Clark lists merits in New Hampshire Retired general says he's 'all in one

[davidinalameda]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/01/22/MNGQF4F7J11.DTL

Battling an army of determined Democrats in New Hampshire, retired Gen. Wesley Clark has his own strategic plan: arguing that he's the presidential candidate who has everything voters want -- military experience, foreign policy credentials, a Southern connection and the all-important common touch.

"People in Iowa were looking at someone who knew national security affairs ... who could go toe-to-toe with the president ... and carry the South, '' Clark said in response to a question at the VFW Post 168 Hall in Portsmouth on Wednesday. "They split their votes. I'm that package -- all in one vote.'

"I'm a veteran ... I've worked with heads of states,'' he told 100 enthusiastic supporters, who sat with an equal number of reporters and photographers jostling in the hall. "I'm from the South, my mother was a secretary ... and I'm going to run well all across this country. And, I can beat George W. Bush.''

[DoveTurnedHawk]

1. I Was Hoping He'd Do This

This is exactly the right approach, IMO. Pushing electability, and pointing out how he's more appealing than either Kerry or Edwards alone.

DTH

[Maddy McCall]

2. Thanks, dwickham

Great article. (Where's that photo from the Advocate cover, though?)

:-)

[Democrats unite]

3. Clarks my man...

But so is Kerry & Edwards (I like to keep my options open).

[The Democrats Cometh]

17. Clark's my man, too,

but Edwards is my dream man!

[newyawker99]

19. Hi The Democrats Cometh!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[DemSigns]

4. I his forum yesterday, but it doesn't compare

to to Dean's forum with Tom Harkin in Iowa on I believe the day of the caucuses. Clark's forum was nice and said a lot of nice things, but Dean had much more substance to his answers. Clark may be had a little more "feel good" too his answers, but it felt more political and full of difficult to keep promises. I don't think he as much of the debating type as the other top candidates.

I learned from the forum that Clark is no friend of the First Amendment of the Constitution either in that he thinks there ought to be laws against burning the flag. I thought this was litmus test issue for democrats and ought to send up a red flag.

I have heard Clark a lot and I think he is generally ok, but perhaps a little overrated.

[Clark Can WIN]

10. This is a man who has continually stood up for the right to dissent

So he IS a fierce defender of the 1st ammendment. Your information is incorrect.

He did not say that he thought there "ought to be laws against burning the flag" He was asked once if it were ratified by the required number of states and got the necessary votes in both houses if he would sign an amendment banning the burning of the flag. He responded that if an ammendment was able to overcome such obstacles it would clearly represent the will of the people and he would sign it.

This must be examined on more than a surface level for accurate assesment. First of all it is by design extremely difficult to ammend the constitution of the United States. I don't think we'll ever see one against flag burning make it to the presidents desk. If there were enough people who thought they could get the necessary votes and cared to do so they would have done it in the Bill Mahr, Dixie Chick, 9-11 hyper-patriotic fervor days.

You cannot discount the fact that Wesley Clark came damn close to dying for that flag, leaving behind a young widow and an infant child he'd never seen. Wesley Clark buried many friends and colleages under that flag. He gave 34 years of his life to that flag and what it represents. He understands that a big part of what that flag represents is the right to protest and dissent. I see no conflict here. It is possible to say, this one thing, this one thing that represents the meaning, the ideals, the struggles and the sacrifices of millions......... this one thing you cannot use to hurt us all. There are a million other ways to speak and they are all open to you, swing away.

[DemSigns]

14. Sorry, but Free speech is Free speech

His passive agressive stance on this still sends the wrong message to Americans. I think the soldiers that get it are the ones that know know they are fighting for the right of people burn the flag or display other nonviolent means of dissent to their government.

I can hardly stand Dean's middle of the road stance on the death penalty, another fundamentaly wrong action. But I think he is using it as a politically safe stance and would be easily be convinced of the common missaplication, if not the sheer heinenous of the death penalty and would take steps to legislate it away if he Had the Power...

[aquanut]

18. dissent is the highest form of patriotism

Clark has stated over and over "dissent is the highest form of patriotism".

But actions speak louder than words and Clark stood up for Michael Moore when Moore was criticized for questioning the war in Iraq.

[mikehiggins]

20. Possibly overrated

Every candidate has feet of clay to some degree because we want them to be "everything he can be" and anyone will inevitably fall short. I am not at all concerned about a flag amendment since it is extremely unlikely it will pass anytime in our lifetime (assuming Bush isn't reelected).

It is really, really hard to screw with the constitution through the amendment process (ask the Women's Lib people). It is much easier to simply appoint SCOTUS judges who'll follow the party line.

Which gets to the point of how important it is to win the south in hopes of preventing all five of those Senate seats from going GOP. If the GOP gets control of the Senate and keeps control of the White House believe me when I tell you its all over.

Clark being a working class guy from the region who made his way up to being a major military figure has many of the ingredients of the story guaranteed to grab the hearts of many Southerners who would never ever, ever consider voting for a liberal Yankee. Writing off the South as unreachable more or less hands the Senate over to the GOP and that would be an unparralled disaster in the modern history of the United States.

That's how important the stakes are in this race. So, if Clark wants a flag amendment, fine. That's his opinion. If he only draws the line with abortion at the point somebody beats a newborn baby to death with a bat, okay. All I want is somebody to beat Bush and save the nation from a crypto/religious/fascistic plutocracy.

Big words that basically mean, Bush wins, America is SCREWED.

ABB RULES!

[Kahuna]

5. Dean + Kerry + Edwards = Clark..

Dean = IWR
Kerry = War Hero
Edwards = Charismatic, humble, southerner

Clark = All

[Clark Can WIN]

6. I was hoping, and still do hope he goes even further with this

I've worked with heads of states should be switched for "I have negotiated peace agreements" and his domestic programs and policies whithin the service should be emphasized more.

He is the total package, he needs to communicate that loudly.

[Bread and Circus]

7. Hopefully, NH will listen...

He is the entire package and a great fusion candidate

[Clark Can WIN]

13. I think this race has proven that

five days is an ETERNITY in the "04 primary season.

[Jerseycoa]

8. Absolutely right, Clark Can Win

"domestic programs and policies whithin the service should be emphasized more"

[estherc]

9. Not to mention he looks great in a speedo

[Clark Can WIN]

11. The campaign needs to push that he has superior and successful foreign

policy experience and extensive domestic experience as well, compare the command of a military unit to governorship of a state.

Working with at budget, seeing after education of the children, addressing housing and health standards, dealing with domestic violence etc.

[Loren645]

12. Like Michael Moore said, he's a rare gift

The best presidential candidate I've ever seen.

[TexasSissy]

16. Yes, he is. Imagine having him fall in our laps...

after considerable convincing, that is. What I wonder is....will the Dems be smart enough to nominate him? He is Bush's worst nightmare.

[MIMStigator]

15. Like they said he's an answer to a prayer

eom