Now that Clark is gone

[JohnnyFianna1]

Has anyone noticed how skeptical we were of Clark when he first entered the race, how everyone used to say: "Why the heck should I vote for a pawn of the military-industrial complex?" "Why should I vote for someone who once campaigned for Bush?" "Isn't replacing Bush with a smart Neo-con like Clark dangerous?" "Clark voted for Nixon and Raygun" "Clark supported the Iraq war." "Clark's nothing more than a puppet for the Klintons (k added to show you the party alignment of the people who made these comments)"

Most of us who liked Dean's grass root money making abilities (, but wanted a candidate who wasn't as volatile swarmed to Clark. Then Clark actually began campaigning. He received an early burst due to his General status, but this quickly petered out. After receiving the endorsement of Michael Moore we began to realize what a true progressive he was. He unveiled a tax plan that would reward those on the bottom and only Kerry and Edwards beat his poll numbers when versing Bush. Every day he seemed more like the progressive we wanted him to be. He slammed Bush on his AWOL status (actually he said he would investigate it once he was in the White House) and did something no other candidate had the guts to do at the time. He took Oklahoma by a hair and had raised a whopping 13 million (as opposed to Joe Lieberman's pathetic $68,000). He never stooped low and came to represent the honorable wing of the Democratic Party. I wonder, have we lost our John Glenn or Gary Hart in 84', Al Gore or Jesse Jackson in 88'? I can only pray that Kerry will make Clark will make Clark his VP or at least Secretary of D. You were too good for politics Clark. Good Job Clark. At least one person here at DU will miss you.

[AngryYoungMan]

1. Well said

I never supported him as a candidate, but I respect him and I agree with your points about him.

[Bread and Circus]

2. Thanks, your post means a lot.

To come to see Clark for the good guy he is...
that's the only thing I ever really wanted.

I always knew he was a long shot but he definitely has
some of the greenest grass roots that go mighty deep.

[xultar]

3. Agreed!!!! n/t

[DancingBear]

4. Thank you very much for the kindness

but you got one thing wrong - many people here on DU will miss him.

Thanks again - and welcome to DU! :hi:

[West Coast Democrat]

5. I'm so glad most DUers realized that Clark is a progressive

....up until the very end, there were the ocassional annoying posts from those calling him the "military industrial pawn." But don't think one could continue to believe such nonsense once they've heard Clark speak on the campaign trail.

[girl gone mad]

6. There were still one or two..

near the end.

I never understood how the people who were convinced he was a GOP plant for speaking to Republicans and praising Bush could remain convinced of that after hearing him stump. It was a double standard.