Clark Campaign Responds To Dean Secret Strategy Disclosure

[wyldwolf]

Little Rock - Yesterday, the Dean campaign inadvertently revealed to reporters its secret strategy to discredit General Clark. The strategy was reported in today's Arizona Republic (read the article here).

As the Republic reports, the Dean camp plans to use Bill Bradley's endorsement to counter the perception among New Hampshire voters - apparently evident in the Dean polling - that Governor Dean is "indecisive," and they plan to use both former Senator Bradley and other surrogates to attack General Clark.

Clark Campaign Communications Director Matt Bennett responded to this report:

"The Dean camp's secret back-room plotting to have Bill Bradley and others attack Wes Clark isn't a bit surprising. Governor Dean seems to like others to do his heavy lifting - just last week Howard Dean asked Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe to protect him from the criticisms of his rivals. The fundamental difference between Governor Dean and General Clark is that Howard Dean is a politician, and Wes Clark is a leader."

"Wes Clark has run a war, making life and death decisions every day. If the Dean Campaign wants to have a debate about decisiveness, we're ready."

[Scott Lee]

1. This is why Clark's not fit for the job.

""Wes Clark has run a war, making life and death decisions every day. If the Dean Campaign wants to have a debate about decisiveness, we're ready."


See, with a dyed in the wool militarist, everything is a war. There is a military solution for all.

Is THIS how you want your country run, or are you sick and tired of warmongers like Bush running the show?

I think Clark just give ample evidence as to why he shouldn't be nominated.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OKNancy]

3. LOL

Ignore keeps popping up on all the Clark threads. Funny thing is they never say anything.

[wyldwolf]

5. I don't put people like this on ignore...

They provide comic relief!

[maddezmom]

14. agree with ya there

:)

[Kahuna]

20. Dang! What did I miss? I can't see the post?

:D

[Closer]

31. Something tells me

you're not laughing though.

In fact, I'd bet the farm on it.

[wyldwolf]

33. I was at his and as always, I'm laughing at yours...

"bet the farm.."

bwahahahahha!

[sandnsea]

12. I've got about 10 people on it

After I got 5 deleted messages in 5 days, which hasn't happened to me since I've been here, I decided to heck with it. Ignore, ignore, ignore. That person is on my ignore list too!! Oh it is so much more enjoyable around here! Maybe after we get a primary winner, I'll take everybody off again.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

13. I've never put anyone on ignore but I know who my first choice would be...

n/t

[Closer]

28. Yeh

better put him on ignore, you don't wanna actually learn something.


By the way, it's spelled "hallelujah" and that's what I'll say when Clark drops out in February. :hi:

[wyldwolf]

34. Learn what? How to post hit and run snipes?

...and correcting spelling means... uh, never mind!

[xultar]

37. Ignore is the BEST isn't it. n/t

[JPJones]

4. Is war always...

unjustified?

[wyldwolf]

6. To the socialist far left element on this board - yes, it usually is...

..unless, of course, Dean wins and HE goes to war. Then it would be dandy!

[BobbyJay]

9. Bwahaha so true.

[Turkw]

7. it's a quote about making decisions when the consequences are life and

death, not a declaration of martial law! Is being objective and reasonable that difficult? You have the power to be positive and debate issues and not resort to labeling and demonising.

[Democrats unite]

17. This is exactly why Wesley Clark Will be President!...

We have seen all to well what letting others do your heavy lifting will do (Bush comes to mind), I want someone who will do his own work, not have someone else do it for him!

[kerry-is-my-prez]

18. Clark thinks we should cut defense spending, Dean doesn't

Clark: War should only be a last resot
Dean: I'm not anti-war. Just the Iraq war. (Real meaning: only when it benefits me politically)

[BobbyJay]

19. Dean has to spend that much more time proving to people that he isn't

totally inept on foreign policy matters and a dove on everything.

Clark avoids it from the get-go, and can focus on domestic issues such as lower and middle-class tax relief.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

22. More on "peace-loving" Dean

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/16/opinion/printable588844.shtml

Despite a speech that called for increased military spending and a get-tough attitude toward Saudi Arabia, the Associated Press deemed it more important to note that "Dean did not back away from his opposition to the war" than to note the "many ways" he sought "to ease concerns about his thin foreign policy credentials."

But perhaps the important thing about the speech wasn't what it says about Dean vis-à-vis President Bush, but what it says about Dean's relationship with his own supporters, many of whom embraced Dean as the only antiwar candidate in the early days of the campaign. True, Dean vociferously opposed the war, but the details of his foreign policy views -- his support for previous military action, his support for increased military spending -- were lost in the roar of antiwar, progressive groups like MoveOn.org and International ANSWER. All of which raises the question: If Dean is now trying to shed his dovish image, will he end up shedding those supporters as well?

The short answer, if immediate post-speech message-board posts are any indication, is no. "YES! He's outflanking Bush to the right on Saudi Arabia!" wrote one pro-Dean poster on Blog for America, the Dean campaign's official weblog. "Each of the policies outlined by the Governor can put to rest the meme that Gov. Dean is a blanket anti-war 70s liberal. The speech reflected a nuanced and proactive approach to the current situation in the world," wrote another. Indeed, what comes out most in the posts, and more generally in comments by Dean's core supporters on all manner of topics as of late, is that they're even more ideologically flexible than he is. Having judged the former governor and found him pure, they're willing to accept things like a more hawkish foreign policy. "Sorry for those that didn't know but Dean is a centrist," wrote one poster. "I'm not crazy about people that believe that war is an option, but our doctor here will not and would not send troops to a war without looking at all the FACTS and EVIDENCE and deliberately taking TIME to decide."

Which is not to say that Dean will retain all of his progressive supporters; those whose only interest in Dean was his antiwar position may depart for more dovish campaigns -- either that of Dennis Kucinich or, perhaps, another run by far-left favorite Ralph Nader. Dean has proven, of course, to be much savvier than his critics initially gave him credit for. And one of his more clever insights was to see early on that his support from the fringe left was neither especially beneficial nor likely to endure. "There are two groups of people who support me because of the war," Dean said. "One are the people who always oppose every war, and in the end I think I probably won't get all of those people." After Dean's speech, it's hard to see him continuing to draw the support of members of International ANSWER, who had this to say about Hussein's capture: "The seizure and public display of Saddam Hussein may be a propaganda victory for imperialism ... But intensifying Iraqi resistance to the illegal and colonial war and occupation has not been primarily based -- according even to the more knowledgeable corporate media journalists in Iraq -- on loyalty to any particular individual." But then, how many people listen to International ANSWER?

[CWebster]

29. Hey Scott

If they got us on ignore, guess we got the thread to ourselves and can say anything without upsetting anyone's delicate sensibilities, huh? :evilgrin:

[jpgpenn]

32. your pacifict views arent those of ...

The majority of America. This is what you always have to remind yourself before you state your opinion in such a forceful way. Most of us want to go to bed at night knowing we are the most protected Nation in the world. With that status we also regonize we have an obligation to help democracy and peace thru out the globe using that force in an life or death situation only. Thank GOD we have someone like Clark that has that mind set!

[Clark4VotingRights]

38. Dang straight! He should just lie down and take it like a proper Dem does

Like Gore. The Pugs wiped their feet on him for months, and
look where he is now!

[mzmolly]

8. This is cute..

"The fundamental difference between Governor Dean and General Clark is that Howard Dean is a politician, and Wes Clark is a leader."

considering the polls and all. Clark seems to be a 'follower' as he is following most of the other front runners.

In addition, he keeps saying "Dean can't beat Bush." Way to stay above the frey Wes! :eyes:

[BobbyJay]

10. He keeps saying that? link?

thanks

[maddezmom]

16. he's just joining your guy into the mud

come on this is the way the game is played. :)

[KittyWampus]

27. Clark NEVER Said Dean Can't Win. The Author Of The Salon Story Did

That was the author's quote and NOWHERE in the article did Clark say Dean can't win.
If you have a problem with the phrase take it up with the one who said it- THE AUTHOR and NOT Clark.

Stop spreading that lie, please. This is the 2nd time tonight I've seen you post it.

It is FACTUALLY incorrect.

Go back and reread the Salon story. Anyone can plainly see that Clark does NOT say Dean can't win.

[Catch22Dem]

30. .

:eyes:

[deminflorida]

11. Great that this sort or trash is being exposed in Arizona....

another state we need on Feb. 3!!! Way to go Trippi, another tactical blunder for the Governor. After the Bradley endorsement today, and with Gephardt gone after Iowa....I count four states:

South Carolina
Oklahoma
Arizona
Missouri

Maybe Clinton can get Richardson too endorse the General in New Mexico, and that'll make five.

Can't wait to hear the reports from the Dean front on that day...

"It's bad. It's damned bad."
- Abraham Lincoln's first reaction to the Union Army's rout at First Manassas

[Kahuna]

21. I think I'll email this piece to Howard Fineman...

just in case he missed it. :evilgrin:

[Hep]

15. and to think clark claims the high road

Oh well. Then there were none.

[Kahuna]

23. Where does it say that Clark has to be..

Dean's beyootch? If Clark ignores this, that is exactly what he would be. Remember, Clark wasn't the one plotting against Dean.

[Hep]

25. First of all, it's biatch.

:)

No, Clark shouldn't ignore it. Clark should respond. But there are lots of ways to respond and take the high road. This isn't even Clark, honestly. It's just the guy who made the quote.

But for a campaign that claims the high road, there are better ways to get the point across. They just chose a way that doesn't really live up to the ideals they claim.

[KittyWampus]

24. Something Tells Me This Is The Gift That Will Keep Giving

:D

[DancingBear]

26. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

:) :)

[John_H]

35. Dean proves once again he's a career political insider

I can't understand for the life of me how the outsider stuff works.

He talks about his grassroots fundraising, but his records show he's raised money from the NRA, Boeing, Pfizer and other corporations.

He talks about being from the left but his record shows him squarely on the right half of the party.

He whines about being attacked yet secretly plots to attack others by--using other insiders, so he can continue to whine about attacks and look like an outsider.

LOL!

[robbedvoter]

36. How dares Clark defend himself? Gore said he has to shut up and take it

because there's but one crowned nominee and who needs to vote anyway?