The many reasons why I support General Clark

[knight_of_the_star]

He is the candidate who stands the best chance of beating Bush, yes, but one reason that is not often articulated is that he, unlike the other candidates, has the chance to effectively marginalize the GOP for a VERY long time so long as they pursue their current stances. If he wins the nomination, it will prove that Dems are NOT soft on defense (he's a freakin' General for crying out loud!), which will hurt a large chunk of the GOP's sway among the middle-of-the-road voters.

If he wins, not only does he stand the chance of solid coattails, but he will be able to neutralize the GOP bs about being "strong on defense" just by him being the president. That will be the thing that will break their backs, because BushCo has proven that they are NOT in favor of smaller government or personal freedoms with their actions over the past 4 years. They have shown incredible fiscal irresponsibility that they always TRY to attribute to the Democrats, which is even worse when put in contrast to Clinton's balanced budget and surpluses.

Clark, because of how he appears, can get some VERY progessive reforms through Congress and slowly turn the political dialogue back to the left after so many years on hard-right. Once his reforms work out, and he has proven that Dems are NOT soft on defense, he will have effectively marginalized a large chunk of the GOP leaving them adrift and hopeless if they do not conduct radical changes in image and message. Sure, they will still exist and still win elections in some places, but Clark can effectively destroy their capacity to be a national political party and confine them to the South that they have fought so hard to win.

[k_blagburn]

1. Here, Here

Ditto

[capriccio]

2. My Mother

She loves the general. I think if she came anywhere close to him, she'd have that sweater off him quicker than you could say Jack Ruby. She'd be like one-woman Beatlemania.

Funny thing...she started out for Joe, her home state senator and long-time favorite, then she moved to Dean. Through each of her infatuations I keep saying, "What about Kerry?"

And she says, "I don't like him."

And I say, "But what if he's the nominee?"

And she says, "Against Buswacker? I vote for him of course."

A guy always likes to know that his mom's acquired a certain level of maturity.

[sweetladybug]

6. I'll be voting Tues in TN and I am leaning towards Clark

I think Clark will bring in military votes and other Republicans. Although, I think Kerry will be the nominee for President, I'm hoping Clark runs for Vice President. That would be a hard ticket for Bush and Chaney to beat. 2 combat veterans running against 2 chicken sh-its who NEVER served a day in combat.
RE-ELECT A DEMOCRAT 2004!!!!

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. You can't go wrong voting for Clark

He has been fearless going after Bush on foreign policy. Either he will score a solid win on Tuesday, and keep the race going, or I suspect Kerry will wrap it up. Clark can use your support now in TN so that the media will be forced to acknowledge his support within the Democratic Party. That will ensure that Clark retains a strong voice in the public debate, whether or not he wins the nomination.

[HoosierClarkie]

18. My thoughts..

Clark has already said absolutely NO to being VP several times. SO if you want him on the ticket, you should vote for him.

[Auntie Bush]

3. Everything you say is so true.

To bad the media don't talk about things like that. They just can't seem to discus anything deep....only gaffs etc.
Oh, did you see Clark made the news today...He made a mistake in his speech! Said he was an insider when he meant to say outsider and quickly corrected himself with a laugh. That's what made the news today! See, they don't ignore him! The Media are disgusting...they are a joke! They should be ashamed of themselves! They are not Journalist! I used to dislike them...now I hate them. How the hell are the people suppose to choose a candidate if the Media never discuss the issues? I could go on and on..but I'll save my time and yours and give my blood pressure a chance to go down.

[mikehiggins]

15. These people are not journalists

They only play them on television.

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. I have one millionaire Republican friend

How strange is that, right? He is a hobbyist collector customer of mine which is how we met. Clark is the ONLY Democrat he may support. My girlfriend and I even got him to donate $500. He thinks Clark is a sensible moderate centrist. He thinks that because Clark is solid in his eyes; Clark has served his country, Clark has risen to command positions, Clark is highly educated. Mostly though he sees Clark as not entangled in party machine politics.

Clark really is the one who can shift the entire political landscape. So lets get on the phone and keep making those calls to voters on his behalf. Clark needs to do well on Tuesday!

[BootinUp]

5. I have a feeling that Clark would be our Reagan

You are right on the money. Clark can help build a democratic majority, and start a new liberal movement.

[Bonobo]

12. Could you rephrase that? I almost puked on my keyboard!

[BootinUp]

13. Sorry bout that

Have another drink ok?


Think parallel universe, but opposite like a mirror...ok?

[Bonobo]

14. LOL! Okay, thanks.

Bad night for me. Gave up smoking again! Today is first day and I'm real, real edgy.
Give me strength!

[BootinUp]

19. You can do it man, I am off the cancer sticks for 2 weeks

and counting!

Just make up your mind to stop, cause you will feel better and healthier.

[SheilaT]

8. What I like best about Clark

is how he was all over CNN during the lead up to the Iraq invasion. Too bad he wasn't opposing it then.

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. Education is a wonderful thing

Here is a good chance for you to partake of it. Please visit this site: http://www.us4clark.com/fourthmediaclips.html

You will find a library of video clips and transcripts. I recommend you watch the video interview Clark did with NH Public TV on 11/12/2002. It concerns Iraq. I think you will find it enlightening.

[SheilaT]

17. Yep, sure is enlightening.

He talks at length about the WMDs he's expecting to find near Baghdad, and the need to involve the UN. To his credit, and unlike the Bush administration, he does say we should be planning ahead for the postwar period.

However, my point still stands, the one I've been making over and over again here. HE NEVER ONCE SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE WAR. And every time I say that, the Clark supporters try to pretend he did.

Support Clark all you want, but don't pretend he was ever against the war.

edited for clarity

[mikehiggins]

16. Richard Perle knew Clark was against the war. He said so in his

testimony before Congress.

Clark was hired to give military analysis on CNN, as an acknowledged expert in the field. When Congress asked his opinion on the question of whether or not we should invade Iraq his answer was carefully designed but it ended up making the argument against Bush's War.

In the world we call real, if you hire a plumber to fix your pipes you expect him to fix your pipes, not give you his opinion of the neighborhood you live in.

[sandnsea]

20. He was disparaging Clark

He was doing to Clark what they did to everybody who talked about a practical way to handle Iraq, including war if necessary. Making them look like "appeasers". Clark wasn't for rushing off to war, but he was definitely FOR a threat of force and war when the timing was right and if it became absolutely necessary. I can't believe people are using the lies they told to marginalize and silence reasoned voices as support now.

[maxr4clark]

9. I think he stands the best chance

to put honesty and rationality back in the White House. It would be a real shame to pass up such an enormous opportunity to put an intelligent, compassionate man with great credentials in the White House.

Tomorrow morning I'm caucusing for Clark here in Seattle. I can't wait!

[NV1962]

11. Good luck there in WA!

Thanks for your hard work - and let us know your impressions tomorrow, if/when you can!