If Clark was VP - Is that still powerful?

[Jack_Dawson]

Where do VPs fall in the chain of command? Can a VP boss around a SecDef? Can a VP revoke no-bid contracts? Is a VP the "2nd" most powerful man in the world? I guess I'm just wondering if a VP is a token position, or if there is some real substance to it. Cheney pops up on MTP every 6 months and an occasional fundraiswer, but I never see the guy.

[madrchsod]

1. i see clark as some one who

will be able to smooth the feathers of the europeans and others. he does command respect overseas. he`s intelligent and could fit into the vice president or even the state dept. we certainly need him in the next government.

[polpilot]

45. Clark impressed me as to how well he takes orders."in" "out" "endorse"

I think a DLC appointment is in order.

Dean '04...

[jmaier]

2. constitututionally

the office isn't very powerful - presiding over the Senate and casting tie-breaking votes is about the limit of the office.

In practice, it's as influential as the President feels is appropriate. Gore got some latitude and mission in several areas. Cheney has been an obvious (negative) influence on many administration policies.

Usually it entails doing ceremonial duties for the Prez and being on call in case he is killed or disabled.

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. Historically, they attend a lot of state funerals.

Cheney is an anomaly.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

27. Cheney is VP in the same way that Bush Sr. was VP for Reagan

The person with the connections making deals behind an actor.

[hlthe2b]

16. It can pretty much become anything the President wants it to be....

within some constituional limits... Previously a fairly weak postion, Clinton engaged Gore in more influential and active efforts and we all know how much power Cheney know yields within the office....

[MsUnderstood]

3. In Cheney's case . . .

In Cheney's case, it means the VP controls the country while playing the organ for the chimp to dance. Of course you dont see Cheney, he is busy destroying your country. Who is profiting off of the war? Halliburtron...that is Cheney's company, not Bush.

In all seriousness, The VP breaks ties when the senate is voting and I believe has a pretty strong voice with the president.

[DancingBear]

4. Most importantly

The VP is the de facto nominee in 2012.

Get it?? :) :)

Clark for VP!!!

[NV1962]

5. Constitutionally very limited; politically the point man for the Pres

The minimum is unlocking Senatorial ties, and checking in on the President being alive.

VP has a varying job description ranging from not being involved at all, to being the President's public point man.

Dick Cheney is an example towards the latter - aside from that, Cheney has also played a key role putting post-911 foreign and nat'l security policy together.

Bottom line: a Veep is as important or insignificant as the President wishes - serving at his pleasure.

Biased as I am, that's why I'd prefer Clark to lead the State Dept.

[MoonRiver]

6. I doubt Clark will accept the position unless it brings with it some real

clout. I think anymore the VP can assume just about whatever jobs the pres. assigns him. And of course Clark would be in line for 2012.

[Leilani]

7. It's Completely Up to the President

The Veep has as much or as little power as the President wants him to have.

[quinnox]

9. I think that is true

Gore had a lot of power, because Clinton gave him an expanded role.

Other presidents ignore their VP.

[Qutzupalotl]

11. The current VP ignores the president

and goes ahead with his scheming anyway.

[NV1962]

20. That proves rather conclusively how weak the "president" is - n/t

[1971]

10. I wonder, too...

In reality, maybe Sec. of State or Sec. of Defense would get Clark to where he could really do some good -- the U.N., negotiating with foreign governments, overseeing military strategy, etc.

If he could still do that as VP, then maybe VP is ok.

What other SoS's have gone on to be Prez?

But if he's VP in 2004, there's a better chance for him to be Prez in 2012.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. I would like to know

if he could pursue the investigation into the wrongdoings of the current administration? Can he still get the 911 investigation report OPEN? Can he have that OPEN government he wanted as president? Will any of his policies....tax plan, health care, ect.. be implemented?

[Burma Jones]

13. Secretary of State is a better bet

Although.....

If Clark is the Running mate and Kerry is the Nominee, and the Republicans trot out something truly nasty and true, Kerry could quit much like Torricelli did in Jersey, and then Clark would have a go at it.

But I don't think Kerry is stuipid or arrogant enough to have run if he had anything that bad in his closet.

[Bucky]

18. Maybe Kerry is stupid, or we could say Capitol'd, enough to be blind

He wouldn't be the first powerful man to be wilfully ignorant of his own shortcomings. Shakespeare used to write plays about people like that. Clinton knew about his bimbo problems and still ran. Hell, Bush fucking deserted his post in a time of war and he still had an ego big enough to allow him into being flattered into running.

Could Kerry be as self-unknowing as these two? Hell yes; he's human.

[Burma Jones]

24. Point Well Taken

Since Clark pulled out, I am trying to look positively at Kerry, really trying.

[democracy eh]

14. VP can be anything

Kerry has more than enough legislative experience and friends in that field. He doesn't need a legislator as VP.

If Clark is VP it will be special foreign policy projects above and beyond Sec of State stuff such Europe and Iraq.

I was never big on Clark as VP. But watching them on stage today. there was a certain chemistry. if the issue in November is AWOL or Nat Security you can bet your grannie's panties that Clark will be on the ticket.

[KC21304]

17. I just got back from Madison. Were you there ?

It was magic. I was in the front row and got a hug and kiss from Kerry and shook Clark's hand twice. The second time I said, " now you better go ahead and accept the VP spot". He said, we have to concentrate on getting the message out, beat Bush etc, and then at the end he said it is entirely up to Kerry who he wants. I know he would take it in a minute. It really was magic today in Madison. I haven't come down yet. My daughter will be over with the pictures soon.

The reason I got the hug and kiss from Kerry was my daughter explained that I had been a supporter since 2002 and never gave up.

She was a Clark supporter and he saw her founder's pin from the stage and gave her a special look.

They both are tremendous. Ok, I'm done.

[Adelante]

23. Wow

It was magic even on TV. It really set my heart to rest seeing them together today. I don't know which looked happier! Do you?

[MoonRiver]

28. What a moment that must have been!

I'm sorta psychic about some things. It's really just amounts to being very sensitive to energies people put out, and having an ability to notice and assimilate different messages, both direct and subliminal, verbal and nonverbal. Everything I 'sense' and observe points to a Kerry/Clark ticket. I just KNOW this is going to happen.

[democracy eh]

32. no, but wish I was

cuz I love Wisconsin.

Just saw it on the TV. But I try to make 51% of my decisions on my gut and vibe. I just saw f***ing synergy. I saw Kerry (who I was never enamored with) a hell of a lot more confident (not bravado) like he had had a huge shot in the arm. and Clark who looked like a HUGE weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked like a man who is free to kick ass. It looked like a match and not just because they are veterans and heroes.

They have each other's backs

[Leilani]

15. The best thing about a Kerry/Clark ticket

is a Wes Clark/Dick Cheney Debate!!!

Clark: 34 yrs Army Officer
vs
Cheney: 3 deferments; "I had other priorities"

Clark knows where the Pentagon skeletons are buried.

[Jack_Dawson]

22. Excellent Point

What do you mean "3 deferrments"?

[Leilani]

29. Back during the draft period

they gave deferments for all sorts of reasons.

First they started out with married men, then it was married men with children, if you were in grad school, if you were sole support of your family, if you already had a sibling derving there.

These deferments changed throughout the war, so people had to be re-
classified. I believe Cheney's deferments were for school, & marriage or family.

Many of the Chickenhawk Republicans got graduate school deferments.
I believe that was the case with Ashcroft.

[Jack_Dawson]

30. So the only people drafted were single?

That sucks. Single people get screwed all the time!

[Leilani]

33. At first it was only singles

Later, they drafted you even if you were married.

As they needed more bodies, things kept changing.

But if you had connections, went into the Guard, went to grad school,
they even deferred people if they were working in a field the gov't considered crucial.

There were all sorts of ways to get out of service, or put it off for a time. The unfairness of the situation was 1 of the reasons people were so angry. It also was the big reason for going to an all volunteer military.

[NNN0LHI]

40. "There were all sorts of ways to get out of service..."

You ain't lying. I have an older brother who I think used every one there was. He was all for invading Iraq too, so I remind him of his draft dodging days every chance I get.

Don

[Auntie Bush]

34. "Single people get screwed all the time!"

That's because married folk get sick of it!

[BootinUp]

38. lol

[celticartemis]

41. "Single people get screwed all the time!"

Only if they're lucky!
;-)

[newyawker99]

43. Hi celticartemis!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[DakotaDemocrat]

19. VP?

Clark needs to have some pretty solid responsibilities to be VP. I would much rather have him be Sec of State.

As VP, he could...
1) Lead the charge to get bin Laden (no October surprise...)
2) Reform the tax system
3) Push for fuel cells
4) Start a real investigation behind 9/11 and intellegence behind Iraq

which would ultimately lead to his greatest work: Indicting the current president!

[Nashyra]

21. Clark as VP would be awesome

It would give the Dem party and ticket the gravitas that the Dems need on National Security and Foreign policy there is no way that the Repukes could attack the ticket effectively. They could attack but to no avail.

[MoonRiver]

25. This is the ticket that Pukes absolutely DO NOT want.

I think both Kerry and Clark recognize what's going on. Clark is going to be Kerry's VP.

[BootinUp]

26. Hope your right!

It would be a :party: time fer sure!

:beer:

[Auntie Bush]

39. That's an understatement!

They're scared shitless!
Kerry/Clark will beat the shit out of them.
and when all that shit hits the fan...Impeachment!
Question...Can a president be impeached after he is out of office?
Like, just for the record or satisfaction.

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[arewethereyet]

35. not the number 2 person

they attend to chores the prez is too busy for, a kind of special projects guy and sometimes advisor. In reality the NSA is #2 in terms of real power. VP can only boss around his own staff.

Thats why most motivated people are not interested.

[jumptheshadow]

36. Clark as VP

If Kerry is amenable, Clark could play a significant role in the post-9/11 era.

For example, he could travel to Iraq and Afghanistan and hold substantive meetings there, representing the President.

He could travel to other troubled spots and meet with NATO allies frequently in their own territories.

As a courageous man who also has a good grasp on how to coordinate security, and as a diplomatic who knows many key international leaders, he could make tremendous strides in restoring alliances damaged during the Bush era. I would also feel tremendously confident with his perspectives on coordinating the worldwide effort against terrorism.

[mot78]

37. Hard to tell

Clinton and * were both relatively inexperienced Governors, so they relied on strong Veeps to help them. If Kerry is elected on a Kerry-Clark ticket, Clark wouldn't be as powerful because of Kerry's experiance. Except for being the nominee in 2012, Clark would be better suited as Secretary of State.

[Dying Eagle]

42. Clark for SOS

Clark would be a great Sec of State. He is a great diplomat and already knows most of the worlds leaders on a first name basis

[newyawker99]

44. Hi WI for Kerry!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: