Will "Mary, Help!" Define Clark's Candidacy? - Salon

[DrFunkenstein]

He mangled his position on the congressional Iraq resolution, and when the going got tough, he summoned a press aide with a cry of "Mary, help!" Tell me again why this guy should make Howard Dean and John Kerry quake in their boots?

By Joan Walsh

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2003/09/19/clark/index.html

It wasn't the political positions Clark stated that were disturbing as much as the apparent lack of thought behind them. His confessing that despite his doubts about the Iraq war he "probably" would have supported the resolution in Congress isn't indefensible -- John Kerry made the same decision for much the same reason (although he's finding the nuances of his choice tough to defend politically). What's disturbing is Clark's appearing to have hardly thought about it much until now, and the vacillating way he defended his position once he took it.

The most surreal moment came when the Iraq questions were getting tougher, and Clark called for his press aide Mary Jacoby. "Mary, help!" the retired general cried, in a moment that could define him, and not as the tough military leader his supporters tout him as. The soothing Jacoby reminded Clark, "You said you would have voted for the resolution as leverage for a U.N.-based solution."

"Right," Clark responded. "Exactly."

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This is a pretty damning article, but one I find convincing. There are several excellent points made, and it is certainly worth the 20-second ad if you have to get the day pass.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Good article

I suspect that Clark, unlike Arnie, will get better with time...
That said he is more aplty compared to Ike, who was also rather
innept in his early days... than Arnie.

But will see.

As is I am still behind Dean but will suport whoever emerges from
the Primaries

[DrFunkenstein]

2. I Tend To Agree With You

But let's not forget Douglas MacArthur's failed bid. He looked unbeatable at the time, too.

The jury is still out on Clark, but he's done a pretty good job of tripping over the first rung of the ladder. We shall see.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. That is why he reminds me

of Ike more than Douglas McCarthur.

After all McCarthur did not trip, but Ike, he had about a
month where he was constantly tripping... very different to lead
an army.

Also, and most do not see it this way, but "Mary help!" for me that
was a very human moment, one you do not expect from a four star.
Maybe I am a sucker, or miss that from US Poltics, when
our politicos could afford to have human moments.

[w13rd0]

4. Perhaps you've not been watching the same democratic primary process...

...the rest of us have, but I've seen plenty of "human moments" from the majority of the candidates (by your definition)...

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I have but this one was

very unique at many levels not seen since well at
least a generation

There have been others, but at least for me
this one tops it, so far.

Maybe it has to do with having actually met members
of the Military and I am married to one... and I used
to be in one... and you never want to be caught in one like
that when in uniform... that is why it was so... unique.

Hope that explains it to you.

There have been others and certainly Dean and
Kucinich top them, but this one was pretty unique to me

[renie408]

7. "Human moment"

I define that a little differently. A human moment is cracking a joke, playing around, literally tripping or the like, or really getting choked up. Having to ask your press secretary what you said on the Iraqi War is more like a senior moment. If he is the one that said it, why should he have to ask anybody about it?

[CWebster]

6. Does he expect it all to simply be his

without having to participate in the process?

Why not, it worked for Bush. It works for Schwartezenegger. What a commentary on US politics and its slick machine that turns out media celebrities to play the role without substance.

It is a credit to you that you didn't jump ship, Funkenstein, and cast your fickle lot with the latest passing coverboy.

;-)