Why Clark?

[ConsAreLiars]

WHEN the Dem candidate wins the presidency, or WHEN democracy is destroyed beforehand, we the people will be in a war against the most backward and reactionary powers of corporatism. The vile and dirty attacks against Clinton will look like civil discourse by comparison. They will ramp up hate radio screamers and the media disinfo campaigns to a level none of us have ever experienced. They will launch a civil war with no holds barred against our candidate and against "liberals." We can see the groundwork being laid now.

I have decided to go to the primary caucus to stand for Clark not simply because I believe he is an honest "liberal" with positions as good as anyone, but because I think we are in a the most significant and decisive political struggle since the sixties. We have to win this one. A good part of winning will depend on being able to deny them the ability to polarize the population along the now dominant lines and redefine the terrain on which the battle is waged.

Clark has the unusual quality of being an "outsider" and being seen by many who consider themselves independent or conservative as someone they can trust, while on issues ranging from gay rights to the "Patriot" act to being anti-war he is as far left as any of the top candidates, or further. He has chosen to counter the Cabal's favorite memes on the ground of "family values" and the meaning of faith and patriotism, not by a "pink tutu" compromise but by challenging the right of the "right" to claim that portion of the ideological landscape.

In short, we need to do more than win a popularity contest against these rapacious Cons, we need to be ready for a protracted war. And, in my view, having Clark at the head of our team will weaken the power of the proto-fascists far more effectively than an any of the others, while costing nothing in terms of putting forward a progressive agenda.

[windansea]

1. exactly my impression

[still_one]

2. I will too

But whoever is nominated by the Democrats, that will be my candidate

[ConsAreLiars]

6. I agree - ABB

I'm not a partisan of the candidate bashing type that seems all too common here (although some of the worst offenders have more recently become more sensible - kudos to them!). I was first impressed by Clark when he took strong stands on "unpopular" issues (like human rights not being contingent on sexual orientation) when he could have equivocated or evaded or simply said the popular thing. It seemed to me that he was speaking from the heart rather than trying to position himself as a "centrist" (somewhere in between insane fundie and nebbish). But Kerry has a lot going for him - he knows the enemy well and knows how politics is played, and Edwards seems willing and able to define the contest in terms of class, and Dean was the first who was willing and able to put the lies behind this evil war front and center and not back down, so all have their strengths. I based my endorsement on how I see the long term battle shaping up, and my assessment that Clark has some unique and even essential qualities that the others lack, in terms of defining the nature and of the conflict that is now forming.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi still_one!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Seldona]

3. Agreed.

I stand with Wes as well.

And right now with the national mood, a true outsider had a distinct advantage over the establishment.

Look at California.

The same mood that put Arnold in the governers mansion is working against Bush right now.

People are sick of business as usual.

Go Clark!

[Tweed]

4. A wonderful thread, if only the other candidates inspired so many threads

like ours. Clark has experience over Edwards, can inspire more then Kerry. Why have Kerry/Edwards when you can have it all in one package: Clark.

[democratreformed]

9. This is a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. n/t

[Leilani]

5. Agree Completely

Wes Clark, more than anyone else can pull together the majority of Americans, for the good of the country & it's citizens.

I don't want to trade one group of special interests for another. I want the people to come first, for a change.

[maxr4clark]

7. While I agree with what you said, I'm supporting Clark

for an entirely different reason.

Because I honestly think he would do the best job for the country for these next four years.

[NV1962]

8. I'll forgive your typo - but it's "next eight years" really! hehe

[maxr4clark]

15. Four would be a good start...

that's all I'm saying. If he wants to step down for Hilary and go enjoy his retirement after that, I would be happy. But I'd also love to have his help for all eight, not just four.

[gulliver]

10. Independant (and Bush voter) in my office voted Clark ...

... in the Missouri primary. He's a guy who routinely and outspokenly defended Bush until the Iraq war. Now he's leaning Democrat. No WMDs is a big issue with him.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. I couldn't have said it better myself!

Great post and I agree with everything you said. Clark is going to clean up our corrupt government....that's why the RWers hate him....and SOME Dems. They want "business as usual" in Washington and Clark has already said...it's going to change. It's going to be an OPEN government. Eeeeek! RWers hate openess! :) Thanks for the post!

Go Wes!

[truebrit71]

12. I couldn't agree more...

This election is even more important than the last one. Just think about it for a second, * has ruled with little regard for how things affect ordinary people because his minions in the obedient media spin things out for him as being ulitimately positive. He has tried to soften his bastardness lately with obvious election year politicking, but if he gets re-selected in November he won't have to worry about another election campaign or how the voters feel, and will take the gloves off and REALLY start fouling things up. The PATRIOT act will be etched in stone, the right to choose will be gone, gays will be re-stigmatized and discriminated against, and the treasury will be completely emptied...

It is imperative that this Smirking Simian is removed from office this November by the voters, or America will never look the same again.....

[Tom Rinaldo]

14. We NEED an outsider now

Because the entire system is corrupted by money and self serving insider back scratching. Clark is a true straight arrow. That doesn't make him unique as a person, but Clark is uniquely positioned to actually become President without having been run through the grist mill of electoral politics first. Clark never had to sell his soul. He spent 34 years defending our nation, not making big bucks, and not having to solicit them either throughout his long military career.

Clark has personal courage, and our next President will need it to confront the special interests that have a strangle hold on America. Clark has strategic vision, that's how he became a 4 Star General, and our next President will need that ability to turn this country around.

Clark doesn't need the job, politics has never been his life, Clark is doing this because he is worried for America's future. When he speaks he is saying what he really believes.

Clark can be the leader we need now, because he is a man a broad cross section of Americans can respect for the service he has already provided to our nation. He connects with radicals (like Moore and me lol), but he also connects with middle America. He redefines Patriotism to be fully inclusive of all who care about the well being our this nation and it's people. Clark resonates with core American values. Right now he has to compete for Democratic votes against several strong Democratic contenders. Come the Fall our candidate will have to compete with Bush for the votes of all Americans. Wesley Clark can do that best. It is amazing how strongly Clark still polls against Bush given the near total media blockade against him. Once people see Clark as a winner (after next Tuesday to be precise) his support will swell across the political spectrum.

I have a friend I made through my business who is Chairman of the Board of a successful Silicon Valley Firm. He voted for Bush, had dinner with Bush, has met with Chaney, and he is intrigued by Wesley Clark. I already won over his wife to Clark. He is waiting to see if Clark remains viable. He told me I can call him again next week if Clark wins, he might set up a meeting for Clark with himself and other CEO's and Chairmen in California. This whole thing can turn on a dime IF Clark shows he can win among Democrats. We can do that for him by helping Clark now with donations of money and time to the contests next Tuesday.

[Foswia]

16. So the Dems get Clark Republicans to counter Reagan Dems [nt]

[Mz Pip]

17. Clark's a complete package.

Kerry has national security experience.
Edwards is a likable Southerner.
Dean is an outsider.

Clark is all three!

MzPip
:dem:

[Jack_Dawson]

18. Great post and SO TRUE

Clark has "uniter" written all over him, and he and he alone has the power to marginalize the screaming hatemongers on the far-right.