Welcome To All Clark Supporters. You Answered that Call, Let's Now Unite

[WiseMen]

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to all Clark supporters.

Wesley Clark’s will remain in the mind of all Democrats as the brilliant and articulate general who answered the call for rescue from the core of the Party that stood in absolute dread that Howard Dean would win the nomination and take the party off an electoral cliff in 2004.

It has always been the view of Wes Clark and his backers that Governor Howard Dean, as talented a politician though he is, failed the mandatory test of Credibility as Commander-In-Chief in this post 9/11 environment, and could not win against G.W. Bush. John Edwards and the rest of the pack are in the same boat.

There were really only 2 candidates who clearly passed that TEST: Senator John Kerry and General Wesley Clark. These are the only candidates that the primary debate should have been about.

Of course that has not been the focus here at DU. But, don’t blame Clark for a view that has held from the beginning. Clark was backed as the alternative to Dean after Dean had savaged Kerry and few believed he could recover.

Most of the senior policy staff, such as Jaime Rubin, in Clark’s camp wanted to merge with the Kerry camp as soon as possible, and Clark has agreed. This strong endorsement of unity is our best hope going forward. We hope most at the grass roots level do too. We need to unite in the fight to take back our country.

[Justice]

1. Agree

[Adelante]

2. Here!

[MrSlayer]

3. I'm on board. Time to take the trash out.

[glarius]

4. My impression is that Clark is an untypically UNSELFISH, UNEGOTISTICAL

patriot...He is willing to sqelch his own pursuit of the presidency in order to unite behind someone he thinks will beat Bush....It's a shame, America, but I think you are losing a great one in Clark...:)

[PDittie]

5. I believe this sets the stage for Clark to be named

eventually, to the ticket.

I've read that Kerry doesn't like Edwards all that much. That comment about "he can't even win in his own state" (a reference to the fact he's not running for re-election to the Senate).

It also answers many of the questions moderates and independents have about Kerry being 'soft' on defense.

Kerry-Clark 2004 sounds awfully good to me.

[mikehiggins]

12. Wrong, wrong, wrong

There is a whole list of DLC/DNC people that Kerry has to work through before he even gets close to Clark, if he ever does.

Once the endorsement ritual is complete, Clark is done and gone.

The only thing that can keep him a significant factor is the same grassroots movement that the "pros" dismiss out of hand. Without it he is just another failed candidate who'll find himself carrying Kerry's water like McCain does with Bush.

Every Clark supporter who signs on with Kerry or Dean or Edwards will only speed up the process.

Not me, pal.

[WiseMen]

20. Not True. Clark was on Pos. V.P. List BEFORE he decide to run

[redqueen]

29. What's "Pos. V.P. List" and where can we check it out? n/t

[mikehiggins]

37. oh, come on

Is that like Dean's offer of the VP's spot?

Trust me on this, Wise. A politicians promise is worth the air its written on.

I can't believe you even posted that.

[Lefta Dissenter]

6. How do you know this

about the senior policy staff, including Jamie Rubin?

[janx]

28. That's a very good question. I wondered about that as well. n/t

[smiley_glad_hands]

7. In like Flyn n/t

[redqueen]

8. Cool

Democratic war without end

Just what I wanted

[mikehiggins]

9. Well, now that you mention it. No.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, the only chance Clark has of avoiding disappearing into the limbo of Jomentum Lieberman, et al, is by holding on to his constituency, the grassroots supporters who formed the Draft Clark movement and who donated all those millions of dollars and millions of man(and woman)hours of work to get him to this point.

So, me, I ain't joining the parade.

The Senior Staff, unfortunately, now seem interested in working for Kerry. Do you suppose they will be "Clark people" working for Kerry or will they be "Kerry people" working for Kerry?

Clark is on his own. Except for the thousands and thousands of people who bought into his story.

Most are still out there. If they bought into Kerry at all, they never would have been working for Clark in the first place. I know I wouldn't have. What has changed?

I'm actually sorry that Clark is reportedly endorsing Kerry. I would have preferred he hold off. I guess he was listening to his Senior Staff, those folks who had done so well by him over the months.

Did Bennett really call him an "empty vessel" in the NYT?

Is that the Senior Staff guy you're referring to?

Hey, Wise? You're welcome to him. May he do as much for Kerry as he did for Clark.

[jmaier]

14. Actually, Mike

I believe that Wes made the move to retain a platform and relevance for us to carry the fight against Bush. If he went to the sidelines now then his voice would surely fade in this media-driven world. By making this move, he keeps in the news and his voice and the energy of his supporters retain some national prominence.

Though I'm not wild about John Kerry -- that doesn't really matter at this point if you are ABB and clearly, Wes Clark is ABB in spades! I want Wes Clark out attacking Bush. I've figured for some time that his chances to win the nomination were slim but continued to send $$$ and strongly support him because he is an incredibly effective ANTI-BUSH WEAPON. I don't want that weapon silenced.

If he would end up on the Kerry ticket or should Bush be defeated in Nov in the next administration, well, that would be an added bonus.

[mikehiggins]

33. Actually, J, that is not the case

Politically speaking, the longer Clark held out with his endorsement the more influential he would be. Giving it to Kerry while the ink was still wet on his withdrawal speech eliminates him as a viable player in this election.

Do you remember Ross Perot? When Clinton and the others were concerned about what he would do they came on pilgrimages to his front door, enduring incredible humiliations if only he would lead what they thought an important faction into their camp.

Once again "Senior Staff" appear to have convinced him this is the way to go. So what happens now? He gets another few minutes on a stage and then he goes into the corner and stands with Gephardt and Jomentum and the others in Kerry's trophy case.

Vice President? Secretary of State? Doesn't anyone around here KNOW how this game is played? Is that why the GOP beats us? Without his supporters, without the grass roots folks that encouraged his race in the first place, Clark is of ZERO value to the Kerry campaign. Once those people are absorbed (resistance is futile) so is any worth General Wesley Clark might have in the eyes of the pros.

The Senior Staff were anxious to merge with the Kerry camp because that is what they do. That is what their careers revolve around and depend upon. They have to be with the winner, or they are nowhere.

How hard is that to understand? These are professional political operatives, the same as Carl Rove and any of the others we love to bash on DU. They are loyal to winning. Nothing else.

Bye bye, Wes Clark. Was a pleasure to know you.

[janx]

41. Mike, would "senior staff" essentially be Lehane?

Because I'm still trying to figure this stuff out. Clark was my #2 choice, and I really respected him. Now I don't know if I can. I thought that his was really a grassroots movement--or at least started out that way--and that he really was a non-D.C. beltway politician.

But now it looks as if he's just doing the DLC's bidding.

Can you enlighten me?

[MidwestMomma]

62. Exactly right about the Senior staff

They have to be with a winner. That is why when the decision was being made on whether Clark should drop out or not, the family and Clark wanted to stay in but the staff wanted him to drop out. There was even the rumour that senior staff leaked Clark was dropping out to force his decision.

Begala and Carville were nobodies before Clinton. Now look where they are. That's what motivates a lot of campaign professionals.

I'm very confused by events of the last few days. But this part I do understand.

[MidwestMomma]

63. Self delete duplicate

Something crazy with this post. Wouldn't update then did???

[Adelante]

21. Wes Clark is not giving up his constituency

He is endorsing a candidate. We are Wes Clark Democrats, still.

[WiseMen]

54. Clark and Kerry have had a good relationship in the past. Kerry

sided with Clark in his Balkan disputes with the Pentagon.

[janx]

10. So this is why Clark dropped out?

?

[goobergunch]

11. Yeah

The militarization of the Democratic Party.

[candy331]

15. All in the name of the game of

politics. Clark learned to play the game fast. I have to say I still don't understand why he would endorse Kerry, vote and support but endorse, no. Oh well I guess I have the answer, do whatever it takes to get what you want I suppose. Sometimes good though and sometimes bad.

[WiseMen]

18. I am referring to attitudes AFTER decision was made to Drop out

[democratreformed]

26. I'm not so sure those attitudes from some of his staffers were AFTER

That was a big problem with the campaign. As someone said, some of them just weren't in it for Wes Clark.

[janx]

48. Then whom were they in it for, and who are they?

Can you elaborate?

[janx]

27. But some have said that it wasn't even Clark's decision and

that it came because of a leak on the part of someone on his staff.

[janx]

68. Well I must say--those attitudes must have changed very fast! n/t

[graelent]

13. Yes, let's please elect an ineffectual politician

That is a great idea. The country really doesn't need a health care or a sane tax policy or social security reform or a Commander in Chief that can tell if a country is an imminent danger to the US or not.

What this country needs is someone who will kowtow to the Republican Congress because he really wants to get elected again in eight years...

[WiseMen]

59. Who would you support?

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. Forget it.

I am PISSED as HELL that Clark is endorsing Kerry. He will not get my vote. Period.

[surfermaw]

64. You aren't the only Clark supporter who is disappointed

On another political board,many Clark supporters are wondering why he bashed Kerry and then joined the club, and from their comments they aren't going to follow the leader and back Kerry.

[dave29]

17. So very sad

grassroots folks were ignored, now they are being told to fall in line.

Or, according to Kos, help pay off some campaign debt:

With a contribution of $100 today, we will add your name to a special plaque to be presented to General Clark, commemorating the American patriots like you who have fueled his campaign and will stand with him in the months and years ahead. Your name will appear alongside hundreds of others who have been integral to the success of our effort and pledge their ongoing support to Wes Clark.

from www.dailykos.com

[celticartemis]

38. I couldn't believe it, dave29

when I got that email. As if we, who had given our hearts out in time and effort, if not money, would be able to donate $100 more to a dead candidacy! What were they thinking?!

[newyawker99]

73. Hi celticartemis!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[janx]

46. Oh man. That's unbelievable. n/t

[krkaufman]

50. Chuckle! I'd gladly donate more to eliminate Clark's debt

If I could, I'd definitely donate more to eliminate any campaign debt that Clark might have accrued. Why should he be stuck with massive debt, just for fighting for us?

And I appreciate Clark's honest approach to the campaign, in that he ended his candidacy once he felt that he didn't stand a chance of winning the nomination -- rather than misleading his supporters into donating more money by stretching out an effort he viewed unviable.

[Padraig18]

19. If I were a Clark supporter, I'd be insulted by this thread.

Presumptuous would be an accurate description of it, to assume that you would all jump sheep-like on the Kerry band wagon.

[redqueen]

22. But would it be? Really?

Honestly. Look at the primaries so far.

[DakotaDemocrat]

23. Kinda typical...

...Each candidate's supporters smash their opponent, then congratulate the supporters after their bid fails, and asks to join their campaign. ITs like!

1) You suck, then
2) there, there...then
3) Wanna cookie and join me...

I'm voting Clark in the primary and will support the nominee when elected.

[WiseMen]

30. I believe I am a notorious supporter of General Clark on this board

Do a DU search and you will find no anti-clark threads from me.

[DakotaDemocrat]

44. WiseMen

I'm sure you are a strong supporter of Clark and your support of another candidate is just fine.

My post was more of a general one, noting that Edwards supporters were bashing the General about not getting out of the race so he and Kerry can battle, now saying that he liked Clark all along and that we should go to the Edwards camp.

Sorry about the confusion.

[Adelante]

24. This is what I'm insulted by

"you would all jump sheep-like on the Kerry band wagon"

Clark supporters have minds of their own and not all will want Kerry. Whether they do or not is none of your business, of course.

[WiseMen]

25. I presumes the opposite. But all are welcome to the fight, including Dr.

Dean and all his gallant supporters.

[Leilani]

32. I disagree with your statement

that Clark answeres the call of the core of the Dem party.

Clark answered the call of grassroots people, who were not happy with the field of candidates, & felt Gen Clark had something very special to offer the country & the Dem Party.

That's why I supported him, & why I still support him.

[WiseMen]

36. I View the grassroots as the core. Don't you?

[krkaufman]

51. I *am* a Clark supporter, and I'm NOT insulted

I support everyone's right to try bringing others inline with their preferred candidate. The thread's original post is certainly no more insulting than a post telling me that I should be insulted. What's the difference between them? Both posts are suggesting how I should feel/think.

Ah, I see the difference. Each post supports a different candidate. Hmmm...

[West Coast Democrat]

60. Aw shucks!!!

And after such a lovely Drudge rumor poll post tried to win us over!

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Donkey007]

34. He made the speech

Whether he addressed the issue first hand or it was handed to him, we all must face the fact that he did drop out. He made the speech and said goodbye. Now we need to support him in any way that we can.

[mikehiggins]

35. Actually until he files the forms with the FEC he's still in the running

and I don't think he can do that until the matching funds come through.

Still got bills to pay, and millions on the way. Drop out and I think there may be a problem getting the money.

Quitting as a candidate before you get the money is sort of like why bankruptcy lawyers insist on getting paid in cash up front. Once you're bankrupt they're screwed if you still owe them money.

From what I'm seeing and hearing though, I suspect the "Senior Staff" were probably standing outside the FEC door first thing Wednesday morning. What a truly GREAT job they did for ( or is that "on") Clark.

[democratreformed]

47. I honestly think it was "ON" n/t

[krkaufman]

53. None too happy, here

Yeah, I'm none too happy with what I saw from the campaign "professionals."

For one, they tried changing Clark and molding him to how traditional candidates run a race, rather than figuring out how he best comes across and customizing the process to his strengths.

[nancyharris]

39. Interesting scenario

1. Dean leads in all of the polls, Kerry a distant second or third.
2. Clark (an outsider with a populist message like Dean) joins the race
3. Clark builds a small but enthusiastic grass roots support in opposition to Dean
4. Kerry surges ahead by winning a string of primaries – Dean’s numbers decrease in proportion to Clark’s modest rise
5. With Kerry virtually assured the nomination, Clark pulls out of the race.
6. Clark endorses Kerry.

Divide and conquer – very military - Very “convenient” for the DLC and Senator Kerry. Perhaps this scenario was known prior to Clark’s “decision” to enter the race.

[Lefta Dissenter]

43. the flaw in your scenerio

is that you don't account for the fact that Dean's demise was of his own (and the press') doing, NOT because of Clark's entry into the race.

[krkaufman]

55. Yeah, Dean/media/Gephardt were cause of Dean drop

I don't view Clark's rise as being at the expense of Dean, especially since Clark didn't run in Iowa, where Kerry kicked Dean's ass. Clark's not running in Iowa, in retrospect, was another of his campaign "professionals'" mistakes.

If anything, I view Kerry's ascendency to be the fault of Dean, who oversaturated Iowa with advertising, transformed himself into the insider/favorite, and participated in the murder/suicide pact with Gephardt. Of course, the media's turning on Dean during the run-up to Iowa played a huge -- possibly decisive -- role, as well.

[politick]

45. Interesting

And Clark being DLClinton's bestest buddy doesn't hurth that theory. I'm sure there will b a place for the General in a Kerry White House, too...

[WiseMen]

40. MEETUP THURSDAY 26TH. Will Be A Party!

[bicentennial_baby]

42. I'm set, thanks

[Adelante]

67. BB, I've been looking for that quote

I had it and lost it. Thanks. :)

[WiseMen]

49. Clark has some top people in his team and great folk at the grassroots

It will be great all of us working together.

[Exgeneral]

52. I don't know

But this strikes me as blatant smarmy unctious and downright pathetic.

I have no idea what I'm going to be doing , I still have to get used to the idea we tanked hard in WA after all our hard work.

[krkaufman]

56. Too hard to fight the media juggernaut

No one should get down on Clark's results, or their own efforts. That Clark did as well as he did in the face of the media bias is very surprising, to me.

[Nashyra]

57. I was not insulted by the request for $100.00

Who ever asked why should he pay the debt for trying to stand up for us? I agree. I donated to the draft movement and wrote many letters and he answered our call, I'm happy to help pay the debt.

[Lefta Dissenter]

61. That's one reason I want to host one more house party

to collect a few bucks to help with the debt.

[absyntheNsugar]

58. Um...please define " the mandatory test of Credibility"

I have no idea what you're talking about

[WiseMen]

65. Does X have the power to elicit belief in himself in the role of Commander

In Chief of all U.S. Armed forces at a time of hot war.

[janx]

70. Dear God you have to be kidding?!

I am laughing so hard I am CRYING!

This is the same kind of manipulation we've been force fed by the media for YEARS now!

[Cheswick2.0]

66. It's whether you are down with the PPI and Will Smith

head of the Progressive Policy Institute (DLC PNAC-lite think tank) and John Kerry adviser on foreign policy.

You should go to their web site and read their bullshit. PPI's statement about military defense spending is particularly sickening. Check them out.

[stickdog]

69. Yes, you answered the DLC's call. Now kindly clean out the DLC's stall.

[BurtWorm]

71. So you're saying there was some kind of conspiracy

between Clark and Kerry camps to derail Dean? That's why Clark came in? To get Kerry back on the proper footing and claim his due?

Interesting.

[Auntie Bush]

72. That's ridiculous

[BurtWorm]

75. That's what WiseMen seems to be suggesting, that Clark was in it

merely to stop Dean and give Kerry his rightful shot at the top. Furthermore, he--or they?--is suggesting that this strategy worked!

PS: I don't buy that that's why Clark ran. I think he ran because thousands of Democrats were begging him to.

[LuLu550]

74. I'm voting for Wes in the primary

but will whole heartedly support the Dem nominee after the convention. That's the best I can do.

[democratreformed]

76. Thanks for the welcome

It took a few days but I am here.

[Donkey007]

77. So full of heart.

[WiseMen]

78. The most sincere endorsement yet. I felt and I am sure others will too.