McGovern endorses Clark!

[laruemtt]

how late am i? sorry if this is a dupe. just heard on cnn

okay, ignore. need more coffee..... just got overly excited

[Democrats unite]

1. Was rumored yesterday...

Official today! but I have not seen a post about it being official. So it's not a dupe.

But fantastic news! Considering some people here are trying to beat a dead horse by telling us he's a Republican (I stll can only laugh at this, reminds me of someone else that thinks if you say something long enough people will believe it true!).

[MoonRiver]

2. HIP HIP HOORAY!!!

:bounce: :party: :bounce:

[whirlygigspin]

3. sounds like the kiss of death

McGovern and endorsment, bad combo.

[laruemtt]

7. i respectfully disagree!

mcgovern is trusted amongst a lot of old peaceniks, me included as he was my first vote ever. a seal of approval for a general from a peacenik from the vietnam years has weight.

[MoonRiver]

11. Yes, it kind of parallels the Michael Moore endorsement.

Both of these men are very outspoken liberals. This will definitely deflect the erroneous spin about Clark being a Repub or DINO.

[lurk_no_more]

22. Like gore, Bradley and Harkin?

And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[Eloriel]

32. I have to say -- it's one endorsement I'm THRILLED

we didn't get.

Thank you, Mr. McGovern.

[SheLiberal]

4. This is the best news!

I was so excited to hear this news. If McGovern doesn't know a Democrat who does?

[newyawker99]

19. Hi SheLiberal!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Killarney]

5. Congrats to Clark! Now here come the sour grapes posts... ;)

Go Clark! :toast:

[deminflorida]

6. On George McGovern...

"One of the most significant figures in America today, George McGovern has earned the respect of countless individuals from all political viewpoints and all walks of life."

"A war hero, 22-year U.S. Congressman and 1972 Democratic presidential nominee, George McGovern will long be remembered for his courage in speaking out against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, his friendship and respect for the common man, and his work on behalf of American farmers and hungry children throughout the world."


http://www.mcgovernlibrary.com/george.htm

He has something in common with Wes Clark:

"A prolific author, McGovern has lectured at more than 1,000 colleges and universities around the world. He has also received many honorary degrees and distinguished awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, which was bestowed upon him by President Bill Clinton on August 9, 2000."

"George McGovern is one of the greatest humanitarians of our time. He still imparts to us the power... and the courage of his convictions."
William Jefferson Clinton
42nd President of the United States

[Cooley Hurd]

8. Congratulations, Clark supporters!

George McGovern is a great and heroic American and to acquire his endorsement is a great honor for Clark!

But, forgive me for pointing out the irony that McGovern isn't endorsing Dean (I mean, haven't a lot of Clark supporters called Dean "2004's 'McGovern'?")

[NWHarkness]

10. It is worth a chuckle, at least

It is ironic, a few Clark supporters would have had us think "McGovern" was a swear word not too many days ago.

But such is politics!

[MoonRiver]

12. I've never said it. Anyway, those comments referred to the election

not the man.

[Democrats unite]

13. Maybe a few, but not may...

I would also like to point out that not all camps are free from what you just pointed out.

[Jerseycoa]

16. Irony immediately noted

last night in another thread. Thanks for the good wishes. :)

[spooky3]

29. I agree. And I like your signature!

[jonnyblitz]

43. yeah, now CLark supporters love McGovern whereas before

he was some horrid weak candidate that Dean was just like.

That being said, I believe this is a great endorsement for CLark!

[Phelan]

46. Dukakis...never compared him to McGovern myself but to Dukakis

[mopinko]

9. well, we "know" what carol got

what do you suppose is in it for george?

[Democrats unite]

14. A great President!

What more could he want.

[KittyWampus]

21. Ability To Sleep At Night

[JI7]

15. good for him

do you think he will join him on the campaign trail ?

[Jerseycoa]

17. We shouldn't be smug. We shouldn't be arrogant.

But this looks like the Baby-Boomer vote to me!! :evilgrin:

:bounce:

[newsguyatl]

18. god life is just too funny sometimes!

the irony is almost too much to bare.

:hi:

[hellhathnofury]

20. but but but but but but but but but but but but ....

Dean is McGovern!

[windansea]

23. nah...Dean is more like Dukakis

I don't think he would get slaughtered as bad as McGovern

[lurk_no_more]

24. Does that mean dean's endorsing Clark

so soon? ALRIGHT!!!!


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[lurk_no_more]

25. This is fantastic

And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[MoonRiver]

26. Sure nuff!

:kick:

[Hoppin_Mad]

27. Congrats to Clark supporters - Moore and McGovern will play great

in Peoria !

[in_cog_ni_to]

42. Just can't say anything nice, can you?

Peoria will LOVE McGovern and Michael Moore! Do you live in the midwest? I do.

[Crunchy Frog]

28. YIPPEE!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Now if McGovern can forgive Clark's voting for Nixon, can the rest of us?

[_NorCal_D_]

34. Good point!

Perhaps I should make that my sig line. :thumbsup:

[Kahuna]

40. BTW. "Crunchyfrog?"

I don't wanna know. :D

:hi:

[Crunchy Frog]

44. It's a Monty Python reference,

just so you know, I'm a big fan.:7

[Kal Belgarion]

30. Congrats!

Congratulations to Wes Clark and his campaign. :)

[NoPasaran]

31. Congratulations!

George McGovern is one of my personal political heroes. He awakened my lifelong interest in politics in 1971 when I was fifteen year old high school student. He's a man of great integrity and vision.

I am still a Dean supporter, but Wesley Clark is my Number Two choice. George McGovern's endorsement reemphasizes my belief that Clark is a fine man who would do our party and country proud if he does turn out to be our nominee.

[_NorCal_D_]

33. Are you serious?

Incredible! My parents were huge McGovern supporters, but are somewhat distrustful of Clark. This may very well change their minds. B-)

[Walt Starr]

35. WHEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

Damn, that was one endorsement i am FUCKING GLAD did not go to Dean.

Do you think the media will pick up on it and make the inevitable McGovern/Clark comparisons?

[andym]

36. This endorsement is great for Clark

This endorsement is great for Clark, because it really reduces the power of calling him a former Republican or DINO.

McGovern is more arguably much more liberal than any Democrat currently running, with the exception of Kucinich who is perhaps close. McGovern also has bona fide anti-war credentials and is one of the best examples of an idealist politician.

Now, McGovern's endorsement is much more powerful for Clark than for the others. Because he is a general, he is presumed to be at most moderate by people who don't pay much attention. This will shore up his support with some liberal leaning folks who haven't yet committed themselves.

If McGovern had endorsed Kucinich or Kerry for example, it wouldn't have helped that much, because liberals don't question their liberal credentials. If he had endorsed Dean, it would have helped shore up his liberal credentials, but the association of an anti-war candidate who did poorly in a GE might not have been too helpful.

Why doesn't the fact that McGovern did poorly in 1972 impact Clark? Because while he was against the Iraq war, and favors using the military as a last resort, he cannot be stereotyped as a career liberal politician, but rather he will be seen a liberal-minded pragmatist, who is both anti-war and strong on defense and security. He is an anomaly, who if he should win the nomination and GE may change the American political landscape in terms of how liberalism is defined. He will both push the center somewhat leftwards and remove some of the negative connotations that Conservatives managed to associate with liberalism in the 70s and 80s.

[kentuck]

37. If this is true, it is very important....

Because no endorsement can validate Democratic credentials moreso than George McGovern. This is a big bonus for the General...

[Toucano]

38. McGovern's remarks linked now

http://www.clark04.com/press/release/193/

For Immediate Release
Date: January 18, 2004


Senator George McGovern Remarks For Endorsement
Manchester, NH
January 18, 2004

Thank you, Dudley for that kind introduction. We've been friends for a long time, and it's heartening to see that some thirty years later, you're still willing to come out in the cold for me.

Thirty-two years ago, thanks to the support of Democratic and Independent Voters right here in New Hampshire, I proudly stood as the presidential candidate of our party -- the Democratic Party.

Today, I am proud to stand here this morning and announce my support for a true progressive, a true Democrat, and the next president of the United States.

A man whose progressive policies on education, taxation, health care are in the finest tradition of the Democratic Party.

A man whose ideals, decency, and compassion are in the great tradition of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton.

A man whose life's work and devotion to America will serve as a beacon to our young and give pride to us all.

That man is Wes Clark - and he will lead our party to victory in November.

Like Wes Clark, I'm a veteran. I was an airman in World War II. And I believe there is nothing more patriotic than serving your country.

I also believe there is nothing more patriotic than speaking out - and standing up for what you believe in. That was one of the reasons I ran for president in 1972 - because I believed that Vietnam was a not a war America should be fighting. Back then, Wes Clark was an officer in the United States Army. And in the election of '72, he voted for the other candidate. Let's call it youthful indiscretion. The good news is that this time we both agree.

Today, we are fighting the wrong war in Iraq. And that's one of the reasons I'm standing here today. Because there is only one man in this race with four stars on his shoulders and thirty-four years of military experience. There is only one man in this race who stopped genocide and saved 1.5 million Kosovar Albanians from ethnic cleansing. There is only one man in this race who has a success strategy to get us out of the war in Iraq - and get our servicemen and women home safely. And that man is Wes Clark.

Wes Clark is also a champion of America's working families, because he knows that you can't be strong abroad unless you're strong at home. Wes Clark understands the problems facing ordinary Americans, especially the three million Americans who've lost their job since George W. Bush arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And the 44 million Americans don't have health care, and the thousands who can't afford the sky-rocketing costs of education.

Wes Clark is the only man who can get our country back on track. He's got a jobs program to get our economy going ... a real tax reform to help our working and hard-pressed families ... and a health care plan to make health care affordable for all Americans and universal for all our children. He wants to fight for all Americans, from all walks of life. These are not just Democratic values. These are American values.

Running for president is no easy task. And I have the battle scars to show it. I, too, was the subject of a few dirty tricks during my day. But I'll tell you, there is no better man to withstand the Republican attacks then Wes Clark. And the Republicans know that - they're running scared. The last thing they want is a four star general on their hands. So to my Republican friends out there: get ready, here we come.

Finally, let me say this: There are a lot of good Democrats in this race. But Wes Clark is the best Democrat. He is a true progressive. He's the Democrat's Democrat. I've been around the political block - and I can tell you, I know a true progressive when I see one. And that's why he has my vote.

Wes Clark will bring a higher standard of leadership back to Washington. He'll fight for America's interests, not the special interests. He'll bring honesty, openness, and accountability to the White House. He is a born leader.

That is why I am standing here today: because there's one man in this race with a success strategy in Iraq... there's one man who can really stand up for working American families ... there's one man who can beat George W. Bush - and take back the White House in 2004.

And that man is my friend, our leader, a true progressive, and the next Democratic president of the United States, Wes Clark.

Thank you.

[Maddy McCall]

39. dralston, please start a thread with this post.

This post doesn't need to be buried in this thread...it deserves its own thread, open for comments.

Thanks!

[Cascadian]

41. So much for the Dean-McGovern comparasons.

eom


John

[LuminousX]

47. Suddenly people will remember that McGovern was the CORRECT choice

[maddezmom]

45. thanks for posting

was at the beach all day....missed it! :)

[Piperay]

48. YIPEEEE

CONGRATULATIONS to General Clark! :thumbsup:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

49. Not as strange as it seems at first glance

McGovern never was the wild leftist freak that the Republicans painted him as. Despite the canard that he lost because he was "too liberal," the political climate was so different that today's DLC would probably regard Nixon as "too liberal."

[andym]

50. True, by today's standards, Nixon would be a liberal

True, by today's standards, Nixon would be a liberal.
Sad but true.

[andym]

51. RE:"Not as strange as it seems at first glance"

The real reason is that it is not as strange as it seems at first glance is that in some ways Mcgovern and Clark are similar men. Though not from the same generation, Clark was clearly strongly influenced by the ideals of McGovern's generation.

They both buy into the idea that American is a great and principled nation. They both want to help give everyone, especially the disadvantaged the opportunity to prosper. And they both believe that politics is form of service to this country.