Clarkies: He's Baaaack!

[Leilani]

Wes Clark will be on with Wolf Blitzer Sunday.

Noon Eastern 12:00 PM

[madmax]

1. Yay!!!!!

Thank you, thank you :loveya:

Wes I miss you!

[Leilani]

2. I'm sure he will be appearing on behalf of John Kerry

Let's all tune in & see how well he does.

Boy, will I be glad to hear him again; he sure has been missed!

[Dookus]

3. huh?

wasn't that 6 hours ago? Or does wolf do a show on Saturday, too?

[Leilani]

4. No, not Saturday

This coming Sunday, on his show that starts at 12:00 Noon.

[Dookus]

8. lol

just re-read the original post - skipped right over the word Sunday. Thanks! Gotta set the Tivo.

[MoonRiver]

5. Thanks for the news flash!!!

Can't wait to see him again! I hope this is the beginning of a lot of public appearances in preparation for the VP announcement! I've got the champaign chilling! :party:

[Leilani]

9. He has been stumping all over the country

for Kerry, but I think this is his 1st MAJOR TV appearance since he drpped out of the race, & did interviews associated with his withdrawl.

I'm sure the Kerry Campaign will be watching to see how he does.

[xultar]

11. I'm at the point where i don't care...I still love Clark, I still respect

him. I want him to be President. I am still very unhappy about how things turned out in the Primaries. I'm not bitter. I am very very angry. Our primary process SUX, our Media SUX.

:grr::cry::grr:

I always keep the bubbly on ice. I love Champagne. Ummmm!

[LSparkle]

13. You and me both!

Kerry/Clark would kick serious Repuke keister.

[Kahuna]

22. Me three!

:cry:

[LandOLincoln]

26. Wrong tense. Kerry/Clark WILL kick serious Repuke keister. n/t

[Jack_Dawson]

6. It just ain't the same

It feels like "we can still be friends"

:cry:

[Leilani]

14. I know it's not the same

but this is better than nothing...I really miss him!

[BootinUp]

17. I'll be happy if he gets in some good Bush Bashin though

No one does it better.

[MuseRider]

7. Not to rub it in or anything

but in 2 hours I will be meeting him!!! Thanks to WesDem I scored tickets with the Clark group for the annual Kansas Democratic Party Fundraiser and he is the speaker. He has promised to come to the Clark tables and meet us all. I am so excited and yes, I will post a report.

[cosmokramer]

10. HE is so awesome in person...

...have a terrific time! You will be 'four star struck' for certain!

[Leilani]

12. Oh, wow, lucky you!!!

I will be waiting for your report.

Give him a big kiss from Me!!!

[LSparkle]

15. I'm jealous!

Just to look him in the eye and shake his hand would be great.

[incapsulated]

21. I didn't know Jersey had "connections"!

Jersey, you had connections and didn't tell me?! I thought we were buds. :P

Tell the General we all still love him and stuff! :hi:

Sunday is going to be must-see-tv day: Clark in the afternoon, Sopranos in the evening! YaY!

 
 

[Adelante]

42. Yeah, I could really see you

in Topeka :P

[Kahuna]

23. Ah! That just ain't right! Please give Wes our love.

:cry:

[incapsulated]

24. Oh, does anyone know if this is going to be on c-span? n/t

 
 

[BootinUp]

16. Woo Hoo! Thanks for the heads up

[Donna Zen]

30. US4Clark

Ice said it will be up soon at her site. The tape will have to be transfered.

[BootinUp]

31. What new video does

ICE have?

[Donna Zen]

32. Being filmed as we write:

Someone is making both an audio and a video of tonights Clark appearence in Topeka. Ice said that the arrangements have been made for her to put them up ASAP.

[BootinUp]

33. Your a doll

for posting this.

I hope they are ready for some bandwidth sucking over there. ;)

[Adelante]

18. la la la

It cost me a lot 
But there's one thing that I've got 
It's my man 
It's my man 
Cold or wet 
Tired, you bet 
All of this I'll soon forget 
With my man 

:bounce:

[BootinUp]

19. Can you sing this one next?

(Slightly modified from the Carly Simon tune.)

Nobody does it better, makes me feel sad for the rest,
nobody does it half as good as you, Wes you're simply the best.

I wasn't lookin' for a General.
But I found out you were so much more.
Like a soldier you answered our call to duty,
And promised to keep fighting until the end.

Nobody does it better, sometimes I wish someone could.
Nobody does it quite the way you do. Did you have to be so good?


;)

[Jai4WKC08]

46. Or this one?

In the clearing stands the General
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries a reminder
Of every glove that laid him down
Or cut him 'til he cried out
In his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but...

The fighter still remains.

We've gotten our fighter back. Whoohoo!
Can't wait 'til tomorrow.

[Kahuna]

20. Yippeeee! I heard the announcement. Can't wait.

:smoke:

[Donna Zen]

25. Oh thank the goddess!

Someone who will tell us the truth about Haiti...and know WTF they're talking about. Or....maybe Wolfie will just ask him if he's a Democrat, what that creep Shelton had to say, and how about the Homestead fucking Act.

Since he's been gone from the screen, there is NO information coming out. General Connect-the-dots.

As far as speaking as a Kerry surrogate, he'll be fine. I am wondering if Kerry's people have muzzled Clark about bush's failure to act in the 9 months before 911? Kerry doesn't like contravercy...nope. But I have always wondered WHY the Dems have let commander bunny pants get away with this hero bs knowing that the junta was told repeatedly that osama was a big problem?

Anyway, Wes, please hit them all out of the park.

[Jai4WKC08]

48. In all fairness to Senator Kerry

Wasn't it the last debate where Kerry was asked if he agreed with Wesley Clark (mentioned by name) that Bush had not done all he could have before 9/11? Seems to me Kerry agreed.

Struck me odd at the time the way the question was posed--how could there be any doubt?

[Donna Zen]

51. No disrespect intended

I did not see the debate, but understood that while the subject was approached with Kerry, the response was a lukewarm affirmative. More luke than warm. I have never heard of Kerry bringing up bush's lack of attention to terrorism and failure of leadership in the months prior to 911 as an issue.

Kerry watchers may correct my fuzziness.

[Spazito]

27. Kick

for old times sake

[Crewleader]

28. Thanks Leilani

:dem:

[Leilani]

29. You're very welcome!

I love Wes Clark & the Clarkies!!!

[Auntie Bush]

35. I love all of you too!

:loveya: Can't wait to hear that first hand report.

[Donna Zen]

34. Listening?

Have you all listened to this??

http://real.morriscomm.com:8080/ramgen/cjonline/2004/1-clark030504.rm

[BootinUp]

36. I am right now

:)

[Leilani]

38. Thanks Donna!

I just listened; I got a 6 1/2 minute version. Is there any more, or is that complete?

Was this a press conference in Kansas?

[BootinUp]

39. This little 6 1/2 minute

audio is like water for the poor, dying of thirst, Clarkies ;)

more more please

[Donna Zen]

40. A teaser

Yes, it was from the press conference.

(edit) I guess he raised $60,000 for the KS party. He's doing something for in Arkansas for the Dems tomorrow.

[goclark]

37. To Meet Him Is To Believe In Him

I met him and I was sold immediately!

Kerry/Clark would be perfect.

It seems so clear to me.
:bounce:

[Toucano]

53. Not just him.

To meet Wes Clark is to believe in him.

But he inspires belief in so much more: duty, sacrifice, Democracy, freedom, hope, humanity, our country.

I'm sorry he won't be president, but I'm grateful I was able to meet him and learn to believe in these things again.

[robbedvoter]

41. In my home that's "mama TV" - 12:00 - until he finishes, nobody touches

the remote, speaks, breathes or otherwise obstructs mama TV or I turn into this:

[Carolina]

43. oh, so now the media will notice him

I'll watch to see my once and future candidate but gosh I loathe Wolf and CNN.

[goclark]

44. Let's reread this tread !

This is so cool to me.
If you didn't know better, you would think we were talking about a movie star!

The excitement that the General generates is from the heart.
People just adore,admire and love this man.
Maybe I'm a wee bit prejudice but if I look at it objectively, I know of no other candidate that can generate this kind of excitement at this point in the game.

IMO - Kerry generates intelligence,respect,war hero,brilliant Senator, dynamite wife and family,old money and fairness to all people

Dean - generates new ideas, a risk taker, intelligent, new life to our party a wife for the 21st century politician

John Edwards generates intelligence,southern accent, son of a mill worker,respected young Senator, terrific wife a rising star in the party

Gephart generates loyalty, tried and true Democrat and skilled politician,really decent person

Now reread the tread about Wes Clark---he pulls at the heart strings of those that have met him and there is a strong tread of respect.
He also has many of the great qualities of those mentioned above. People talk about him the way I remember them talking about JFKennedy

Man 'o Man he would make a great leader. I know he can't be President. I am beginning to accept that. But, when you match the General with Kerry you have a winning ticket!

Go JFK and WKC...take us to the White House!
:bounce: :bounce::bounce::bounce:

[incapsulated]

45. He will also be on Face the Nation!

Sunday, to discuss *gasp* the VP slot! :)

 
 

[Leilani]

47. Thanks Incapsulated!

I have to check the time here in the islands.

Face the Nation is usually on here about 5 or 6 AM. Most of the other shows are time delayed, or rerun later in the day.

But I'll be up; it's amazing the things I do for Wes. Can't miss a discussion about Veep.

[LuLu550]

49. from your mouth to God's ear!

I LOVE Wes...voted for him in the NY prmary, still wear two buttons, sign still in the window of the house, three bumper stickers on the car....

[in_cog_ni_to]

50. It's gonna be a GREAT

Sunday! I get to see Wes Clark at 9:30 A.M. !! Wes Clark and coffee......Oh Yeah! :loveya:

I MISS him SO much!! :cry:

[BootinUp]

52. Brunch with Clark

Buffet style

11:30 Face the Nation -
12:00 CNN

:)

[joanski01]

54. Oh, boy! How exciting!

I have missed the General so much. Can't wait. I sure hope Wolfie asks him some intelligent questions. I've been dying to hear Wes Clark's take on the Haiti thing.

[Adelante]

55. Face the Nation is on

No hint of Wesley :(

[in_cog_ni_to]

56. What's up with that???

They haven't even mentioned him. :cry::cry::cry::cry:

[incapsulated]

58. Ok, turn's out this was bad info!

He's not gonna be on.

*points* Jersey made me say it!!

(seriously, he will be on with Blitzer, though.)
 
 

[BootinUp]

59. evidently

Jersey was gettin you back for accusing her of being a DNC plant!

:)

[in_cog_ni_to]

60. Oh well.

At least I have something to look forward to. I guess I'll do some work for an hour. ;)

[Leilani]

61. Double Boo!!!

It's 5:30 AM & I'm up & waiting for Face the Nation!!!

Are you sure it's Jersey's fault?

[incapsulated]

63. It was being posted on a bunch of Clark forums

Then I got it from her, then gave it to you...and so on..and so on...

psst...Clark's still a republican, pass it on... ;)

 
 

[Adelante]

64. Made you look, made you look

:P :P :P :P :P :P :P

[BootinUp]

57. Boooooo

Hooooo.

I checked the CBS web site it says guests are:


Sen. Bob Graham
Gov. Ed Rendell
Gov. Bill Richardson
Dan Balz

Oh well.

[Donna Zen]

62. Sunday gasbags

I caught MTP where Mary made the case, but IMHO, James seemed flat. Although James came out strong for Edwards. Clark not shown or mentioned.

I didn't expect to Wes on FTN since he wasn't listed.

So we preview 3 nice, but rather boring possibles. Everyone is backing away from AWOL which goes to credibility, and concentrating on horse race...the ads.

They are now trying to cover Kerry's change on positions. Mary did the flip-flops routine on MTP.

[Leilani]

65. The flip-flop talking points

have been in force for several days now.

Kerry needs to change the subject.

[Donna Zen]

73. Defense vs Offense

With Kerry's prior votes it will difficult to get the ball back. We were always concerned about this, because a candidate always having to answer charges, no matter how twisted and false, is a weak na-na-nah position.

This is why past Democratic candidates have fared so poorly in the past. Being right on the issues is great, but the issues have to be heard. If you're busy countering attacks, gaining ground is a bitch.

Again, letting bush wear the "heroes" mantle is a mistake. This is not about LIHOP, this is about the documented activities of bushco between 1/20/01 and 911. This is about no-bid contracts, this is about crony capitalism, this is about no WMD, this is about screwing this country over.

I didn't hear any of this from Carville, I just heard the offensive words from the ever offensive Mary.

[MoonRiver]

66. Here's a kick to remind people to watch! Coming on soon!

:kick:

[Nashyra]

67. I wonder if the bombings in Baghdad

will pre empt

[MoonRiver]

68. Probably some of the show, but the media will try to keep reports of

casualties from Americans. (Won't look good for * if we hear about Baghdad burning, and G.I.s dying.)

[Adelante]

70. The leader said

He's going to talk about Kerry.

:bounce:

[MoonRiver]

71. Did you hear, their also interviewing Kennedy!

[in_cog_ni_to]

69. My thoughts too,

BUT....Wolf just said he would be on! :bounce::bounce:

[BootinUp]

72. Is it a taped interview I wonder

If it is live I am sure Wolf will ask him about his take on these explosions.

[Adelante]

74. I would love that

Let's have some CNN Clark commentary once again. :D

[in_cog_ni_to]

76. I don't know.

Usually, Blitzer's interviews are live. I would LOVE to hear Clark's take on the latest explosions and hear him blast Bush for taking us into a war that we didn't have to fight and NOW, more lives are lost because of it...no one says it better than Wes.

[BootinUp]

78. Clark will be on Live

This will be great, he can question some of Bremer's sugar coated BS.

[MoonRiver]

75. It's hard getting through this Bremer crap.

:puke:

[Adelante]

79. COMING UP NOW!!

:bounce:

[incapsulated]

80. Are we getting..

pathetic or what?

Just asking. ;)

 
 

[BootinUp]

99. maybe so but

It feels good anyways... :grouphug:

[DancingBear]

108. Of course we're not GETTING pathetic

We've BEEN pathetic since he left!

In a good sort of way, though... :)

[incapsulated]

113. Ha!

True, dat. :)

 
 

[incapsulated]

77. He's standing by LIVE!

woo-hoo! :)

 
 

[incapsulated]

81. He's ON! :)

[Leilani]

83. Does he look good?

Or does he look good?

[incapsulated]

84. grr..

They have him on a small screen with the nothing going on backdrop of the Rashid hotel. :grr:

 
 

[Adelante]

102. Nice little tan

Wes picked up in Florida. :)

Man, he looks great, sounds great, IS great!!

[incapsulated]

110. You're right, I forgot

He's got a tan. :)

 
 

[in_cog_ni_to]

82. LOOK AT HIM!!!!

:loveya::loveya: :cry::cry: I miss him so much!

[MoonRiver]

85. I know.

But he does look great! And he, as usual, makes so much sense. Now talking about what's NOT in * 'war pResident' ads, i.e. the Iraq fiasco. :bounce:

[in_cog_ni_to]

86. Would you just listen to this man?

My G-D he is just amazing! Handsome too...:7 :loveya::loveya:

[incapsulated]

88. He's making Bremer look like a fool n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

87. Ha!!!!!

This adminisration didn't do everything it could have to stop 911. HE can say that!!! Kerry NEEDS Wes Clark! Kerry NEEDS someone out there saying that!

[BootinUp]

89. Using 911 images: A Loaded Gun back at the Administration! Ha!

[BootinUp]

90. Clark's Blink rate is up LOL

[in_cog_ni_to]

91. Do you want to be VP??

He DIDN'T say no. :7

Hmmmm.....whatcha think of his last answer?

[Leilani]

93. He is absolutely the best

military/foreign policy spokesperson the Dems & Kerry have!!!

I didn't like the end; Wolf just left him hanging!

[LandOLincoln]

94. I loved it! And people say he's not a politician.... n/t

[BootinUp]

95. He looked

kinda sad at the end of that answer. :(

[incapsulated]

98. Not to me..

I would say he looked deadly serious and didn't want to go there.

 
 

[Leilani]

107. Agreed

I think he wouldn't let Wolf play the VP game; he just wouldn't go there.

[in_cog_ni_to]

109. I've never seen him so sullen.

I don't know what to make of it. Hopefully it was nothing more than being tired or sleep deprived? :(

[incapsulated]

111. Sullen?

He looked serious. Look, he's still a General, and shit was still smoking on the screen behind him. He's aware of that, and can imagine what's going on, on the ground. He's not going to be smiley in that situation.

 
 

[BootinUp]

115. Agreed

I think I mis-read it.

He is concerned about the problems over there.

[in_cog_ni_to]

116. You're right...

:) I just don't recall ever seeing the man without a smile on his face. Very unusual for Wes. Baghdad burning more than likely had a lot to do with it.

[incapsulated]

118. You know there are only three reasons..

this guy doesn't smile. Something serious is happening, he's pissed off, or asleep. :)

 
 

[LandOLincoln]

123. He was smiling at the start of the interview, while he & Wolf were

exchanging pleasantries. Then Wolf asked him about the new attacks in Baghdad, and I thought, "Boy, that'll wipe the smile off his face!" and it did, almost instantly.

[goclark]

157. I wans't Appropriate To Look Happy

With the s
Now, if Bush had been on with the smirk,that would be another story.

Kerry/Clark 04

[goclark]

158. Erased Myself

I was trying to say, with the split screen on Iraq, it would be inappropriate to look other than serious and statesmanlike.

I thought he was perfect!

Kennedy was great too! He was Passionate like never before.
He is not afraid anymore to speak his mind and I love it!

[MoonRiver]

96. I think he'll accept if asked.

The ball's in Kerry's court. Pleaase, please, please! O8)

[Adelante]

97. Honestly, Incog

I don't know if he wants VP. I have never felt for sure he wants it. He answered calmly today and assuredly. I agree with Wolf that if asked, he won't say no, but I don't see that he actively wants it. He's about saving the country, that's all I can get out of him. :shrug:

[DancingBear]

100. Just a gut feeling,

nothing more - but I think we might still get some more use out of those
Clark'04 buttons....

[incapsulated]

92. Recap

He was very serious, didn't smile once. Slammed Bush on Iraq and 9/11. Would not address the VP question. Talked up Kerry and repeated the problems the country is facing that aren't being addressed.

On Bush running on 9/11: "I think that's a loaded gun pointed right back at them!" :)

 
 

[in_cog_ni_to]

103. Man. a new classic quote

from Wes. On Bush running on 9/11: "I think that's a loaded gun pointed right back at them!" :) Perfect, perfect, perfect.

[Tom Rinaldo]

101. Man, that was deft.

Whew, clear, concise, and authoritative. Clark didn't duck a single question but every answer led back to the serious problems with Bush and how President Kerry will be a much more effective leader for America. And it wasn't done with platitudes but through sound reasoned critiques.

I loved the moment where Wolf asked about a Fall trial for Hussein. Clark said; well I know it may not look political to Brenner back there, but it does here. I know that's why you asked me that question. Then of course Wes went on to make sense as always.

Wes is the expert America turns to for answers when the going gets dangerous. What an asset to America, and to Kerry, Clark is.

[BootinUp]

104. Apparently

Kerry is sending a delegation to Iraq. Wes said it was a very good thing for Kerry to get the best information about situation there.

[Leilani]

112. I think Wes should be part of the delegation

He can send Holbroke & the guys from State, but he needs the military view, & Wes knows the Generals.

And all the politicos lie anyway!

[incapsulated]

114. I agree

Who better to give Kerry the military angle, straight up?

 
 

[juajen]

164. I think his life would be in dire danger if he was part of the team that

goes to Iraq, and he does not have secret service protection. Think about it, a four-star General who is probably going to be VP, who disagrees with everything they're doing over there, etc, etc, and of course he has to know how very dangerous it is over there right now, ad naseum. Nope, I don't want my General going to Iraq. I realize he would be the best one to assess the situation, but I don't think he can be spared from the campaign, either, let alone the risk to his life. Later, after they take office, he should go. OMG, wait a minute, maybe not then.

[incapsulated]

106. Yep

You could see the big brain at work, today. ;)

 
 

[Jai4WKC08]

125. I noticed that too

"Wes is the expert America turns to for answers when the going gets dangerous."

The introductions at the beginning of the show said that General Clark would be talking about Kerry's campaign. But with the explosions and mortar fire in Iraq, that's almost all Blitzer asked about.

The media did everything they could to shoot down his presidential bid, but when they wanted intelligent discussion about anything important on the world scene, they turned to Wes Clark. Good to see they still do. 'Course, he showed us once again why. What a stellar performance.

[Adelante]

105. His business life

I wonder if he's picking up WaveCrest again. That would be super!

[union_maid]

117. Married Kerry..carrying a little bit of a torch for Clark.

I miss him, too. He'd have been a great president. I'm sure of that. However, I have to admit he's always better when he's not being a candidate. Even during his campaign, when he was doing an appearance where he was just discussing problems in Iraq or something like that he was so much better than when he was forced to answer the moronic questions the press thought were the hot issues of the moment. His town halls were good..the first one being the best, IMHO, but I think he kind of forgot he was running for a bit there and was just discussing. I do hope he has an important and prominent place in the Kerry administration.

[incapsulated]

119. You could tell...

The strain of "performing in candidate mode" was effecting him by his fab media appearences right after he dropped out. He was so relaxed and himself again.

It must be hard having a dozen people trying to mold you into the standard politician, when your greatest strength is just being yourself.

 
 

[Crunchy Frog]

152. Dated Dean....

fell madly in love with Wes, and forced into an arranged marriage with Kerry.:-( Still pining severely for Wes. :cry:

[Donna Zen]

120. Sullen...

Okay, I confess to paying far too much time watching and sousing out Clark, but while that time has taken a chunk out of my life, it has also given me a "feel" for the many moods of Wes Clark.

This was all business this morning, and his immediate knowledge of the range and the size of the incoming ordinance, the danger posed, and the appropriate response, was the kind of information I, and I think, all Clarkies value.

I agree with the earlier post that something about the last question made General Clark sad. He also is looking at his business prospects again, something that he stepped away from in a recent e-mail when he said: "I will be staying in public life."

Sorry folks, the words were the right ones but the shadow that came over his eyes, was not the look I like seeing.

[incapsulated]

121. The lighting was horrid

And they had white make-up under his eyes, and he had a tan. :silly:

Between his serious mood, the attacks on the screen, and the rest, it all made him look a little strange, and I don't read any more into it.

Even if he knew he wasn't getting VP, do you really think he would be that torn up about it? I just don't get that from him.


 
 

[Adelante]

124. Get out!!

He looked dee-licious :)

I do not think he cares especially about being VP. He cares about the country and will do what it takes. That might include serving as VP, if asked, but not necessarily. He has the whole wide world to operate in and being VP or not being VP will not affect his opportunities in the least.

[incapsulated]

126. Oh, you're so easy to please..

Clark groupie! ;)

 
 

[Adelante]

122. Didn't get sullen

I thought he was poised and assured, just out of patience with the question. It seemed his sense of things for a while now: He doesn't want it pushed, he doesn't want to push it. He's working for John Kerry to take back the country and that's it. After his talk at the elevator with Kansas Clarkies, there can be no reason to doubt, IMHO, that the slate is something he's not thinking about. The rest of us just have to catch up with him. I never took "public life" to mean the vice presidency or a cabinet post, although it could have. I took it, more than anything, to mean affecting the direction the nation takes in the future, using an organization such as his Leadership for America non-profit group. That's the part I'm waiting for - the rest of it is already here.

[Adelante]

127. Elevator Statement - for the record

"It doesn't matter to me what that ticket is. What I want to do is I want to see a Democrat, John Kerry, in the White House. That's the mission! Okay?"

[LandOLincoln]

128. I confess I didn't notice a sadness come over him, I was too busy

appreciating the way he handled the VP question.

However, it occurs to me that he's at least as likely to be a little sad about being the VP choice as not, especially since he's now had a taste of his private life back.

He ran for Prez out of a sense of duty, and of course he'll accept VP for the same reason. However, I've always felt that some of his rage at George Bush comes out of his knowledge that if Al Gore hadn't been robbed of his presidency, Wes could be acting as unofficial advisor to the Gore administration on FP and NS matters, but mostly enjoying his well-earned retirement.

The country would be in far better hands, and in far better shape, and Wes could be writing, traveling with Gert, playing golf, and spending lots of time with his kid & grandkid, in other words.

[incapsulated]

129. Gotta disagree a little there

Clark is a very young and vital 59, by every account a force of nature energy-wise, not the sort to retire to the golf course before 60.

I would imagine he would be extremely busy with something, in business or politics, no matter who was in office. He's just too interested in life to retire from it. Did you see the Charlie Rose interview? He was practically giddy from the idea of the possibilities ahead of him now. He was excited about life.

 
 

[LandOLincoln]

134. I guess I put it badly. I simply meant that it seemed to me he'd

much rather return to his private life than get back in harness for another four years.

I think money's an issue too. Dunno what the VP salary is, but it's clearly much less than he could make, always honorably of course, in the private sector.

He's obviously concerned with making up to his family for the penurious years as an Army officer making a poxie $50,000 a year. If he takes the Veep job (and if they win) that will all be put on hold for another 4 years.

[BootinUp]

135. But I think he's

already in good shape financially. I don't think that would affect his decision so much to be VP. More so I think it would be whether he thought he would have the authority to get things done and whether he could work with the rest of the Administration effectively as a VP.

[LandOLincoln]

149. I thought his net worth was only around $2 million? That's really not a

lot, especially considering the number of people dependent on him to one degree or another.

I mean, I'm sure the fact that Wes Jr. has chosen an iffy and risky profession like screenwriting is a major concern to his old man, especially with Wes III's arrival on the scene.




(edit for the inevitable typo)

[BootinUp]

151. I plead

ignorance, both of his current worth and of his thinking on the question of VP. I was excited about the prospect of a Kerry/Clark ticket. If I said anything ignorant I apologize to my fellow Clarkies.

I think he can help a democratic administration in other ways besides being a VP so however it works out, it is all good.

:toast:

[LandOLincoln]

154. Nothing to apologize for, Jim. I'm excited about the possibility

of him being VP, too.

To tell the truth, I think his sombre mood this morning had zip to do with the campaign. I think his mind and heart were with his boys (and girls) in Iraq, and what we saw were simply the faint outwards signs of a white-hot but firmly controlled rage aimed straight at the chickenhawk-in-chief.

I think often of this paragraph from Richard Cohen's article in WaPo entitled Karl Rove's Nightmare:

"Wes Clark does not like what George Bush has done with Wes Clark's Army. Make no mistake: It's his Army. He can hardly go a sentence without mentioning the military -- and how, in his mind, Bush has abused it. He sent it to war precipitously and then used its men and women as 'props,' he says. Clark's sincerity on this point is patent. In a conversation on his campaign plane, he suddenly turned intense, a kind of growling, low-grade rage that lifted my nose from my note-taking. His Army has been abused."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A18406-2004Jan14¬Found=true

[BootinUp]

155. Great article

Clark did get some good press every now and then. Your interpretation of his mood at the interview could be spot on the more I think about it. The fire is still burning.


thanks
Jim

[incapsulated]

136. I agree with that..

I think Wes does want to make some money for his family while he still can. God knows he didn't choose a career that gave big monetary rewards.

I don't even know that he wants VP. He seemed almost relieved when he got out of the race. It's not that I don't think he enjoyed politics, he admits he likes it. It was just that nothing seemed to go his way in the primaries, Kerry coming back most of all. He basically said he knew it was over when Kerry won Iowa and NH.

I hope he gets whatever it is he wants, really. He already answered the "call to duty" when we drafted him, now I just want him to be happy. And I know part of that means Bush out/Kerry in. :)

[BootinUp]

137. sorry

but I disagree. Money is not the main thing for Wes, never was. But I wouldn't hold it against him, of course. He's already served way beyond the call of duty. :thumbsup:

[incapsulated]

138. Money is important for everybody

There is a difference between being all about money, in which case he would never have chosen an army career, and wanting to make some money to leave your son and grandson and enjoy your later days with.

That's what I'm talking about.

 
 

[BootinUp]

139. point taken

I just have a hard time accepting him not being on the ticket.

[incapsulated]

141. Well you guys have banged this drum so long and hard..

You've actually got me wanting it a bit, despite myself. ;)

 
 

[BootinUp]

143. I fear that I have become

a shameless groupie, I'll be happier when the ticket is set, then I can get over it. :toast:

[Tom Rinaldo]

148. I can relate. Me too

I felt it almost a duty to at least make the case for Wes as VP. There is a strong case of course, and the media for the most part does not want to talk about it. I don't think anything we can say on DU would ever by itself make a difference on this. But on the other hand, today's key political operatives would not be so foolish as to totally ignore boards like this one either. It has to be monitored by someone in the loop.

Kerry and Clark are in direct communication of course. We simply need to trust that both men will sort out how each can best serve the interests of our country moving forward. I do believe that both of them view their lives in that way.

[BootinUp]

130. It was a masterful performance

Clark hammered Bush on his campaign ads, how they do not show anything about Iraq, and they are divisive. He hammered Bush on the jobless recovery. He hammered Bush on the overemphasis on military force to deal with Terrorism. He questioned the policies in Iraq and the timing of the trial of Sadaam, whether it was politically motivated.

I wonder if Karl Rove was watching, I wonder if John Kerry was watching.

[Donna Zen]

131. Tom's 101 Post

the moment where Wolf asked about a Fall trial for Hussein

Clark's reflection on the Bremmer interview is very telling. Wes must be incredibly frustrated with the junta's complete ham-fisted, political-driven approach to the trial of Hussein.

If you haven't read "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning" by Chris Hedges, I highly recommend it as does Clark. One particular chapter stands out regarding the trial of thugs like Hussein: "The Hijacking and Recovery of Memory."

Our people's lives pass, bitter and empty, among malicious, vengeful thoughts and periodic revolts. To anything else, they are insesitive and inaccessible. One sometimes wonders whether the spirit of the majority of the Balkan peoples has not been forever poisoned and that, perhaps, they will never again be able to do anything other than suffer violence, or inflict it.

Clark understands the importance to the Iraqi people, and even to us, how the trial of Hussein needs to be conducted. Will it be part of a healing process, or just another chapter of hedgemony and revenge with a large dollop of Rovian politics trumping the best policy:

Wartime leader, who know that exposing the murders means the loss of their own legitimacy and discrediting of the myth, harass and denouce the Cassandras who cry out for justice and hitorical accountability.

Perhaps what I saw in Clark's eyes this morning was a saddness for how poorly this country is being led, and a frustration that he, who sees so many solutions so clearly, was unable to stop them.

God only knows what is going on behind the scenes.

[incapsulated]

132. "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning" by Chris Hedges

I wish I had the power to force every American to read this book, it's that important.

 
 

[Donna Zen]

145. Yes.

So glad to find someone who shares my opinion about this book. The title is so grim that it took me months of dithering before I took the bait. For those who haven't read this one I assure you it is a spirtual journey that expands one understanding of war far beyond the bullets and blood. Beware of "freedom fries." Thugs are running our foreign policy, but thugs with a purpose...a bad one.

But don't take our word for it. Here's what General Clark had to say:

A powerful book, one which bears sad witness to what veterans have long understood...A somber and timely warning to those--in any society--who would evoke the emotions of war for the pursuit of political gain.

[incapsulated]

161. And the fact that he thinks so highly of it...

Only confirms how highly I regard him, as someone who has spent his life in the military.

 
 

[BootinUp]

147. You wish you had the power...

:scared:
LOL

I might have to check it out.

[incapsulated]

160. Why does that idea frighten you?

 
Do you think I would abuse such power or something?



I'm glad to hear you ordered the book.

We wouldn't want to find out what would happen had you not...

:evilgrin:
 
 

[BootinUp]

162. LOL!

I guess I was askin for trouble... :D

[incapsulated]

163. Yep..

Gotta go, Sopranos is comin' on!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
 
 

[BootinUp]

133. I still remember

When he flew back from the Hague trial and held that press conference in NH. There were people from the Balkans there expressing support for Wes. He had prepared a four point plan for the trial of Sadaam. It was very well thought out for being done on an airplane ride. I felt it was a very important issue for him.

[Donna Zen]

140. It does, and it should mean something to ALL of them.

It is the difference between going down a war to continued war, or climbing out of this mess to peace.

I don't know why, but lately I'm seeing all of recent history as parallel to the forces that drove WWI. Does that make any sense?

[BootinUp]

142. can't say for sure

I am not a history buff. What I remember is that there was a drive to make Alliances that resulted in a chain reaction. There wasn't really a super power at that time. Of course Bush has made us look less the super power by overextending our forces like he has.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

144. Clark Still Continues To Inspire Me Like No Other

I left the Democratic Party to join the Greens as a protest to the lack of opposition to the Bush march to war from the Democrats in the Congress. Clark brought me back to the party, although I was also a strong supporter of Dean and Kucinich. Whether or not he made a few mistakes on the campaign trail, like pointing to the wrong body part where he was injured or saying he was an insider and then immediately correcting it to outsider, where it counts Clark is the most eloquent and convincing speaker on behalf of progressive issues in the country. I know several former Greens in California who feel the same way and came into the Democratic Party because of Clark.

[BootinUp]

146. nice to hear

testimonials like that.

[Crunchy Frog]

150. I overslept and missed it!

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Is there any way I can bum a copy of it on tape from someone, or should I wait for it to come out on Ice's site?

I would really like to have a hard copy of it. If anybody can get a taped copy to me, please PM me, thanks.

I could kill myself for oversleeping.:grr: :grr:

[BootinUp]

153. Do you have broadband?

I have never done it before, but it would be fun to try. I captured it on my computer, and think I could put it up on the web with a little work.

[Crunchy Frog]

156. Yeah, I've got broadband

PM me, and tell me more. Thanks. <sniff>

[Donna Zen]

159. US4Clark

The clip is up. Thanks Ice!