem with Clark
is that we don't really know where he's coming from. He could have ties to neoconservatives in the Defense Department; he could be a way for the imperialists to have it their way no matter which party wins. And there's his ifyoulostyourjobbecauseoffreetradethat'syourfaultdealwithitloserfreetradeisgood mentality.

If you want my opinion, I think he sounds like a complete hypocrite. The only candidates who seem honest aer Dean and Kucinich (and Gephardt is trustworthy as far as trade is concerned).
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Lefta Dissenter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 07:49 PM
Response to Reply #25
26. perhaps you hit 'reply' on the wrong thread
because I thought that this was an 'I'm so excited because I've seen Clark in person' thread. I'm not about to turn this into a battle, enumerating the times that Dean has seemed like he's evading, hiding, flip-flopping, because that isn't the point of this thread.

However, if you want to see 'where Clark is coming from' then watch the town hall meeting, watch Hardball next Monday when he's on, and go to www.Clark04.com to read his position papers.

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CivilRightsNow Donating Member (646 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-03-03 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #25
27. NED..
NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED


NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED NED

He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Beware. Be very aware.
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