Clark now live on C-Span 1 (about 12:45 central time) eom

[Lefta Dissenter]

edit: well, starting shortly - so far it's just murmuring reporters

edit again: 5 minutes of news first, Clark just arrived at the building

[Gloria]

1. Coming up any momemt.......lots of flags behind him.....

a lot of reporters there! He's just arriving...will be on in about 5 minutes...

[Myra]

2. Thank you!

I would have missed it.
(Kick)

[Jerseycoa]

3. Thanks (eom)

[Myra]

4. Ok, they said it'd be five minutes 'til General Clark would be

at the podium.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

5. He's late!!

How can this despicable man lead America if he can't even make a press briefing on time?! TRAITOROUS!

[Myra]

6. :) He's here!

It's starting.

[Lefta Dissenter]

Intro by Samantha Power

Kennedy School of Government
Public Policy Lecturer

GREAT INTRO

[Gloria]

7. A good intro...a leader stands up when no one else is standing up...

I don't know who the woman is...

Apparently, there are Kosovo guests here as well....

[FrenchieCat]

she won the pulizter prize

for non fiction for her book on Kosovo in 2001, I believe.

[TacticalPeek]

29. And other genocide:

Samantha Power wins Pulitzer Prize

Kennedy School lecturer wins for "A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide"

Samantha Power, lecturer in public policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, was awarded the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction for her book "A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide," which examines U.S. foreign policy toward genocide in the 20th century.

[Myra]

Great definition of a leader. I like that a lot.

Not too many leaders in the US.

[FrenchieCat]

19. Distinguished Kosovar guest

is Edita Tahiri, a member of the Kosovo Assembly (their parliament, I guess), on its Foreign Relations Commission.

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. Samantha Power said

Clark has "INTEGRITY"....Take that Shelton!

[FrenchieCat]

9. Now we will get to hear

from a real live hero and statesman

[BlueEyedSon]

10. Samatha is brilliant... kick

[Gloria]

11. Edita Tahiri, Kosova Assemby---"Gen. Clark is the savior of my country

and the savior of my personal life."

She's wearing a "Clark 04" button....

What a testimony she is giving to his actions and abilities....

"General Clark is a leader and keeps the promises...."

Albanians will remain "eternally appreciative" to Gen. Clark and America

[Lefta Dissenter]

12. Missed her name

Kosova Assembly Foreign Relations Commission

Clark was "Saver of my nation, saver of my life" (saviour?, not sure which she said)

[FrenchieCat]

13. Boy...

Clark just looks fantabulous!

[BootinUp]

16. Tell us folks at work what's happenin'

:)

[Myra]

22. Ok, he's talking about Saddam's capture now, and how the soldiers

did a good job, but *now* we need to have a legit *trial*
of Saddam. It's important to have justice and do justice
right. Offering a four point proposal...

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. She has on a Clark04 pin!

I love it. Edita, a Kosovar survivor....this is touching.

[JasonFromWaltham]

90. At Logan airport last night

I gave out about 20 pins to Kosovars and Bosnians before we greeted Clark. They outnumbered the Clarkies at least 3 to 1. Most of the pictures you see of him from last night were from their crowd not ours. We hung back a bit and did not bring any offical campaign signs. It was their night. I am not sure who he is, but the guy in the wheel chair he said hello to last night was with them. I got the impression he was wounded in the Kosovo war and was a very big supporter. Though many of them could not vote they want to show as much support as possible for their hero... our hero... and our next President.

WES CLARK!

PS Thanks to the MA state troopers and the other folks on the flight from Europe who put up with us at Terminal E. :) I wonder if he made some new friends while in flight. :) There was definitely a buzz from the fellow travelers about the greeting. I wish I could have been on that flight. 6 hours of access to Wes. :)

[0007]

15. Starting now!

Guess I was wrong - Middle East Institute talks about Pakistans, Iran and Islamic Politics in Pakistans.

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. "He's a leader and a leader

who keeps his promises."

[Gloria]

20. Edita lead the non-violent resistance.....Clark thanked Samantha for

her work on bringing the issue of genocide to the fore.
He introduced a young woman who lost family...now she's graduated and going to become a pharmacist...she's also wearing a Clark 04 button...

[in_cog_ni_to]

18. Whew!

:loveya: He is so handsome! :loveya:

[Lefta Dissenter]

21. Cog, wipe those stars out of your eyes

and type! :)

[laruemtt]

24. something i must have in this lifetime

those eyes looking into mine - anybody who's had the pleasure, how did you cope?????? omg, they are gorgeous....

[Clark Can WIN]

97. It's a little stunning. Overwhelming. Very overwhelming.

The rest of the world goes away. Luck for me I never get nervous before something big, only after.

[Gloria]

28. He's talking about the rule of law and the values that carries, NOW going

immediately to the IRAQ/Saddam situation!!

Listing 4 points he things that must be followed:

1. Held in Iraq and in public
2. Procedures...Internationally recognized standard procedures
UN, Arab League, EU, experts to craft the rules
International observers to observe as trial moves forward, but trial held by Iraqis in Iraq

3.Not a composite trial, but a parallel set of hearing in which all of the international evidence can be aired at the same time as the Iraqi trial....from the other groups like the Kurds. Evidence can be used in the Iraqi trial

4. Punishment...cannot take death penalty off the table. Has to be there for those responsible for genocide. But the question of the punishment is not for the international experts. There job is to make sure the trial is conducted (the right wya--my words).

[Lefta Dissenter]

23. It's not just that justice must be done

but it must be KNOWN that justice has been done RIGHT

[FrenchieCat]

25. For anyone who doesn't have scpan and want to watch

http://www.cspan.org/watch/cspan_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS

On the right hand side you have to choose what player to use.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

26. Saddam's Capture Is Good News for Iraqi People and the World

Gives credit to the intelligence service and military units who captured him and brought him out of that "snakehole" in the ground.

How do we handle the punishment for his crimes? Critical question for US. If we do this the right way, we can help people of Iraq and ME to gain a new appreciation for the "rule of law." Area where we desperately need to use this opportunity to advance the values we believe in. How the trial is conducted will send a very important message as to how Iraq will be and how the region will be.

Obviously this is an important trial to the people of Iraq and the ME. The process needs to be done the right way. Not only justice must be done, but justice must be known to have been done right. Doing it right will help bring peace to the region and help rebuild our standing in the international community.

Four point proposal:

1) Location. Since majority of human rights abuses occurred in Iraq, you must hold the trial in Iraq, in public, transparent.

2) Procedures. You need internationally recognized, standard legal procedures. US working with Iraqi governing council should seek views of the international community. Arab League, UN, EU. Convene experts to craft a set of rules to use in the trial.

Then I lost my feed. :-(

DTH

[Lefta Dissenter]

27. talking about how to handle the trial in Iraq

International crimes, including use of chem weapons

for crimes against non-Iraqis - recommends parallel set of hearings held concurrently with Iraqi trial -

cannot take death penalty off table - has to be there as possibility for those responsible for genocide

[Lefta Dissenter]

30. capturing S.H

doesn't change the fact that OBL is still on the loose

edit - going after president for not going after Al Qaeda and OBL

[Myra]

31. Must have legit trial of Saddam, for Iraqis and us

Very good! Tying in Saddam's capture with his testimony.
Excellent.

His points/unprecedented proposal for insuring a legit trial of Saddam.

Location-Try him in Iraq.
Procedures-Nationally recognized rules for trial. International observers.
Iraqis should conduct trial.
Punishment-Death penalty must be on table along with everything else.

(Hm, I may have missed a point.)

[Myra]

32. Now he's asking why Osama hasn't been captured.

Answer-"Presidential Will."

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. Saddam's capture

He gives credit to the units and the intelligience community who captured him. The ounishment. How we handle it is important. If we do it right the people of Iraq will gain respect for the rule of law. How trial is conducted will send a message to the Iraqi's. The process should be done right. The JUSTICE should be done right. how to bring saddam to justice.

1. Should be held in Iraq.... IN PUBLIC.

2. procedures internationally recogized procedure UN EU, ect.. International group of experts.

3. provide rules to Iraqis, but they conduct the trial of Saddam.

4. punishment...I think you cannot take the death penalty off the table. It MUST be on the table. The question of his punishment is not for the international community, it's for the Iraqi people to decide. (I like that)

Osama is still on the loose. He's regrouping. He wants to attack America again. Can't understand why bush hasn't committed the resources to go after Osama like he has in Iraq to get Saddam.

Leadership....dems have to offer real plans, real strategies to bring down Osama. He would take the troops back to Afghanistan.

[Myra]

34. Clark has a real strategy to find Osama, and take down al

Quida/Queda/Keeda...sp? Crud.

Need *SAUDI* help. :evilgrin: Yow.

[in_cog_ni_to]

35. Stop the fruitless search

for WMD. Use those sources to go after Osama.

[FrenchieCat]

36. Can't Type

I am too spellbound with this man's brilliance!

[maddezmom]

38. know what you mean.. : )

[DemExpat]

100. Frenchie is speechless????

Wow....

:hi:

DemEx

[Gloria]

37. Now saying catching SH does not take away the fact that OSAMA

is still on the loose...

GOING AFTER BUSH NOW...saying what he wanted to say but couldn't say in EUROPE

Question of PRESIDENTIAL WILL....confident our armed forces could do the job if there were presidential will

Talking about other candidates' views

Need real ideas and real solutions.

His strategy for finding Osama and getting al-Qaeda
1 pressure on Pakistan...transfer personnel back to Afghanistan

2 Saudi Arabia--use their resources and intelligence--force like going after drug lords in South America. We know how to do this

3 Border areas of Pakistan ...missed the details

4. Call off search for WMD in Iraq....Inspectors were doing it before, can't understand why we did it...we kept the out! Need personnel in Afghanistan. No reason why UN inspectors shouldn't be used now...



WHEW, Wes is really delivering the message!

[Gloria]

39. Hold our government ACCOUNTABLE for the diversion of Iraq

and not getting Al-Qaeda..

Now going after what Bush will do to Dems--I'll put my 30-40 years defending the US etc,,,, against HIS THREE YEARS OF FAILED policies!!!!

GO WES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Myra]

40. He said to give up "search" for WMD, he never understood why

that was happening (in fact he was against going into Iraq
to begin with, but now that we're there we have to do it right)...

He's holding the prez accountable. Soldiers did good job but
it was a distraction from al Queda and fight against terrorism.

Now he's pounding Bush!

Bush will spend his days and nights questioning our patriotism...

Clark will put his 34 years of policy experience
against Bush's failed 3 years of policy any day!

Q&A now.

[Lefta Dissenter]

76. Just to clarify the WMD point a bit

he said that the experts on the international teams should be doing the searches, and free up our guys to go after OBL. The international teams know how to look, they had been successful... I can't remember exactly how he said it, but that was the gist of it.

[TacticalPeek]

79. An important clarification.

There is a right way to go about these things, although its been almost three years since we've seen it.

[in_cog_ni_to]

41. He's taking questions now.

Can't hear the questions that are asked. :(

[Hogarth]

42. What a brilliant speaker!

n/t

[Lefta Dissenter]

54. Hogarth

I think you need a bigger sig graphic :)

[Gloria]

43. Iraqis have to be the one's to decide on the penalty for SH...

the process should show the world how the law works...

[Qutzupalotl]

44. Thanks everyone.

We cube dwellers are grateful for the details.

[Myra]

45. Q&A-There was *no* imminent threat, no nuclear weapons in spite of

what we were told.

Q-Isn't it counterproductive to talk about these things? (?)
A-No... :evilgrin: (Duh)

Oh, Saddam's penalty (death whatever) should be up to Iraqi
people, not us.

More on trial procedure, international observers!

[wndycty]

46. He said something about taking his 34 years of experience up . . .

. . .against Bush.

[maddezmom]

50. 3 yrs in the oval office....good line

[in_cog_ni_to]

47. War crimes...Osama death penalty?

He wouldn't take the death penalty off the table for him.

[TacticalPeek]

48. Afghan fubar:

LBN - NATO chief in parting shot over Afghan force

"Afghanistan will be... tough but it has to be a success," he said, referring to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which NATO took over in August in its first ever mission outside Europe.

"For that to be guaranteed the nations will have to wake up to what they have taken on," he said.

---

In search of 'presidential will'. . .

[Lefta Dissenter]

49. we've got a president who will go half way around the world for a

photo op, but won't go half way across town for a funeral

[Gloria]

51. Dork asking what the distinction is between Clark's 34 years experience

and Bush's 3 years in the Oval Office

Goes over his Nato stuff..
But MORE IMPORTANTLY---connecting the top to the bottom

We have a President who travels half way around the world for a photo op, but can't go half hour across town to go to a funeral

I've gone to funerals, comforted family...Can't make the right decision from the top unless you've seen the impact on the bottom....

[Myra]

52. Leaders can't make good policy at top if you don't connect to the bottom.

Why hasn't Bush gone to a single soldier's funeral?

[in_cog_ni_to]

53. Saddam found sent

a shock through the Dem primary? Has it affected your standing because of your military background. Answer "YES! it's showing in the polls." :7 :bounce::bounce: "I'm in 2 or 3rd place in this state NH."

[Lefta Dissenter]

55. Holy Shit

put this up against bush's press conference yesterday (or was it the day before).

Unbelievable

[in_cog_ni_to]

NO comparison can be made!

The shrub is waaay out of his league. Their intellects are night and day. Clark is just amazing!

[Gloria]

56. Won't achieve healing with going through the process...justice...

Can't go on for 3 or 4 years....explaining his system of parallel hearings , evidence can be used in Iraqi trial.

Talked about the "complicities" that have to come out. The Iraqis have to see and go through the process of justice for healing....

[Myra]

57. Question on Saddam and why he wants international comm to be

just observers, w Iraqis conducting the trial.

Can't take justice away from Iraqi people.

Moslivich (sp) was different because his main crimes
were against various people, therefore international
comm.

Saddam, evidence should be up to Iraqis.
May include Kuwait, Iran, etc.
He's proposing a pragmatic solution. Don't want it
to take 5 years.

[Myra]

59. Ah, distinction. Kosevo, was an imminent threat, not in Iraq.

Bush took us to war under false pretenses and is
now being shifted to look like it's a humanitarian
mission.

Congress did not vote on this rational.

There was an imminent threat in 1991, but not when
we went into Iraq!

[Myra]

62. Asked by reporter to contrast w Dean's lack of experience

Clark's an "open book."
His records are open, his financial statements, what boards he's
been on, etc.

[Gloria]

58. Question about why not go into Iraq because of all the atrocities...

Well, back in 1991,......he probably would have but by the time the Bush Admin. got there...

Current war is different...It was about WMDs---if it was about the (atrocitie) Bush should have taken that case to the American people. That's not what the Congress voted on.....


Explains difference between Kosovo and Iraq.....



GO WES!!!

[Gloria]

63. BAIT & SWITCH......If I were President I would have gone after SH

in a different way and different priorities.....

I would have kept on Osama Bin Laden...He pulled a Bait and Switch..
off bin Laden and then on WMDS


I would have had bin Laden by now....

[Lefta Dissenter]

60. will Dem infighting hurt the dems in the end?

I have tried not to attack the other dems
I put my records on public display, (records from) military and (my work in the) business community - open book

trying to introduce myself to the American people

edited for some bit of clarity

[Jackhammer Jesus]

61. "The boards I sat on."

As in, past tense, no longer on the boards.

Anyone else catch that?

[Myra]

69. Yeah, I caught that. "Sat on." Past tense. Therefore...

There's some outdated "research" on DU on the subject.
Not very "impeccable" I must say.

[Jerseycoa]

82. Bad girl ;)

[kaitykaity]

64. All of this without an earpiece. Who knew?

Imagine being able to listen to a president without
feeling the urgent need to :puke:.

:wow:

[Myra]

72. Good point kaitykaity.

A leader stands up without an earpiece when no one else is standing up without an earpiece. :evilgrin:

[in_cog_ni_to]

65. It's over and was AWESOME!

as usual. :7

[FrenchieCat]

68. Does anyone

have a cigarette?:smoke:

[TacticalPeek]

70. ROFLMAO!

:smoke:

[Kahuna]

98. Wait. Here's mine...

:smoke:

[Gloria]

66. I hope they repeat this!!! He was totally AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eom

[TacticalPeek]

67. Thanks for all the typing.

I feel like the sun's coming out again.

:)

[Lefta Dissenter]

71. Oh my gosh,

He is just so brilliant, handles the questions with such ease. I know I missed a ton, trying to type - I'll have to watch it again tonight.

Isn't threatened by questions that challenge him either on policy or on the campaign. Just answers openly, and not defensively.

Let's get him elected and then do away with term limits! :)

[KittyWampus]

73. I Love The Way He Always Gives A Little Smile After Calling On A Reporter

to answer their question...

[Justice]

74. Thank you

for posting this. Made my day.

[Myra]

81. I hope you get to see it later; CSPAN usually reruns things.

It was quite good. Tied everything together.

[leftchick]

75. He is fantastic!

but then I already knew that.... :)

[Myra]

77. Rapid response from Clark's team in the aftermath of the Saddam "news"

Clear comparisons and contrasts between the trial he just testified
in and the Iraq situation. He's certainly in a position to make
recommendations about Saddam's trial, and I don't believe another
candidate has done so.

Strong criticisms of Bush's lies as well. WMD morphing into
some supposed humanitarian mission that Congress didn't vote on.
Bogus claims of nuclear weapons.
Said to just stop "looking" for WMDs.
Failure of leader to connect; hasn't attended one soldier's funeral.
(That criticism has special impact when it comes from another soldier.)

[KittyWampus]

80. Note- Clark Said Hand Search F/ WMD Over To International Community

not that the search should just stop completely.

[Jerseycoa]

85. loose nukes

He could have dropped this in here. He has at other times. Loose nukes in Russia getting a pass by GWB, while we waste time searching for WMD in Iraq where UN could be doing that work.

[Gloria]

78. I going down to ClarK HQ this afternoon, with real inspiration to work

hard for this man in NM!!

[crissy71]

83. great answer to media whore template question

If you were Pres. would we have Saddam in custody?

General Wes: well, we'd have OSAMA in custody

[artistaboard]

91. If he were President

Did you hear him say it, "If I were President right now I'd have Saddam Hussein AND Osama bin Ladin." Whoa. Go Wes.:loveya:

[TacticalPeek]

92. Welcome to DU, artistaboard!

:toast:

And welcome to the difference between presidential will and President aWol!

[crissy71]

94. a hearty DU welcome

:toast:

[robbedvoter]

84. I'll put my 35 years of experience in defending this country and my

results against his 3 years of failed policies - my new sig line!
I am in tears here! He lifted the level of the discourse by miles! Git applauded in the end!

[FrenchieCat]

86. Tommorrow...

WE're going to party like its 2004!:party:

click here to know why he testified at the Hague
http://www.clark04.com/story/47/

[TacticalPeek]

87. Its up at c-span now, under 'Latest Video'.

Eat your heart out, Karl.

http://c-span.org/

[Tatiana]

88. Gloria, Myra, incognito....and all others

A BIG THANK YOU!!!!! Stuck at work and for some reason I can't connect with my realplayer. Thanks so so so so much for the updates!

[in_cog_ni_to]

93. You're welcome, Tatiana!

He really was outstanding and left me with such a LONGING for HIM to be my President. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!

[Jerseycoa]

89. OUT of the park!!

Swipe, slap, smackdown!!

Hey General! :yourock:

[Jai4WKC08]

95. Must See TV

I am blown away. Best speech yet. The man just keeps getting better and better.

If you missed this one, folks, run--do not walk--to c-span.org and download this video: Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.) News Conference (12/17/2003)

If you already support Clark, you be stunned and amazed.
If you're thinking about supporting Clark sometime in the future, you will KNOW that the time is now.
If you support somebody else, you will at least see how a policy speech is done right.

No matter who you are, you will see how a President conducts a press conference. We haven't seen that in a while.

[JasonFromWaltham]

96. For those who missed it the conf is available on C-span's web site

at rtsp://video.c-span.org/project/c04/c04121703_clark2.rm

[DemExpat]

99. Thanks! I've got to see this....

DemEx

:kick: Clark :kick:

[joanski01]

101. General Clark is just incredible.

He has got to be our President. He would be the most loved President since JFK. I know I haven't felt this way since JFK, as much as I loved Clinton, and then Gore, Clark is the ONE.