General Clark's Lasting Gift to DU...

[tameszu]

...is of course all of us Clark supporters!

I think a lot of folks have already said something to this effect tonight, but I wanted to state it explicitly: as with Dean and his supporters, Wes Clark and the Draft Clark movement added an enormous pile of progressive activist volunteer energy to the Democratic Party and one of the big signs of that is the surge in membership that Clarkies have contributed to DU.

I know that long-term regulars at first viewed us as invaders--and, like the General and many of his supporters, we were probably loud, brash, and outspoken at first. But I have been heartened to see that we have been gradually welcomed as part of the community, and like the General, once most DUers have had a good look at us, they've realized that we're good for our progressive and Democratic credentials.

I know I have no right to speak for any other Clark supporter on this site, but thanks for accepting us. And to all of the other "Clark bars" (note: used lovingly--please don't lock!) on this site: thanks so much for congregating on DU and showing your colors--and I hope that you show that you're here to stay!

[maddezmom]

1. jeez

I'd just finally stopped bawling...and look what you did. :cry:

Big hugs for all the Clark supporters and thanks to all the DU'ers that have put up with us. I'm here to stay. :)

[NashVegas]

2. I'll Second That

Y'all have brought much enthusiasm to DU, even if it was a bit of a rocky start. I trust most of you will stick with us.

:toast:

[Bucky]

5. I was a DUer before I was a Clarkie

But the campaign gave me something to come in here and fight about. He gave me something--no, he reminded me of something I already had to fight for. I'll go on being a DUer. But more importantly I'm now a Wes Clark Democrat for life. When I'm 80 and finally conceding that I'm not a kid anymore I'll still be a Wes Clark Democrat.

[molly]

3. I like him and think he did exceptionally well

for entering so late without a political background. I hope he will stay in politics.

[OKNancy]

4. Lots of goodwill now, but I have a long memory

I want to thank everyone who called Clark a Republican.
I want to thank those that believe every conspiracy theory floated.
I want to thank those who posted using right-wing sites as a source.
I want to thank those of you who talked out your ass without even listening to Clark.
I want to thank everyone who called Clark supporters Nazis, closet Republicans, and other nasty names.
I want to thank everyone who never saw past the stars on his shoulders.
And thank you so much for making things easier for Bush.
I could go on, but I like DU, and have been here a while and would like to continue.

[Bucky]

7. After you swallow the bitter pill, the taste of bitterness goes away

Sadly your "I have a long memory and I want to thank those who..." mantra sounds a bit like the old Trotskyite bolshies who swore over their kaffeeklatches "...come the revolution, we will remember who our enemies are and we will shiv them in the night..."

In Wes Clark's New American Patriotism, I don't think there's room for pettiness or grudges. I was Democrat before I was a Wes Clark Democrat. Once we're finished fighting for this nomination I feel no animosity towards my brothers and sisters.

[OKNancy]

11. Excuse me?

It's kind of hard to move on with a knife in your back. I have been a long-time defender of nonsense posts about Kerry mostly, but also Dean and Edwards. I don't like bullshit, and it doesn't matter who is the target.

Also..."a mantra"?

[Rowdyboy]

14. I intend to remember those who called us Republicans....

and I have a very long memory too.

[polpilot]

24. Dean supporter here. I keep a ear 'to the ground' and was

amazed about 5 weeks ago when I discovered the depth of Clark's on the ground support via active, long term, engaged demo grassrooters. I didn't expect it, couldn't understand where it came from or how it came to be, but was continuously told, with a shocked expression on their faces, that Clark has unequivocal support in what appears to be military and lower- lower middle economic levels. There was, also, no other candidate who was considered. Anyway, the DLC (Go to their site) weren't gonna allow a Clark candidacy as evidenced by their site propaganda. No offense intended by any of this post.

Dean '04...

[BeyondGeography]

16. We were right about Wes

And Wes will prove the remaining bashers wrong all fall, when he continues to campaign against Bush.

I could never take the Republican rap seriously; it was all too absurd. Clark had the most liberal positions of just about any candidate except DK. And the man is utterly sincere (almost to a fault, if you're talking politics). I chalked the Republican slurs up to ignorance or mindless partisanship. Such folks won't keep me off this board, where people are mostly fair-minded and intelligent.

Anyway, Nancy, I know you did a lot of work for the General, and I want to thank you for that.

[tkmorris]

6. Welcome home

That's where you are. Don't even think of leaving now that your fight for your candidate has ended.

You see this is where we Democrats gather, to discuss the issues, to relax, to do whatever it is we need to. Our guy doesn't always win. Mine own favorite will not win and I've known that from the beginning. In the end though this is the finest place on the internet to make our voice heard. We have almost 40,000 registered members here and our voice IS heard. So stay. Speak your mind, give us Clark's point of view on the issues. We need you. You need us too. The best that any of us can do is to continue to inject our input into the democratic process and you will NOT find a better place to do that than here.

So pull up a chair and get comfy. I've been here since soon after the last *election and I firmly hope we are all here come the one in 2008. Plus about 60,000 new friends. Cheers!

:beer:

[tameszu]

9. Cheers to you too!

I definitely have my disagreements with DUers from time to time, but I have come to recognize the wonderful source of energy that DU and its diverse folks provide. Here's to winning back democracy this November!

:beer:

[Crunchy Frog]

8. Well, I found DU

a long time before I had even heard of the General, even though I was only a lurker. Even though I was a committed Clark supporter by the time I registered and started posting, I would have eventually joined DU even if Clark had never come up as a potential presidential candidate.

The fact that I just got my star, even as I was pretty certain that it would soon be over for Clark is an indication of my intention to remain here for the long haul.

If we lose in November, I'm going to really need this place, at least until Ashcroft shuts it down.:)

[JCMach1]

10. Clarkies are alright by me...

:bounce:

[Mass_Liberal]

26. Same here

I never bashed Clark, I think he's a great guy. He could have kicked Bush's ass.

[muchacho]

12. dropping like flies

Why are all the candidates dropping so quickly? Is the DNC and media that powerful that the nomination is a foregone conclusion?

I've just started to wrap my head around the candidates and now choices are being made for me.

Personally, I don;t think Kerry can win against Bush and the media knows it and likes it that way.

[krkaufman]

15. Yes, they are

> Why are all the candidates dropping so quickly? Is
> the DNC and media that powerful that the nomination
> is a foregone conclusion?

Yes, they are.

Grassroots/outsider candidates cannot afford the costs associated with trying to compete on the airwaves with candidates receiving free media time. This process is working just as Terry McAuliffe and the DNC designed it.

[democratreformed]

19. Yes, they are n/t

[polpilot]

22. Go to the DLC site to view 'Your Choice'. They have their boy ready!!!

Dean '04...

[Best_man23]

13. Take heart, Clark Supporters

General Clark's participation in the campaign helped as he brought another fresh perspective. Kerry might decide to choose Clark as his running mate (as I feel Kerry will need to choose a southerner to fend off the "librul northeastern establishment" label the repugs will try to pin on him).

Thank you Clark supporters and please continue to feel welcome on DU.

[tameszu]

17. Thanks!

CNN seems to like him much as a VP--they were already saying good things about such a ticket.

I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

=)

[OKNancy]

18. If Kerry announces early that Clark is his VP choice, then

I'll know that Kerry is the one. Funny too, if by Clark dropping out before Edwards gets Clark the VP instead of Edwards, then I'll have to chuckle.

[MidwestMomma]

20. That would be a well-earned chuckle....

:D

[tameszu]

25. Don't chuckle at all!

My roommate who is an American politics grad student and is probably the nicest, most moderate Repub I know (he says he's given up on Bush now after the MTP appearance--and that he would've been a "Clark Repub" =S) said that whomever dropped out first between Clark and Edwards would have a better shot at the Veepstakes...go figure!

[elixir]

21. I think he did very well

Consider where he came from - a grassroots movement with a late start out of the gate on little organization. He did great! It's not over - clark as VP, Secy of STate or Secy of Defense would be more than great. He's a great man with terrific policies and appeal.

[DakotaDemocrat]

23. Some things I've learned...

1) I can be represented.
2) There needs to be a Higher Standard of Leadership in the Presidency.
3) CNN is as bad as the others.
4) True liberalism is not dead, just not accepted.
5) There will never be an "outsider" representing the Democratic ticket.
6) I lost a bunch of friends today.
7) My dream for the Best America is gone.
8) I need to fight more for the people I believe in. Go Stephanie Herseth and Tom Daschle (even though he probably shouldn't be the Minority Leader, he's done good things for us back home)!
9) DU can be best of places and the worst of places. The only difference is how I react to it.
10) I don't trust Rove, Bush, et al to do what's best for me and my family. The jury is still out on Edwards, Dean and Kerry. I guess I have to re-research.
11) I will only vote for the Democratic nominee.
12) Clark should not be on the ticket, but in the Cabinet (State, not Defense)
13) I'm starting to think Dean will be a pretty damn good Democratic Party Chair.
14) Public service is not for the faint of heart, and is the best thing you can do for your country. I will renew my efforts today by volunteering somewhere....TODAY.

[janx]

27. HA! I'll never forget how you guys showed up here. It's as if

you came in via a FUNNEL from the Clark blog!

But we're happy you did, even though it was a bit choppy at first.

:hug:

[Crunchy Frog]

28. Janx

I hope you know me well enough to know that that wasn't how I came to DU. I know I only registered in October when there were droves on new Clark supporters showing up, but I found this place and made it my home last March, long before I had even heard of Wes Clark.

There are also many former Clark supporters who are very old timers here. Others were just Dems looking for a liberal Democratic site and just happened to be Clark supporters.

I think that most of the people who showed up as crusaders from the blog didn't hang around very long.

On the other hand, if you read the Clark blog, you will find that they have many of the same kinds of discussions that are found here at DU, so for many people from the blog, DU would simply be a natural sort of place to call home.:)

[Nashyra]

29. I was here before the Clark movement

and was dismayed at the non welcome Clark people got, but i truly beleive they breathed fresh life into the Dem party. I am a Wes Clark Democrat for Life.

[janx]

31. Yep, I know that. I also know that we were lucky that at least

some from the blog chose to stick around.

It was a little overwhelming at first, but it turned out well.

How are you, anyway? Send me a PM or something! ;-)

[waldenx]

I hope Clark supporters

don't keep the identity as "Clark supporters" because it only reinforces that the campaign was about the person and not ideas.

[Tom Rinaldo]

32. No it doesn't. It Identifies what we believe along with who we believe.

Wes Clark is a Democrat, and so am I. Clark will support the party, and so will I. Maybe it will be clearer if I refer to myself as a Wes Clark Democrat, and I am glad to say that. There is real meaning in that phrase, and I am proud to be identified with it. That doesn't mean I can't vote for someone else when the appropriate time comes.

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[RogueTrooper]

33. Welcome to DU

you make this website a better place.

:yourock: Clark supporters. :D