Clark Dropping Out has Set Me Free

[Jack_Dawson]

Don't get me wrong...I wish The General was still in. But since he's the only guy running who I really believed in, after my week-long depression came a nice surprise: I don't care anymore.

Oh of course I still want chimpy out of office, but I don't care about watching Matthews and his panel of hacks every night. I don't concern myself with who is on MTP. I no longer TiVO Inside Politics or Crossfire in order to work myself into a lather at how blatantly biased Woodruff is or ask myself why Novak isn't in prison. I couldn't care less what Wolf has to say, or how he's spinning it. I no longer monitor hate radio to see what evil lurks from day-to-day. I'm not getting drunk every Tuesday doing arithmetic in my head to see if my guy will edge out Edwards by a couple hundred votes.

In short, I'm getting more work done. It's kind of nice. Of course I hope one day someone like General Clark comes along again...someone who ran because we asked him to - not because it was his life's dream.

I miss the camaraderie of the Clark supporters, and am glad to see many have kept their avatars.

This was the first time I've ever really been "into" a candidate, and I think Democratic Underground is an incredible place for the like-minded to vent and realize they are not alone. I'll still be checking in - I just won't be checking in every five minutes. :-)

Peace.

JD

[Adelante]

1. This one's for you, Jack_Dawson

:loveya:

[madmax]

2. Thanks Jack

You expressed my thoughts, exactly. :hi:

[Donna Zen]

3. The only problem

Wes Clark was a once in a life time candidate. In fact we've been waiting longer than that for one so good.

Also, the whole experience exposed the underbelly of the corrupted right and left in America. The just "make shit up" crowd who grab the headlines and poison the soul control the country now.

That said, I do appreciate your sense of relief. I'm an observer now, although I am up to a few "little" projects. :-)

And when Wes calls for troops, I'll be suited up in grassroots-cam and breakin' out the cheetos.

Bush has to go...has to. And the Shelton cabal needs to be stopped before they dig us into Iraq forever. 911=Saddam my ass!

[For PaisAn]

6. Yes

Wes was a once in a lifetime candidate. He truly was a gift and America blew, big-time.

[HuskerDem]

34. mmmmmmmmmm cheeetos

Think I'll grab a bag in Wes's honor tonight and then hit the Y for a swim tomorrow.

[For PaisAn]

4. Hi Jack

I feel exactly the same way. It's kind of an empty feeling for me though.

[Leilani]

5. Congrats on your Freedom

Since I'm a political junkie, I still follow all the shows, news,
etc., but it's all process now. My brain is working on it, but my heart went out of it.

I also miss the Clark camaraderie; it was really fun, & oh so hopeful.

Now, my only hope is that Bush gets beaten.

[Leilani]

7. Of course

if the nominee puts Clark on the ticket as Veep, I could get
enthusiastic pretty quickly.

[Crunchy Frog]

8. Hey Jack,

It's nice to see you again. We've still got lots of cameraderie around here. Alot of us were really transformed by this campaign and will never be the same again. That's why we wear our Wes Clark Democrat avatars.

I know what you mean about the stress levels and the getting drunk every Tuesday/chewing your nails down to the knuckles, feeling. It's been really liberating to me to no longer feel like I have a dog in this fight.

I've never believed in anyone the way I did with Wes Clark, but I'm not counting him out of politics, and I still have hopes that we will someday have him as our president. This just wasn't his year.

Anyway, I'm glad you're feeling better, and look foreward to seeing you around more.:hi:

[Donna Zen]

11. new avatar

I've tried to wear my new avatar, but so far no luck. Anyone want to pm me?

[Crunchy Frog]

19. PM Incapsulated. n/t

[incapsulated]

20. Try uploading this one

It's smaller and the size could be the problem.

[Donna Zen]

26. Got it!

Thanks.

[incapsulated]

27. Welcome!

:hi:

[AntiCoup2K4]

9. I think we're on the same page, Jack.

I've pretty much felt that way since Wednesday. I haven't paid attention to the news, and will probably sleep in tomorrow morning, if I can get away with it. I certainly won't put myself through the horror of a "debate" of Kerry & Edwards which is guaranteed to make the Uncle Dick vs Holy Joe contest of 2000 seem like a Deathmatch by comparison.

You guys got shafted by the DLC and the media whores just like we did. Either way this turns out in November, the next 4 years are gonna suck about as bad as the last 3 have :(

[Eloriel]

22. Yep, me too

I don't have to pay any attention 'Cause who the hell cares? Choice between tweedledee and tweedledum, either one will do, the DNC/DLC will either pick their candidate or themselves don't care because they've already gotten what they wanted.

And they want us to tune out, so I will -- and turn my attention to Continuing the Movement. They'll be very sorry someday.

[RandomUser]

28. We're on the same page

I still remember our discussions from your Clark bashing days. It's ironic that it took both our respective candidates, Clark and Dean, to drop out before the two of us finally find common ground. :)

Here's a toast to you, Elly. :toast:

[Nay]

37. Aaaaaaamen. My couple of guys are out (Clark & Kucinich) so

I also have stopped giving a damn. I will vote ABB, of course, but no need to follow the whole mess to its end. I hope at least that a Dem in office will keep a draft from happening. That's about all I dare hope for right now. The BFEE has messed things up so bad I don't expect miracles, esp from a "centrist" Dem who's a suckup to the corporations.

[BradCKY]

10. I loved Clark.

I just hated the whole right wing press trying to spin quotes he said ages ago. That said I am now an Edwards supporter I guess I still believe in the southern strategy even if Edwards isn't military.

[Donna Zen]

15. Except that a vote for Edwards means Shelton

and that means none of Clark's ideas about foreign policy will enter the picture.

[Ilsa]

12. I have a really different life from you,

but I understand what you are saying, because I am behaving the same way. I've lost interest in the specifics of the primary now, but i'm still very much gung ho on getting the Fraud out of office.

Take care, Jack Dawson!

[incapsulated]

13. Yep, you've pretty much summed up how I feel, too

But it's also sad when I think about it. I miss the Clark cause and the dreams of the Presidency. I miss election nights. I miss Clark the candidate. I may be working on other Clark things, but it's not the same.

*sigh*

[TacticalPeek]

14. The bosses made their bed.

Like you, I've lost interest in watching what they do in it, since I've seen it before in '84 and '88.

I now monitor the news mainly for bushco scandal and crime, keeping in mind that this was insufficient in '72.

But in my sunny moments, I realize it ain't over until the balloons fall :).

[madmax]

16. I haven't given up hope that Clark will be

either VP or have some place in the new Democratic administration. I'll keep the faith until the bitter end.

[cprise]

17. If its not your job to watch these shows

... then I suggest you don't do it. They're a credibility-building excercise for evil.

And especially don't watch them with a TiVO, which reports what you're watching and boosts the ad revenue of the shows in question.

[DancingBear]

18. Well said, Jack

I know this feeling - well. For the first time in a long while, the insanity that passes for logical discourse on this board means little if anything to me. No longer do I see the inconsequential as deadly serious, nor do I care (at least for now) who spins what to make who sound like they said what where and about who.

I will vote for the nominee, and if Clark is on as VP I'll make yet another foray into the morass. Otherwise, I'm content to sit for now and watch the loony parade pass by. My life is my own again, my time does not revolve around Capital Gang and Crossfire, and I'm able to smile when yet another poster accuses "x' pundit of selling "y' candidate short at the expense of "z" story.

Like you, I worked so hard because I believed - now, I just hope. Hope that Bush is defeated, hope that Kerry can show some spark, and hope that the General is involved. We need him now more than ever, and if and when that day when we can work for him once again I'll come running.

Until then, I'll be around as well (on the other DU boards for a change!), and I'll spend my time working /talking with other Clark folks who need to keep alive what we all started. I'll get some work done, spend time with friends, and get ready for spring.

Thanks for being part of something so very special - and keep your schedule open for 2012. We may get a chance to do it again. :)

[Jack_Dawson]

47. 2012? I have to wait that long?

:cry:

[krkaufman]

21. Right there with ya.

Agreed. I'm in much less danger of a heart attack now that I don't have a frog in the race.

[Eurobabe]

23. it's become awfully quiet

I agree.

My support for Clark bordered on obsession at times, I really do miss those days when everyone was jockeying for the inside rail. Pre-Iowa and NH. It was a time of hope, and even as we all sparred, it was damn exciting. Now it is just ho-hum.

I haven't taken down any of my Clark signage in the house, nor cleaned my bulletin board of the photos I took of Wes, Gert, etc. I won't do that until July. Until I find out where he is going...

I miss the blog, the "family," and my Clark friends checking in every nite by email.

[DancingBear]

30. Hey, I'll see you in March!

You do have it bad - I kept a lot of campaign memorabilia (stickers, buttons, etc.) and several yard signs, but I put them away in the closet. :)

Let's hope I get to use them again...

[BootinUp]

24. Glad you stopped in JD

Good for you, I'm not watching the mediawhores either.

:hi:

[KittyWampus]

25. Love On Ya! I Stopped Being Plugged In After The Debate

where they assasinated Clark.

I hope he has a great vacation and finds a way to particpate in this election season SOMEHOW.

Kerry would be a dolt not to have Clark stumping for him.

[in_cog_ni_to]

29. There you are!

I was wondering what happened to my Tuesday night drinking buddy!
:toast::beer:

I could not have said it better myself. Nothing is the same for me. I couldn't give a shit less about this election now. I, of course, want a Democrat elected, but who wins...really doesn't matter now. They're the same. Wes was different and THAT is what made him so special. I have no interest in the debates. I no longer schedule everything around seeing them or the returns. I have no interest whatsoever in what Kerry or Edwards has to say. NONE. They both bore the hell out of me.

For the first time in what? a year and a half, I have actually thought about projects I've been wanting to do around the house. I think it's time to do that. The work will take my mind off of Wes and off of our corrupt government. I can't change it, you can't change it and they made DAMN sure Wes Clark didn't change it. I'm sick of it. I want Bush out, will vote for whoever the nominee is, but that's it. No more passion from this Clarkie....unless Wes is VP, then watch out! I'm still holding out hope for that. It's all I have left for this election season... a little bit of hope that John Kerry has the brains to make Wes his VP....but I'm not counting on it.


I have to admit that I am addicted to DU and having Bush appointed by the SCOTUS is what drove me here. I LOVE DU. It's a great place to vent. It felt SOOOO good to come here and find 1000's of other people who hated Bush as much as I did. I live in a republican community and finding a Dem around here is like looking for a needle in a haystack. :( DU gave me that outlet and I NEEDED it! I will never leave DU as long as it's here. I may start visiting some other forums I've never been to because after Kerry wins the nomination, I don't think it will be much fun in here...UNLESS WES IS HIS VP! :loveya: Let's keep our fingers crossed! and our toes. ;)

ANYWY, it's great to see you again and be sure to stop by for a drink or 2 on occasion! :beer:

Here's to the Clarkies and the man who brought us together because of our love, respect, and passion for HIM! :toast:

[Jack_Dawson]

46. Great to see you, In-Cog

What can I say? Great minds...

I'll have a beer with you anytime. Next time you're in San Diego, look me up. :toast:

[AbbeyRoad]

31. Same here.

I'm not as into the whole process as I was. Stakes are just as high though.

[RandomUser]

32. Well said, Jack

I, too, no longer care about the particulars of the primaries. I wear the new Wes Clark Democrat avatar instead of the old blue one because, in a way, it signals a transition and a symbol of the bond and camaraderie we shared. (edited to add, for those with out donor status, you can still plug it into yor sigline). Clark truly was the president we were promised as a child. Sigh.

A toast to you, Jack, and to all Clark supporters. :toast:

[HuskerDem]

33. Me too Jack, everything you just said.

I miss everybody. I think about what could have been and I want to cry all over again. The tax plan, my duaghters education, what we could have accomplished with other nations, his broad sweeping generous plans for the environment, zero fossil fuel dependency goals and on and on and on...............

Damn. Now I'm depressed again.:cry:

But I'll still support the nominee. Bush has to go.

[Donna Zen]

35. A project

We have started a project on Sybil's blog at clark04. We need help, so please drop by.

[NNN0LHI]

36. Keep your chin up. We have not seen the end of the General

That is a promise.

Don

[arewethereyet]

38. good news ! Politics is an ongoing process, not a task.

I realize there were a lot of people taking an interest for the first time and thats great but you just can't live and die on ONE campaign. This is a day in, day out thing that does not end but rather changes focus. This year the focus is presidential, next year its dog catcher.

The point is to support your principles to the best extent that is available for the current event. And realizing that its impossible to jump from A to Z without taking a few steps in between.

I wish you could see the change I've seen over the past 30-35 years. You'll never see it a year at a time though.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

39. We Haven't Heard The Last Of Wesley Clark - Not By A Long Shot!

Wesley Clark is taking a break this week to be with his family on the West Coast. I'm thoroughly confident that Wesley Clark will continue to grow in stature on the American landscape and will not disappear. He's simply too intelligent and too talented a spokesperson for America to disappear. I hope he runs for a Senate seat from Arkansas. I think that would give him the strongest possible voice for change in America. If he does that, he can count on my time, money, and concern. When I first joined the Draft Clark movement in May, it was because my ABB mindset was telling me he was the best choice. Since then, however, I came to love and admire the man. He is one of the most remarkable individuals ever to run for public office in this country. As long as WE are out here, Clark will not go away.

[Jai4WKC08]

41. Senator not a good option

One term is up this year, the other in 2008. Both the incumbents are Democrats who endorsed Wes Clark.

The Governor, on the other hand, is a Republican whose term is up in 2006, and who cannot run again do to term limits.

[democratreformed]

43. Attorney General Mike Beebe announced yesterday that he will run for

governor in 2006. This was pretty much expected. I don't think Wes will enter this race.

[Jai4WKC08]

48. Don't know anything about Mike Beebe

Is there some reason that Clark would not choose to run against Beebe?

Personally, I rather see the General on the national scene, preferably as VP, distant second choice of SecState. It's where his talents and experience could be best utilized, and it's not like he needs the "executive experience" (unlike a certain one-term/no leadership Senator I can think of).

That said, I don't have great optimism that we'll be getting a Democratic administration in 2005. A run for governor would at least give Clark more experience in putting a campaign together, and give him a small amount of media exposure and name-recognition. The timing is not good--I'm thinking he would not run again nationally if in the middle of his first term as governor, so we're pushed to 2012 at the earliest. Not too late by any means, but not soon enough for me.

[mikehiggins]

45. Amen to that...to all of that n/t

[Crewleader]

40. It's certainly understandable Jack_Dawson

but you know what friend, if Kerry chooses Wes Clark for V/P we Clarkies will be so excited knowing he may possibly be our President too, after his duties as V/P are over and he runs for the oval office.

My son who turns 18 in October to vote for his first time in Nov. loves the General too and really wants him on the Kerry ticket and I hope he gets what he wishes for along with all of us here!

Keep intouch J_D! :hi:

[democratreformed]

42. Jack, I started to post about belief earlier today

I did believe in Wes Clark. I believed in his vision. I believed that his heart was in the right place. I believed he had the wisdom and experience to be a great leader for our country. I believed in him so much that I, too became involved financially, physically, and emotionally for the first time ever. What a learning experience!

Today, I am just kind of lost as far as politics goes. I kind of think it doesn't matter anymore. I have lost the belief that "little old me" can make a difference. I'm back to "whatever happens happens". I still care who wins - but I have lost faith in my ability to decide whether one has a better chance than the other. Both of them scare me - that is, the chance of them beating *ush scares me. As a Clark supporter, I know how the media can melign someone if they choose and how quickly public opinion can change. I also know how someone's message can be portrayed as completly different than what it really is.

So, I have kind of backed off some too. I have caught up on lots of things I was behind on. I have gotten my head more involved in work and family (my husband certainly likes that part). I just wish it would hurry and be over with now.

On edit, I started to post a thread saying "Make me believe in your candidate". The simple fact is that I just don't believe in any of the others like I believed in Wes Clark.

[mikehiggins]

44. Enjoy your vacation while it lasts, Jack

I know it sounds silly whenever I post this but what the hell.

Remember that scene in Jurassic Park where the scientist notices the ripples in the pool of still water?

This isn't over yet.