Gen. Wesley Clark Joins FNC as Foreign Affairs Analyst

[Gloria]

Gen. Wesley Clark Joins FNC as Foreign Affairs Analyst


http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=8010

June 15, 2005
Gen. Wesley Clark Joins FNC as Foreign Affairs Analyst
By Michele Greppi


Fox News Channel has signed Gen. Wesley Clark, the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, CNN contributor and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, as a military and foreign affairs analyst.


"Gen. Clark's extensive military experience and sharp insight make him a powerful addition to Fox News Channel," said Bill Shine, senior VP of programming.

Gen. Clark entered the Democratic presidential sweepstakes after the field had grown crowded and ended his bid after the Tennessee and Virginia primaries in 2004.


Bugmenot....
[e-mail]
tvweek

(Also posted to Wesley Clark forum)

[Maddy McCall]

1. Good. Maybe the Pox zombies will begin to hear the truth....

abou Iraq.

[tishaLA]

3. That's what I'm thinking

A progressive message from a 4-star General who's not scared to tell the truth. I've seen him handle Hannity and Asman alread....can't wait to see him demolish O'Reilly, too.

[Maddy McCall]

15. I will definitely start tuning in.

Maybe Pox knows that there is no avoidance about the news in Iraq, and instead of using the ass-suckers who are already on board, they wanted to bring on a military expert, who also just happens to be a Democrat, to break the bad news to the Pox zombies.

Whatever the reason, I'm there. :D

[MadisonProgressive]

77. Has this been approved by Karl?

[FrenchieCat]

97. I don't know, has it?

Based on your post downthread, it appears that you know more about what Karl thinks than the rest of us.

What did he say? Could you tell us? Please? :hi:

[MadisonProgressive]

125. Jeeze, let up already...

[billbuckhead]

5. This is Hillary's doing

Figure it out

[Maddy McCall]

9. No, it's not for me to "figure it out."

If you assert such, then prove it.

[billbuckhead]

28. if politics was car racing, Hillary and Wes would be on the same team

The Odd Couple ’08
by Ben Smith

Hillary Clinton hasn’t had her Hayman Island moment. Yet.

Hayman is a resort off Queensland, Australia, to which Rupert Murdoch flew Tony Blair in 1995 for the annual conference of his right-of-center media megalith, News Corp.

It was a crucial step in the complex and surprising negotiation between the two men that would boost Labour’s Mr. Blair up the little stoop and through the door at 10 Downing Street two years later.

Now, the specter of an alliance between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Murdoch—two of the most powerful and guarded figures in the world—is beginning to whet the appetites of the chattering classes.

-----------------snip----------
<http://www.observer.com/pages/frontpage5.asp>

[Clark2008]

35. And this has to do with Clark, how?

:shrug:

Looks like a story about Hillary to me.

[billbuckhead]

47. Clark is Hillary's sock puppet and I'm all for it.

<http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/12023.html>

I think Clinton-Clark-Murdoch is the winning ticket.

[Clark2008]

51. Oh, what garbage.

:eyes:

[Adelante]

56. Whoooosh -- Time Machine

I feel like I've been here before.

[LittleClarkie]

65. Skull and Bones! Skull and Bones!!

Oye shit.

Clark is far, FAR more liberal than Hillary. Just because Clark might be buds with the Clintons doesn't make him a sock puppet.

[FrenchieCat]

38. Will Hillary be discussing senate matters

on Fox? If that is the case, then I say GREAT! Cause normally they only talk ABOUT her.....as opposed to having her on!

Great Progress and Kudos to Hillary if this helps get the right message out to the zombies!

[LittleClarkie]

67. Boy, that article comes close to gossip

based on very few real facts, it looks like. Unless she actually meets with Murdock on Hayman, it looks like alot of speculation to me.

[billbuckhead]

75. I'm implying that Clark showing up on Fox is the other shoe falling

[LittleClarkie]

76. Based on what

the first shoe hasn't even fallen yet. Murdock is trying to woo her. The article doesn't say he's succeeding.

Where are your facts?

[Mitt Chovick]

135. Clinton/Clark 2008

the dye has been cast. You might as well vote for it, since it is inevitable.

[Pithy Cherub]

2. Whoa, FNC hires Clark who will pull no punches!

:wow: Clark isn't going there because he's going to be quiet - he's going to give liberals a real voice and engage in verbal battle:spank: with the asshats.

I salute you, sir!:patriot:

[Old and In the Way]

4. Interesting.....

nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

61. To say the least.

nt

[Donna Zen]

6. Hahahahahaaaaa!

They're actually going to pay him to 1) tell the truth and even better 2) testify to the republican base!

Oh my... nice move General.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

18. I bet they fire him in a matter of weeks.

They won't want to hear what he has to say -- I imagine they hired him only so they can keep claiming they're "fair and balanced," but their freeper audience will piss and moan about that damn librul and they'll sack him. I just hope he's able to land a few punches before he goes.

[Maddy McCall]

UNLESS he uses Pox to speak to the middle.

It's actually a brilliant political move. He's gearing up for 08, and Pox is paying him to campaign in a very strategic way--pulling the political middle.

[Dinger]

82. How About A David Asman-Clark Reunion?

Asman will never fuck with Clark again, not after the Nov. 17, 2003 interview, NEVER. Wish I was a fly on the wall when those two bump into each other!

[tishaLA]

107. Dinger you're GOOD!

You even know the date. I can only reference it!

My favorite is still Clark telling Hannity that Kerry was playing hockey when Bush was a cheerleader and Hannity said to him, "so what are you saying about cheerleaders? Huh?"

[Dinger]

120. Why Thank You tishaLA! (nt)

[Clark2008]

19. That's my thoughts, exactly!

:7

[clydefrand]

7. Something is rotten in Denmark! I smell a skunk here!

Why would a reputable Democrat work for Fox? Hmmmmm???


How long will he last when he doesn't say what they want to hear?

Will he say what they want to hear and forget the truth? I certainly hope not, but this assignment just feels strange to me.

[Maddy McCall]

11. Yeah, I'm sure General Clark will begin singing the Fox tune.

:eyes:

[MadisonProgressive]

78. Don't forget that he would have been a republican

if Karl Rove would have returned his phone calls...

[Clark2008]

80. I really hope this is sarcasm

Because he meant it that way.

[MadisonProgressive]

84. That's not how I took it.

[Clark2008]

104. So the jocular is lost on you?

I don't get it.

It was fabrication and the man has busted his rump stumping for the Dems, including the media-beleaguered Howard Dean - and you still think he meant that?

Oh, my... you need some sarcasm infusion. And I mean that kindly.

[MadisonProgressive]

123. I'm sorry, but I never saw an explanation for it

I was supporting him at the time, but was very confused by that statement. I was hoping he said it in jest, but since it was never explained, I wasn't sure. And please, if I had anymore sarcasm infused into me, I would explode. Such is BushWorld.

[FrenchieCat]

93. You are way too late....

still spewing the old Karl Rove ordered line, I see. Didn't you mama teach you not to believe everything you read in the Corporate media? Jeeze! :eyes:

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/sept0304.html#092303125pm
Fineman's evidence is the say-so of Colorado's Republican Governor Bill Owens and one of his appointees, Marc Holtzman.

"I would have been a Republican if Karl Rove had returned my phone calls," they say Clark told him.

Clark told Fineman he had just been kidding around. But Owens and Holtzman assured Fineman that Clark was dead serious.

Now, Owens is a Republican and he's close to Karl Rove and President Bush. So I don't think you've got to use your imagination too creatively to see what agenda Owens might be advancing -- especially since the story doesn't really add up on several other counts as well.

http://www.jessicaswell.com/MT/archives/000839.html
Jeeze, if Clark wasn't joking....and he really did call the WH....why is this the story in a RW hack mag?
Clark Never Called Karl
Wesley Clark says he would have been a Republican if Karl Rove had returned his phone calls. White House phone logs suggest otherwise.
by Matthew Continetti
09/22/2003 1:45:00 PM
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/152tuawi.asp

[MadisonProgressive]

124. Thank you for that!

I'd never seen that second piece. And no, my momma never told me that. When I was growing up we actually believed in Uncle Walter.

[Joacheme Misrahe]

150. Are you for real?

"White house phone logs"? Do you TRULY believe "white house phone logs" are, shall we say, untainted?

Indeed, if it's a document from the white house it MUST be true.

[FrenchieCat]

23. Call it a mission.......

Hear that music in the background? tata dumdedumdum tata dumdum teetee dumdum.
Hit the link!
http://franklarosa.com/vinyl/AudioPlay.jsp?File=MissionImpossible.rm

[Adelante]

24. Not so strange

He's been talking for about a year how Democrats have to break out of the circle jerk and bring the Dem message to the Fox-type audience. This is something he believes in very strongly. He chastises his supporters, in fact, to call into rw radio and write to conservative newspapers. He feels it's a great mistake to leave this stuff out over the airwaves without rebuttal. He's just doing what he has been encouraging other Democrats to do. I don't share your fears about his opinions being controlled by Fox's agenda. They may end up firing him, but he won't roll over.

[FourStarDemocrat]

116. That's exactly true. Clark is taking it to the frontlines.

Last August I attended a Clark event with a gathering of supporters, and one of his main points in his speech that day was: You need to take the facts, take YOUR views to the right. Rightwing radio (and Fox television) is the only way that millions of these people gettheir news and opinions. Clark challenged us to call into one radio show a week to express a contrary opinion, and/or to clarify misleading stories and outright lies. He said that if every one of us would commit to doing this at least once a week it would make a difference. And now he is doing this on a major way. I applaud him!!

[ClarkUSA]

73. Clark's about as likely to do that as Dean - they are both strong as hell

He's doing it to get into sheeple minds and win us some votes in 2006 and break through any Diebold margin!!!

Geez. :eyes:

[Texas_Kat]

95. Well if he says what they don't want to hear (and he will)

And they fire him (break the contract) then he'll get to keep the cash anyway....
Oh, what to do.... it's a win/ win situation all around. :dilemma:

It happened to Olbermann, it could happen again.

[Joacheme Misrahe]

151. So you've read the contract?

And know what actions will violate it? Can I see a copy of it?

For all you know there is a clause in it that says FOX can make the contract null and void whenever they want.

[Plausible]

8. Dang, why would he do that :( n/t

[Maddy McCall]

13. Everyone at DU complains about how biased Pox is.

Why wouldn't we rejoice that an educated, progressive man has been hired there, and we will have more of an opportunity to see "fair and balanced" news on Pox than ever before?

As much as I hate Pox, I'm glad that the general is going to take them on. He has the biggest cajones of any of the 04 candidates, IMO.

[Donna Zen]

14. Because preaching to choir

has its limits.

And no, he's not going to be out bashing bush, but I've never known him, even when he's being non-partisan, to pull punches. He'll tell the truth as he sees it.

Whenever he has been on as an analyst, he has been factual and "spot" on.

It will take lots of crossover votes to win in 2006 and 2008. If the republican audience associates him with Faux, they will listen when he speaks to them off of the tube even as a partisan.

[Maddy McCall]

17. Yeah, I hadn't considered what a brilliant political move this is.

Crossover votes--telly fans who watch him on Pox would be more likely to support him in 08. Smart guy, that Wes. :D

[ClarkUSA]

72. Crossover votes will also help the Democratic Party in 2006

It will be great for the DNC and Dean as DNC Chairman to have someone pulling voters from Bush fantasy to sane and plain reality.

[FrenchieCat]

10. In the lions' den we go.....

armed and ready for battle.

I give him a few weeks before they give him the HeeveHo....like CNN did. He'll have a lot of ground to cover in that short time...

[Maddy McCall]

12. Just one thing I wish.

Before he gets the old heeve ho, he gets to face off with Hannity.

[FreedomAngel82]

86. That would be nice

That would be a nice show. I really liked him on Bill Maher's show and how he got to Maher and his comments on it being good to be in Iraq and all that and he totally gave it to Maher. :D Plus him being a four star general does help. :)

[ticapnews]

16. There's an old Vulcan proverb

Only Nixon could go to China.

I wonder if they'll let him voice his opinion, or if they will try to muzzle him. Having signed him to a contract, will they actually put him on the air, or will they use the contract to keep him from voicing his opinion?

This could be a chance for some truth to make it onto the air at Faux News. Imagine that.

[Maddy McCall]

20. I really doubt that the General is stupid enough to fall into a trap...

like that. I can't imagine him signing a contract that would have provisions that he couldn't speak his opinion.

[ticapnews]

31. I mean...

If he refuses to follow the Faux News Script, will they simply not schedule him on any of their big shows. I doubt Hannity/Hume/O'Reilly are exactly eager to go toe-to-toe with Clark. They could essentially keep him on the bench indefinitely...

I doubt they will do that. He will be good for ratings, and add credibility to their "fair and balanced" line. But if he doesn't play ball the way they want, it wouldn't surprise me if they kept him under contract just to keep him off the air...

[Jai4WKC08]

62. Not to worry

No doubt in my mind that the General would sign any contract to give Fox exclusive rights to his air time. If they don't like what he's saying and shunt him off to the side, he'll still be speaking out elsewhere.

Nor do I believe for a minute that he'll let Fox control his remarks, as some seem to question up thread. There's nothing Clark values more than the right to speak out where he sees a need.

Considering the problems Fox has been having lately, I suspect Clark got to pretty much name his terms in the contract. He knows how to negotiate what he wants.

[Donna Zen]

21. Muzzle?

He's going as a military analyst. It will be dry and to the point...but real. No cheerleading. It isn't what will happen on the tube, it is the perception of Clark with the Fauxoids off the tube that matters. Reel 'em in.

[Donna Zen]

29. My bad

I just noticed that it says "foreign affairs" not military specific. Even better... actually much better.

[Adelante]

34. Much much much much better!!

A voice for the Democratic Party on foreign policy, finally.

[ncteechur]

22. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!!

[Maddy McCall]

25. Yes, and peel off some of the American middle in the process.

Great strategy.

[Clark2008]

27. Exactly.

And, honestly, what other REAL Dem could pull this off?

[Adelante]

30. Ha

:thumbsup:

[Justice]

26. Hey, great preparation for 2008 - On Two Fronts

1. It will harder for Fox to trash him in 2008 if he has been their guy.

2. He will be knocking heads with the crazies and showing Americans how a smart open minded guy can behave. He will be ready for primary combat having significantly increased his visibility. Hmm, guess those folks on that other thread who think Clark can't raise money and get his message out didn't count on Clark getting PAID to be on the air. And you know why - because the guy actually has CREDENTIALS!


Oh course, the downside is that we have to watch Fox in order to hear him. Truly a Hobson's choice.

[Clark2008]

32. "1. It will harder for Fox to trash him in 2008 if he has been their guy."

Ehhh... CNN did a number on him and he was "their" guy.

I don't trust Faux as far as I could throw the entire network, but I do agree with the General's battle plan.

[Justice]

36. I hear you, but Wes is more of a known animal now than in 2004

But I hear you and almost put a caveat in my original post to that point.

[napi21]

33. I'll just wait and see. So far NO ONE has been on FOX to support

the Dems! The few fools they have had we very weak, to say the least! I am not a realy strong Clark fan, but I'm willing to see what he does on that network.

[Justice]

37. I wonder when Fox Asked Him, Was it because of DSM?

Did Fox suddenly realize how exposed they were because of the DSM?

I'd love to know the back story about the negotiations. I just shook his hand last Sunday night - man, I would have loved to have known this then, so I could have asked him.

[Adelante]

42. Maybe Murdoch

Remember that panel they both served on a few months ago?

[Justice]

44. I don't - do you have any details?

thanks!

[Adelante]

55. Economics/digital technology

There were two parts to it that I remember, one in California on economics and the other in Florida on digital technology. There were a bunch of Nobel Prize winners participating, Wes, Murdoch, and Al Gore, among others. A think tank thing. April or so.

[chaumont58]

39. Clark's model for behavior will the that great Dem analyst......

Susan Estrich. Now, there's a Dem with balls.

Clark did this to piss of the new DNC chairman, ole what-his-name.

[Adelante]

48. Huh?

Why should this piss Dean off? Maybe you're joking over my head? This is right in with Dean's 50-state strategy and reaching out to Reagan Democrat types. So what are you saying?

[Justice]

49. Clark just spoke strongly in favor of Dean, so no, I don't think so

I also think Clark would dispense with Susan very swiftly.

[tishaLA]

59. As Rosie O'Donnell said to Hannity...

de-loooooooo-sional

[FourStarDemocrat]

118. Bullshit. Clark is no Susan Estrich. He won't be trampled over.

And he is one of the few Democrats this past week to make a major show of support for Howard Dean. It sounds like you're not too sure of what you are talking about.

[Vickers]

40. I bet Clark knows a little more about strategy than the average DUer

;)

[Justice]

41. Touche!

[Cha]

136. That's what I was

thinking. It will be interesting for those who will watch And check into DU to hear the reports of how and what Clark is doing.

Good Luck, Clark..going into the Belly of the Beast on a more permanent basis. :patriot:

[FrenchieCat]

43. Well....

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in
moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
--Martin Luther King Jr.--1963

Hit the link to play the theme that this thread emotes in the background as you think about this and other issues.

In the end, we are all up against Impossible missions--but with guts and determination... they can be DONE!
http://franklarosa.com/vinyl/AudioPlay.jsp?File=MissionImpossible.rm

[Mojambo]

45. I don't watch Fox News Channel. Period.

But I wish General Clark the best and hope he can bring some truth to the ignorant trolls that do watch FNC.

[LittleClarkie]

46. Eeewwww.

Don't fall asleep, General. They've a pod waiting for you, I reckon.

[Clark2008]

50. Clark can rappel out of pods - or swim out of 'em.

;)

[CarolNYC]

52. hmmmmm

Should be interesting...Go Gen Wes! Take on the Faux News crew! :)

[politicasista]

66. Hope he makes them look like the clowns they are

Hey Carol, check you pms.:hi:

[CarolNYC]

69. politicasista

:hug:

[politicasista]

70. Right back at you Carol

:hug: :hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

87. That'd be a good show

I'd love to see them squirm around and try to out do a four-star general on military issues like Iraq. :D

[BlueStateGirl]

53. Oh man, I'm gonna have tro watch Fox now. I think this is a great move

on General Clark's part. He's taking his message to the people who most need to hear it!

[KoKo]

54. Roger Ailes/Rupert Murdoch see the tide turning and Clark will be

a nice addition to their lineup as the "tide turns."

Just remember that Geraldo Rivera kept Clinton afloat against the Right Wingers for Ailes who knew how to hold the "Dem Audience."

It's all about the "Money...follow the $$$$$$'s to the Dems" since the Chimp is having trouble..

Wes could be the new Geraldo who leads the Dems back into the limelight, is the way Ailes/Murdoch think.

It isn't so bad. Most of us don't watch Faux so whatever Clark does is for a good cause on there and maybe he will make a difference. :shrug:

[FrenchieCat]

58. Like Dr. Fate often tell the politicians.......

If you've got any juice get your face on the F*cking TeeVee and tell the people what the deal is.

Guess Clark heard Dr. Fate!

[FreedomAngel82]

88. Seems to be that way

And now some republicans are turning away from Bush. :D

[Gloria]

57. Sam Seder (Majority Report) just chimed in...said that he talked

to a friend in the media business who had been offered a show at one point. Says that FAUX has "topped out" in terms of its market...ratings not as good.

Sam opined that he'd sign a contract for however many months, they'd have him on, he'd rip them to shreds, and that would be the last of him.

A guy with Sam said it was a "market decision"--to get a "good liberal" on, not another Alan Colmes type....

[corbett]

60. I Don't Doubt His Mettle Or Patriotism But Still

He must feel like David in the lions' den! There's no better man for the job but he's in for Kosovo part 2.

[FrenchieCat]

63. He's been ready!

Generals like to battle!

Plus, he does keep his ear close to the grassroots...

[Jai4WKC08]

74. Reminds me of...

"You play hardball with ME!"

:bounce:

[usregimechange]

64. He will let them have it!

[Sparkly]

68. It's a great venue for reaching a lot of Bush voters

It gives the General great exposure, but moreover it gives Democratic foreign policy ideas great exposure -- and from a voice they can't easily dismiss.

I can see how this could benefit Democrats, but what does Fox think it'll be getting out of it? Maybe widening their viewers, hoping to persuade those who'd tune in for the General that the rest of their crap is "fair and balanced?" Maybe it helps with some of their sponsors? Maybe they've got some new radical rightwinger who Clark is there to "balance?" Who knows.

[Adelante]

71. They're looking for a larger audience

I think so, anyway. I read their market is saturated.

[FreedomAngel82]

90. Oh yeah

I've read their audience has been going down since the last "election" and the last time they had good raitings was November 2nd night.

[Larry in KC]

79. Maybe this is what Faux's getting out of it...

...and I lay this all out as a rabid Clark supporter, confident as always of the rightness of the General's motives...

...of course, Faux has loved being the House Organ of *co. They used to have it the other way, though, starting out as the rabid opposition to the Clinton administration.

Well, like so many others, they enjoy access and the power and money it brings. So, they've done a realistic projection and decided that with *co coming down, they can make a smart shift to keep some of their access, at least. They see General Clark coming like a Jove. They know him to be a man of fairness and integrity, who repays fair treatment (obviously an oddity in politics, but that's another story).

So, they bring him on regularly, and continue to treat him with the respect he demands/deserves (which they have usually done in the past, another wonder). When Clark is elected president in 2008, they can not only remind him that they played fair with him, they can claim (perhaps with some reason) that the air time and respect they demonstrated to him was no small part of his victory. Therefore, while they would never reasonably expect to be the House Organ, they would have earned some return, in the form of continued access and respectability that they might otherwise not expect to get when we Democrats are back in power.

So, maybe the Realpolitik here is that the General is so excellent a potential president, not even Faux can deny it, so they'd rather benefit from it.

Wesley Clark 2008. Duty, honor, country.

[Clark2008]

81. I love that optimistic assessment!

Even though I don't believe it... hee hee... I mean... shit, it's Faux!

;)

[FrenchieCat]

83. Possibly...but I don't know about all of that.

What I will say is I will be watching Fox when alerted so that I can watch the General and the clueless newsreaders going at it. They won't know what hit them till they are off the air. By the time he's said what he wanted to say....and it's sinks in to their slow witted minds, the segment will be over.

Fox has no-one that can do what Clark can in reference to the gravitas that he will lend to the reporting on Iraq and other important matters. They know it....and the way things are falling apart in Iraq, I'm sure that fox doubts that they can hide it...so might as well let it all hang out.

When your ratings have dropped by 57% and the Prez you support is down into the low 40s......you gotta do what you gotta do. It's not like Faux really has the gumption of being loyal or having integrity....so...

[FreedomAngel82]

85. What the hell??

I'm still not watching that rightwing polluting network.

[Rainscents]

89. This is Win, win, win for Pox... Lot of moderate republicans like him,

he is also very loved by liberal. It's all about RATING!!! Aslo, look at it this way, when clark run in '08, they won't spit hate towards Clark like they did with Kerry.

[FreedomAngel82]

91. Moderate republicans like him?

I didn't know that. Could be good for 2008 and him going on faux. The next years primaries should be interesting.

[Rainscents]

92. Yes, I hard lots of moderate republicans said to me, if it was Clark

who ran instead of Kerry, they would had crossed over and voted for Clark.

[Larry in KC]

94. My brother, who is a Limbaugh regular...

told me the same thing just after Kerry was chosen. He was a long way from voting for Kerry, but would have voted for Clark.

It would have been the first thing we saw eye to eye on (politically speaking) in many a year.

Let's give us all that chance in '08!

[FrenchieCat]

96. Funny about that....

My Daughter, who just graduated from high school Sunday, did her Yearbook page (each senior gets an entire page to do whatever collage represents them)....and she included a pic of Me and the General (unbeknowns to me)..I guess to represent my involvement for the last couple of years on the General's campaign. (dad wasn't all that overjoyed...but hey, he's got two pics of him in there...so it's all good). LOL!

So I'm at this pre-graduation dinner this week-end, minding my business, and this family comes over to me (that I know are Republicans...cause my daughter had gone to their house and seen some GOP shit magnetized on their fridge door which she reported back to me) and the father asked me.....if that was General Clark on my daughter's senior page?

So I answered...yep, I supported him during the primaries and felt that he was the perfect candidate. The dad looked at me and said...yep, he would have done better than Kerry....and he sure would be doing better than Bush right about now.

So then we got started talking about politics....and he admitted to having voted for Bush....and he did say that he would have voted for Clark instead....but couldn't do the Kerry vote. He said things are so F*cked up now....he really regrets that vote....AND the one before.

Now, I'm in California, so it didn't make much difference....but I do think that Reasonable Repugs do like what Clark represents....

Well hopefully, we shall see.
=========
Now, if we could only get more Real Dems on more TeeVee...it certainly couldn't hurt by next year's election!

[FreedomAngel82]

108. That's definitley something

Did the family tell you why they liked Mr. Clark? (He does have a really good personality and that home southern thing going on)

[FrenchieCat]

114. Well, I think that there could be a few reasons....

one of the reasons is that it's "General" Clark....
Another reason might be because Clark can kick some ass....clean the mess.......be the patriot that he is and accomplish good things for all Americans.....or maybe because he seems intelligent (Rhodes Scholar and all...1st at West Point) and well adjusted, accomplished and thoughtful.

OR maybe because he looks Presidential and raised a family on $50,000 or less for quite some years. Could be the four War hero wounds when he nearly died in Vietnam, or perhaps because he was the General that planned and led the last war that America won, without a single U.S. Casualty while he still being protective of minimizing damage to civilians...to the point that he felt that risking his job was worth it.

Or Maybe the dad liked Clark because he doesn't come off as a Slick politician. The southern Charm could also be a factor. The fact that his sports are swimming, riding horses, fishing and hunting, and Golf could also have played a small role.

The Father was hispanic....so maybe it's that he heard Clark on a Spanish speaking station....talking Spanish. Or that he found out that Clark only daughter-in-law is from Columbia. Or maybe the fact that Clark is religious. Or that Clark has been married for 35 years.

Or maybe because he heard that Clark wasn't always a Democrat...and that attracts him...cause that would mean that he could also become a new Democrat....and not feel uncomfortable about it.

Hell, I could go on with what the reasons might be why the Repug have liked Wes Clark.

Take your pick.

PS. That was fun! Next time ask me why a Democrat might want to like General Clark.

[Jai4WKC08]

131. Time to tell my own wing-nut family story

Every family's got one.

My brother is a typical, right-wing, neo-con fundie Chrisitan. White male. Retired infantry officer. Defense contractor now. Life-long Repub. Big Nixon and Reagan fan. Less so Bush but mostly because he doesn't like Rumsfeld--he thinks Bush is a "good Christian man" trying to do what's right. :puke: He also thinks abortion is murder, gays are sinners, and "libruls" are destroying American society. Sad, really, because he didn't use to be so extreme--I think he's been corrupted by his church--but he was always far to the right of center.

Anyway... my brother listens to Wes Clark. Doesn't agree with him about a lot of things, but he trusts Clark to be saying what he (Clark) believes based on what he (Clark) knows to be true. He told me once Clark will not say anything to hurt the troops in Iraq "because Clark is a patriot first" (my brother's exact words).

Two days ago, he even told me he had registered at Clark's PAC (http://securingamerica.com). He signed the petition there for the GI Bill of Rights and said he intends to call his Repub rep to support it as well. He thinks it a crime that reservists and guard don't get the same health benefits as active duty, and that their families don't get the same support.

Now, I don't think my brother would ever vote for Clark, because of the abortion and gay rights thing. Altho I suppose that might depend who runs on the other side... he doesn't think much of Giuliani's adultry, for example. But there probably aren't many Repubs he wouldn't prefer over any Democrat.

But for every one of the hard-core RW kooks like my brother, there are probably ten who are not so unreachable. Most of 'em don't know who Wes Clark is, because they don't have the military contacts, they don't have a sister who bends their ears at every opportunity, and they don't pay attention to what's going on within party politics. But if they hear Clark, if they listen to what he says, and especially if they do so BEFORE the right-wing machine gets a chance to define him for them, they will be impressed.

Whatever I may think of Fox news (and I hate it as much as anyone here), Clark is the guy, probably the ONLY guy, who can go into that arena, fight the bull(shit) and come out with two ears and a tail.

I proud of him for being willing to try.

[Rowdyboy]

98. I'll bet Britt Hume is furious, foaming at the mouth furious

because now there will be a smart, poised, feisty Democrat who will asssuredly make him look like the pompous fool that he is. Fair and rational commentary on his Faux network! Not no but HELL NO!

I'm sure the Wes will be fired within 3 or 4 months but boy will there be fireworks until then! And the exposure he will give our side of the issues could be immense. This is going to be great! Our "Freakish" counterparts are already flipping out, whining about how FNC is just like CNN and is now "hard-left leaning".

This is the best news I've had all week! Thanks!

[FrenchieCat]

100. I am picturing it in my mind!

About the freaks, I mean! :banghead:

[Rowdyboy]

101. They are FURIOUS....Next to being in denial over the Shiavo autopsy

Clark's new job seems to bother them most. Don't you just love it when they're stirred up? Its like stomping on a fire ant bed: they swarm immediately and attack mindlessly, sometimes fighting each other in their confusion.

Freeps are funny, like insects only without the discipline. Plus, insects aren't deliberately cruel....

[Rainscents]

102. Is this whats happening over at fleeper land? Are they all typing in

capital letters? LOL

[Larry in KC]

103. If you can stand it, here's what they're saying...

(...pretty much a random sampling of the Freep response:)

"Say it ain't so."

"OMG
I have nothing more to say."

"I find myself watching less and less Fox News--obviously with good reason! I will not watch Wesley Clark. The trend left continues...."

"I saw him on Fox today but I looked away before I went blind..."

"Wesley will consult on the best perfumes to wear when meeting the Joint Chiefs."

"Another reason to get all my news from Free Republic!"

"WHAT THE HEY???!!!!!!"

"If true Fox Just went down to CNN level in brain power."

(and my personal favorite):

"He's not qualified to be military analyst for the Boy Scouts."

(I feel so unclean after going over there. I think I need to go wash out my eyes now, but I just love that unmistakeable note of trying to keep the panic at bay)

[Rainscents]

105. OMG... they are all very sick!!! They all need brain surgery!

[FreedomAngel82]

110. Oh how fun they're going nuts

It's always fun. :popcorn: I don't ever go over there. I did once and never have again. :crazy:

[CarolNYC]

126. Oh, I didn't even think of the freepers reaction

hysterical! The one "looked away before he went blind". haha!

[Cha]

141. "I saw him on Fox today but I looked away before I went blind..."

News Flash! You're already deaf, dumb, and "blind",!

[Clarkie1]

99. This may be an act of hubris on the part of FOX news

Perhaps they see Clark as a rising threat to the neo-con agenda, and hope to somehow control him or impune him by having him in their employ. If so, they have made a very foolish mistake.

Then again, maybe it's just all about ratings and market share.

[Clark2008]

117. Yeah... good luck to them.

Gen. Shelton and former Def. Sec. William Cohen tried to control our General, too.

Didn't work.

[wisteria]

106. I can't believe this!

He has signed on to work with a known repub news show, on that twists and distorts news of all kinds and never has a kind word for Democrats and you don't question his motives or theirs? Do you really think he will get fair and balanced treatment unless he tells them what they want to hear? And now you are all going to watch the network and make sure their rating go up.
If JK had done this, he would of been branded as a traitor and repub lite.

[Jai4WKC08]

109. I don't question Clark's motives

And I don't really care about Fox's.

Will he "get fair and balanced treatment unless he tells them what they want to hear"? That question doesn't even make sense.

Wes Clark will tell 'em the truth. That's what he's always done. Always.

Fox listeners desperately need to hear the truth.

[Texas_Kat]

112. FOX Fair & Balanced--->NOT

:spank: <--- Wes Clark Beating some sense into FAUX

Rush Limbaugh's called the General a wimp, but I think ol' Rush and his buddies are in for a nasty surprise. They've been getting away with beating up on placeholder 'liberals' who won't defend themselves or the Dems. They won't be able to do that any more.

The Right Wingers will come after him with all the rancor and venom they can muster. Why...they now know that he's on THEIR airtime and they think they outnumber him.

BUT, It's not one sided anymore. Wes will be in their face. Their days of running roughshod over the facts are numbered. Period. End of Sentence.

Faux cowards --> <--Wes Clark

We have seen the General stand up for what he believes in when others have caved in at the first glaring look.

4-Star Generals do not duck and run. This General has proven himself on the battlefield. He has earned his Purple Heart. How many of the Fox commentators duck and run for cover (or froth at the mouth) when he's confronted them in the past?

FOX gives the General the PERFECT place to demonstrate our Democratic Values and Beliefs. We can point Democrats to FOX and say hey, join us as we correct the untruths and outright lies. The fact the General will be on the air ALL of the time, have transcripts published, have Fox commentators try to bring him down, have videoclips made...heck, the General doesn't need a podcast...he has FOX, the most watched cable news network in our country.

Democrats will also go nowhere until we stop playing into Republican hands. Howard Dean gives it to them...why not General Wesley Clark. Chris Matthews doesn't realize that Hardball just moved to Fox. He didn't have it and now it's gone to the opposition.

Think about it. We should see the value on its face. It's been so far an unchecked stream of wrong information or outright lies into millions of homes, here and abroad. The General can now change that.

[Adelante]

137. Because we already know his motives

He wants to reach the Fox audience with the Democratic message. He wants to help peel off the more moderate segment to vote Dem in 2006. Remember the 50-state strategy? Those red states, those purple states, all those voters watching Fox News? The Reagan Democras?

That's who he wants to talk to.

This isn't the surprise to us that it seems to be to you. He has been talking about how Democrats have to infiltrate the conservative media for well over a year. He just doesn't believe in speaking only to the converted. He thinks a whole lot of Bush voters in 2004 will actually like the Democratic message, if they only get to hear it.

Sounds like he and Dean think alike on this issue, no?

About Fox, I'm still thinking on their motives. Maybe just ratings and audience share, maybe something more, I just don't know.

[wtmusic]

143. And I hear he refuses to accept a dime from that nefarious propaganda

outlet -- oh, he is? Nevermind. (I'm sure his motives have nothing to do with the fact he has no job). :eyes:

[AntiCoup2K4]

111. Honestly, I'm not sure about this.

The only "Democrats" FAUX has ever given the time of day before now were weak cowards like Alan Colmes or DLC sellouts (Lieberman/Bayh/Biden/Richardson/etc.)

Why would they want General Clark in front of a camera. As a foreign affairs analyst, no less. FAUX is the official PNAC network, with Kristol, Krauthammer and other neocon traitors getting however much airtime they want. I don't see how Clark fits in to their propaganda driven agenda.

[Rainscents]

113. Rating, rating, rating... They need to bring in audiance... Lot of

moderate republicans and Liberals all turn them off. They think having Clark on, they can say, they are fair and Balance. Someone from above from this tread said, Sam seeder (AAR) talk to someone he knows from FAUX, they wanted someone who is very respected by many people, liberal and Conservative alike. So, they are hoping, Clark would draw in ratings.

[Mass]

115. Let's hope it is good news

All liberals that are on FOX tend to be silenced by FOX or turned into token liberals that are an alibi to promote the right wing agenda.

May this bring us a voice on change, but I have a lot of doubt this will happen.

[Tesla]

119. This one kills me!!!!

"He's not qualified to be military analyst for the Boy Scouts."


General?? West Point???

Enough said......

[Mass]

121. Not sure this was an anwer to my post

but you are right - whoever said that is simply crazy.

[Tesla]

122. Sorry, just had to say that!

You are right, I think they think they have bought him to keep him under their control....

Hope he was SMART in signing that contract!!

[Adelante]

138. His contract

The one thing I know about it is it doesn't restrict him from appearing elsewhere and saying whatever he wants to say. As for when he appears on Fox, I tend to doubt he would have signed without freedom to speak as he sees fit. That's just him.

[sendero]

127. I find this somwhat puzzling...

... but it has to be good news. Clark is second to none in his communication skills. And I believe in his integrity also. This will be good.

I just can't understand why Fox would want him. Are they (due to flagging ratings) realizing that the canned RW spin is just not going to sell in the face of a rapidly-imposing reality? What's up?

I don't get it but anything that gets Clark on TV is good!

[reality based]

128. This seems to be a risky gambit for Clark

First, he gives Fox legitimacy that lately has been eroding pretty rapidly (assuming that it ever really existed). He can undoubtedly stem some ratings loss.

Second, he bolsters that worn out lie-- "Fair and Balanced."

Third, he undercuts Dr. Dean's recent brilliant portrayal of Fox as the propaganda mouthpiece of the Republican Party. I have been anticipating a savaging of Fox by Democrats that could serve notice on other media that we're not going to take it anymore. He will help Fox defend itself from such attacks and thus possibly relieve the indirect pressure Dean's attacks could place upon other former MSM outlets.

Fourth, he makes himself subject to Fox manipulation. They will determine his air-time and how he is presented. They can discredit him in subtle and overt ways that only an employer can.

Fifth, it taints him, or at least raises suspicions, for many Democrats. He is a latecomer to the Party and still many have their doubts.

That being said it gives him certain advantages, assuming he could get the nomination, and, with stellar performance, it may be the best way to propel him into the top tier of serious candidates for the national ticket. I have regretted that he was not on the ticket last time.

[truebrit71]

129. This is a brilliant move on his part.

He gets to get his message out, gets invaluable free face time, cannot be accused by the right-wing that he only talks to liberals, and has the opportunity to appeal to the mis-guided moderates that watch FNC. It puts him squarely in the spotlight, giving him, if nothing else, face recognition when he announces his intentions for 2008, which was sorely missing from the MSM the last time.

This is an absolutely brilliant strategic move in his part. Brilliant.

[erpowers]

130. Get More Viewers

I contend they are doing this in order to get more viewers. In recent months the viewership of FOX News has fallen greatly. It seems that they may be realizing that the rightward tilt of their news may be hurting them, therefore; they hired Wes Clark in order to balance or the seemingly balance things out and to get more liberal viewers. Does anyone think that the formation and rise of Air America Radio had something to do with the rapid fall of FOX News. It seems that the ratings fell sharply after Air America came on the air. It seems that liberals began to abandon FOX after they got their own station.

[wtmusic]

132. Nothing surprising...Clark is a media whore

and will provide excellent statistics during the invasion of Iran.

[Texas_Kat]

134. You'll get an opportunity to see for yourself.

Clark's on Insanity tonight -- 9pm EDT. Tune in.

[Name removed]

139. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Crunchy Frog]

144. Well said!

I completely agree with your assessment of the poster.:hi:

[KittyWampus]

140. Clark Is A Mediawhore? Define Mediawhore.

[wtmusic]

142. Media Whore n.

"One who profits from and legitimizes a criminal act for the public".

That's our Wes.

[ibegurpard]

133. Disappointing

Does he realize that this helps to legitimize their claim of being "fair and balanced?" It will never be fair and balanced with the agenda of the owners.

[Texas_Kat]

145. I'm delighted that Clark is going into the lion's den.

In my deeply red state, Fox is the default channel and whether we want to believe it or not, there are people who just scan the news and have swallowed the right's talking points hook, line, and sinker.

Being afraid that Clark will lend Fox credibility? Wake up. For millions of Americans, Fox already has credibility.

Will it hurt Clark's 'political' chances? Maybe... but then he's always stood up for what he believes, whether he benefits from it or not.

Take a look at all of those placeholder Democrats who only want to talk to 'safe' talking heads. You know the ones I mean. The psuedo-dems who wink and nod and spout the rhetoric they think we want to hear, like it's some game they're playing with the press for our benefit. Then go right back to doing the 'same ol', same ol'.

Clark has never taken the safe path, but he's always stood his ground.

[roguevalley]

146. Clark grew up in Arkansas and knows this kind of mindset. he

can reach them and said during the campaign we have to. Go, Wes!

[CarolNYC]

147. wow

It's hard for me just to keep up with reading this stuff, let alone commenting....

So much to say...here are just a few of my thoughts.

I don't find it surprising at all that Clark took this gig. He's always telling those who show up at his apearances that we have to get our message out to those who listen to the right wing talk shows. At at least one event he asked that we all promise to make one call to a show like this a week...lie, if you have to to get through the screener, he said, but when you get on, be ready to make your point and make it forcefully.

Wes is truly a uniter. If you're looking for someone who'd rather shut people out than bring people in, he's not your man. But, hey, I'm sick of all of the division in this country already. I would think others are too...Obviously, some still thrive on it...and not only from the "right". And Wes is an optimist. He really believes that if we can just get our views through to the misinformed, they'll come around to our "side"...because he's so certain that our side is right.

And I think he's truly scared of what's happening to this country. He said at one event that the biggest security threat to this country is the possiblity of a one party system. Desperate times call for desperate measures. And he's not one to put his own political future above doing what's best for the country. I trust totally that he will do what he feels is necessary to take back this country from those who would destroy it. That has always been his uppermost motivation.

So he goes on Fox and he says the things he thinks people need to hear and he hopes to reach the reachable ones and maybe he turns some of them around and we get some victories in 2006. That's all good, no?

There are, granted, a lot of unreachable ones that watch Fox. But not all are hard right wingers. My Mom, as Dem as they get, watches Fox! It drives me nuts that she has it on when I'm there but she says that sometimes that's the best place to get the news! Yikes! I have no fear she'll be swayed, although my sisters and I tell her they are secretly brainwashing her as she watches, but I'm sure there are a lot of folks out there who aren't as tuned into politics and what's going on as we are here...and they watch Fox News and they don't realize that what they are hearing is propaganda for the Administration....they think it's news! And they get taken in. So now we have someone who's tough and smart and can hold his own against anyone out there telling them there's another side. How can that be bad???

I think Wes is scared of what this Administration will do next and he's trying to do his part however tough, however risky, however thankless, to stop it.

What Fox's motivation is is another story altogether. I get Wes' side of it but don't trust them for a second. Maybe it's about ratings...Maybe it's about, as Wes Jr noted somewhere in the blogosphere today, that they want to hire him and fire him so they can call him a fired analyst or whatever...I think it was Wes Jr who said that....Or maybe they're trying to discredit him with a certain element of the left as they serously don't want him to get out of the primaries....Maybe they figure if they can squash him with that element, they won't have to worry about him winning the primaries and going up against a Republican. One thing I believe, they know how to play that certain element of the left like a drum (or whatever the saying is)...You can see the reaction of certain people here...

In any event, I think it's a good thing for our country...Is it good for Wes? We'll see...I don't think that matters as much to him.

Sorry, this post is a bit more disjointed and rambling than I meant it to be...

[FrenchieCat]

148. But it's a good post nevertheless....

You are right; Clark is doing what Clark feels he can do. The way the shit has hit the fan, there is no one on the Teevee making any sense anymore when it comes to this war. I laugh at the "military" and "foreign relations" specialists that I have seen up to this point on ANY channel. They babble on, and barely say anything of any substance.

Clark is not the DNC Chair. Clark is not a Senator. Clark is not a millionaire with a poverty center. Clark is a retired NATO Commander and General who has spoken, written and done commentating on the various aspect of this War and the ramifications of it. Clark is doing what Clark can do help and bring some sanity back to this country.

Those who cannot see this are either blind or do not want to see.

There's a thread on GDP that in where the OP authors says something to the effect: I don't know if I could support Dean if he went and worked for FAUX. So blatant an implication, without once mentioning Clark's defense of Howard Dean.

It's all very sad and disheartening that some are so petty...when the real issue is this country....and not the issue of picking on the few who are doing what they can to help save it.

[ChiciB1]

149. All I Can Say Is...

I'm CONFUSED! But will wait to see what develops. I can't say I'll ever watch the channel though. I'm sure I'll get the info I need right here.