Time to Lead - Wes Clark

[CarolNYC]

Wes Clark posted this on his blog today...

Yesterday, we Americans took a stand against the politics of personal destruction -- rebuffing the onslaught of negative advertising and dirty tricks.

Voters let themselves be heard and ordered a change in government, giving Democrats the opportunity to serve the nation and to provide the leadership that's been missing these past six years in Washington. With this opportunity comes great responsibility, and we must take the challenges ahead seriously, soberly and with clarity of purpose -- on issues like health care, the economy, education, and most of all, Iraq and national security.

It is a mistake for Democrats to celebrate rather than understand the meaning of yesterday's election.

America is looking for leadership right away, and Democrats should push forward a 3-point plan to address the crisis in Iraq and refocus our national security efforts:

1. Change the course in Iraq. Democrats must pressure George W. Bush to listen to the generals on the ground and the whole range of experts -- not just the GOP -- on how to change the course in Iraq. We must work with regional powers, promote gradual transformation and stability, and regain the 'strategic consent' for the long-term U.S. influence in the region. We must use the situation in Iraq to propel us toward this larger goal, and in doing so, we will also find the right way to wind down our deployment there.

2. Rebuilding alliances to address the real national security threats. We must bring our allies into the reconstruction of Iraq to ensure shared responsibility for the ongoing stability of Iraq itself and the region as a whole. We must provide real oversight on government contracts in Iraq; we cannot continue to allow no-bid contracts to Halliburton. And by bringing our allies together, we can finish the job in Afghanistan, and more effectively hunt down Osama Bin Laden and contain Iran and North Korea.

3.Address energy independence and global warming as national security issues. We must put a policy in place to lead us to energy independence and away from the volatile and conflict-ridden regions where, today, the "geostrategic risk premium" is adding billions of dollars to the costs imposed on the American people. Our reliance on oil also impacts global climate change. As I have stated before, global warming has serious national security risks: stretching our military resources to deal with catastrophes (like Katrina) and increasing the potential for conflicts due to the displacement of people, competition for scarce resources, and adverse effects on agriculture.

Thanks to your help, we have a real opportunity to change the course in Iraq and fix our national security policy. And it's only possible because Democrats now have the power in Congress to stand up to President Bush and make change happen. You helped us make history last night, and I can't thank you enough for what you've done.

In this election cycle, WesPAC helped 42 candidates win their races across America, including 25 candidates who flipped their seats from Republican to Democratic seats. Our WesPAC community raised over $1 million for candidates, not to mention the millions of hours of volunteer time members of the Clark community provided to campaigns in every corner of our nation. And I am most proud of the fact that at least 6 veterans were newly elected to House and Senate yesterday. What a tremendous victory for America -- and it wouldn't have been possible without the hard work that you and I and hundreds of thousands of Democrats put in over these last 24 months.

Last night the American people spoke, loud and clear. Now we have our marching orders. It's time to change course.

It's time to lead.

Sincerely,

Wes Clark

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/9330

That's my General....I'm so glad he's on our side...Yep, time to lead indeed. This is just the beginning.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Seth was looking for the stats!

In this election cycle, WesPAC helped 42 candidates win their races across America, including 25 candidates who flipped their seats from Republican to Democratic seats.

[CarolNYC]

20. Yep, kudos to Wes

for all of the help and support he gave those candidates...and to all the Clarkies who helped and supported those candidates too.

Big thank you for Wes' very early support and encouragement of Jim Webb when he was just thinking of trying this thing...What an amazing story that has turned out to be! And to think it started, at least for me, when some Clarkies came looking for help in trying to draft Jim into the race. They convinced me he was the guy. I'm so glad he answered our call to run.

And the trips to KY, especially the quick one he threw in over this past weekend where he appeared with John Yarmuth, who was able to pull off an upset last night against a Republican incumbent....

WesPAC-endorsed and supported (and also a Clarkie) Carol Shea-Porter pulling the amazing upset in NH....

And so many more...

I like this little blurb from the New Hampshire Presidential Watch blog:

"Clark Influence in NH

Former General Wes Clark served as a key to the Dems wave in NH. Clark was the first to give Shea-Porter money and Shea-Porter was a volunteer for Clark in '04. Dana Houle, former Clark state director in Minnesota, was Hodes campaign manager."

http://nh2008.blogspot.com/2006/11/clark-influence-in-nh.html

Yay Wes, WesPAC and all the Clarkies...and all of the other good Democrats, Independents and fed-up Republicans...who answered the call all over the country in so many ways. :)

[davidwparker]

2. Yep.

[AtomicKitten]

3. General Clark has proved to be a most excellent Democrat.

[Pithy Cherub]

4. Wes is probably on ecstatic overload

with Rummy exiting stage right! The right wingers suffered mightily last night. There are now Iraq War veterans in office thanks to his overwhelming support! Go Wes!

[Sensitivity]

5. What the Hell is he saying? That the Dems haven't provided strong leadershiip?!@

Of course, his is right. Party discipline is absent.
There are good people doing good things, but,
there is no unity of leadership or policy. Not sure how much
credit the Dems, as a Party, can take for the Republican collapse
-- I would give more to the gods and demons that plague them.

Oh, yes, I smell the sulfur.

[CarolNYC]

7. I don't think he's talking about party discipline...

I think it's quite obvious that he's saying that now that we've finally got some leverage we damn well better use it wisely and quickly....No sitting on laurels here. We've got lots to do and little time to do it....

[bobbie]

6. Thank you General Clark and CarolNYC

It's time for uplifting words!

[FrenchieCat]

8. Music to my ears!

"Voters let themselves be heard and ordered a change in government, giving Democrats the opportunity to serve the nation and to provide the leadership that's been missing these past six years in Washington. With this opportunity comes great responsibility, and we must take the challenges ahead seriously, soberly and with clarity of purpose -- on issues like health care, the economy, education, and most of all, Iraq and national security.
...
It's time to change course. It's time to lead." --Wes Clark--11/08/06

:patriot:

[Greyhound]

9. Out with the old and the hate, Clark/Feingold in '08. n/t

:kick: & R

[Totally Committed]

10. Kick for something positive.

:kick:

TC

[thingfisher]

11. Address energy independence and global warming as

national security issues.

Unfortunately energy independence is not an option for America. Our Oil production peaked in the 70's and has been in decline ever since. North Sea Oil is peaked and dwindling. The Saudis are at or past their peak and cannot boost production even with new technology. All the alternative solutions are not adequate for our needs. Oh yea natural gas is rapidly depleteing also.

The time for addressing these "national security issues" has passed and there is little to be done to avoid the unpleasant energy scarcity that will eventually overtake the USA and other nations.

I recommend "The Long Emergency" for a sober look at the issue of peak oil and global warming oh and throw in the coming scarcity of WATER! Now that the Dems have seized political power, it will take some remarkable feats of leadership to guide us through the next few years and beyond.

The American way of life is unsustainable.

[FrenchieCat]

12. So are you saying that it's just too late?

What a pessimistic thing to have to say on such a lovely day! :thumbsdown:

You say that "The American way of life is unsustainable.", and you may be right that it is not indefinitely (nothing is)....but in this day and time to think it's "all or nothing" is not a workable solution.

I disagree with your premise.....it ain't ever too late. Time may be running out but the sky has not quite yet fallen! But it is my opinion that the environment is certainly a "security" issue; the security of our health and the health of our future generations. I believe that we can come up with solutions....with bright minds at the helm! That's why it's time to LEAD!

[Jai4WKC08]

15. You seem to think energy independence

Means using US oil instead of Middle Eastern oil.

That's not Clark's view. He wants to invest in discovering NEW energy sources, recognizing we have to be smarter about how we use fossil-based fuels in the interim. And he knows what he's talking about, since he keeps in contact and up to speed with the technology research community.

You also don't seem to understand what Clark means when he talks about how these are national security issues. He is NOT saying we need to go to war to find more oil or natural gas sources -- in fact, he's been pretty clear that we can't afford to do that anymore. He's talking about the political instability that will come with changing resource allocations, population pressures, food crises and so forth, caused by rising sea levels, increased storm volitility, temperature changes, disease transmissions, and all the other changes on the not-distant-enough horizon.

For just one example (and please excuse me that I'm pulling the stats out of memory, but I think they're not too far from true -- perhaps a scientist here can correct them), something like 70% of the world's population live on land that could be underwater in the next 30 years. If all those people are forced inland, and some very large percentage of them die in the process, not to mention another percentage of the people they will displace, you are gonna have global war. There's no way around it, and there will be no way for the US to keep out of it. Not to mention what we'll do with our own coastal populations. We'd better be thinking, and DOING, something about it before it gets to that point. Our national security (continuance as a democratic nation) depends upon it.

[CarolNYC]

19. Watch Wes elaborate on climate change as national security issue...

here...in the DU Video Forum...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x315

[CarolNYC]

13. Wes will be on Rachel Maddow tonight 6:15PM. n/t

[young_at_heart]

14. Wes would make a GREAT president!!!

I pray he will be our candidate.

[jokerman93]

16. Dammit!

I'm telling you this man should be in the White House.

J

[dogman]

17. Leadership is his specialty.

I hope the Congressional leaders continue seeking his wisdom.

[democrank]

18. I`d be honored to vote for

Wes Clark in `08.

[CarolNYC]

21. audio link and more media

Audio of this interview (mostly about Rumsfeld) is up on securingamerica.com.

Also, Wes will be on the Diane Rehm show tomorrow at 10AM and on Fox at 11:10AM...And then he's speaking in TX in the evening...

[Jai4WKC08]

22. Thanks Carol!

I had to play taxi-driver for the kid and missed it. :( Downloading now. :)

[CarolNYC]

23. You know, I really like this message...

I like how Wes wants to jump right in it and get started...No wasting time with him around. No doubt, he'll be holding as many feet to the fire as he can reach. He works tirelessly and expects everyone else to do the same...Kind of reminds me of the stories I've heard of RFK.

For him, it's never about just winning...It's about doing as much as possible with the opportunity once the win is accomplished. Goodness, imagine what he could do as our Presidnet...I so hope we get to find out.

[Hippo_Tron]

24. Wes Clark is our best bet to unite the party and the country

When a candidate can simultaneously get the endorsements of Michael Moore and Gene Taylor, you know that he can unite the party.

[CarolNYC]

25. yep...

That is just one of the many beautiful things about Wes Clark. He can truly be a uniter. He could heal a lot of wounds...

[FrenchieCat]

26. Don't forget that he also got endorsed by

Max Baucus and Madonna! How bout that for a couple?

[Hieronymus]

27. It's past time for an adult in the White House.

General Clark was the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He can get us out of Bush's mess. Send the boy home and bring in a man.:applause:

[judaspriestess]

28. Thank you Mr. Clark

I only wish Tammy Duckworth would have won her seat.