One more post for Wes Clark

[democratreformed]

My daughter and I just returned from the press conference in Little Rock. Many of you probably watched the speech on television. There were many tears in the place, not just ours. Many new friends that we made during the course of this campaign were there as well.

Afterwards, my daughter and I thanked both Wes and Gert for what they have done. Seeing our red faces and tears, Gert asked if this was our first campaign. Then, she said, "The first one always hurts." Gert said that we must keep working for the party. She reminisced (sp?) about our day of cleaning at the Boys and Girls Club and said, "Give my regards to the little guy (my son)." Both Wes and Gert said that they have been very touched by the support they have received.

In case you didn't see the speech, Wes basically said that he intends to keep fighting for his vision for America. He had some advice for our eventual nominee - "Give 'em hell and never retreat!!" He said "This old soldier will NOT fade away." He spoke about how the party must be united in order to help bring this vision to life. He spoke again about how Democratic party values are the ones that will bring America to a better future. He said he will continue to work for the party and its candidates and so should the rest of us.

[funky_bug]

1. Thanks for the report

Gert's words ring true. This is also my first serious campaign. She's a wise woman, and considering this is her first campaign, she's that much wiser, and still the epitomy of class.

[ajacobson]

2. Thanks

:hug:

[maddezmom]

3. thanks for the report

was thinking of you today. Haven't been able to see it yet, still checking CSPAN to see if he's on. Wes is a damn fine democrat and all the candidates should heed his advice.

[Adelante]

4. Thanks, demreformed

They only showed a brief part of it on CNN, but it is to run sometime tonight on C-Span, so we'll get to see it. Did you get any detailed idea of what he intends to do next? I sort of would like to know what's ahead for him.

[democratreformed]

12. Hey, I didn't realize they didn't show the whole thing

It was a long long speech. He went over every point of his vision for America and what is being done wrong. It was amazing. I'll get back on here in a little while. Right now, it's time to go home. I stopped by work here for the last 30 minutes before actual quitting time. I'll be back in a little while.

[Mass_Liberal]

5. thanks

CNN cut him off!!! Wouldya believe it? He was just getting into it, and they cut him off!! It's an outrage.

[Richardo]

6. Thank you for that, democratreformed...

Did my heart good.. :hug:

[Momof1]

7. Thank you

*sniff*

I was so furious when CNN cut Wes off. He deserves much better treatment then this.

[madmax]

8. Thanks

:grouphug:

[robbedvoter]

9. Tried watching on TV but Judy, MSNBC bimbo cut in as soon as

Wes started attacking W. Guess is Verbotten now.
Anyone wondered why W started his "nuke them all" speech today at 3?
Opposition is gagged now - we may not even have a November or an earth.
No one left to speak with authority and sanity to Bushco.
It was nice having a voice for a while.
As for the future, I doubt that the junta would cede power - to whomever. Too many crimes...,

[Leilani]

10. Thanks for your 1st hand report!

I really hope the Clark family knows how much support he had, out here all over the country.

Because of the way the media covered the campaign, they made him sound like a fringe candidate.

[ronnykmarshall]

11. Thank you so much for posting this.

:loveya:

[flamingyouth]

13. Thank you, democratreformed

What a nice post. I want to see Clark VERY involved in this campaign, one way or the other. I've been very sad since yesterday, but Clark pulled out of the race with total class, like everything else he's done. Thanks for all your hard work in the campaign. :loveya:

[joanski01]

14. For me, it was the final insult

when CNN cut General Clark off when he started attacking the bush* policies. The media is worthless. He got more publicity for getting out of the race than he did for the last five months.

[xultar]

15. Read this article, It will make your blood BOIL

http://moderateindependent.com/v2i3kerryko.htm

SNIP :nuke:
For anyone who has been watching the media coverage this election, you can understand why Clark's supporters have been furious and endlessly frustrated during the course of these primaries. When a couple of days ago ABC News’ political staff explicitly stated that there is "extraordinary pressure to begin covering the Bush v. Kerry general election matchup immediately," the Clark camp simply saw yet another overt admission of what is occurring. (see Defining Differences Between The Candidates) The fact that the very staff of even ABC News admits it is being pressured to be biased – and that all of its reporters keep that pressure to spin things as a "dirty little secret," going along against honesty and integrity – shows that truly no one in the non-Moderate Independent media is anything but part of one big, coordinated spin machine.

SNIP :nuke:

NBC uses the clearly dishonest, right-wing puppet Zogby polls to push the Bush/Limbaughians agenda. We all know about FOX News’ bias, but did you know about this: that FOX News’ COO has pledged to raise $50,000 in cash for the Kerry camp? Yep. Now, from the UK, we get a bit of information that might help to make things a little clearer. According to a report in The Guardian http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/story/0,7497,1144464,00.html , FOX News’ COO has pledged to raise between $50,000 and $100,000 for Senator John Kerry’s campaign. It reports: "Mr Chernin, one of Mr Murdoch's most trusted lieutenants, is among several media chiefs who have pledged to raise between $50,000 and $100,000 to support the Vietnam war veteran’s campaign for the White House." According to the same report, the CEO at Viacom – which owns CBS, MTV, and many radio stations - has pledged to raise $50,000 for Kerry. From the Guardian: "Others who have pledged to raise more than $50,000 include the Viacom chief executive, Sumner Redstone, and Sony chairman Howard Stringer."

Well, what about CNN. CNN’s coverage has seemed about the most biased this election cycle, even making FOX look like a liberal network at times. But is that accurate? Isn’t CNN owned by liberal Ted Turner, or at least controlled by him? Nope. Remember, a short while ago Ted Turner was run out of the last bits of power he had over CNN, the network he had created. He now has zero say and zero control. Who ran him out? The company that had bought CNN, Time Warner. Oops, this from the Guardian article. Wonder where Time Warner’s heart lies? It’s CEO gave some cash to President Bush. Just in case the above quote from ABC, and its hiring this year of Rush Limbaugh on its ESPN Network, and its use of its radio stations in certain areas as flat out right-wing lie-and-smear stations hasn’t made it clear to you where ABC stands on things: "Michael Eisner, who gave $5,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee." (Eisner is the CEO of Disney, who owns ABC)

SNIP :nuke:

But all else aside, one has to hand it to the Kerry camp. They saw the number one issue this election and made control of it their top priority. Iraq, the economy, healthcare, those things are irrelevant. The issue that will decide this election is the media, and so far Kerry, through a combination of good fortune and clearly experienced savvy, has been able to use the spin machine greatly to his advantage. However, this won’t last. Just as the press never used to mention Kerry without the words "aloof" or "liberal" before they decided to push his campaign, they will start to do again. The smears will come, the ignoring, the twisting. And now that Clark is out, the all out assault on Kerry will begin. The Republicans plan to make what appears to be Kerry’s strength, his Vietnam Veteran status, into his weakness, talking about how he sewed the American flag to the bottom of his pants while protesting, how he betrayed true veterans by protesting against them while they were still overseas. (Xultar says: This will make the RW blood boil. IT wil also help to paint the Dems as anti war anti patriot, and anti soldiers and troops. So, the independents and conservitive Dems Clark would have attracted with his Nat'l Security credintials will scurry back into their caves)

SNIP :nuke:

O’Reilly had nice words about Kerry as well, according to the report, saying he would "make a formidable opponent" against President Bush. (yeah right when has O'liely hand anything nice to say about a Dem except Zell)

[Maddy McCall]

16. Great report from the Little Rock front, DR

Please tell us more when you have time. I love Gert. She reminds me of Lauren Bacall. She seems really gutsy and would have made a spectacular first lady. I would consider it an honor if I were you that she remembered you so well--even your children! What a classy woman.

[kang]

17. A great American leader

I've always been a Democrat, but I didn't become an activist until the day General Clark declared his candidacy. There was just something about getting involved for the first time with somebody who also was new to politics. We set up Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Clark and got many new people to become politically involved and active. We will continue this work and I have high hopes for the next 8 months.

I've had such a positive experience working with all the other Clark supporters and I'm so proud of the message and vision that General Clark presented to the country. Despite the decision to by-pass Iowa, some early mistakes, and really poor media coverage, General Clark's favorables were always very high. He also contributed immensely to the Democratic message and gave the most effective critique of the Bush administration's handling of foreign policy. He will no doubt continue to serve his country and help bring about the real changes that need to be made in America.

I will never forget taking a photo with him in the alley behind Clarke's after the Rock the Vote forum in Boston, freezing out in Concord for his registering as a candidate, the opening of the Manchester office, or his visit to the Dover DraftClark office. And I will always be proud of the fact that I volunteered for his campaign. I think most Clark supporters share this sentiment.

Now we're going to reorganize and move on out to kick the Bush and company out of the White House!

[VolcanoJen]

18. Thank you, democratreformed!!

:grouphug: Wes Supporters! :grouphug:

[democratreformed]

19. Okay, here's some more details

First, former Senator David Pryor gave a speech about what Wes has meant to all of us and how he has contributed to this campaign season. When he said, "We must all work to keep the dream of Wes Clark alive", I couldn't hardly take it.

Next, Gert spoke about their experience. She said that she has always been proud of Wes and knew he was a fast learner but that she was amazed at how fast he had learned these past five months. She said Wes has accomplished great things in "his very early political career" (much applause) and that we "have not seen the last of them." She spoke of how they have been humbled by the experience and the support and love they have received. She thanked all supporters for their hard work and efforts. Last, she said, "I can tell you this about Wes Clark - he is a great husband and a great father and he's the man I have loved my whole life".

Then, Wes came out. His speech was VERY long. He spoke about the draft movement and that his campaign really was a call to service. He said his campaign was never about his own personal gain but was about what his country needed. He mentioned Kerry, Edwards, and Dean and said they were all great men.

He spoke about all the things that have gone wrong in our country and about how * used this war as a political ploy. He said that he will continue to work to hold this administration responsible for that.

He told about several people he has met and their difficulties with health care, jobs, and the war. He said THIS is what this campaign is about - working for the betterment of Americans who are having a hard time. He said the Democratic party has always stood for family values and is the party that will bring his vision for our country to life. He used his line - "this party, MY party, this Democratic party." He said it is time to work with our party to help bring this vision to life.

He said he will continue to work for our party and our candidates. He will continue to enrich the dialogue in America and move it in the direction it needs to be. He said our biggest job is, of course, to win this election for the Democrats.

He said that he got into this race because he could not stand by and see all the things he had fought for so many years fall by the wayside. After all this, he said that he has even more hope in our future and faith in our Democracy. He said he will support our Democratic candidate to the fullest.

I told one supporter that I wished I had as much faith in our future as he does. She said, "You've got to keep believing." She was one of those with a totally red face too.

I hope each of you get to see the speech b/c I'm not really great at remembering and paraphrasing. I will tell you that it put me a ease with our party and the process. If he expresses no resentment and he still believes, then I can too. On the way home, I did feel a bit of a sense of peace. He will be around and he will find a way to add his influence. THAT is what gives me hope still.

[Rowdyboy]

20. Thank you SO much for posting this....

Since CNN only allowed us to see the first 5 minutes of his speech, I felt terribly let down. You've made my day better. Thank you for that and for your work with Wes.

[Adelante]

21. Thank you so much

I needed to hear this. :)

And thank you for the video. It came today. :loveya:

[democratreformed]

22. So glad you got the video

I'm just sorry it was too late. You're welcome, by the way.

[Adelante]

23. Just in time

As it turned out, eh?

[Maddy McCall]

25. DR, a question for you...

Did he or Gert seem on the verge of crying during his speech? I watched it on CNN--he appeared very emotional and completely sincere in what he said (I truly believe every word came from his heart). What a great guy we were blessed with!

[democratreformed]

28. To be honest, there were so many people there, I could only catch

a glimpse of him at the podium every once in a while. I thought I heard his voice crack a couple of times, but, for the most part he seemed positive and upbeat. Gert looked as if she might have had a few tears. The lady that was always with Gert was positively stricken. My daughter said she saw him choke up afterward while he was talking to a reporter. She said he finished quickly and stepped behind a curtain. When we actually went back to tell them thanks, they were both positive and upbeat.

Also, check out this post-speech interview I just learned about:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3158350/

He says he is 100% positive the Dems will win in November.

[OKNancy]

24. One more- his parting letter on the blog

Dear Friends,

Today, we end the campaign for the presidency. But the campaign for America's future -- for the future of all our families -- continues on.

You have proven what a General can do when he has the greatest troops in the world. I can't tell you enough how honored and humbled I am by your commitment, your spirit, and your sacrifice. Because of all of you, this has been a cause, as much as it's been a campaign.

Together, five months ago, we began our journey for the presidency. We had no money, no office and no staff. All we had was hope and a vision for a better America.

Today, after traveling the country, after visiting with the American people, we end that journey even more full of hope and even more committed to building a better America.

I will support our Party's nominee, to continue this campaign until we take back the White House next November. This soldier stands ready for duty. It's not going to be easy. So I've got one bit of advice for our nominee: give 'em hell and never retreat.

As a general who spent thirty-four years fighting for my country, here is my pledge: I will do everything I can - everything - to make sure George W. Bush doesn't play politics with national security.

For me, this race has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I've been able to talk about what I believe in and fight for it. You've given me the greatest gift a person can receive: the support to make that fight real.

I'd like to thank all the foot soldiers in this battle: our terrific staff, our dedicated volunteers, our thousands of loyal supporters. Most of all, those who believed in me long before anyone even knew who I was: the people who drafted me into this race.

I want to thank my family for always standing by my side, especially my wife of 36 years, my best friend, and my partner, Gert Clark. She is the general's general, and I wouldn't be here today without her. I'd like to thank my son, Wes, Jr., and my daughter-in-law, Astrid. I am so proud of them and so proud of all they have done for this campaign.

I'm going to fight on, and I hope you will join me, until we win the campaign to create a new vision for America in the twenty-first century. Because I believe America's best days lie ahead. Today, I end my campaign for the presidency - but our party's campaign to change America is just beginning. This old soldier will not fade away. I'll be in the field and out in front, working the issues, supporting our candidates, and doing all I can to contribute to building a new and better America.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

[texasmom]

26. Thank you so much for this report!

I was teaching class and unable to watch it. I hope to see it tonight, but your report does give me some peace.

:hug:

Thanks for being there for all of us who couldn't be.

[Donkey007]

29. I was with DemRef (she's my mum)

After his speech he "left". A ton of the crowd left and then he came back out. One of the reporters was asking a question, and I believe that it may have touched him. He walked behind the curtain and of course everyone followed.

As for Gert...

When mom and I went to talk to them I broke down. I am an extremely emotional person. She hugged me and began to tear up with me. Thats when she asked if it was our first campaign. We told her yes and she said "The first one always hurts."

[Mz Pip]

27. Thanks for the report

I hope he's around for a long time too. We need smart people as leaders and they don't come much smarter than Wes.

MzPip
:dem:

[Donkey007]

30. Hi Mom!

[democratreformed]

34. Hi, daughter!

:hug: :loveya:

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[democratreformed]

32. And another one more - this parting interview

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3158350/

[Donkey007]

33. Everyone should visit this site. It's great!

[MoonRiver]

35. OMG, here come the tears again.

But I need to hear as much as I can about how they're doing. A lot better than me it seems. Thanks democratreformed. :cry:

[Donkey007]

36. It's hard to stop the tears.

Mom are you watching the interview???

They just keep coming.