Dean's Statement on Wesley Clark

[Sean Reynolds]

BURLINGTON--Governor Dean issued the following statement this afternoon, after General Clark announced that he was ending his presidential campaign:

"Wes Clark ran a spirited race for the White House, and I congratulate him. His lifetime of military service has made a strong and lasting contribution to America's security.

"I believe Wes Clark's supporters will take a fresh look at our campaign, because Wes Clark and I agreed that the best way to take on George W. Bush this fall is not with a Washington politician who voted to support this president's wrongheaded policies, but with an experienced leader and a grassroots campaign that can bring new people into the process and change the way Washington does business.

"Wes Clark and I agreed that the most urgent national security threats are terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Our campaign, strongly supported by senior retired military leaders, offers much to people impressed by General Clark's outstanding record of service and commitment to national security."

http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/003661.html

[59millionmorons]

1. I thought Clark was a republican

Isnt that what Deans been telling us?

[Sean Reynolds]

3. It's what Kerry's been saying too.

Hm....

[Zynx]

4. Kerry said the same thing.

Don't hold Dean to a higher standard than you would hold Kerry.

[Exgeneral]

28. I think Dean was saying "some dems sure ACT and VOTE like republicans"

and they DO.....

[creativelcro]

93. LOL: you bet, even important dem senators do...

[KaraokeKarlton]

45. Doesn't mean Dean doesn't like Clark

When Dean became governor he kept most of Snelling's appointments, which were mostly Republicans. Some of them he kept after he won re-election. Dean has a lot of moderate Republican supporters and he doesn't hold animosity towards mainstream Republicans. He has no use for the right wingers, but he gets along just fine with moderate Republicans. Always has. Jim Jeffords used to be a Republican, but Dean and Jeffords have always gotten along well. Jeffords even endorsed Dean. Kerry has said far worse about Clark than Dean has. Dean also has always said he'd consider Clark as VP. I don't ever recall Kerry saying anything like that. :shrug:

[Turkw]

90. So it's OK for Clark to be a Republican VP for Dean?

Why should Clark work for anybody? I hope Clark takes over the Democratic party.

[Renew Deal]

91. Actually Clark, Kerry and Edwards are all pukes

according to Dean.

[Robb]

2. Howard, let me just say this:

Put away the ego, and make the phone call.

Message ends. :)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. salivating over supporters

can't blame him. He's starving.

[Padraig18]

8. "Beware young Brutus, ...

...He has a keen and hungry look."

Watch out, Senator---we're stioll here. :evilgrin:

[Cheswick2.0]

9. both Kerry and Edwards had statements up before Clark dropped out

who is salivating? They couldn't even wait until he made his announcement.

[Professor Hoodoo]

10. Do you have to be THIS conscending?

And I just saw that Kerry pulling another fast one on DailyKos -- explain THAT one.

Dean is right on this one -- Dean and Clark were a part of a strong grassroots campaign, and that's one of the reasons I switched from Clark to Dean, and I wanted to continue what the grassroots started, and I won't go to an establishment candidate.

Keep on jazzin'

PH

[NewYorkerfromMass]

34. No I didn't. But Dean's wording could have been better

He didn't need to say anything about a fresh look at the campaign.
And re: Kerry's remarks last night- they were immediately issued last night and quite simple and gracious.

“General Clark ran a campaign that he and his family should be proud of. He reminded Democrats of the importance of national security as we face a wartime president who has run a reckless foreign policy. He will no doubt continue to contribute to the life of our party and our country. We look forward to working with him in the months ahead to defeat George Bush and bring change to America.”

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0211a.html

[polpilot]

Running against the pro-war, pro-establishment, pro-DLC candidate

means Dean has to look outside the establishment for support.

Dean '04...

[Uzybone]

6. Grovelling

in the dirt. Why not just congratulate Clark for his run and save the scrounging for another time?

[Sean Reynolds]

11. Riiiight.

[LuminousX]

Must everything be written in blood ink?

How about just letting the statement stand without the snarkiness?

[Bonobo]

7. He should have apologized for the Republican remark!

[Cheswick2.0]

14. yah yah yah

and Clark should apologize about the remarks about Dean not serving in Viet Nam. They all made off the cuff remarks.

[pacifictiger]

53. most of these guys are fully aware

that campaigning is part theatre - take a look at the brits sometime - they really do it almost saying things like - my honorable friend here is a real scumbag sometimes.

[janx]

15. Clark should have apologized for the skiiing remark too. ??

C'mon.

Clark and Dean are allied more closely than you think.

[teevee99]

50. skiing howie was true, repub clark was false

no need for clark to apologize.

you people who called clark republicans called we, the people who have canvassed and campaigned on his behalf republicans as well.

give us a day or two before you circle like sharks in the water, assholes

[Mass_Liberal]

21. I agree

on that one.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[incapsulated]

18. HOLD ON THERE A MINUTE!

He wears a toupee?

[HFishbine]

49. No

And that should tell you something about the veracity of the post.

[incapsulated]

51. I didn't really think he did

Not to my eyes. Just a joke, but the thread seems to have to ballistic now. :(

[Cheswick2.0]

20. So who will you be voting for?

Never mind I already know.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

22. I'm startng to get the feeling

that you don't like Dean all that much.

[incapsulated]

31. That's the understatement of the week, lol

Billy has a long record in that regard, one of which I'm sure he is proud.

I have softened a bit on Dean, myself. But I remember not so long ago, this was a Clark/Dean fighting cage.

Billy's still the bomb, imo. ;)

[KaraokeKarlton]

55. You only have to look up a few posts

to see why there was so much fighting between Dean and Clark supporters. All it takes is a few people spewing venom to cause hate and discontent. That particular poster was one of the reasons I couldn't even watch Clark talk or listen to him at all. Such nastiness is not a good way to promote any candidate. Each camp has at least one supporter who feels compelled to post hateful insults, and we'd all be wise to do our best to ignore those kinds of comments. :shrug:

[incapsulated]

57. I disagree

All the shit we could sling at each other has been slung.

Some of us have softened, especially after Deans many problems, and Clarks many problems, to respect the other side in our collective misery.

Others, like Billy, have not. I respect his opinion.

I've gotten past this.

[NashVegas]

77. LMAO

All the shit we could sling at each other has been slung.

that's an interesting way to put it :)

[Julien Sorel]

62. C-R-Y

[Bucky]

52. It's coz Dean was such a major prick by calling Clark a Republican

It was slimy, below the belt kind of cheap shot. It was a kind of McCarthyism, really--unsubstantiated, baseless charges lobbed about for political benefit to squash differences and gain power. It was slick, slimy, and below the belt. Dean was a jerk for doing that. He doesn't deserve the nomination.

And the statement he just issued toward us was exactly the kind of desperation that shows just how unpresidential he is. Sorry, no sell. Basic lesson in life for Dean is that if you want friends after the race, don't be an asshole during the race.

Nothing personal, of course. These are entirely professional considerations.

[Bombtrack]

13. bite it Dean, this is the first time he hasn't said Clark was pro-war

Maybe you can try to run a non Lee Atwater-type campaign in 2006 for dogcatcher

[Sean Reynolds]

16. Yeah, he shoulda attacked Clark.

Yeesh, it's fucking politics. But in the end, it's a given that what has gone on is put behind each candidate.

[Maddy McCall]

19. No, he had already done that--I won't forget it.

Won't ever forget that he called Clark a Republican.

[Sean Reynolds]

25. And I'll never forget when Clark basically said Dean was Bush.

Remember the "I won't be someone's Dick Cheney".

[Maddy McCall]

40. You have to work hard to make that association. However, Dean said

Clark is a Republican. I don't have to go into abstractions to know what he meant. Shows yet again his lack of foresight. He didn't even have the strategic foresight to consider that pissing off Clark's supporters would come back to haunt him if he needed to beg for their support.

[Turkw]

92. Why should Wes Clark work for any of the other candidates? If they are so

good, they don't need him. Why should they get the benefit of his experience, leadership, and prestige in the world?

[SW FL Dem]

94. One of my first posts on DU was after Dean called people like me

Republicans. I am a life long liberal Dem and that comment still stings. I have a lot of thinking to do. I am ABB and I don't have to cast my primary vote until March 9. Needless to say, Dean is not at the top of my list.

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[edzontar]

67. I'm glad he is always there with a kind and thoughtful sentiment

nt

[Maddy McCall]

17. Dean, you need to take a cue from Clark. At least CLARK knew when to bow

out.

Dean is truly delusional if he thinks he has ANY chance to become the nominee.

[Sean Reynolds]

23. BS

Dean has more delegates than anyone in the race besides Kerry. He should stay in until the very end.

Just because your candidate dropped out doesn't mean you have to piss on Dean and yell for him to drop out.

[Maddy McCall]

32. I have always been vocal in my opposition to Dean...didn't start today

But let me reiterate that Dean has no chance--he has, what, 400 fewer delegates than Kerry?

At least Clark won a state. Isn't Dean 0 for 14 now?

[Sean Reynolds]

39. I'm not going to attack Clark.

Unlike you I won't sink that low. Fact is, Dean had more delegates and in the end that is all that matters. If you're going to advocate Dean drop out, well so should Kucinich, Sharpton and Edwards - thus giving the nod to Kerry. Even though a majority of America has yet to vote.

[Maddy McCall]

47. I refused Dean and Dean supporters overtures for my support and...

I explained WHY. I don't have to defend Clark in this thread. It isn't about CLARK...IT IS ABOUT DEAN'S BAD TIMING AND WHY I WON'T SUPPORT HIM.

[Sean Reynolds]

56. What BAD timing?

Dean is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Dean releases a statement and you call it bad timing. Dean doesn't release a statement and I bet you'd call him an ass.

[Cheswick2.0]

58. jchild, I know no Dean supporters who made overtures for your support

:shrug:

[Maddy McCall]

59. You weren't here last night, evidently

when several threads were posted beckoning Clark supporters (one of which I am) to join the Dean camp.

[Cheswick2.0]

63. Oh I thought you meant they were asking you personally

I was pretty sure that didn't happen.

[Maddy McCall]

64. How would you know if they did or did not?

I won't divulge what has come in to my PM inbox since yesterday.

Maybe you should discuss this with some of your friends at the DU alternative website, though.

[Cheswick2.0]

74. hi

:hi: Good luck in your future endeavors. I really really mean it! :7

[edzontar]

73. An understatement...you have been among the most prominent

Of all Dean opponents here for months.

I hope he doesn't drop out i\until the convention.

[Cheswick2.0]

24. It seems to me Clark was way behind Dean

in money and in Delegates. The ones who should drop out now are Sharpton, Edwards and DK if we are going strictly on chances of winning. But I think all of those guys will make up their own minds just as Clark did.

[Maddy McCall]

29. Clark actually WON a state...

and Dean will never be able to rival Kerry in pledged delegates. It's over for Dean. His presidency is nothing but a pipedream.

[Padraig18]

33. Won? Barely.

OK was hardly a decisive victory for Gen. Clark.

[Maddy McCall]

36. How many wins does your guy have? Even "barely"???

None? Uh huh.

[Padraig18]

38. None, but he had more delegates than Clark.

Still does, as a matter of FACT, and it's delegates that win the nomination.

[Maddy McCall]

43. He hasn't won a state, he doesn't even have 1/4 the number of delegates

Kerry has, and he will NOT receive the nomination. It's a pipe dream to think otherwise.

So, out of curiosity, when exactly do you think Dean's campaign will pick up momentum? I really look forward to seeing your response, but I bet I can predict what you will say.

I know that Clark has not picked up as many delegates as Kerry, Edwards, and Dean, but I also admire him knowing when it was time to leave. Too bad that Dean hasn't read the writing on the wall yet.

[Padraig18]

48. We'll see.

There's my response.

[Cheswick2.0]

66. you are right, Dean has less delegates than Kerry

and Clark has less than Dean and Edwards. That is how it works. Clark saw the writing on the wall. But with about 75 percent of delegate still unchosen, Dean is in good shape to win some and could still get the nomination.

[Maddy McCall]

72. Yep, I'm right.

And I am right that Dean has not a snowball's chance in hell of receiving the nomination. But you just hold on to that dream.

[Cheswick2.0]

75. I'll try one more time

Dean has a chance. Clark dropped out because he had no chance. That's how it works.

[Maddy McCall]

79. I am not debating why Clark dropped out. That's a done deal...BUT

Dean has no chance.

[liberalnurse]

89. Well, where are your dreams now? Keep your chin up,

don't let this get the wind out of your sails. Starting over is always a challenge. You seem to have commitment characteristics. I feel so bad for your despair. Do you need a hug? :pals:

[Cheswick2.0]

60. we don't count states jchild, we count delegates

and Dean had more than Clark.

[Maddy McCall]

65. That must be depressing for you...only having 1/4 the delegates that Kerry

has. Too bad. :-(

[Cheswick2.0]

68. not nearly as depressing as it is for you to have Clark be forced to drop

out with even less delegates then Dean.

[Maddy McCall]

70. You don't see me in the "I'm crying" threads...I have always said that

I support Clark first, then Kerry or Edwards second. I will easily transition my support to one of the two, but will spend a little time first deciding which candidate best represents issues about which I am concerned. Depression would only come if Dean were the only alternative left. Thank god he's NOT.

[Cheswick2.0]

76. fabulous, I hope you bring as much to their campaigns

as you did to General Clark's. I sincerely mean that. :hi:

[TheDonkey]

26. The scream must of scrabbled Dean's head

Maybe Dean should of just showed up to Clark announcement to have a fundraiser.
:eyes:

[Tom Rinaldo]

27. This so far has failed to be a classy thread

As Clark supporter let me say, Look at how most of you are acting. Jostling for position to get our favor, playing out old divisive battles.

I understand Dean's statement, but it fell short for me also. Two sentences of nice things about the General, and then on to hunting for support. Too late now but Dean should have written a three paragraph letter about the positive things Clark has done for his country and his party, and what he brought to this campaign, and then he should have signed it. The appeal could have come later.

[Maddy McCall]

35. Yes.

100% agree with you.

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[BurtWorm]

37. With all due respect, grovelbot,

wasn't that a non sequitur?

[Mass_Liberal]

81. hahahah

good moment of comic relief

[Cheswick2.0]

69. off topic

:hi: Hi bot man!

[maddezmom]

42. boy, this thread is taking a bad turn n/t

[politick]

44. GOOD GOD PEOPLE!!!

the bickering on here is truly remarkable! Really outrageous! I think the Kerry people know where the Deanies stand, and vice versa.

I enjoy this message board because it's filled wit passionate, smart, engaging and informed patriots, not third-graders. debates are one thing, but all this petty He Said He Said.

I don't want to sound holier than thou, but I DO try to stay out of peeing matches. Before anyone asks, I am a Dean supporter, and I don't think there's anything wrong with his reaching out to Clark supporters. People say things in campaigns that could always be taken and used against them. It's called campaigning.

Man. I know these are important issues, and everyone on here is resolute and heartfelt, but take a step back and look at these posts. They're sometimes trivial and sophomoric. Let's keep the conversations mature.

Please. I HEART DU.

[BurtWorm]

46. grovelbot is the only civil one of the bunch!

;)

[Bucky]

61. No, nothing wrong with him reaching out. Nor nothing wrong w/ me saying

"Take a hike, Doctor. I forgive, but I don't forget until you apologize for calling my guy a Republican." Dean fails the test on two points. He's not winning candidate in either the primary season or the general election. And he's not done anything to earn the respect or support of people who saw true leadershipt in Wes Clark.

Dean soliciting Clarkies to join him smells too much like Bush begging the UN to give the US occupation of Iraq an air of legitimacy after he's had our country crap all over their dignity. It's the crass, bullying behavior of a man with no class.

[Cheswick2.0]

71. and how do you feel about Edwards and Kerry soliciting Clark supporters?

They didn't even wait for him to make his statement before they had statements on their web sites.

BTW, there are worse things than being a republican.

[janx]

78. REMEMBER THIS? It's only four days old.

An Open Letter From Members of the Draft Clark Movement to Supporters of Gov. Howard Dean
By eric
Posted to Official Campaign Blog (Call To Action) on Fri Feb 6th, 2004 at 03:44:03 PM EST
An open letter from members of the Draft Clark movement to supporters of Gov. Howard Dean
Common Cause
Do we have the power to change America? Could we actually elect an American President who represents our interests above all others? Can an outsider actually win the White House and change the way Washington works?

Since last spring, you have said the answer to this is a resounding yes and have been working incredibly hard to make this happen.

Please know you are not alone.

If there is one lesson that emerges from this race it's that "we the people" have incredible power. Our voices do matter. People, once inspired, will rise up and take the first steps into the political process to take their country back.

We are the two campaigns built by the passions of grassroots support, not by Washington politicians. Combined, the campaigns of Wes Clark and Howard Dean have mobilized nearly 1 million active supporters and raised more than $60 million from individual donors.

http://www.forclark.com/story/2004/1/30/145835/661


----------------------------------------------------------------------
BTW, I'm not trying to push the idea of Dean dropping out, but I'm posting this as a message of solidarity between two Grassroots machines.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=289581

[Cheswick2.0]

82. I looked at that and read some of the Clark blog

A few days ago they were all courting Dean supporters weren't they? My how times change.

[janx]

85. Not all of them did so. Also, I remember feeling a bit flattered

at the attempt. I had no problem with it.

But this letter points to the same things Dean does in his statement about Clark.

I can't blame Clark supporters for feeling a bit like a rabbit under the gaze of a few buzzards, so I'm refraining from that kind of behavior--but I felt the need to remind Bucky of this letter.

[andym]

54. As a supporter of Wes Clark, I thank Dr. Dean for his gracious remarks

As a supporter of Wes Clark, I thank Dr. Dean for his gracious remarks.

[Cheswick2.0]

80. thank you

!

[Nashyra]

83. As a firm Clark supporter

I will support Dean because I beleive he was and is grassroots like the Clark campaign. The fact that the media with the blessing of the DNC appointed our candidate disgusts me.

[janx]

86. Thank you! It's so nice that people like you understand this.

I wish more people did.

[Mass_Liberal]

84. thanks

[Mobius]

95. No matter what Dean said, everybody would have called it groveling

And the fact of the matter is that Kerry and Edwards were issuing statements about the end of Clark's campaign BEFORE Clark officially dropped out. Now THAT is tactless.

[BeyondGeography]

87. I found Dean's statement to be in bad taste

I'm way over my rabid anti-Howard phase; I'm glad he's still around. BUT, openly courting Clark supporters in this manner is pushy and presumptuous.

Dean can draw as many distinctions as he wants between other candidates, but consistently calling Clark a Republican went over the line for me. He clearly has no idea what that meant to Clark's base, but self-awareness was never one of Howard's strengths.

Try kissing on the third or fourth date next time, Howard. You've got some warming up to do with this crowd.

[Sushi-Lover]

88. He could have made a much better statement

I would have liked to hear some more about Clark and his accomplishments. Also, I wish Dean would just apologize for the republican remarks and admit to being wrong. I don't think it is the worst thing thats been said in this race about a fellow candidate, but It made me cringe when it came out of his mouth. Just so you know there are a lot of Dean supporters that were really pissed off by those statements regarding Clark. The thing is, I think he has a lot of respect for Wes Clark (based on earlier statements). So why not just continue to say so. I'm going to vote for Dean (if he is still in on super tuesday), but his remarks about Clark being a republican were not his most shining moments.