Clark endorsed by Knoxville (TN) News Sentinel!

[AnnitaR]

Clark offers strong chance for Democrats
By News Sentinel editorial staff
February 9, 2004

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/todays_editorial/article/0,1406,KNS_362_2639451,00.html

On Tuesday, Tennessee voters who didn't take advantage of the state's early voting laws will head to the polls, with many voting in the Democratic primary for a presidential nominee to challenge President Bush next fall.

<snip>


President Bush is unopposed for the Republican nomination. Those voting in the Republican primary will vote for delegates who are committed to the president for the Republican National Convention.

Tennesseans for the first time in a while have a chance on Tuesday to make a difference in the contest for a Democratic nominee. That's because, while some candidacies have languished - Lieberman, Rep. Richard Gephardt, Carol Mosley Braun - there has been no knockout punch by any single candidate.

And, while the messages of the remaining Democratic candidates have some basic similarities, there are enough differences to make the contest interesting.

Tennessee has become significant, perhaps, because several of the leading candidates have swooped down on the Volunteer State during the past week, vowing that Tennessee is important in the national picture. President Bush, of course, visited Knoxville last month to tout his No Child Left Behind Act and to attend a $1,000-per-plate fund-raiser at the convention center.

Thus, the political atmosphere in Tennessee is being ratcheted up a few notches just in time for the Tuesday primary. And that should be OK with the state's voters who truly can cast their votes in the belief they will make a difference.

Although several Democratic candidates could prove to be formidable opponents to the president next fall, we like former Army Gen. Wesley Clark for the Tennessee Democratic primary.

A military leader with a distinguished record, Clark is proving he can compete with well-established politicians, as his recent victory in the Oklahoma primary attests. And his presence at the Lady Vols-UConn basketball game last week shows he can play politics with the best.

Clark is a West Point graduate, a Rhodes scholar who studied at Oxford University and a veteran of the Vietnam War. His 38-year military career includes a stint as director for strategic plans and policy of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO.

Clark's message has been less about military options than about values, restoring trust, open debate and economic opportunity. It is a message that is getting before the public and is beginning to make a difference for him and the electoral process. A victory on Tuesday not only gives Clark the momentum to continue his efforts, but it also provides the opportunity to keep this national debate going and to stretch out the campaign to select a clear front-runner for the party.

Clark has proved he is a solid contender for his party's nomination. We believe he also will be a strong candidate as the Democratic nominee.

Copyright 2004, KnoxNews. All Rights Reserved.

[maddezmom]

1. great endorsement for Wes!

<<A victory on Tuesday not only gives Clark the momentum to continue his efforts, but it also provides the opportunity to keep this national debate going and to stretch out the campaign to select a clear front-runner for the party.>>

Go WES!

[blm]

15. Yes...and good luck to you.

.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Nice break for the General

in a state where he must perform well.

[Bombtrack]

3. He needs to get Kris Kristofferson to play a show for him in Nashville

That would be great.

[Leilani]

4. Go Wes!

I like Knoxville!

[BlondieK143]

6. From a Knoxvillian...

THANKS! :D We're working our rears off down here so hopefully Knoxville will unite for Wes! I can honestly tell you guys that I've never seen so many Clark signs anywhere! Our people at HQ are the best!

[Jivenwail]

5. I met Gen Clark on Saturday

At Virginia Weslayan College where he gave a rousing speech to some of his Hampton Roads supporters. I made it a point to attend, bringing my 88 year old mother with me. We just happened to be sitting in the front row of bleachers in the gym, where Gen Clark entered and exited. I was able to shake his hand before he took the stage, having been introduced by former Sec of the Navy, John Dalton.

And I have to say, I was impressed with Clark. He speaks with such conviction and such a sense of urgency. It was a 30 minute speech, but powerful. My mother was so moved by him, I couldn't believe how she grabbed one of the Clark 04 signs and just waved it around yelling "We want Wes"! My mother! The crowd included a lot of younger people, even kids with their parents and veterans and surprisingly, a good number of seniors. The 3 ladies who sat behind us said they hired a taxi to bring them, that they just couldn't miss him.

As he made his way out of gymnasium, he stopped to talk to anyone who wanted his ear. He moved freely among the hundreds of people around him and as he made his way toward the exit, he grabbed my Mom's hand, shoke it, and she gave him a kiss! He even signed her T-shirt! I looked him right in the eye and shook his hand again. I have to say, after hearing his speech and watching him among all these people, he truly moved me. He is the genuine article. Nothing phony about him. Absolutely nothing. I believe that what you see is what you get with him. He really cares about this country and you can feel it when he speaks. My mother is still talking about the experience.

All 3 of the candidates have been here. But Kerry is the one that got the most press. All the local media was there covering Clark, but he was a "passing mention" compared to Kerry's coverage. And because all 3 went to the Democratic dinner in Richmond Saturday night, you can only imagine the coverage there - - all Kerry. Barely a mention of Clark or Edwards.

We go to the polls tomorrow here in Virginia and the pundits have Kerry way ahead in the pack, Edwards second and Clark third. I know now who I will vote for when I go tomorrow.

[BlondieK143]

7. Wonderful experience.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I completely agree with you. By listening to him talk in person, you can definetely tell he's the real deal. Hope that VA goes to the polls on Tuesday and makes the right decision. Glad to hear that you're going to be a part of that!

[Jivenwail]

8. Aboslutely!

Thank you. I just wish that everyone could've felt what I felt on Saturday listening to him. I really believe in his message and his conviction to this country. He so unlike the standard politician - the speech was so unlike anything I've heard from anyone else. And the people there that we met were such strong supporters - you could talk to any one of them and feel the connection. I don't know exactly how to explain it, but Gen Clark moved me. I feel I can trust him and that what he says is truly and completely how he feels. No other way to describe it.

I simply will not ever forget looking him straight in the eye. It was a great experience.

[Jerseycoa]

11. Anybody e-blocking Tennessee

I've heard that mention of George Jones's endorsement and radio ad is going over well with seniors. Do mention it.


About this post on the Weslayan College speech, THAT IS SO GREAT!!

I love hearing this stuff. Thank you and your mother!

:bounce:

[ResistTheCoup]

9. Kick!

Thanks you for the great article!!

:kick:

[tnlefty]

10. Would've been nice to have it before early voting started...

Or was there something prior to early voting? The local began printing LTTE from more prominent members of the party endorsing another candidate well before early voting began, and the paper endorsed that candidate, also.

[Toucano]

12. Kicking

because the race is not over yet!

[Jerseycoa]

13. Anybody calling Nashville - invite to free concert and rally

Leave it on voicemail and message machines, as well.

Nashville, TN
8:00 pm - Wesley Clark Greets Nashville Supporters With Country Star Jamie O'Neal
Capitol Ballroom
Sheraton Hotel
623 Union Street
Nashville, TN

[aldian159]

14. Congrats!

The general is a great man and I would have no problem with him whatsoever leading this ticket. Good show!

[Tom Rinaldo]

16. Does anyone know the circulation for this newspaper?

Or how well regarded it is?

[Tom Rinaldo]

22. Found the answer myself, plus a neat link

"The News Sentinel (morning, circulation 117,117 )"

This is from an interesting story I found about about the newspaper:

"News Sentinel staffers also pay close attention to community ties. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and especially its football program, is wildly popular with locals. Home games can draw more than 110,000 fans to the Volunteer's stadium.

News Sentinel's GoVols.com won a 2003 Digital Edge Award for Best Sports Site in the 75,000-to-250,000 circulation category. The awards, presented annually by NAA's New Media Federation, represent newspapers' best digital-media efforts. Lail notes that during football season, traffic to www.GoVols.com can actually exceed traffic to Knoxnews.com. The Vol Report, a four-page wrap around the sports section, also generates tremendous ad revenue, says Hughes.

The paper promotes another community resource, nearby Great Smokey Mountains National Park, on www.GoSmokies.com. It also prints a quarterly visitor's guide and partners with the nonprofit Friends of the Smokies to promote preservation."

Here's the link: http://www.naa.org/presstime/PTArtPage.cfm?AID=5082

[JFKvsGWB]

17. Congrats, I hope h blocks Edwards and gets that strong second

[sandnsea]

18. Congratulations guys!! n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

19. Thank You, That was a very gracious comment to make.

[JI7]

20. this is a nice one

good for clark and his supporters on this endorsement.

[Jerseycoa]

23. Thanks for the good wishes

We ain't rollin' over, hon. ;)

[mmonk]

21. yesssssssssss!

Thanks for posting that.:yourock:

[aquanut]

24. Yay!!

If only the national media were so inclined.