General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAnyone From Arkansas Interested In Organizing a 'Draft Wesley Clark' Campaign to Replace Mark Pryor?
First, maybe I should ask....do any of you think Max Baucus' 'decision' to not run for re-election (for the first time in nearly 40 years) had something to do with being the straw that broke the camel's back as far as the Democratic Party was concerned?
Baucus (along with Nelson) were the two faux Democrats who ruined Healthcare Reform. Let's face it, Pelosi and the House Democrats sent Baucus' committee a universal health care bill that included a national healthcare exchange AND a public option, and by the time Baucus was finished with it, it was nothing but a dog's breakfast of little statewide exchanges, opt out clauses, and no public option.
So, Baucus wrecked healthcare reform
and
Baucus wrecked gun safety reform
and
I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back. I think he got a back channel message from the DNC and Obama that if he wants to hang on to his Senate seat, he'll have to pull a Lieberman because he'll get absolutely no Democratic Party money. That's my opinion, anyway. He didn't want to quit the Senate, he was forced out by a Democratic Party that just MIGHT be starting to grow a spine.
Okay, so now, how about doing the same to Mark Pryor? I'm not from Arkansas, and it's none of my business, but are there any Democrats in Arkansas who like Wesley Clark for Mark Pryor's seat? Feel like organizing a real grass roots campaign?
Let me start by debunking the myth that his vote against gun safety legislation was 'necessary' to keep that seat for the Democrats. In fact, that vote was one of the stupidest things I've ever seen. Why? It's very simple.
Here's the Democratic Party's traditional method of winning seats in Red States: Win with as many Democratic votes as you can, plus JUST ENOUGH MODERATE REPUBLICANS to put you over the top.
Well...THIS GUY, with his idiotic vote, just ALIENATED MOST of those Democratic Party voters. HE IS NOT going to win the next election, and I think this will become obvious as soon as they start POLLING.
So...Do you guys still like the Little Rock Twins, Bill Clinton and Wesley Clark? Frankly, I think the Democratic Party OWES Clark a political run at SOMETHING. The Senate would be a nice gesture.
elleng
(130,127 posts)but I love seeing anyone promoting Wes for public office. I'm not from Arkansas, but would help anyone with such a project (after determining that he's at least vaguely interested.)
BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)and is a very progressive democrat. I don't know if he has a chance because he primaried Blanche Lincoln and they don't do things like that here.
So, who know what Wes would do, but Pryor has a real chance with the southern democrats.
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)It's the initial reason why I joined DU in 2003. I remember one of the things Clark said about guns during his 2003 campaign: (paraphrasing) If you want to shoot a machine gun join the army, we got em.
I live in California but my dad was from Arkansas and I still have family members there. I'd love to see Clark more involved in the national debate; he's a great liberal Democrat.
SugarShack
(1,635 posts)really.....