Wes Clark, Jr. posted on KOS today re: presidential run by dad.

[Clarkie1]

I'm sitting with General Clark right now (35+ / 0-)
He never said he's not going to run and he's not going to commit to a timeline on when he has to announce. The early campaign season is good for two groups of people - the fundraisers and the consultants. The average citizen won't make up their mind until much later in the game.

"Apes don't read philosophy." "Yes they do, Otto, they just don't understand it!"

by WesClarkJr on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 03:35:38 PM PST

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/5/15854/32884

[nickinSTL]

1. I just hope he doesn't wait TOO long like he did in '04

I'd like to see him have a chance.

[jcrew2001]

2. looks indecisive

This makes clark look indecisive, not really a good thing for a potential leader to be. I'm surprised he's willing to make the same mistake as 2004, but hoping for a different outcome - is that insanity.

I think, like last time, if he enters the race, he is positioning himself as a vp candidate. He would have had a good shot at VP if Dean won. Maybe he wants to be Hillary's vp.

[Clarkie1]

3. He's not indecisive. He's more interested in influencing policy than politics.

He doesn't want to President as badly as the rest; he cares more about making a real difference for America.

He's decided to to be bound to any media-driven timeline, and he's not on the ego trip.

Oh, and by the way, Clark's not a "potential" leader, he's a proven leader. He's been Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. Obama, Hillary, Edwards, etc. are the "potential," unproven leaders.

[jcrew2001]

8. newt

I like how Clark's taking a page out of the Newt playbook - he doesn't want to run, but if circumstances deem it he will run to save the country.

I'm must one voter, but I kinda want my next president to suck up to me a little, cuz after the election he or she will have half the country hating them again. I don't want to hand the nomination to Clark just because he was in the military, in civilian life i want him to ask and maybe beg for my vote.

I do think its a bit egotistical to think that everyone will swarm to him in the fall, maybe he thinks he's the chosen one, i don't know.

[Cameron27]

10. Yeah, just like Newt...

working with votevets to get the word out about Iran, yep just like Newt.

You'll never like Clark because that's the one thing he'll NEVER do--SUCK UP to anybody for ANYTHING. But I'm sure you'll find someone you can appreciate.

[jcrew2001]

11. if the govt

If the govt is going to screw me, i kinda want to pretend that they care about my vote, at least for a few months.

[Clarkie1]

12. Clark's not going to beg for anyone's vote.

If that's your criteria you should vote for someone else.

[jcrew2001]

26. democracy

I guess in the military they don't teach you about citizens voting in a democracy. He's not going to be appointed like in the military.

[Cameron27]

30. You really should consider what

you post before you do it; perhaps it would then sound less ridiculous.

[jcrew2001]

32. stop dreaming

clark doesn't want to campaign for president, he doesn't want to be president, its that simple.

[Adelante]

33. heh

You keep dreaming. Wake up when the time is right for Clark. Then and only then.

[jcrew2001]

34. i will

I am counting the days and holding my breathe until he announces. I can't wait, its going to be very exciting, he's going to surprise us like a tsunami.

[Milo_Bloom]

59. Unless you are Al Gore and trying to change the way things are done.

The "I am campaigning by not campaigning" may be the wave of the future.

Its gonna be fun to watch the dem nomination process get turned on its ear YET AGAIN as people who flared too early burn out.

[jcrew2001]

65. billy

I know, nobody knew Bill Clinton and I would say Clark is bill clinton plus, the DNC is going to roll over once clark announces.

i knew bill clinton, and wesley clark, you're better than bill clinton.

[Clarkie1]

62. It's ridiculous for anyone to be campaining this early.

It's all a silly game.

[jcrew2001]

63. i know

I know, why bother campaigning when you can be on tv and make lots of money, and spend time with your family...its not like americans care or anything - look at Dean, all that wasted time and energy for nothing - ruined a young generation of voters.

[FrenchieCat]

83. Or better yet, campaign on our dime.....

while the ones without personal fortunate work for us endlessly without receiving a dime!

Dean didn't ruin shit! How dare you! :mad:

[Bucky]

49. Of course it's egotistical. You can't become president without being egotistical.

We elect presidents for their skills and their character, not for their modesty. When the time comes, Wes Clark will be for your vote properly, like a real politician should.

[Clark2008]

88. You want your next president to suck up to you??

And you call CLARK egotistical?

I want my next president to what's right for the country, en toto, not just ME.

[tblue]

4. I have it on good authority that he is gonna run, he is just putting some personal stuff in order

He's not indecisive on this at all, depsite how it may appear. I guess if you're not ready to announce and you don't want to flip-flop (hate that word!), you just say 'hmmm, I might...' for the time being. But I worry, too, that he'll enter the field after all the good campaign staff are spoken for. Last time, all he got were the leftovers.

[Bucky]

50. "Put some personal stuff in order." (!) Like he's gotta clean out his garage before running!

Ha! I like that. I wish we had normal people running this country. "Yeh, I'll run for president, just as soon as I get my damn roof reshingled."

[jcrew2001]

66. iran

I guess he's too busy telling bush not to bomb iran - like that will work.

[FrenchieCat]

84. Better than co-sponsoring and voting for the bill that would takes us to war.......

I would think!

[tblue]

93. It's business-related stuff. It takes a lotta money, time, commiutment to run

[Auntie Bush]

5. With an idea man like Clark...what makes you think he wants to be VP?

He's a General! He's used to being in control...not taking orders.


He could possibly accept a VP slot...but I doubt if he was ever positioning himself for VP. However, sometimes we unfortunately have to take what life/God/touch screens gives us.

I also don't think that statement shows indecisiveness. HE JUST DOESN'T WANT TO ANNOUNCE YET AND WANTS TO WORK ON POLICY...NOT CAMPAIGNING. Why is that so difficult to accept or understand? :shrug:

The election is still almost 2 years away. There is plenty of time! Let H. O. & E. duke it out for months and pick each other apart.

[jcrew2001]

9. i know he doesn't want vp

but if he waits, and loses the nom, that is all he'll get. In 2004, if Dean were picked, Clark would have been a good vp choice.

Now he wants to spend time on policy and position papers as a freelance consultant. Its nice that he has all this free time to be a talking head instead of serving in govt and doing work on behalf of his constituents.

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. I think of it this way

Clark is using his "free time" to do the work that we are giving a bunch of Senators good money and free staff to do, keeping us out of unnecessary wars, except a lot of them only have part time to devote to such work, since they seem to have this need to spend an awful lot of time in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Nevada.

I pray that no loved one of yours ever gets killed in a conflict set off by the after shocks to an American attack on Iran. Given your attitude toward those who are trying to prevent it now, I wouldn't want to see you saddled with that guilt later.

[jcrew2001]

29. iran

good for him if he is working on Iran - just don't bs me into thinking he cares about being president, when he obv doesn't.

[Clarkie1]

14. What do you mean "that's all he'll get?"

He's not a professional politician. The primary reason he ran last time was because of the neo-con foreign policy he was uniquely qualified to question. I doubt he would accept a VP position if it were offered; he has better things to do with his life, methinks.

Just my opinion.

[jcrew2001]

28. so don't run

So don't run, so i don't have to waste my time reading about it. If he doesn't want to be a politician, that's okay with me - in fact I support him not being a politician!

[Eurobabe]

17. His constituents?

Last time I looked Clark had no constituents. :eyes:

[jcrew2001]

27. haha

that's my point, he's not doing anything - its fabulous if he wants to work behind the scenes, but i think he's enjoying being the school tease. How am I supposed to take him seriously if he doesn't take my vote seriously enough to campaign for it.

[MGKrebs]

19. Unless he's going to run as an independent, the election that matters

is 10 months away, and if anybody thinks it's going to take less than $50 million to be competitive, I'd like to hear the scenario.

Even if he starts today, he's going to have to raise $167,000 a day, every day.

He's entering a situation where it's either indecision or a bad decision (to wait).

Al Gore could probably jump in late and get away with it. No reason to believe that the same would be true for Wes.

[jcrew2001]

38. nader

He wants to occupy the ralph nader spoiler ticket.

[Jai4WKC08]

40. Money is overrated

In 2004, Dean spent way more money in Iowa than anyone else and it got him nada. Kerry was so broke he had to take out a loan on his house, but as he gained in the polls the money started to come in; after he won Iowa, he had more money than he knew what to do with.

A serious candidate has to have enough money to keep going and pay his/her staff, of course. But if the candidate can attract crowds, maintain a buzz, and get some traction in the polls, the money will follow. The winner of the first few caucuses and primaries will end up with more than enough money for the rest of the season.

I agree that Gore has an advantage in name recognition that gives him more leeway in a late start. But he also has major disadvantages with the rank and file who still hold most of the pre-conceptions left over from 2000.

[jcrew2001]

43. Dean

Its odd that Dean lost against both Kerry and Edwards in Iowa - a stunning defeat.

Maybe if Liebermand and Clark stayed in Iowa - they could have chipped Kerry's lead.

Now, Clark would need to get votes from Hillary, Obama, Edwards, Richardson.

Dean had unreliable grassroots support, Hillary won't make the same mistake in Iowa. If he chooses to campaign Iowa, or skip to NH like last time.

[Milo_Bloom]

69. The false statement is right here...

"Dean had unreliable grassroots support, Hillary won't make the same mistake in Iowa. If he chooses to campaign Iowa, or skip to NH like last time."

That isn't what happened. Dean wasted too much money in one state (TOO MUCH) and wound up turning people off by creating an air of inevitability.

That's the reality.

[jcrew2001]

77. so

so a lot of people just didn't like Dean.

[FrenchieCat]

85. What is your purpose?

and what is your point?

Oh, I know....you don't have one!

[Milo_Bloom]

94. Not according to the polls in December of 2003

[snowbear]

15. Hillary Schmillary

Jcrew, you are whacked.

[jcrew2001]

39. clark beats hillary?

so you're saying that clark will beat hillary for the nomination - i'll bet 100 million he won't

[snowbear]

109. If he decides to run ---- count on it.

If he doesn't -- we'll have to see who starts to pick up momentum once the debates begin.

Could be Richardson.. Could be Edwards.. Could be Obama..

Could be ANY of them..

[ShortnFiery]

18. "Maybe he wants to be Hillary's vp."

Word from the street is, Clark may have to seek permission from "her husband" first. :P :yoiks:

[jcrew2001]

35. you're right

you're right, hillary probably wouldn't want to touch him with a stick, and the feeling is mutual.

[Sparkly]

22. LOL!!

:rofl:

[Adelante]

6. I can't believe Kos and MyDD

Front paging this thing without verifying the information.

[Clarkie1]

7. No harm done. nt

[FrenchieCat]

16. Yes, it appears at this point that any publicity is good.....

As we have seen from our "frontrunners".

Here's the dope on Wes. Appears that everything is as it was prior to Kos jumping the gun based on unreliable sources.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/primarysource/2007/03/in_nh_clark_doe.html

[Adelante]

20. I've heard it was a supporter from another campaign

Who gave kos this "story" - I don't know how true it is. Kos was suckered. The usual fun and games, just a year ahead of the cart. :eyes:

[Sparkly]

21. Kos makes a lot of assumptions based on nothing, it seems.

"So really, Clark may just be playing coy in order to maintain media interest in him and his ideas."

Why does he assume The General is talking about the media, and about "interest" from the media?? He's more likely referring to other Democrats in Congress, or in the DNC, or people in the Pentagon, etc. :shrug:

[beachmom]

24. No, Markos said Clark was being "coy", which is true. n/t

[Adelante]

36. It's true Markos said it

It is not true that Wes is being coy. He has no timeline to announce. If and when he's ready, he will announce. That's all there is to that.

[Tom Rinaldo]

37. Another sad moment, and hopefully a lesson learned

I don't think that anyone ever doubted that the original blogger simply told the truth as she knew it, and it is now both her and my assumption that Wes Clark did not fully hear her question when he started out his reply with "No." Clark's further comments did not mention any dates whatsoever, so the miscommunication hinged on what exactly Clark's "No." was meant to reply to. Other people present did not remember a focus being put on a timeline in a question made to Clark, but I don't doubt her word on word either. This isn't an either/or situation. It's a case of muddy communication happening in an informal setting that got blown up into political news due to a lack of vetting.

This is especially sad because inevitably when "a controversy" erupts on a highly trafficed web site like MyDD, and kos even more so, the controversy grows larger than the human beings involved. So even without anyone intending it, a subtext develops that someone must by lying, and someone's reputation must suffer as a result. This could have been avoided if the high traffic web sites involved in lifting and placing her personal diary of her account of an event had first verified with General Clark's office whether the statement attributed to him was accurate in context. Unfortunately that was not done.

So it is sad, and hopefully a lesson learned by many. I guess we will find out if it was. Meanwhile I and other Clark supporters have nothing but respect for the "origninal blogger". We trust her, we believe her, and we will always owe her a deep debt of gratitude for everything she has done.

[Adelante]

48. Oh, absolutely

She's tops as far as Clarkies go. No question about it, Tom.

[beachmom]

23. Markos has taken him off the Straw Poll list.

I know he's your guy, but it's not going to happen. He either stays out of the race or he enters late, hopelessly behind and never able to catch up. The only one who could get away with coming in late is Gore.

[FrenchieCat]

25. Markos has his own agenda.

and that's ok too.

Hope he restores the no freakin' clue option, because based on the choices we have now, that's who would get my vote!

[Renew Deal]

52. Can Clark win under the current circumstances?

I say no. I think the big 4 are too big. Clinton, Obama, Edwards, and Richardson are the big 4.

[FrenchieCat]

86. Circumstances cannot alway be controlled...sometimes events have a

way of changing people made "circumstances".

But speculating is ok....as long as we all understand that's all it is!

[Clark2008]

89. Oh wow.

Can't win, can't win, sleazy and political backslapper.

What choices!

:sarcasm:

[Jai4WKC08]

53. Thanks so much for your concern

You'll have to pardon us if we choose to trust Clark to make the right decisions. Even if does mean missing out on a Kos poll or two.

:sarcasm:

[PresidentObama]

31. My advice to Clark: Take your time, but don't wait too late.

It still is very early. I think Clark proved last time when he got into the race in September, you can be competitive with a good message and good campaign even if you don't play in the Presidential American Idol portion of the race. People are looking for the candidate to be President, not for who can dominate polls a year out. If so, last time we would have had Joe Lieberman as the nominee :scared:

Facts are as long as Clark doesn't wait too long, his voice will be great for this campaign. His vision for America is probably the best I've seen of any possible nominee for 08'! And I will throw my support behind his campaign when and if he announces. The trick is fighting on all these important issues like StopIranWar, but getting in the race in time so that your supporters don't get sucked up by other candidates. Right now a lot of people are still undecided, despite what it may seem on DU.

[ChiciB1]

41. My First Post In Weeks On OUR Candidates Because It Un-Nerves Me When

there is so much fighting. BUT... I just have this one thing to say and I will go away again. Has anyone else given any thought to the reason why Clark hasn't announced that he's running is because there may already be a "done deal" between Hillary & Clark? She will choose him as HER Running Mate for V.P.

I've felt this for a very long time now.

[FrenchieCat]

42. There is nothing that suggests that Clark will or has agreed to any "Done Deal"....

and considering that the Clintons were in office when Clark was "retired" early by the GOP Sec. of Defense serving under Clinton at the time, and made no moves to "undo" it....I'm not sure why so many believe that Clark "owes" the Clintons or is being walked on a leash.

If anything, the Clintons owe a lot of their foreign policy legacy to Wes Clark. When you exclude Rwanda and Somalia (both terrible Clinton Legacies that Wes Clark had not involvement in beyond urging the Clinton administration to intervene in Rwanda and drawing up plans to do so) all that is left are positives that Wes Clark had direct dealings with. While Bill was testifying on the Blue Dress, and Hillary was standing by her man, Wes Clark was fighting a war that resulted in a success for Bill Clinton.

So, again...why should Clark "want to be" Clinton's Veep? If anything, considering what Clark did for the Clintons, it is Hillary that should have endorse Clark in his last run. She didn't. So I'm not sure why folks get the idea that somehow the CLintons and CLark are in collusion. However, that being said, Hillary would be wise, if she won (which I don't think she will) the nomination to choose Clark. As the First potential Woman President running for the office during a time of war, it would be a wise choice for her. However, I believe that Hillary Clinton is not that courageous, and will opt for a vanilla flavored Veep like Bayh or Warner that would make her competitive in a state that has the potential of turning blue and is not Arkansas...where she believes Bill will do anything that Clark could.

Obama is the most in need of Clark on his ticket if Clark chooses not to run....not Hillary.

[Capn Sunshine]

45. If he waits until Obama is comfortably leading Hill in the polls

you KNOW what I'm going to say about it.

[FrenchieCat]

46. What?

So you are saying that Wes Clark should watch and let the polls dictates when he should enter the race because of fear of what Capn Sunshine will think something of it?

[Jai4WKC08]

54. I might know, but I really won't care

I assume you're thinking of the old GOP "stalking horse" meme?

Shit, more likely Hillary is a stalking horse for Wes.

[jcrew2001]

44. no to vp

Clark does not want to be VP, he likely won't accept it, but i don't think anyone would ask him because they know he'll turn it down. It will be a useless position for him.

I doubt there is anything in a clinton/hillary deal. The reason clark is not running is because he doesn't want to be seen as a politician.

[Clark2008]

90. Well, your feeling is wrong.

Why would anyone want to waste Clark's considerable talents on a VP spot. He's already said when it comes to foreign policy, he doesn't want to be anyone's Dick Cheney - which means he probably won't run as the VP with anyone who's foreign policy creds are that of a toad.

Now, he could be bucking for a Secretary of State position in any Dem cabinet, but VP? Uhhhh... no.

[mtnester]

47. Lesseee.....he sounds just like somone else

I thought the general was going to announce weeks ago. The fact that he has not...well...most of you probably get where I am going with this.

I still have high hopes..

[Renew Deal]

51. I was just going to ask about this.

Rumor was that he was in. Now it looks like he's out. Anyone know what's going on?

[Tom Rinaldo]

55. The best I can tell you Bleachers7

Is that Wes Clark actually means what he is saying. Whether or not others agree with him about the urgency of the situation regarding builing tensions between the United States and Iran, Clark really does fear there will be an outbreak of military conflict between our nations while the Bush Administration is still in office. Everything he says to us in semi-private settings, everything he says in public settings like radio and TV interviews, is consistent with all of his actions in this regard. Clark did just attend an important regional conference in Saudi Arabia, he is consulting with members of Congress (as Maxine Waters affirms) regarding Iran, he just started up the stopIranWar.com initiative, and he talks about Iran everywhere he goes etc.

Clark says and believes that when he becomes a political candidate his ability to talk seriously with a wide range of people about policy matters will immediately be compromised and everything he then says will be viewed through a partisan competitive political prism. So he has that going on on one hand. This is Clark's current mission, to keep America from blundering into further wars.

On the other hand Clark believes, from all I can tell, that he really is the person best equipped to lead our nation in these particular times. Remember how he addressed the DNC; by stating that he was the only one who would be speaking to that crowd, who had actually been there and done that. Clark says that he thinks about running every day, and I believe him. I think he is trying to figure out how long he can stay his current course and still have enough time to round the corner into a Presidential run. He may even be measuring that turning point question in units of weeks. And he may also believe that by already missing one early window to declare, that he has to wait for the next window of opportunity to open, which may or may not happen, but is more likely to happen further down the road then it is now.

I honestly don't know the answer, except that I think Clark is doing what he thinks is best in order to be of maximum service to our nation now and in the future. How that will finally play out, I can't say, but I do think that he still wants to run for President. If he ultimately will is less certain, but he has not ruled it out and he does have some plans in mind if he does. That's what Clark says, and I believe him.

[jcrew2001]

56. coup

I trust when the time comes, General clark will stage a coup d'etat and anoint himself the new Cromwell of the USA.

Forget about being a politician, forget about campaigning, forget about primaries, forget about voting - he's a general dammit, he gets what he wants.

We need him!!!

[Tom Rinaldo]

57. Clark would be one of the least likely people in America

to support any undemocratic movement in government. I know you were "joking" but I am serious. If you don't know that about Clark than you simply know very little about him. He takes American constitutional principles extremely seriously. He takes our democracy extremely seriously, it is what he believes he spent his career in uniform to defend.

[jcrew2001]

58. afraid

i think he's afraid of being a politician and getting his hands dirty and campaigning and meeting and shaking hands with the ordinary folk. I guess he's just not a pandering suck up like everyone else.

[Jai4WKC08]

81. That poster does not merit a serious reply, Tom

Just a gadfly. An irritant to be ignored.

[CarolNYC]

98. gadfly...good description...

Fits this one perfectly...

[Cameron27]

103. Correct...

:thumbsup:

[Milo_Bloom]

60. Clark doesn't need to announce....

... Until before the first Democratic debate over 6 weeks from now. Even that is somewhat optional, but I suspect getting into that debate would be best.

Getting in the race makes you null and void in the political world, everything you do and say becomes viewed as self-serving and suspect. If you have a point you really want to raise and actually want people to pay attention to you, you are best NOT to announce until after that point has been made. Clark is working hard on getting out the message on Iran... if he was an official candidate, no one would pay attention.

[jcrew2001]

61. flawless

Its a flawless strategy, acting like he's above the primaries - triangulation, and winning without campaigning, or soliciting donors.

He's going to win by De-Fault - the 2 greatest words in the English language! (homer simpson)

I personally think he's shooting for a 3rd party spoiler ticket - hey it satisfied nadar's ego, might do the same for clark.

[Milo_Bloom]

64. No, wrong.

Its not about skipping the primaries, it is about not wasting time and energy at this rediculously early stage, when things are going to change numerous times, just like they did in 2004.

As long as he makes it to the first debate, he has lost 0 ground in this race.

Although there is one thing you said that is true.

There is a very strong possiblity for a 3rd party ticket this time around, if people like McCain and Clinton get the nomination, but I suspect that the candidate will come out of the "GOP" camp (Lincoln Chafee comes to mind).

[jcrew2001]

67. 3rd party

I think Clark has the ego and is enough of a bastard to be a 3rd party spoiler.
He can team up with Mike Bloomberg and buy the white house, yippee.

Did you see the DNC poll in the LA times, its going to be difficult shifting those DNC staffers away from their chosen candidates. Hillary will threaten life and limb all her donors and supporters to not defect.

[Milo_Bloom]

68. Yeah, I saw the meaningless poll

Polling DNC members this far out... I don't think I could think of a more meaningless poll. Considering they were overwhelmingly for Dean last time and then changed camps after Kerry won.

Although I am sure those 62 people who answered for Clinton will cling to her for all they are worth. LOL

[jcrew2001]

70. Iowa

So will clark skip Iowa this year? I personally think Edwards has solid support in Iowa - He'll place at least second.

[Milo_Bloom]

73. See what I actually said...

I said Clark has until before the first debate to get in, 6 weeks a way. Does that sit him out of Iowa? I think not.

[jcrew2001]

76. last time

but last time he was also here for all the debates - who knows what he'll do.

[FrenchieCat]

87. Actually Clark wasn't in all of the debates last time.......

and yes, we don't really what he'll do. So I'm just gonna wait and see. Better a little suspense than being tired by supporting a candidate who's been running for ever!

[Milo_Bloom]

95. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Sorry, but WRONGO.

Clark came in well after the debates had already started.

Thanks for playing, consolation prize is outside the door.

[FrenchieCat]

71. You might think that Clark is a bastard........and

it appears that Edwards your guy!

I won't call Edwards any names in retribution to your total lack of respest for a true patriot that refuse to pander and put himself on the line warning congress on the impending war that came to be the Iraq Invasion.

Actually, anyone reading some of the stuff you've posted in this thread that you promptly took over would have to ask themselves if you're all there. :crazy:

[jcrew2001]

72. i don't take clark seriously so you can take my

posts as sarcastic remarks. If clark wants to be on a 3rd party ticket, then he deserves to be shunned by the dem party, that would be completely disloyal and hurt our chances of winning back the white house. If he wants to be president that badly, its sickening.

[Adelante]

74. You're just too boring

Shut up.

[jcrew2001]

75. i take back

i take back calling clark the b-word, i forgot his dad died when he was young, my bad.

[FrenchieCat]

80. I'm telling you......you brought your lunchbox home, but you

you still out there somewhere, obviously lost and alone.

You are the only one bringing up this 3rd party shit....and then commenting on Clark as though he's ever indicated this.

As a recent Democrat, he's not leaving the Democratic party....

You're making shit up. That's what is so odd.

In terms of not taking Clark seriously, that's a sad statement. The man has accomplished more than you will ever even think of doing, let alone accomplish. He's done more than just about anyone of the politicians sitting pretty (cause the media is kissing their asses)...you know the ones that vote for war, and that you take so seriously.

Voters tune out campaigns

By LEE BANDY
Sun, Mar. 04, 2007
Presidential campaigns are too long.

Ask the voters.

“I’m already sick of it,” says Jennifer Todd, a Columbia housewife.

“It’s sort of like Christmas,” commented Boo Alford, a 77-year-old retired Marine officer. “They keep moving up the starting date earlier and earlier every year.”

Candidates for 2012 will start positioning for the next primary moments after the polls close on the 2008 elections.

“It’s absurd,” Winthrop University political scientist Scott Huffmon said of these long, drawn-out campaigns.

The average voter isn’t paying attention, he said.

“South Carolinians have no clue as to what’s going on,” Huffmon maintained. “Their political antennas are not raised, nor will they be raised any time soon.”

About the only ones paying attention now are the political junkies and party activists, those who attend staged rallies and other events.

There’s no urgency for the average voter to choose a candidate so early in the primary season. People prefer to remain flexible for obvious reasons.

“A lot could happen in the next 11 months to alter the whole political landscape and the voters impressions of the candidates,” counseled Alford, the retired Marine.

Who knows? A new candidate might emerge, one who’ll need the extra time to build a campaign network, shop for dollars and raise his profile.

But Bobby McBee, a 64-year-old barber from Columbia, would just as soon see it all come to an end. He’s tired of it all.

“There ain’t no campaign as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

McBee said he would like to see federal election laws changed to limit presidential campaigns to three months, as is done in England.

“I get tired of these candidates who campaign 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.

Some seemed to start in 2000, according to Barry Taylor, a 54-year-old salesman.

The 2000 presidential campaign never ended, Taylor said. “It has been going on since Bush stole the election from the Democrats.”
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/16828721.htm

But by all means jump on the one of the media generated winning horse's bandwagon, and place your bets......they are pandering out of the gate, with few really caring! :hi:

[windbreeze]

108. and you couldn't be more obvious...actually....

I am sure we were all aware of your sarcastic nature...Clark believes in a 2-TWO party system, and has said so...so where you are getting your information, I have NO clue..but it sure seems as though you just make up whatever you post anyway...and hope it passes the smell test....clue: it doesn't...
windbreeze

[ProudDad]

78. I would recommend that both

Al Gore and Wes Clark stay out of it until the fall.

Let the early runners beat each other up and spend a bunch of money first.

Everyone knows that Clark and Gore are the best of the bunch the Dems can put forward, why should they exhaust themselves this early?

[dogman]

79. I believe they do have something in common.

They both have more important issues to work for right now. Policy before politics works for them both at this point.

[FrenchieCat]

82. and the beauty in that is that it "works" for "us" even more......

That's what I love about those two...they respect this nation and are working towards what it could be...instead of playing same ol' same ol' bullshit as usual! Instead of distracting from the issues, they are working the issue. Instead of talking endlessly about what they believe, they are "doing" what they believe. They walk the walk.

THEY ARE FIGHTING

FOR US!

[Clark2008]

91. Good God, my heart just skipped a beat.

I love those manly-looking men!

:loveya:

[FrenchieCat]

92. I know.....pretty awesome, hey? n/t

[KT2000]

96. I expect a second round

of entrants into the race. The current frontrunners will spend too much time fighting each other. The public will become tired of the stories about that. Others, including Clark I hope, will be heard and take over the race.

[Boo Boo]

97. Reading through this thread, I can't help but think, "Wow...

that's one well-fed Troll!"

:shrug:

[Dinger]

99. What????

'Splain please.

[CarolNYC]

100. I think Boo's talking about the gadfly buzzing around the thread.... n/t

[Adelante]

101. That mosquito

needs slapping.

[Cameron27]

104. lol

:rofl:

[Sparkly]

106. Yup

I understand the temptation, but I try just to laugh and ignore.

[Adelante]

102. Hey, Clarkies!!

Including you, jcrew. (We know you LOVE him.) :loveya:

Don't miss this video.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x18667

A Renaissance Man for President!! Wes :yourock:

[Sparkly]

105. Thanks for the link -- I loved it! nt

[Adelante]

107. What a nice surprise this morning

Reg did a terrific job. :)

Who needs MSM?? The rest of them, but not Wes. He's got US.