Who Cried when Clark said it was over?

[Quixote1818]

I have been on an e-mail group that talks about Clark every day and has worked very hard for him. I got a message from one of our group in California and she said she called the headquarters telling Clark to stay in and her and the person on the other side started crying. When I read her note I, a grown man started crying. I have never in my life dedicated my life to one person's aspirations like I have for Clark. This is like the Cubs loosing all over again multiplied by 100. :cry: :cry: :cry:

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. I was for Clark, but now.....

:cry:

[Dookus]

2. me n/t

[SW FL Dem]

36. Me Too n/t

[maddezmom]

3. me n/t

[Ilsa]

4. I cried yesterday.

Today I'm just terrribly bummed and sad for America. Wecould have had a great president, no bagage to speak of, an "outsider", someone who truly cares about average people and understands how they live.

We'll be okay with Kerry or Edwards or Dean, but I'm really sad about this, but i'm also very, very proud of the Clark campaign's accomplishments in such a short time. By golly, he actually won a state, and came in seond and third in others after being in the race only five months. Clark can be proud of what they did and said and how they conducted themselves.

And I bet we haven't seen the last of the General.

(PS - I don't know whose logo I want to place on my posts yet. I need time to grieve.)

[Mrs. Overall]

5. I did and I'm not even a Clark supporter,

but I was so struck by the contrast of Clark's speech and the "speech" that bush just gave on WMD. The contrast between these two men is extraordinary.
If Wes Clark had been the Democrats' choice, I would have supported him whole-heartedly.

[Eurobabe]

6. I got incredibly sick

the day after the NH primary, we spent alot of time out in frigid weather. The day after the 3rd place finish I cried for two days. I think I saw this coming....

Doesn't make it hurt any less, I just think I grieved heavily back then, and decided to detach a little in prep for the end. Guess I have been steeling myself.

[Quixote1818]

13. I lost ten pounds between Iowa and Feb 3rd. I couldent eat I was

so stressed out for Clark. I think I prepared for this as I saw the polls start to move heavely towards Kerry just before Feb. 3rd. But it still hurts and hearing another person cry over this brought all the emotions back up.

[krkaufman]

20. Interesting. I'd lost 15 pounds, myself n/t

[Crunchy Frog]

25. I've been in the process

of steeling and detaching and lowering my hopes since New Hampshire, but it still is incredibly painful, and I'm really scared and sad for this country.:cry: :cry:

[thelocalkgb]

7. I'm all cried out

n/t

[rucky]

8. My heart sank

and I'll always be puzzled why his campaign didn't take off.

Clark will want all of his supporters to stay involved in public service some way or another. It hurts sometimes, and it's alot of hard work - often for nothing much. But the victories - however few & far between - are worth it. And along the way, every little bit of effort eventually adds up to something.

[DemCam]

9. I'm crying now.

Both from sadness at losing "my guy" and rage at the machine.

I don't know which is worse.

[sadiesworld]

10. Like a baby...

I fear the democrats have made a critical error. I was quite bitter last night but this morning I saw the news about the latest Iraq bombing and the statements by the economic security advisor (outsourcing is a good thing) and I am ABB once more. It might have been nice to see a newstation actually broadcast the entirety of Clark's speech though.

[cally]

11. Me

He's the first candidate that I supported from my heart instead of my head. I like other candidates, but I saw the humanity and goodness in Clark. The rest are politicians. I'll work for them, support them, and be excited for every Repub loss. The loss of Clark is the loss of a great man for our country.

[MrSlayer]

12. Didn't cry but felt like it.

Sad day. Hopefully he gets the VP or SoS position.

[mot78]

14. I've been grieving since February 3rd

When the whores denied him coverage for winning Oklahoma, I believed then it was over, but I kept it to myself hoping for thing s to turn around.

[aquanut]

15. I'm not crying....

...there's something in my eye. Yeah, that's it. There's something in my eye.

[Lefta Dissenter]

16. I got home from helping to

close down the Madison campaign office just in time to see the part of his speech that judythebitchwoodruff was gracious to shut up for.

I knew it was real today, as we packed up our stuff, sold the computers and headed home. Yes, I bought the computer that I've been using in the campaign office for the last 4 or 5 weeks. After all, it has my 'delete the Bush Admin' warning prompt desktop image, and my slide show of Wes screen savers! I couldn't say goodbye to that!

After all the phone calls, letters, cups of coffee and trips to the corner deli, it came down to stuffing my belongings back into my car, giving hugs all around, and driving home. I've been crying off and on all day, so it's almost hard to tell when I'm crying and when I'm not. I'll surely have a helluva headache tonight, though.

Our country will realize TOO LATE what we've given up... and it will be too scary to even be able to say "We told you so."

[emulatorloo]

17. Clark is a great man, we have not seen the last of him

I really hate to see him gone from the race . . .he brought a lot to this primary season with his really astonishing intelligence, insight, and values. I would have been so proud for him to be the nominee.

But I am certain that he will play a big role in government in the future. How could he not? He is a true patriot.

[krkaufman]

18. Cub fans

Not sure but I'm seeing an awful lot of posts from Illinois in these Clark threads. Think we Cubfans jinxed the General? (sigh)

[VolcanoJen]

19. Well, I did.

:-(

[genius]

21. I'm not for Clark but I was sad. He's a good man.

I think that people were willing to jump behind whichever war hero got out in front first and not running in Iowa really hurt Clark. Mabye the winner will appoint him the cabinet. He should be Secretary of Defense.

[Crunchy Frog]

22. I did, and still am off and on.

I also drank five bottles of Jack Daniels Lynchburg Lemonade last night, I was so upset that I hardly felt it, and I'm not used to drinking.:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Adelante]

58. I cried buckets

Recipe?

Jack Daniels Lynchburg Lemonade?

[Tom Rinaldo]

23. Last night I couldn't, but

off and on all day today. It comes over me the most while I am reading or writing posts here actually, when I feel the connection we have made with each other through Clark as the honorable and honest leader, who stepped forward to fight on our behalf.

[Crunchy Frog]

38. I couldn't really cry last night

more sort of snivelling. I just now went into a paroxysm of sobbing coughing and retching. I guess it will kind of come in waves.:(

[Zynx]

24. I cried because I knew how disappointed my sister was.

[LyndaG]

26. I did, and probably will again

Such a loss. Ya know, it is one thing to agree with a candidate on issues. But, when you also deeply respect, admire, and look up to that person, it is really special.

[TexasPatriot]

27. i got it out of my system last night

now i'm back to being a cynical bastard. odd how i'm probably more dissaffected today than i was 5 months ago. I feel there's something rotten in this country, and i just dont know what i can do about it. Clark was the only person who ever spoke to me - made me feel like we had a chance of making it different. Now... well... at least i know i tried.

[pacifictiger]

29. I would hope that

if Kerry does end up with the nomination, and then does nothing to address the PNAC control that is wielded over this country's politicians and treasury, as well as other corrupt influences, that these other candidates would be willing to group together to effect some sort of counterbalancing energy for real longterm change. The world must have better than the past 2 (maybe 4) repub admins have demonstrated.
Edit: I forgot to say I too am very sad for America that Clark's obvious intelligence is less valued by its citizens than glitz.

[nonconformist]

28. I did.... twice

I teared up last night when I heard it come across CNN. Today, I cried during his speech (which was so rudely cut off because he started talking about Bush). I love Clark, he's always been my close #2 and like a lot of people my dream ticket is Dean/Clark or Clark/Dean.

So much for the whole "angry Dean supporter who won't listen to anyone else" misconception huh.

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[Myra]

44. How stunningly insensitive of you to use this thread, of grieving Clark

supporters, to raise funds.

It's tacky.
It shows horrible judgement on your part.
I've supported DU, regularly.
I think I'll pass this quarter due to your crass opportunism.

[cally]

47. It's a robot computer code

I hope you were joking. :-)

[Tinoire]

30. I did not cry but I felt very sad for Clark and his supporters

I didn't like that that happened and I especially didn't like how it was handled.

This thread makes me want to cry.

Clark supporters ((those who came on board within the last few months)) you're a real part of this DU family and I hope you'll get over this without too much bitterness and that Clark gets a good slot whatever administration we have.

I hope we all learn something from the grace and dignity with which you're handling this.

[Auntie Bush]

48. Who has grace an dignity?

I'M CRYING LIKE A BABY! But thanks for your heartfelt condolences.

[Tinoire]

52. You guys do

Being broken-hearted & crying is ok- you have every right to be & do so but your fighting spirit shines through and you're not running around accusing everyone in the book of x,y,z and throwing temper tantrums. Truly it's humbling. You've set a DU standard I hope the rest of us will follow.

You ran a formidable strategically well-executed campaign & gained a lot of respect. It's distressing to watch your pain because it's so close to home. Your loss is a loss to us all & to Democracy. Every candidate out there should have had the opportunity to remain in the race until everyone had a chance to weigh in and been given ample time on the air-waves to make their case.

There is something really wrong with our process but you already know that. It's sad to see it subverted and to see someone exit prematurely when the support & passion are obviously there.

[BeyondGeography]

31. I was mostly afraid Wes would cry

but there he stood, eyes shimmering with emotion, yet so strong of voice and sharp of mind. It was perfect.

So then I did the shimmer myself.

It was such a classy and moving performance by Wes. I can't wait to see the Woodruff-free version on C-Span.

[HoosierClarkie]

32. I went to Clark04 checked my e-block and

I haven't stopped since.

[Guava Jelly]

33. Alice cooper song comes to mind

If there is a tear on my face
It makes me shiver to the bone
It shakes me, babe
It's just a heartache that got in my eye
And you know I never cry, I never cry

Sometimes I drink more than I need
Until the TV's dead and gone
I may be lonely but I'm never alone
And the night may pass me by
But I'll never cry

Take away, take away my eyes
Sometimes I'd rather be blind
Break a heart, break a heart of stone
Open it up but don't you leave it alone

Cuz that's all I got to give you
Believe me babe, it ain't been used
My heart's a virgin
It ain't never been tried
And you know I'll never cry
And you know I'll never cry
And you know I'll never cry
Never cry, I'll never cry

Break a heart, break a heart of stone
Open it up but don't you leave it alone

'Cuz that's all I got to give you
Believe me babe, it ain't been used
My heart's a virgin
It ain't never been tried
And you know I'll never cry, I'll never cry

[BringEmOn]

34. Not crying

but my heart is deeply saddened for my country.

My paraphrase of Matt 27:17-21

"Therefore when they were gathered together, McAuliffe said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Botox Barabbas, or The General which is called Clark?...

...But the chief DLC and DNC priests and media whores persuaded the Sheeple that they should ask Botox Barabbas, and destroy Clark.

McAuliffe answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Botox Barabbas."

[Tom Rinaldo]

35. I went back and found an archived thread I posted weeks ago.

I posted this on January 26th. The only thing I would change is that Clark just kept getting better as a campaigner. The last time he was on Meet The Press he was masterful, for one example, quite a contrast to Bush. My feelings haven't changed, other than my sorrow being deeper, so I will repost it one more time. I was trying hard not to blame the media when I wrote it originally. I don't think I could be so generous now:

"I Wish More Democrats Could Have Gotten to Know Clark Sooner

The media by and large hasn't helped, but mostly it's just the way it is. As Clark says, "Democrats aren't used to having a General in their Party". I have watched over the weeks as respect for Clark has grown, here on DU in particular. It isn't always a matter of people choosing Clark as their preferred candidate, but it is a growing appreciation for his basic integrity, and realization that he really is an exceptional person to emerge now out of the military, at exactly the time when American's Sons and Daughters, in the Armed Forces, are being moved around like pawns by Chicken Hawks gathered around their geo-political chess boards.

Clark is an outsider, and for the first time in his adult life he is a totally free agent, able to speak out about what he believes in openly and publicly, and Damn, he is doing just that. I understand why it was difficult at first for so many to trust Clark, and why some still don't, but I have never trusted someone running for higher office this much in my lifetime, and I am 54 now. To quote that wonderful phrase, Clark speaks truth to power, and he doesn't back down, and he doesn't cover up, and he doesn't take the low road ever.

It took Clark several weeks to begin picking up the basics of campaigning. You know, how to speak in sound bites, how to sound emphatic without giving ammunition to your enemies, how to deflect a question so that the answer is about what you want to talk about rather than what the questioner wants you to say. To tell you the truth, although he has gotten light years better in just a few months, Clark will never truly master it, because it feels unnatural, and almost dishonorable, to a man who would rather communicate his actual thoughts and ideas. Clark knows how to be deceptive during warfare against an enemy, if that is what is needed, but he doesn't view the American public as an enemy. He thinks this is our country and that we always have a right to know what our leaders are planning for us, and why.

Clark has been an instructor at West Point, he has been a commander of units that were under performing, and he took them and brought them all up to a standard of excellence. Clark is a superb communicator, but he isn't a verbal trickster, never has been, never will be. Some think that will handicap him as a candidate. I think the opposite. His clarity and candor has been refreshing to behold in his recent interviews. Clark knows how to explain his positions, even if sometimes it takes him more than a minute to do so. He is incredible answering questions live before a crowd. He takes each question seriously. People know Clark is not a traditional politician, and that is a good thing.

Now Clark is learning how to give rally speeches. He's doing just fine at it. If he lacks a few flourishes that someone like John Edwards has perfected through years spent as a trial lawyer, Clark makes up for it in intelligence, and sincerity, and the power of his ideas and vision for America. Some of the larger strokes still need to be filled in, but the direction he is pointing at could not be clearer, it is clearly progressive, and it is clearly inclusive. I would rather have a President with some details lacking from his policies, than have one who had them filled in over the years through negotiations with special interests, using their input.

Clark is at his worst in the dreadfully artificial Debates, with time divided between 7 to 10 contestants, sparring with malicious inquisitors, all striving to land the perfectly honed barb or clever turn of words. Some narrow political skills may be showcased in those formats, but not leadership ability. Still Clark does alright there, if he is not kept out of the game by low blows and coordinated ambushes. Clark will do far better in one on one debates, where he is given more time to make his points, and the opportunity to directly follow up on them. Clark will be debating George W. Bush, and I long for that contrast in "leadership philosophy" to be so starkly revealed.

The place where Clark has really been tested, is told in the story of his life. Can Clark lead us in times of danger? We know that he can. We know he can assemble the right team, and demand excellence, and succeed in the harshest of circumstances. And now I think more of us are seeing the humanity in Wes Clark, and seeing past his uniform to the reasons why he wore it, and what he felt called on to defend. Clark is not politics as usual, and the powers that be know it. They know they don't have their hooks into him. They don't know how to control Clark, and they don't want him speaking truth to the American people. I pray to God that enough people have heard Clark by now that they won't soon be able to turn off his mike. Clark is saying things that need to be spoken."

[FrenchieCat]

37. Now, I am crying again

after reading your post.....

[tishaLA]

49. Hey Frenchie, where have you been?

oh and I have to say--how did I not sign my name to this thread? I've been crying all day. Someone told me to "get over it." What a fuckhead.

[Nay]

39. I didn't cry, but I sure felt like crap all day.

[democratreformed]

40. Just got back from Little Rock

Many of you probably watched the speech on television. There were many tears in the place, not just ours. Afterwards, my daughter and I thanked both Wes and Gert for what they have done. Gert said that we must keep working for the party.

In case you didn't see the speech, Wes basically said that he intends to keep fighting for his vision for America. He had some advice for our eventual nominee - "Give 'em hell and never retreat!!" He said "This old soldier will NOT fade away." He spoke about how the party must be united in order to help bring this vision to life. He spoke again about how Democratic party values are the ones that will bring America to a better future. He said he will continue to work for the party and its candidates and so should the rest of us.

[cryofan]

41. Just you, And of course Clark cried like a baby, too.

Just kidding! Tee Hee!
Actually, Clark was my top candidate, and I really hope he gets a plum position with Kerry (VP would be sure be nice).

[Myra]

42. I still am crying. I broke a promise to myself; I won't do it again.

After Wellstone's murder in 2002 it sunk in.
Evil will triumph over good.
The good do die young, and that's precisely because the
bad kill them. At that point I resolved to leave behind
childish hopes of a better tomorrow, i.e., to stop believing
in fairy tales.

I still fought on; I'm a devoted and busy activist.
And that's because I refuse to be passive.
But while I soldier on, I expect no good results.
By expecting nothing I'm not disappointed.

General Clark broke my cynical resolve. He inspired me; I saw
a man of true greatness, great in every way. He uplifted me
because he's the best possible role model. He represents
the finest that humankind can produce. We could have had
the finest as president. He was a gift to the country. We blew
it. We'll now get the president we deserve, and it will continue
to be business as usual in the crumbling neo-roman empire of AmeriKKKa.

It's often said that the truly great people don't run for president.
General Clark was an exception to this rule. I guess, in the
aftermath of his withdrawal, the amended rule is that the truly great people can't get elected president.

That's the bottom line. AmeriKKKa doesn't deserve Wes Clark.
He still had a viable campaign and money. He was close to Edwards
in number of delegates. I believe he dropped out because he put
the good of the many above the good of the one. The one Wes Clark.

Wes considered a Democratic victory to be more important than
personal ambition. And in doing so underscored his character,
and our immense loss.

Most pols put personal ambition over principle and over the public
good. Wes Clark is not most people. He's the the exceptional person, the exceptional leader, the gift that our nation foolishly declined. He was our last best hope.

He remains one of my few real heroes.
I will write and tell him so.

And I will be forever grateful that after years of seeing the faces
of evil broadcast into my home, I got to see the face of
honor and integrity. I guess I'll have to hold that image in my
mind, keep a photo of him on my hard drive. Because it'll be a damn
long time until we see the face of beauty and goodness in DC. In fact, I doubt we ever will.

[texasmom]

43. I cried and cried last night...

I just had it in my head that it would last through March 2 and that he'd get more support last night.

Today, I've been really depressed but only cried a couple of times. I had myself in control, and my husband came home, said something to me about it and I burst into tears again.

My sadness is a mixture grief for the opportunity we've all lost, anger and disillusionment with the DNC leadership, anger that the media has such power in our country, and sadness for all the attacks the Clark family has had to fight off after responding to our pleas to enter the race.

:cry:

[Kathleen04]

45. I did last night.

My eyes were watery, then somebody's post made the tears start streaming.

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. I did.

My son was crying so hard last night after we left, what was suppose to be a "victory" party, and went back to our hotel...his little heart was broken. He LOVES Wes Clark as much as I do. Our whole family is heartbroken. It's one of the saddest things I've ever gone through, honestly. Wes Clark would have been an extraordinary president and I just don't understand why so many people bought the media bullshit.

:cry::cry::cry::cry:

[Auntie Bush]

50. I'm not going to stop crying till I get off this thread. Bye!

[MoonRiver]

51. I have never been so traumatized about a political person

since, like I said somewhere, JFK died. Clark is, thank goodness, very much alive and full of energy and enthusiasm, but I am simply devastated. I'll get over it, especially if I get to see his gorgeous face on the boob tube periodically :P. But, seriously, he was the best thing that has happened to this country in a very long time, and WE blew it.

[MoonRiver]

53. I'm still crying.

All I have to do is see him on t.v. or read or hear a transcript of his. :cry: The waterworks just keep coming.

[neverforget]

54. I didn't sleep well at all last night. My heart was broken that he

didn't do well yesterday.

[NV1962]

55. During his speech in LR

I thought there goes greatness, zipping past your bare-nekkid-tittie obsessed nose, America.

Until I heard him say that this old soldier won't fade away.

Then, I cried some more.

[Tim_in_HK]

56. Crying off and on here in Hong Kong

My non-American Asian friends think it's strange to get so worked up about politics, about something so 'irrelevant.' Almost hit that guy. Obviously tells you about the state of democracy in the region.

Most of my American friends haven't been paying attention to the primaries, except the guy who sits next to my cubicle saying he was going to vote "Jimmie Dean" all the way . . . until I convinced him to vote Clark. But now he's back to Dean. So, Clark's loss is Jimmie Dean's gain.

Does anyone know where I can download the footage from Little Rock?

On edit: I'm also a Cubs fan . . . Chicago born and bred. Maybe we should warn other campaigns about this nasty little stat. But shoot, Kerry's probably got lots of Red Sox fans, so they've got their own problems to overcome.

[maddogesq]

57. "I shouted out, who killed the Kennedys..well after all, it was you and me

Sorry, but I just thought of that lyric.

We are fucked up if we do not fight the media, the corporate control, the mega shit that makes this whole thing so screwed up. If we sit and turn on CNN, just so we can bitch later, means nothing. Either we stop watching, or we do something.

General Clark embraced Clinton's third way. I embrace it, because in the end, balancing the social issues with the national debt and security issues will always benefit the liberals and the moderates, because the social issues go on forever.

I really feel bad for the Bid Dog and Hill, because this guy was their project...methinks.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

59. I just caught Clark withdrawal on the CSPAN site

This makes me very sad. I hope his voice will be heard by the Democrats that remain in the race and by Democrats who vote. This man has passion, optimism and so much more to say.