Clark supporters: something big happening in one week

[moz4prez]

The following is a re-posting of GLORIA'S thread that can be found here because I think this is so darned baffling:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=48235&mesg_id=48235

"There have been some rumors about something big coming down the pike...and now, it looks like something IS going to happen in the form of a 'big idea.'


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/01/politics/campaigns/01DEMS.html?hp

link to page 2 where excerpt is from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/01/politics/campaigns/01DEMS.html?pagewanted=2&hp

Democrats' Plan for Early Nominee May Be Costly
By ADAM NAGOURNEY

Published: January 1, 2004


SNIP
Some campaign officials argued that it remained early in the race, and that there was plenty of time for a candidate to come up with the kind of campaign appeal to take to victory this November.

"I think a lot of this has to do with the calendar," said Eli Segal, the campaign chairman for General Clark, who played a similar role for Mr. Clinton 1992.

"It's very hard to develop substantive ideas to distinguish yourself in the crowd with the rush of early primaries and all these debates," Mr. Segal said. "It's made for commonality of views."

General Clark's communications director, Matthew Bennett, called back later to say that the general would soon break the ice. "Wait one week and we'll have a big idea coming out," Mr. Bennett said. "I can't give it out yet, but it's not quite cooked."

MORE"

any guesses as to WHAT this may be? Perhaps the hugest endorsement of the primary season (other than the Madonna endorsement of course ;)), perhaps a release of earth-shattering fundraising totals, or perhaps nothing but a cynical publicity stunt — heaven forbid.

Everybody can take a crack at what this major development might be! You have nothing to lose but your credibility!

[xchrom]

1. an endorcement

would be my most logical guess.
then fund raising.
after that an early announcement of a potential veep.
running as independant.
it could get pretty out there if i keep going.

[dd123]

3. Isn't a big idea like Kennedy's mission to the moon?

I don't think "big idea" means endorsement.

[robbedvoter]

2. Jan 4 - watch MTP. Untill that, little things:

[TexasSissy]

28. Hey-that photo with Gert - she's a babe, isn't she?

Leave it to Clark to have a babe for a wife. But one of an appropriate age. Great photo.

[Justice]

32. Great Photos

Thanks for posting.

Very intriguing - big idea.

[janx]

66. That's a cute photo. What is going to happen on MTP?

Or rather, have you heard that something will happen on MTP?

[incapsulated]

4. I said it on the other thread

before it was locked.

"I can't give it out yet, but it's not quite cooked."

It's free cupcakes for everybody! If that's not a winning platform, I don't know what is.

 

[moz4prez]

5. perhaps it's a suckling pig

that Matt Bennett, what a ham he is.

[Eurobabe]

13. great graphic!

where'd ya get that?? GO WES!

Very curious about this news...don't think it will be an endorsement.

[neuvocat]

36. That cheerleader is still hot.

[madison]

6. I would not trust or believe a word coming from Adam Nagourney.

Democrats have to learn to either IGNORE everything Adam Nagourney writes about Democratic chances in 2004 or fight back against Nagourney and write to The New York Times to complain about his coverage of the Democratic candidates.

Nagourney constantly pictures everything in the most negative way for Democrats; he will seek out the one person at some event who has negative things to say about the Democrats' chances and slide over anything positive.

He persistently quotes anonymous Democrats or "Democratic strategists" or Democratic Leaders" without naming them or identifying them in some specific way.

Adam Nagourney is the worst possible nightmare for Democrats and yet The New York Times has sent him to cover the Democratic candidates. Nagourney uses every opportunity he can to spin things to make Democrats depressed, or to get them to lose confidence in their candidates.

I would not trust or believe a word coming from Adam Nagourney.

I realize this post is a bit off the topic, but after following the provided link and reading Nagourney's article, I just had to speak out.

[moz4prez]

7. Agreed, Nagourney's a bit of a hack

and very often his coverage isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

but the CONTENT of the article shouldn't go ignored. He does quote prominent figures in the campaign as having something BIG and IMPORTANT and ATTENTION-GRABBING in the works and I thought it would be entertaining, and ultimately disappointing (depending on your perspective of things), to speculate on what exactly the campaign was "cooking up"

[Skwmom]

26. Ultimately disappointing?

Dean people try to play this game on the Clark blog - they try to overhype something (or outright lie) so that people will actually be disappointed with good news when they hear it. (I guess Dean didn't hire Gray Davis's hack for nothing.)

[moz4prez]

29. Disappointing, depending on your perspective.

While I expect a lot out of the Clark campaign, it's easy to emotionally invest too much. We don't just donate $$$ to these candidates, you know. We donate our time, energy, and hopes, and it's healthy to keep your distance. So I lower my expectations, and preclude a lot of possible headaches.

[robbedvoter]

8. Wow! The bitterness here is overwhelming!

I try to stir it towards celebratory mood, but some are sulking...I won't intrerrupt you anymore. Resume sulking!

[OKNancy]

9. Big idea

It would be something like: energy independence by 2020
and a plan to achieve it.

That's what I think since Clark has been involved in alternate energy.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. That WOULD be a great idea

and one that is sorely needed. I heard on NPR that the wind/solar energy people are concerned about the environmental bill that's stuck in Congress, because tax breaks to their industry stopped today, and the bill reinstates them-along with encouraging dirty industries to get dirtier. A case of one good thing in a terrible bill, but it is making these people try to get it passed. If Gen. Clark can come up with a viable plan to make us energy independent, I think that these people would stop trying to get this horrible bill passed and would work to make sure that Dems win the White House.

[wyldwolf]

17. Clark has already worked with breakthrough energy systems...

...and I'm surprised this hasn't been discussed more here at DU.

http://environmentalists.forclark.com/story/2003/11/21/19513/165

http://www.greenspeed.us/wesley_clark.htm

http://www.wavecrestlabs.com/

[ignatiusr]

21. I second the energy independence speculation

Something Clark's been very big on. That sounds like the most logical explanation to me.

And yeah, the fact that it's an "idea" pretty much cancels out an endorsement or release of fundrasing totals, as those are more announcements than they are "ideas".

[KittyWampus]

37. Bush Thinks Best Days Behind Us- I Think They're Ahead Of Us

One of Clark's latest lines... and it's terrific. Optimistic and a true assessment of Bush without being derogatory.

Clark says this about Bush wanting to revisit the moon.

Energy Independance Goal would be outstanding.

YES! I know that Kerry has this in his platform... but noone has yet:

#1 made it a central plank
#2 come up with an effective, catchy marketing plan

Energy Independance would not only be a great way to talk about jobs, investment, environment and health...

it is the perfect opportunity to highlight the Democrats Progressive Nature and also the GOP's Obsturctionism on Energy.

It could also bring in the Green Party.

[moz4prez]

11. what bitterness?

It's just safer not to get too excited over indeterminacies!

edit: also, you realize this is New Year's Day, when everybody just wants to DROP DEAD :)

[robbedvoter]

12. Drop dead? I 'll go singing in my community garden in a few hours

For me, this is the celebration time. year of the Monkey - year when 8 years presidencies get voted in (Raygun, Clinton), and also, when Arkansan Rhodes scholars trounce one termers named bush.

[maddezmom]

10. looks like we just have to wait and see

I'm sure it'll be worth the wait, whatever it is. :)

[moz4prez]

15. whatever this "big idea" is I hope it concerns FTL travel

I wonder what the hell was so frikkin' funny about Clark's interest in FTL travel. It's not necessarily TIME TRAVEL. This is what attracted my attention to Clark in the first place. We can't just keep flying to the stupid moon, anyway, unless it was Europa.

[wyldwolf]

16. Here's your answer:

wonder what the hell was so frikkin' funny about Clark's interest in FTL travel.

Nothing. The writer of the article equated FTL travel with time travel. Then Drudge picked up the time travel angle.

[moz4prez]

19. And he issued a retraction of the article, didn't he?

Ah well. Too late for apologies, I suppose, since virtually the entire late night talk show circuit seized upon this "crazy talk" and a lot of viewers connected the newest entrant into a crowded field of candidates with TIME TRAVEL. Not a bad first impression though, regardless. I was ecstatic to hear a presidential candidate address anything in the realm of scientific endeavor that doesn't involve colonizing a Goddamn rock. At last, some new ideas!

[wyldwolf]

22. He would be one to speak of innovative propulsion, though...

See my other posts.

[wyldwolf]

18. I like OKNancy's energy system guess...

Try here:

http://environmentalists.forclark.com/story/2003/11/21/19513/165

http://www.greenspeed.us/wesley_clark.htm

http://www.wavecrestlabs.com/

On the lighter side:

An Eagles/Madonna fundraising world tour!

[robbedvoter]

23. I like OK nancy's Cristmas thread banished on DU (not to outshine others)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=595611&mesg_id=595611
9at least banishing it to another forum, cuz Deanies failed to gene

[robbedvoter]

20. I am with this guy who says:

"We've already got the best new idea: President Wesley Clark."

[TexasSissy]

24. How did you put the little face in the middle of your post?

I see only how to do that as a logo for the poster. How do you insert it within the post?

[moz4prez]

30. the sig pic?

Go to the page featuring the list of threads. Click on "Options." Click on "Edit Profile" in sidebar, and insert the image URL in the "Signature" field.

Hope that answered your question :)

[Bread and Circus]

25. I think it will be about energy issues -- at least I hope so...

That's what I hope all the candidates will key on
because energy is the source of all wealth and right
now it is the root source of a lot of our problems.

I hope Clark will make it his signature issue.

[TexasSissy]

27. I've been reading about this for weeks. I can't imagine

what it could be.

I don't need a big event, myself. I'm voting for Clark. HE'S my big event.

BUT, if it's supposed to be a big idea, I can't imagine what idea would be considered "big" by the public en masse. One person's big idea isn't necessarily the next person's idea of a big idea. I've decided to quit trying to guess what it is.

IMO, it's not a good idea to leak that something big is going to happen, because it's often the case that the real event is not as big as the buildup is in the minds of the public. In other words, the real event might be a let down, compared with expectations.

Like when I finally see a good movie that has been raved about by everyone: I find that my expectations were so high that the movie wasn't as good as I expected. But if I had just seen the movie without hearing anything about it, I would've been bowled over by it.

(Is it an endorsement? An endorsement isn't a big idea, if that's what the big event is supposed to be. Oops. There I go again, trying to guess what it is.)

[stickdog]

31. What's the big idea?

[John_H]

33. All I can say is: Tick, Tick, Tick Dr. Dean--enjoy while you can.

[janx]

65. Do you know what it is?

?

[Walt Starr]

34. Kerry is dropping out and throwing his support to Clark?

It's the only way I see anybody being able to overtake Dean.

[TexasSissy]

38. Let Dean talk some more, and THAT is a good way to overtake

Dean.

I don't see Kerry's support as being that helpful. You think it really is?

[Renew Deal]

49. It's helpful

but I don't think that will happen. If Kerry wins Iowa, he is in good shape.

[Renew Deal]

47. That would be major

I couldn't imagine. That would be unreal.

[Scott Lee]

35. Clark's gonna do a striptease on VH1?

Oooo I knew this campaign would get nasty! Arf!

[Renew Deal]

39. DoveTurnedHawk also believes that something is in the works.

Though I don't know if he knows what. I have heard a rumor but it is weak and unlikely. I have also forgotten the source because of that.

[moz4prez]

40. If DTH says something is in the works

something is probably in the works.

Seriously, that guy is something else!

Freaks me out, man. Plays a great game of poker too, I'd wager.

[janx]

63. I just wish he'd tell us what it is.

Or what he thinks it might be. :shrug:

[maddezmom]

70. know how you feel

wish I knew the "big idea", the waiting is starting to get to me. :)

[janx]

74. How long has this idea been floating around--as something

with potential, that is?

Maybe it really is a Clinton endorsement.

[maddezmom]

77. got me

:) Don't get a lot of inside info down here in Peru. Just have to wait for the good folks at DU to clue me in.

[Donna Zen]

41. Housing and the environment

I think Clark has been thinking about an idea that would encompass housing, urban renewal, and the environment...all rolled into one. He has talked about this before, but although he could see the goal, he was working on the pieces.

Of course, this would also mean "jobs" and be a major initiative for the country.

Don't forget, Clark doesn't buy into the Goldilock's solutions; he wants to know why we're eating porridge.

Geesh! For those who think I support Clark because he is electable; you are missing the message.

[dfong63]

42. ralph nader had some great ideas, too

[Walt Starr]

43. He's going public with another speedo shot?

I dunno, I doubt if anything he does will get him above Dean in the polls.

[Dookus]

44. thank you

for maintaining the high level of debate we've come to expect.

[Walt Starr]

48. You're Welcome!

:hi:

[moz4prez]

45. do you remember when you supported Wes Clark?

it was only a few weeks ago . . .

:eyes:

[Walt Starr]

46. Yes I do

I wouldn't vote for Clark as dog catcher now.

[Renew Deal]

50. Yeah we know.

Nobody but Dean. Shamefull

[Walt Starr]

52. It's a defensive response

to the anti-Dean nonsense I've seen.

[rucky]

51. I say Clinton Endorsement

he has nothing to lose by it, and Gore sorta forced his hand.

[moz4prez]

53. No way!!

Actually, that's my dad's theory too. I strongly doubt it though. Clinton said he wouldn't endorse any candidate during the primaries and I figure he has no reason to break that promise now. He can do the talk show circuit and put in a favorable word for Clark here and there, but anything more would be unsafe.

I figure it's a release of fundraising totals, some all-star addition to the campaign staff, or a major non-Clinton, non-Hollywood, non-Michael Stipe endorsement.

It's all up in the air at this point.

[YellowDawgDemocrat]

54. Clark Announces He Is A Republican and Will Be Challenging Bush for the..

Republican nomination. OK, that wouldn't really be that big of a surprise. No, I'm not ready to turn over the Democratic Party to a guy who decided he was a Democrat when the wind started blowing in his face.

[Dookus]

55. and yet...

has become the most liberal of the candidates who are likely to win. I'll take that kind of Dem any day.

[in_cog_ni_to]

57. For the thousandth time...

Clark voted for Clinton...TWICE....TWICE....TWICE....and voted for Gore in 2000. He also was under NO OBLIGATION to tell ANYONE how he voted in pre-Clinton elections. His honesty should say something for the man. All you anti-Clark people can see is how he voted 20 and 30 DAMN years ago. It's ridiculous and a feeble argument.

[meow mix]

58. yup, so much for that wind

wind blowing in his face - bahahaha! so dramatic

so when did this wind start blowing?

the first time he voted for Clinton?
or maybe it was the second time.
or maybe it was when he voted for Gore...
must have been some serious wind blowing in his face that time!

GAWD! EYES-ROLLING LIKE CRAZY!

[JPJones]

75. It's a policy paper

Unless there is a picture of Paris Hilton on it, it won't be as exciting as you think it will be.

[maddezmom]

78. do you know what it is? n/t

[janx]

64. At first I took Clinton at his word that he wouldn't endorse until

the nomination.

But when Gore went ahead and endorsed Dean, maybe that did change Clinton's mind.

[madfloridian]

56. Maybe Hilary will run with Clark as VP.

Or she could endorse. I feel sure it involves the Clintons. Look out, there's a bumpy road ahead.

After all Bill Clinton said there were two stars of the party, Hilary and Wesley Clark.

Should be interesting. Very interesting indeed. This has been implied so often, I think it good to bring it out now. I really do.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

59. Too soon for that

I still don't think Hillary will run, I think Clark is being positioned as the un-Dean and will continue to run hard.

As for Clinton endorsing, I do think he will endorse Clark, but maybe not yet. I expect he will wait until Clark wins a primary. Risky for him to endorse earlier than that.

Then again, I'm certain there is a great deal happening behind closed doors that none of us are aware of.

As for this particular thread, I thought the leak was for a "Big Idea", not an event or endorsement. I suspect it's a major policy announcement.

[janx]

60. Wow, he did say that. I had forgotten about that.

Maybe his words are about to bear fruit.

[madfloridian]

61. Yep, He did say that.

:hi:

[janx]

62. When I first thought about Clinton's endorsing anyone,

I remembered what he said about not endorsing anyone but the nominee. But I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT HIS "STARS" COMMENT!

So maybe that's what it is!

[Walt Starr]

73. Clinton could still keep his promise if he remained in the background

with no endorsement even though it was announced that Hillary was to be Clark's running mate.

He could go on making his "two stars" type staements and whenever a journalist asks him if he endorses Clark, he can alwyas come back with a laugh and say, "now you know I said I was not making an endorsement for anybody but the nominee."

Hillary as Veep would certainly be a huge announcement that would definitely change the dynamic of the race. Wouldn't change my mind, but I have to admit it would be huge.

[janx]

76. They may well be considering clandestine options such as

these to prop up Clark and maintain a sense of legitimacy at the same time.

[chaska]

67. Donna Zen wins.

Her idea sounds closest to likely. Clark needs some extra oomph on the domestic front. Seems this would be a good area in which to grab the spotlight.

That said, I'm thinking Clark's strength is on the international front, so how about an endorsement by all the heads of state of all the member states of the UN. Dream big, I say ... actually, I guess he probably already has that endorsement. Tacit, but it's there.

There again, strictly speaking, that's not an "idea". I'll work on it. <G>

[janx]

68. Maybe he's going to get

endorsement by all the heads of state of all the member states of the UN AND the endorsement of the Clintons.

[madfloridian]

71. I really believe Hilary figures into this, either main or VP.

Definitely an endorsement.

[janx]

72. She may ride in on her white horse

after all.

[burning bush]

69. Homestead Act, Part 2

Clark has discussed a new Homestead Act previously, perhaps his will be his "big idea."

I have to say that a union between Clark and Clinton would help him win the Primary, but cost Clark in the GE. Therefore, I don't expect him to make such an announcement any time soon.

Put a Clinton anywhere near the nomination this year and you get every conservative out to the poll in Nov. Clark is depending on some cross over vote. Adding Hillary to the ticket would be douple plus unwise.