Conservative Radio Host: "I read about Wes Clark, and I am nervous."

[pop009]

Michael Smerconish, the host of a right-leaning talk radio show on Philadelphia's "Big Talker 1210 WPHT," was commenting last week that he read a NYT article about Wesley Clark. He repeatedly reminds his audience that he is a staunch supporter of pResident Shrub, and now "This Wes Clark Guy" is making him very nervous. Why? Because national security will be "the issue" in 2004 and Wes Clark can really stick it to Bush in a head on debate. Someone even called in and said that he was reading Clark's book "Waging Modern War" and based on what Clark says, the caller (who admitted to being a * supporter) believed that Clark can "make Bush look like a clown" on national security. Interesting....

[wtmusic]

1. Anyone can make Bush look like a clown

that's nothing special!

[Homer12]

2. I hate clowns

[pop009]

8. You're right...

...but the important thing is that it was anadmitted supporter of Bush who said this. To me, when someone who supports him calls him a clown, it has much more significance than when a detractor calls him an insult.

[VoteClark]

3. And he should be because not only is it national security issues but it is

also the economy. Clark worked as the second man in charge of the Office of Management and Budget. He is also best buds with Clinton and Hillary. They are all from Little Rock. Clark is also no dummy. He is a Rhoads Scholar and graduated first in his class at Westpoint.
Not much blocking him now. I think he is waiting for Dean's bloom to die down a bit.

J4Clark

[SoFlaJets]

4. Look

if he's gonna run then run.But,Gen.Clark please tell us what party affiliation you are and put your hat in the ring.All this Draft Clark b/c the dem 9 are so pathetic is a bunch of bs.The new gop tactic of laughing about Dean may just be the thing that'll come back to bite them on their asses.

[northernsoul]

5. Dean/Clark is the powerhouse ticket

I honestly believe that combination will stomp the Republicans like cheap grapes

[VoteClark]

7. Clark will not run in VP Spot

Wesley Clark Jr. has already posted a message that his Father Gen. Clark will NOT accept a VP spot on the ticket.

I don't think it is important that Clark declare right now. 60% of people have decided not to back any candidate at this time. Clinton did not enter the race until October, and Clark has less to overcome then Clinton, ie. He didn't sleep with half the women in Little Rock : ). While Clark would add to Dean, I don't think Dean would add much to Clark. Kerry or Graham, or Hillary, or Richardson would be more likely a choice.
Clark will most likely run for the Democratic nomination given his views and that Bush will no doubt get the Republican Nomination. He is even less likely to run as an independant because of statements that he believes it is only a two party political system.


J4Clark

[11cents]

9. "Clark will not run in VP Spot"

Wesley Clark, Jr. actually clarified later -- he didn't mean that WC would necessarily refuse a VP spot if one was offered but rather that if he does run his intention will be to get the presidential nomination, not to set himself up for the VP spot.

I don't think a Dean/Clark ticket makes much sense (stature gap between the two), and I'm not sure Clark/Dean does either (Dean doesn't add much to Clark politically). As presidential candidates they both have something to offer, but it doesn't seem to me that they belong on the same ticket.

I've seen evidence of Clark's appeal to independents and moderate Repubs who are scared by GWB. We need those voters, so I'm backing Clark.

[RogueTrooper]

10. Dean has had the most success with

republican and independant voters thus far.

[11cents]

11. Dean has had the most success with

>republican and independant voters thus far.

Really? What do you base this statement on?

[Bread and Circus]

12. I kind of wonder if dean is a republicrat...

from things I have read here on DU. Is
he hailing from the "democratic wing of
the democratic party" or is he the
"centrist"?

I really would appreciate thoughtful input.

[peaceandjustice]

15. Dean- not a centrist

Dean is not a centrist. Nor is he a liberal extremist. His detractors claim he's centrist because he wasn't closely aligned with Vermont's hard left. But Vermont is one of the most liberal states in America, and has continually elected a socialist on a state-wide ballot. What is center in Vermont is left in the rest of America. He is perhaps a centrist on economic matters as he is a ardent anti-deficit budget-balancer but he's solidly left-of-center on social and international issues. He signed a law permitting same-sex civil unions. What other democratic candidate can boast that? He supports an FDA review of medicinal marijuana and limiting the death penalty to terrorists and cop-killers.

[Kahuna]

14. That's only because Clark hasn't announced...

There are a lot of people ready to drop dean and the rest of the candidates at the drop of a hat if Clark announces... Don't take my word for it. Read this:
http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/supporters.htm

Also see my post below where I have posted some of the letters from the draftwesleyclark.com website.

[Kahuna]

13. Dean/Clark or vice versa doesn't work for me either...

Mainly because the top of the ticket should be strong on its own and not be dependent on who the running mate is. Many people believe that Clark would be stronger at the top of the ticket because he has the broadest appeal to not only dems, but to independents and republican-lites.

Here are a some excerpts from the draftwesleyclark.com petition from former bush supporters, independents and some former dean supporters (There are also several letters from dean supporters begging clark to run with dean :eyes: I have not included those. I see enough of them on DU :evilgrin: )

snip...
Dear General Clark, I am a Republican (since 1968)who has not made a decision about 2004, except for one. I will definitely not
vote for George W. Bush. The reasons are too numerous to state in such a short space. At this time, I am sure there are many
Republicans, like myself, who will be looking to the Democratic party for a voice of reason. So far, I have been quite impressed
with your ideas you hope you continue to speak out and consider becoming a candidate.

snip..
I was the C3IEW Threat Manager in ODCSDOC, TRADOC when you were a Colonel in charge of BCTP at Fort Leavenworth,
KS. I worked with your threat team at 3AD in the Warfighter Exercise you conducted there. Your knowledge of pertinent
information was impressive then and it appears that is still true. I have listened to what you have said on CNN, and I saw you on
Meet the Press as well as this morning's Today Show. I agree with what you have said about to little force during Operation
Enduring Freedom and now. With a little thoughtfulness we could have been cultivating a friendship with the Iraqis rather then
adversaries. America does need a new president 2004 and of all the candidates, Republican or Democrat, you are the best of what I
see for the job. Wes Clark, America really does need a man like you, please run for president.

snip..
Dear General Clark. Who back in Bamberg would have thought that nearly thirty years later you would be considered as a
Presidential contender? The S3 Shop was betting Chief of Staff of the Army. You certainly have the smarts to do the job. So go for
it. I'm even leaving the Republican Party after 41 years so I can vote for you in the 2004 Oregon Democratic Primary. Best of luck.

snip..
General Clark, I am a 7th generation native texan, female from a predominately republican family. I respect your military record and
thank you for your years of service to our country. I believe that America needs a strong, moderate minded leader to keep us a great
nation. America needs you now. Please run for president.

snip..
I am worried about how this country is being run. We need a strong candidate to oust Bush from office. I do not care if it is a
Republican or a Democrat as long as it is a moderate who is concerned with smart economic policy and controlling the deficit. My
main concern is the budget deficit. Many Republican make the implausible claim that running a deficit will eventually force us to
downsize our government. This is like telling a gambling addict not to go to gamblers anonymous until they are bankrupt because it
will then be easier to cure them since they have no money to gamble. I believe in damage control. someone who is bankrupt has little
motivation to improve a very ruined life. General Clark, America needs you. Please run for president.

snip..
America needs a new president. One who is up to the challenge of our uncertain times. One who can be a voice for common sense
and moderation in these dangerous, uncertain times. One with the unquestionable leadership and foreign policy credentials necessary
to win in 2004. General Clark, America needs you. Please run for president. General, you and Senator John McCain are my heroes
and my only hope for the future of this great country. I know John McCain won't subject himself to another run against Bush and I
don't blame him, but I hope and pray that you will! I am a lifelong Republican who only hopes that the Democrats (with your
leadership) can rout this current neo-conservative Bush administration from power! You are so right-on about the
Commander-in-Chief's accountability!!!

snip..
General Clark, I'm supporting Howard Dean at the moment, but I fear his inability to get the party establishment behind him. I think you could do that, while inspiring pragmatic liberals like me just as much as Dean does. I honestly think that if you get the nomination, you'll give Karl Rove nightmares more than anyone in the current crop. You'd take all the Gore states, and put the South and Mountain West in play not only because you are a Southerner, but because of your refreshing gun-control stance. Once you throw your hat in the ring, you've got my immediate support. Please run for president, General Clark, and announce your candidacy soon. I don't want people thinking you're arrogant, or playing spoiler, because you joined so late.

snip..
Dear General Clark, I am a Republican (since 1968)who has not made a decision about 2004, except for one. I will definitely not
vote for George W. Bush. The reasons are too numerous to state in such a short space. At this time, I am sure there are many
Republicans, like myself, who will be looking to the Democratic party for a voice of reason. So far, I have been quite impressed
with your ideas you hope you continue to speak out and consider becoming a candidate.

snip..

As a former Dean supporter(I was looking for anyone who stood up early and vocally against the war in Iraq!), I have been
desperately looking for a leader who has the character, presence and credibility in the community and the world to lead us out of the
self serving abyss that Bush has got us into. I probably won't agree with every position that you take - that's OK we seem to be in
sync about most things. Your character, intelligence and ability to think- globally and long term for the best interest of all Americans
- is enough for me. America needs a new president. One who is up to the challenge of our uncertain times. One who can be a voice
for common sense and moderation in these dangerous, uncertain times. One with the unquestionable leadership and foreign policy
credentials necessary to win in 2004. General Clark, America needs you. Please run for president.

snip..
Of all possible Democratic candidates, I like Howard Dean's scrappy approach. I wouldn't give you a nickel for the whole lot of the
rest of them. However, and it's a *big* however, this country is in desperate need of something bigger than a scrappy approach. It's
going to need a true statesman, of Lincoln calibre, to repair the incredible damage done by the miscreants squatting in the White
House at the moment. And, that's where you come in. You are the ONE. You have what it takes to deal with all issues, domestic
and international. You have the perfect resume at just the time it's so desperately needed. Let's stop the indecision and get going.
Let's get these criminals out of the White House. NOW!

There are many many more letters like this at:
http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/supporters.htm

[Bread and Circus]

16. Wow, Kahuna.....

How did you do that, that is super smart. I am going to do that for my michigan website!!!!!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

6. This ding dong should be...

craping in his pants if Clark runs!!! My fellow DUers better get used to the fact that National Security will be a major issue in 2004 and the Democrats should not shy away from it. Bush has failed on many front to enact policies that would make America safer. I say, the Dems should take him on. Wesley Clark is a career military man and a Damn great one at that. He knows more about security and defense policy than all of the conservatives in the world!!!

Bush is a lightweight who talks big but can't think and do big!!! If Clark is the nominee then this looser reich winger should be afraid, very afraid.


Take back America in 04'

[Dear Prudence]

17. "This ding dong should be..."

I agree, National Security is going to be the top driving issue - now that Bushites have brought our country down to "fear". But it's not just fear of terrorism, it's the fear that something awful has taken over our country and part of the American people. It's the fear that our civil liberties are reduced and heading in a down spiral. It's the fear of "what if He's President another 4 years, what if...."

I want to tell Bush: Mr. President - the "evil doer" is you!

Americans want to feel safe again. Americans want to have jobs again. Americans who have been called traitors, anti-American, and Un-patriotic want to feel "whole" again. Bush will leave behind a big scar and alot of power hungry, angry Right-wingers.

I agree that General Wes Clark fits most of these needs, but he needs to throw that hat in the ring soon. Bush is not going to fight a fair fight and the Dem's need all the time on the clock we can get.

Clark also brings a good 'ole American, historical, pioneer name to the running. I've listened to Clark throughout the Iraq war as an armchair cable general. I will be ready to listen to his platform, even though I'm sitting on Dean's fence for now.

I still think Dean/Clark would be a winner - but I yield that it's still very early to quit listening to the other choices. This election is TOO DAMN IMPORTANT to the future of America and we, the people - that it's down right frightening.

DOWN WITH BUSH NO MATTER WHAT!