Clark supporters, was it love at first sight or did he have to woo you?

[Myra]

Hm...?

[Jack_Dawson]

1. First Sight!

He owned the Bill Maher appearance.

[MoonRiver]

2. It was intrigue at first sight. I waited until I felt his views reflected

my own before committing. I was always fascinated by the idea of him as a presidential or vice presidential candidate cause I knew he could cream Jr. on the military and national security issue.

[Myra]

3. I think the closer one looks at his qualifications the better he seems

And the more I hear him speak the more I see that he's a born
leader, and a brilliant articulate, and tough man.

[DemCam]

4. Hate to admit I fell

like a ton of bricks the second time I saw him. The hype made me pay attention to him watching the second debate where I went for my first view of the nine candidates. He was the only one that remotely interested me.

Then I saw the Iowa debate and cried when he talked about America
being an inclusive nation...that patriotism was about debate and dissent.

During that debate he did an extraordinary thing. He apologized to a woman who had been raped while in the Army, acknowleged in the most openly, astonishing way that the Army had let her down, to talk to him afterwards....and you knew he would talk to her.

And he did, I read later.

The important thing was the openness....and the rarity of that commodity.

I haven't looked back.

[creativelcro]

27. did he touch you ?

[jpgpenn]

32. perhaps...

not as often as you touch yourself!

[deminflorida]

5. I've known him as an outstanding leader for a long time....

But it's Clark on the issues, that sells me on him for President.

[carpediem]

6. a little of both

I really liked him when I first saw him, then I listened to him and I liked what i heard. I trust him.

[Hamlette]

7. first sight, and long before talk of a presidential run

must have been on CNN, some talking head show, a year ago or so. I wasn't watching the TV just listening but he stopped me dead in my tracks. Someone was making sense? On Iraq? On TV? Get out. I looked up to find out his name.

I don't agree with him Clark on the flag burning amendment. I think the more distance he gets from the military the more he'll lose that emotional response.

Clark so reminds me of my Dad who was WWII, the reserves and in a defense connected civilian job. One day, while driving by a US base in Scotland, he had an epiphany. Some stupid little thing about the fence around a beautiful piece of land at the oceans edge. Then Reagan completed the turn around. He became quite radical in his hatred of the right.

[Mountainman]

8. Not love at first sight but after a while you see who the real leaders are

Clark is a leader. He exudes leadership. It is something that is so evident and contrasting to Bush's style. I can just see the two of them on stage. Who would you want to trust your future to? Clark of Bush? Most people would pick Clark I'm sure.

[mmonk]

9. a while

after listening to CNN analysis's and listening to him on NPR. That's when I thought he would be a good choice to take on the bush admin in some capacity. I joined the draft movement about 3 weeks before he announced he'd accept the draft.

[Walt Starr]

10. Poop

:hurts:

[jmaier]

18. What?

I thought I read on some other post here that you only 'POOP' on negative threads? What's up with this?

[TorchTheWitch]

11. well

My dad was a career military man who knew Clark. I've known for years how highly my father regarded him and why. I was pretty much a Kerry supporter until I heard about the Draft Clark movement. I checked out Dean a bit while waiting to see if Clark would get in the race, and when he did, I was in the Clark supporter ranks. I wish my dad was still around to jump on board with me, but I'm also glad he's not alive to see the stinking mess the country is in now. I wouldn't stay with Clark if I didn't agree on his stance on the issues regardless of what my dad felt about him... hell, dad and I didn't agree on a lot of stuff. Long story short, I went with Clark because of what I already knew and stay with him because of what I've learned.

[CWebster]

12. scary

Can't say I love my preference. I can see his flaws much too plainly for that.

[cally]

13. It took me quite awhile

I was concerned about voting for some Republicans and I had to hear his explanations before I supported him. Then when he spoke out about the dangers of the military/industrial complex, I became a supporter.

I was always intrigued by him because I think he can transform politics and the Republican lock on the south. His background makes it hard to attach the weak Democrat label on him. He comes across as so sincere and yet passionate about democracy and free speech.

[KittyWampus]

14. Had To Overcome My Latent Mistrust Of Military Types

which stems from having a father who was in the military for a time and who is an extreme authority/conrol freak.

However, within minutes of hearing Clark speak I found myself convinced he is the Quintessential Man of the Enlightenment.

There are many Paths towards Self Realization and Enlightenment and Military Service can be as Noble a Path as any other.

Clark transcends all the preconcieved notions about what it is to have risen through the ranks of the Military.

He is truely "One Good Man".

[ajacobson]

15. When Clark started criticizing the Iraq war

I thought "wow, an ex-General says the situation is messed up, that's impressive." Didn't really think about it too much after that, in fact I thought it was kind of dumb for somebody to enter the race at this point, with, at the time, nine other people running.

When Michael Moore issued his open letter urging the General to run, that's when I started taking a serious look. I have voted for a Democrat once in my life (SC absentee ballot for Mondale in 1984), I've always seen myself as to the left of the Dems (voted for Nader in 2000).

Now going from the Green to Clark seems quite a swing. I'm not looking for Clark to match me belief for belief. But Clark has impressed me as person and a leader--and the person that can pull the mix of progressives and moderates to get Bush out. Can some of the other Dems do the same? Actually I'm feeling better about that than I was earlier.

I may be a minority here but I think a vigorous primary campaign actually energizes people. If it is a done deal, people lose interest. I hope the candidates stay in until the convention and bring their respective strengths to the table.

[DakotaDemocrat]

16. Certainly...

...he had to woo me. My vote does not come easily. I was an Edwards guy very early on, and Dean interested me only for a while, then the hate got bad.

So I went on a draft clark website and read this letter:

"Dear Honorable Gen. Clark, I am a 25 year old who pleads with you with more reverence than a son would to his own father. This nation, a testament to the most noble struggle of the human spirit, and the greatest achievement born of human struggle, lies in the hands of a modern day Nero.

We stand on the brink of unparelleled achievements in all fields of human understanding, achievements that can end human misery, disease, and poverty for all time.

We also stand on the brink of a global nuclear World War. Extremist religious nationalists are gaining political power around the globe from right here in the US, the entire Middle East, and most of South East Asia at a rate not seen since before WW2.

Since the death of President Kennedy, mediocre, spiritless, unimaginative, men have trampled on and crushed the spirit of this nation. A citizen has every right not only to ask, but to demand from, a leader.

So I, as an American, as a human being, and as a citizen demand humbly, and beg with honor...that you run for the highest and most noble office, the crown jewel of human achievement, the Presidency of the United States of America.

You have made me believe on greatness of political leadership again and I want to thank you for it. May god bless you, your family, and your victory. a proud supporter, *** *****."

After that, I looked at his views, his heroism and drive. We need a proven leader and one who is willing to prove that the real superpower in the world is a country that can dictate change without bombs and divisiveness.

[Tatiana]

17. If anything WE had to woo HIM.

Always liked him, since his speech at the U of Chicago. He's the smartest man running and I'm so glad, regardless of the outcome, that he decided to run for the Democratic nomination.

[meow mix]

19. i first thought "eww"

but now.. he has completly and forever won my heart.

im so glad we have him =)

[jumptheshadow]

20. I protested this war and the one in Vietnam

My support of Clark wasn't reflexive. However, I will always have a soft spot for the folks who were a voice of reason during the stampede to the Iraqi war.

I love political strategy -- a trait, I think, which I inherited from a grandfather who never lost political office in more than 35 years of public service. So at first I was attracted to Clark's strengths as a Democratic candidate. Then, slowly, I began to amass a tremendous amount of respect for the man, his intellect, his effectiveness and his open-mindedness.

He reminds me constantly of the idealism I felt as a young girl when JFK was running for the Presidency.

On edit: I will support Clark's candidacy, passionately, until he wins or drops out. The Bush administration's actions disgust and shame me to my core. This is the time to make a stand, and it's my belief that this is the candidate who will purge their wretched carcasses from the White House.

[DemExpat]

21. Head over heals first sight.....way before he was a candidate!

:kick:

DemEx

[John_H]

22. Slow switch.

For me it was a combination of Dean running away from the record that made me a supporter and making serious campaign mistakes which will show him to be an easy mark for GOP thuggery, combined with Clark proving he had the guts to take on the media and Chimp in real time without blowing his cool, the charisma (which I was initially worried about) and policy initiatives that show he is sufficiently progressive for me to support.

[chimpymustgo]

26. What a nice thread this is! Says a lot about Clark supporters.

Passionate, yet logical.

I used to say about my guy Edwards: he had me at hello.

Clark has been intriguing as long as he's been on the national scene. He's still learning how to campaign, but I think he might be "the one". I posted a thread on that about a month ago.

Right now, I like Clark and Edwards about equally - and having both of them on the ticket would be my dream - for the country.

[ResistTheCoup]

23. First sight!

And it gets better every day!

[Mz Pip]

24. I was really impressed

when I saw him on MTP back in June. Before then my first choice had been Dean but my enthusiasm for him had turned to luke warm. I did some research on Clark and went to the Draft Clark meet ups. His appearance on Bill Maher was awesome as were a couple of his early speeches.

20 years ago the military background might have given me pause but it seems appropriate now, especially that his experience gives him a certain insight on the need to be very selective about what we go to war for.

I'd vote for my cat over Bush and will support whoever the candidate is. I think Clark's the best.

MzPip
:dem:

[in_cog_ni_to]

25. Physically, yes

it was love at first sight! The man is just too good looking for his own good! :loveya: Mentally, I had to convince myself to wait, listen, learn and observe him before I could commit to him. Needless to say, it didn't take long. One debate, some TV interviews, a few speeches and some news articles ........He had me. I'm on the Clark team until he's elected. :)

[Toucano]

28. No at first sight, but on first hearing.

It was the appearance on "Bill Mahar". "Age of Reason", "Convieved in Liberty" stuff.

My conviction grows stronger with every policy speech.

"All Bully, no pulpit!" :loveya:

[RichardRay]

29. Distrust at first sight....

I assumed he was someone I wouldn't be able to support. I read some things about him and started to change my mind. I read his book and began to strongly reconsider. I've read all the policy statements on his web site and changed my mind.

[DakotaDemocrat]

30. My wife...

...changed her mind at the 60 Minutes II interview a short time ago. She distrusts the military - it says it changes people to be more confrontational. However, she knew I supported him and watched anyway.

The kicker came late in the interview when Clark passionatly and emotionally justified his actions in Kosovo. His emotion ran deep when he essentially said I couldn't just ingore what was happneing there with the ethnic cleansing.

We were just two adults having 30 seconds of awe as this strong military man broke down.

The Rwanda non-action was a turning point for him I believe - he could not let it happen again.

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. That 60 minutes interview

had me in tears. My heart broke for him. Knowing how he must have felt by not being able to help the Rwandans was heartbreaking. I could see how much he truly cared about the 100,000 people who were slaughtered....his tears were heartfelt. He is REAL. I just love the man.

[RobinA]

31. Like At First Sight.

I liked him back when he was running the war in Kosovo. He was arguing with the administration about the need for ground troops. He was going public about the need for ground troops.

1. I thought Clinton was dead wrong and downright stupid to publically rule out ground troops.

2. Clark dared to go against the party line, which isn't something you often see from military types.

I've liked him ever since.