We Need Another Old Hickory - Mike Lyon on Clark '08

[CarolNYC]

Mike Lyon, a veteran, started Band of Brothers in 2006, supporting vets running for Congress, and served as Executive Director of the Patriot Project, working to expose and confront right-wing front groups.

He writes today on Huffington post about why we need Wes in '08. Here's an excerpt:

So, here we are almost 5 years since we invaded Iraq. Our presence has become decidedly unpopular with both the Iraqi people and with most of us here at home. There are no easy answers or quick fixes that will lead to a peaceful solution in Iraq. We must elect an experienced leader that has demonstrated the ability to shine in tough situations. We have control of the House and the Senate, popular opinion is on our side, but do we have anyone that is really capable of leading us out of this war and healing our wounds? Do we have anyone with the courage to lead us back to a real American Providence? Can we redefine a Manifest Destiny for the 21st Century that will correct the mistakes of the Bush Doctrine? Everything we do and say these days seem so nonbinding...

I watched the DNC Winter Meetings last week and came away with this impression. Most of our candidates' bloviate about grandiose plans that are short on strategy with unattainable goals, in fact, several speeches would have been better delivered by a high school delegate to a model UN; pie in the sky, apparently, still sells though and maybe success in 2006 clouds memories of the public perception that led to the defeat in 2004.

Let's look back at the election of 1828, "Old Hickory" Andrew Jackson lost on a populist platform, (our government was corrupt), in 1824 and the Country fell further into decline under John Quincy Adams. In 1828 General Jackson ran again and said "One man with courage makes a majority" Our Country responded to his populist message and he is, today, the Patriarch of our Party.

Today we find ourselves in another difficult position, specifically, in regards to how domestic politics gums up our foreign policy. We must have a President that understands that it is much more dangerous to avoid diplomacy and to ignore long term strategy than it is to fight what may seem like the right war at the right time or to retreat and leave the region in predicament much worse than how we found it. Wes Clark has spent his entire adult life serving our Country. He offers a very sober and professional prospective to a debate that, at times, seems sorely in need of adult supervision.

Like another General, a couple of centuries ago, I hope Wes will make the decision to give it another try; I believe that Americans will find that Wes Clark is worth another look.

More here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-lyon/we-need-another-old-hicko_b_40588.html

[MissWaverly]

1. General Clark needs to find a way to become a household name

He's bright, articulate, qualified and I think he's the best, I do not want someone in there
who's basically all talk which is what Bush is, the country cannot have another talking
head as president, the country will not survive. We also need someone that will stand up
to the neocons and the rightwing nutjobs who believe in holy war, a Christian crusade to
save the Middle East. He should go on the Talk Shows (other than Fox), some place like
Oprah, if Nixon can mug for the camera and win the presidency, Clark can do it, he needs
more exposure, and the ability to act calm and natural in front of the camera, the country
wants and needs a calm, mature leader right now.

[formercia]

2. Andrew Jackson and Fearless Leader are very similar

Jackson deported the Cherokee to Oklahoma despite a Supreme Court ruling that ruled in favor of the Cherokee. Gold had been found on Indian lands and Jackson was determined to keep them from enjoying any benefit.

It's a lot like Iraq and Big Oil.

[CarolNYC]

3. I know

I know Jackson's part in that and it sickens me as well...

Here's Mike's response to that criticism, posted on Clark's blog...
"Look, the populist inflections on American politics is what I am referring to. Good lord, I am not suggesting that Clark become Jackson - "

[FrenchieCat]

4. Washington and even Eisenhower would have been more apropos, IMO.

But this guy blogging started Band of Brothers. That's pretty impressive!

[FrenchieCat]

5. And he's also blogging at Wes Clark's site.....

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/10947

[CarolNYC]

6. Yeah,

he really feels strongly that we need Wes Clark to pull us out of this mess...The Patriot Project thing is pretty impressive as well as the Band of Brothers. He's defintely a "doer" rather than just a "talker". I'm glad he's on Wes' side.