Should Clark drop out of race ?

[kentuck]

Since he is being unmercifully attacked by both right-wing and left-wing politicos, does he have a chance? Although it could be expected that the right-wing would attack him, it is surprising to some Democrats that so many left-wingers are attacking him also.

His "non-political" past seems to be a big negative for him. Twenty to thirty years ago, he voted for Reagan and Nixon. This is unforgivable to many Democrats. It doesn't matter that Howard Dean might pick him as the other half of the ticket, because Dean alone does not have the defense "credentials" to escape the scrutiny that is sure to come, if he is nominated.

It seems that many Democrats don't know what they want. They are torn by ideology. Political reality is only a speed bump to fly over. It isn't important.

[disgruntella]

1. If he's attacked by both right and left wing extremists

He's probably going to be attractive to the rest of America.

[Fenris]

3. Good point

It's funny. The man just announced he's running and he's already managed to get the left and the right fuming. He is good!

[Donna Zen]

11. But this stuff is being spread

among the ordinary folk...

I received an email last night mentioning the junk that hits these boards. Hmmm now who does spreading lies about Clark benefit.

About a month ago, I wrote on a thread to Pepperbelly that Rove would pull out all the stops to take down Clark. I wrote that while at first I had seen Clark as a good strategic move for Democrats, coupled with someone who is more progressive than Dean on the issues. I hit up about three books that where Clark could be looked at from a third person point of view. The people he comes in contact with come away impressed by his abilities and find him to be an honest person. So yes, I actually was beginning to "like" Clark. So I came to these threads and often wrote that I didn't want Clark to run, he and his wife do not deserve what was in store for them. Four bullets was enough.

And now this.....

[disgruntella]

13. I understand your point

Having lies spread about a candidate is certainly to be expected, but even with a thick skin some of this stuff has gotta hurt.

On a less serious note: If Clark's candidacy is destroyed by a post that originates on DU, I *will* vote for Bush. :crazy:

[Flying_Pig]

2. Of course not....

Many of us are still learning about the candidate and his positions. Sure, it bothers some of us that he was a Republican, but I remain interested in him as a candidate, and want to learn more. Sarcasm about those who have questions, doesn't help matters, ...questions are a part of the process.

[slappypan]

4. look who's attacking him

Limbaugh, worldnutdaily, Counterpunch, and other partisan extremists that 99% of the population is oblivious to. These people are irrelevant. All that matters is whether he can connect with Democratic voters, which remains to be seen. May the best man win.

[Maple]

5. Wow...it took 2 days

to go from posts saying 'now that Clark has entered, should everyone else drop out?' to yours asking if Clark himself should drop out!

[Fenris]

15. Like I said, he is *good*

I'd like to see anyone else stir up that kind of hatred!

[RobertSeattle]

6. He's being attacked by the right...

...Because they know he can WIN.

[w13rd0]

7. I voted for Reagan in 1980...

...granted, it was a middle school "mock election" and I did so because this girl I liked said she was voting for him, but I hope this won't be held against me in my future political career...

I think the shredding of Clark is to be expected, especially with the rather rapid attempt to proclaim him the presumptive nominee or saying he leaves the gate a top tier candidate. That aside, I'll listen to what he has to say and make my own judgements.

[quinnox]

8. Why? Because of a tempest in a teapot on an internet

message board? It is meaningless and for entertainment value only.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

9. NO!!!!!!

:kick:

[CMT]

10. No

let the voters decide. But this scrutiny is only beginning. To me the most important thing Clark said yesterday had nothing to do with Reagan or Nixon, but that he would "probably" have voted for the Iraqi resolution. That questions the media's assertion that he is another anti-Iraqi war candidate.

p.s.
as far as Dean's national security credentials, I think he would do well if he chose Sen. Bob Graham as his running mate.

[meegbear]

12. Only the right and dean supporters are afriad of him

[tjdee]

14. Not only should he NOT drop out, he should flaunt himself.

Shamelessly.

He's getting mobbed (the Washington Post's word, not mine) in Florida, check out robbedvoter's post...

Obviously, most people didn't get Rove's memo.

Not to mention he'd be the laughingstock of all time if he dropped out 2 days after he was successfully drafted into the race. ;)

[Gman]

16. Clark is obviously a threat to both the extremes of the right and left

Therefore, the guy's probably going to win.

[kang]

17. Clark's not getting attacked anywhere in an effective manner

...yet. The stuff here on DU is hard core liberal stuff. They're naturally defending their guy and also Clark's not ideologically pure enough for some's tastes, but we'll find out if the Anyone But Bush mantra is a load of crock or not once the final guy's chosen. I think most people will support whoever gets the nomination.

Clark's never said he was a Republican. There were plenty of Reagan Democrats who thought Carter did a bad job handling the economy and the Iran hostage situation...people were pretty down on America and many citizens thought American greatness was on the decline (just look at those dark fatalistic movies...good ones though!). Reagan ran a good campaign and played the part of the new American optimist. His strategy worked. Also, just because Clark has Republican friends doesn't make him a Republican either. Arkansas is notorious for being a pretty incestuous place and blurry party lines.

[dfong63]

19. historical note: reagan won by treachery and treason

Reagan ran a good campaign and played the part of the new American optimist. His strategy worked.

remember the theft of Carter's briefing book before the debate?

remember the "october surpise" deal, where Reagan's team undercut our nation's leader and negotiated their own back-door deal with the ayatollahs, to keep the Americans hostage until after the election????

Reagan won the election thru treachery and treason.

[hueyfreeman]

18. What is his Iraqi Policy?

What is his Iraqi Policy?

1) Let me get back to you on that
2) Cut and Run
3) Let me get back to you on that
4) I would have voted for it but I don't think it's a good idea
5) Let me get back to you on that
6) "What am I doing here?"

[jonnyblitz]

24. oh stop it you left or right wing extremist...leave these NORMAL people

alone! :puke:

[IranianDemocrat]

20. No the only people who hate him are left wing wackos and right wing nazis

.

[kentuck]

21. Why is a good liberal, like Charlie Rangel, supporting Wesley Clark?

Does he know something we don't ?

[Brian Sweat]

23. Hello, didn't you here? Clark was in charge of mind control experiments.

Poor Charlie Rangel. He doesn't know what he's doing. Clark has him under his thrall.

[MoonRiver]

22. The fact that he's getting this much free publicity and exposure here

all over the Internet, and on the mainstream media indicates his chances for winning are increasing. With all this discussion about Clark, pro and con, people will get very curious and look closer at this guy. I believe when they do that, without a jaundiced eye, they will definitely like what they see. General Clark rocks. :kick:

[jumptheshadow]

25. Definitely not

There's a ton of interest in Clark among the general populace. He may not get the extremist vote but he'll probably pull quite a few disaffected Dems back into the party.

I'd like to see more organization in his campaign because I think he could defuse some of these well-coordinated attacks with reasonable, detailed responses.

He is a man who has risen from the lower middle class and has worked very hard to excel at everything he's ever done. With a little time I think he'll grow into his campaign.

I do think the debate will be extremely important to his chances.

[uptohere]

26. yes he should but not for those reasons exactly

Its not so much the non-politicalness although that is a liability. The guy is trying to use America to supply his ultimate ego trip.

He is patently unqualified and will get viscerated by the right assuming he makes it past the left.

And if it all turns out to be some plan to have the Dems lose in 2004 so Hillary can have her shot in 2008 I would not be surprized. I'm not saying that this is actually the case but its not outside the realm of possibility.