Rant: Clark running for VP?

[Jerseycoa]

No, he is not. Is he ready to drop out of the presidential race? No he is not. However, from the hundreds of posts we have seen on the topic of Clark as VP, it begs the question: Is Clark a good choice for VP? No, he is not.

What's the value of Wes Clark in the position of President of the Senate instead of a seasoned legislator? What's the value of Wes Clark in the White House, but NOT commander-in-chief? What's the value of Wes Clark, a man of action, in a basically wait-until-the-president-dies holding pattern?

Even if, God forbid, Clark doesn't win the nomination, this VP idea is nonsense. Secretary of State makes sense or Secretary of Defense, although since he's butted heads with the Pentagon so many times, and with the global respect he already pulls, I'd say State would show more immediate return; but VP for anybody, no, it does not make a bit of sense.

I'm not giving an inch here, Wes is my man until he decides otherwise, but I wish these VP posts would go away.

GO WES!!

[Auntie Bush]

1. I agree! Wes is perfect for president...not VP

You are right..Sec. of State or Sec. of Defense would be second choice. We need to use his intelligence, military expertise and negotiation experience to help our nation out of this quagmire and bring back self respect to the USA. Only Wes can do that! We want Clark for President. Sec. of State..."ONLY AS A LAST RESORT!"

[Fleshdancer]

2. You have every right to rant about this

If Clark was running for VP, I don't think he would have jumped into the ring. He could have easily continued to speak out against Bush and work behind the scenes with the Democrats running for President in order to get on the VP list.

Running for President is brutal. I don't think Clark is stupid enough to put himself through this just to hope for the VP position. It's a ridiculous concept.

[Taeger]

3. A Nice ticket balancer

Clark would be a nice ticket balancer, but useless VP.

The best Veep in history was Harry Truman. He was a voracious advocate for the US citizen in Congress and kept it up while Veep.

A Veep needs to be a real insider to be effective. Nope, I think that Clark's role in a Kerry administration would be as Defense Secretary or Secretary of State.

I don't think ANY of the current presidential candidates would make a good VP for Kerry. Edwards is relatively new to Washington. The fact that he is giving up his Senate seat would imply that he might take the job. However, together both of them are too 'east coast'.

Kerry would need a Veep from the heartland. I would suggest the bland but effective Evan Bayh of Indiana. Son of the late dove Birch Bayh. He's basically an Al Gore clone. He comes from a "red" state that is dominated by agriculture. He's a real "heartland" guy. He would probably tilt Indiana to the Democrats in the presidential election. There is a democratic Governer in Indy so we wouldn't give up a seat in the Senate.

Actually, I think a shrewd move for ANY of the democrats would be offering the Defense secretary post to Indiana's senior senator Dick Lugar. It's a good reach across the aisle and would effectively hand a Senate seat to the Democrats.


If Edards gets the nomination, he will need a senior statesman as a veep to balance out his "young" image. He would need an older Senator or Rep from the heartland. I have no idea who.

If Clark gets the nomination, Edwards would be the perfect Veep. The so-called "tort reform" is a big issue. The Republicans will be sure to bring it up in the general election. Edwards can speak with authority about whats REALLY wrong with the judicial process. He can talk in long length (Nader fashion) about how corporations screw over the little guy and those lawyers are really there to protect consumers.


Dean would make a perfect Health and Human Services head for any of the Democrats.

Kucinich should parlay his presidential run into a Senate run. He's a real Harry Truman type whose time hasn't come yet. He needs to raise is visibility and become the beacon of core democratic values.

Michael Moore - Jeesh, run for congress already!!!! You've got guts and the standing in Michigan to defeat some Republican Thug.

Ted Nugent - PLEASE run for governor of Michigan. I want to see you crash and burn after people find out what YOU did to get out of the war. It makes George Bush look like the bravest man in the world.

Joe Lieberman - Who cares. Your not really a democrat anyway.

Hillary Clinton - Denounce NAFTA and WTO. Come clean that you and your hubby made a TERRIBLE mistake that is unworking the very fabric of democracy. Denounce your former Wal-Mart masters.

[LandOLincoln]

6. Well this post rates a WOW! from me. Can't find a single

thing to disagree with. Especially love the idea of Chickenhawk Nugent getting his pseudomacho ass handed to him on a platter.

And Wes would be a great, great Secretary of State. The 55 US ambassadors and diplomats who just endorsed him know perfectly well their jobs would be much easier and themselves much safer with him as CinC or as SecState.

[Leilani]

11. Kerry has said that he would consider

John McCain as Sec of Defense.
They are really close friends.

[dae]

4. I agree, with Clark till it's over. Just gave another donation...

:dem::kick::)

[Raya]

5. Though that was THE qualification for V.P. -- a good person for President

[Jerseycoa]

7. In ordinary times, yes

But these are extraordinary times, when every bit of talent needs to be directed appropriately. VP is not the best use of Clark's talents, experience and ability.

[Leilani]

12. Agree completely

If Clark does not win the nomination, I would prefer to see him leave politics, because I think he is really too good for this process.
I can't see him becoming a cog in the wheel of the bureacracy.

[democracy eh]

8. Sec of State would be a good fit

IF the pres thing doesn't work out.

I also think that if Kerry gets the nod, he needs to pre-assemble his team before hand. I know, procedure, they have to be confirmed. but it can be insinuated,

Lets face it, Kerry has a few weaknesses. and there would still be some divisions within the party. but if the American people knew that there was a qualified and capable team waiting to take over, it might increase the Democrat's chances. If the grassroots knew that say Clark was slotted to be nominated for Sec of State they would get behind the ticket a little harder and with $$$ more than Kerry alone. This primary season has showcased some very talented individuals. Kerry needs them on his team and out stumping in November.

a few elections ago in Canada, Chretien ran with a message showcasing his 'team' and how qualified it was, as he was seen as a bit of a weak candidate for prime minister.
the 'team' would make up for it.

I think after the 3 year of bushit Americans will pay more attention to who is Sec of State or AG, uughhhh Ashcroft.

just a thought
still pulling, pushing and pleading for the preferred outcome, President Wesley Clark

[mmonk]

9. Secr of State is a fit for sure

But President is better.

[HoosierClarkie]

10. I agree.

We must stay focused. Clark would never be anyone's VP. I am actually feeling better about the campaign. He was great on Aaron Brown and at least they aren't totally ignoring him now! If God forbid he is not the next President, I hope he writes a book about how our Government and the Media are ingrates when it comes to veterans! :)

Back to Work for me. U WES A!