Why Clark will not be Kerry's running mate:

[xultar]

Clark is the type of guy to be more visible -
As VeeP he won't,

As Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense he would be.

I think Clark will more than likely be Secretary of Defense. That would be the ultimate insult to Rummy and his crew. Clark has the contacts in the pentagon to be more effective right off the bat. Plus Clark has rank.


Clark as Secretary of State would be truly awesome. I hope he gets this job. He'll be way better at it than Powell. He's very personable, He's got Gert on his side. He would make a Great SoS.

Edwards will be Attorney General. It is a great spot for him to be to be visible and prepare for his next run.

That's how I see it. How do you see it?

[GainesT1958]

1. Gen Clark isn't eligible to be SECDEF...

Because of a law requiring active-duty military personnel to have been out at least ten years before being eligible for civilian Defense Dept. posts. He could, however, be appointed as Secretary of State.

But, whether as V.P. or at the State Dept., John Kerry needs a guy like Wes Clark up there with him. Then, "Bring it on" will be absolutely UN-DENTABLE!:D

B-)

[KC21304]

2. Clark can not be Sec. of Defense.

Need to be out of military 10 yrs.

[cosmokramer]

5. This kills me that persons...

...wanting to pigeon hole someone don't even know the requirements for the position!

I have talked til I am blue in the face why Clark cannot be Sec. Def., but folks still don't listen. :-|

Clark should be whatever he wants, but I hate to see him pigeon holed just in national security positions...he is so much more than his military background.

A VP doesn't need to be an 'in the shadows' person. The administration can make the VP do and represent whatever it wants.

Clark as VP would bring tons and tons of cash to the ticket--only Dean did better in money, but he squandered the money. Will bring Ohio, Arizona, NM (which was close last time), and definitely Arkansas and Florida into the dem column. Good choice for Kerry, and Clark and Kerry can decide what type of VP he should be.

Don't discount it because you think Clark wouldn't be 'visible' enough. If it is offered, and it is what he wants, I would be delighted for him to accept VP.

[Florida_Geek]

3. I like him or Cleland to take on the two Whistle Asses

:)

[Maat]

10. I absolutely loved the sentiment ...

"Dated Dean, Married Kerrey." And I agree with it. I kinda played the field, donating to Dean and Clark. Then I voted for Kucinich. I would kind of like all of the candidates to be a part of the administration ... except Sharpton and Lieberman (their Republican connections bug me too much).

[KC21304]

4. I would love to see Clark as VP.

He would be very visible because he would not be a fraidy cat like Cheney hiding in his undisclosed location.

Edwards does not have the right kind of experience for Att. Gen. He is a civil lawyer.

[Cuban_Liberal]

6. The AG's job is mostly civil law.

Criminal law is a smaller part of the Justice dept's job than is commonly understood. In addition, the AG is more of an administrator than a trial lawyer, and is someahat akin to the 'managing partner' in a big law firm.

[KC21304]

36. I have always thought of the Attorney General as the chief

Prosecutor in the Justice Dept. I would think this would call for someone with at least some prosecuting experience.

[angryinoville]

I've always been...

a supporter of Clark for VP. But as far as Edwards not having the right exp. for atty gen., did Bobby Kennedy when he was named AG? I say go for it and let's really stick it to this administration. While we're at it, let's get DK to head up the Dept. of Peace.

[mac2]

11. Either was "Ass" croft...

He was busy doing in Missouri what he had done in DC. That's why they wouldn't elect him governor.

[Maat]

12. I kinda disagree (no offense).

We are complete a certain kind of background. And he could adjust to the position. Plus, doesn't an attorney general deal with topics typically considered as 'civil.' True enough, in a different capacity -- but there is overlap in knowledge.

[OneBlueSky]

7. question: is there anything to prevent a vice president . . .

from also being named Secretary of State? . . . given that the VP has virtually no assigned duties? . . . just curious . . .

[mac2]

9. VP Gore was very hard working and visible of all those in

hsitory because Clinton wanted it that way.

[troublemaker]

24. Succession?

I don't know if VP can be Sec State but I wouldn't want to waste a link in the chain of succession. Primarily joking... after VP it's Republicans for a while. At least Strom Thurmond isn't Senate ProTem any more. That was almost as irresponsible as Quayle as VP. Can anyone imagine surviving the dual trauma of a major attack on DC and then tuning on the TV and there's a crazy old mummy in the oval office.

[newyawker99]

38. Hi troublemaker!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[mac2]

8. OK with me

I want Senator Max Cleland as head of the VA.

[DemPopulist]

14. Didn't he already have that job under Carter?

I think I heard that somewhere :shrug:

[tishaLA]

13. He won't be veep and I'm OK with it

and I think Spitzer would be a better AG for what it's worth.

VP could well be someone we aren't expecting. I'm betting Richardson, Edwards, Clark, Graham, Gephardt are not the candidate.

[ArkDem]

15. The main reason is that Kerry

probably wants to win.

[tishaLA]

16. Does anyone know anything substantive about...

the guy heading up the VP selection process, Jim Johnson or something? I know he had something to do with Mondale, but are there any other hints we can glean from his past?

[mikehiggins]

17. Hey, can I argue that point?

VP is an elected position. That means that if Clark pisses Kerry off, there's nothing he can do about it.

Of course, that might be why I don't think there is a chance in hell of him getting the nod in the first place. Sooner or later Kerry will have to do something really rank as President and it'd be an open question whether Clark would act like Gore and look aside, or act like McCain and raise a stink.

That's the problem with people with character and ethics, when it comes to politics.

The same thing holds true for any other position in the administration. Could you imagine Wes Clark standing in front of the UN and claiming he had proof of WMD's? Telling the Press that Aristide left Haiti of his own free will? Telling America that they should believe the President even when he knows the big guy is lying through his teeth?

Nah, I think Clark should run for Governor of California. (see thread in GD)

Then, in 2012, he can run for President with a record, a staff and a history of providing that "higher standard of leadership" he keeps talking about. God knows Arnold-land is going to need it.

[R3dD0g]

21. Caleeefornia can't have him

He's ours B-)

[democratreformed]

22. LOL

I agree.

[Donna Zen]

18. No and no and no

As you know by now, Clark cannot and will not be Sec of Defense. There is something insulting about even suggesting that Clark is not capable of any other branch of knowledge.

IMHO, Holbrooke who waited in the wings until now will be Sec. of State. His style is pretty much "in your face" but for some reason it is very effective.
He also brings LOTS of access to money.

I rather doubt that Clark will be VP. That position always has strange reasoning behind it. The trial lawyers are the largest donnors to the Democratic Party; there are spheres of influence on the move--unions---you name it. Clark grew up poor and by Washington standards stayed poor...but honest. No, this is inside party politics at its back scratching best, it has more to do with who does what and for whom, than who is qualified to govern.

Clark wants bush out and the military safely home. He was low on bucks, didn't want to get his family in debt, and saw that he wouldn't win.

Kerry gave Clark something he wanted, a stage to continue speaking out. I am surprised that you still do not understand Wesley Clark at DU. The Democratic party does not want Clark, and Clark will be getting nothing. The beauty is: Clark doesn't care.

[Toucano]

19. I especially agree with the last statement.

"The Democratic party does not want Clark, and Clark will be getting nothing. The beauty is: Clark doesn't care."

In the last debate in NY, Kerry was asked if he agreed with Clark's statement that Bush could have done more to prevent 9/11. Kerry agreed, but it wasn't a whole hearted agreement. It was a little distant.

Clark's frankness makes people uncomfortable. The party will be happy to let him campaign for Democrats, but they aren't ready to put him in the limelight anytime soon.

[RandomUser]

20. I think you're absolutely right.

Unfortunately, sigh.

Clark made his choice decades ago and showed what type of person he is. After Vietnam, he had degrees from Westpoint and Oxford and lucrative offers from the private sector. He chose to remain in the military at little pay, uncertain living conditions, under the public scorn that was heaped on the military post-vietnam. All because he wanted to serve his country. He had his shot at money, respect, and power, and turned it down. He wasn't a rich lawyer or doctor, though he could have made tons of money in business with his skills and degrees.

I am surprised that you still do not understand Wesley Clark at DU. The Democratic party does not want Clark, and Clark will be getting nothing. The beauty is: Clark doesn't care.

I don't think anyone who hasn't honestly examined the life history of Clark would understand exactly what we lost. I think you're absolutely right. Clark will get nothing out of this.

[abburdlen]

28. Not quite nothing

Clark will get something out of this campaign.
A better government than we've got today.

And Clark is going to do exactly the same thing he's been doing his entire adult life.
He is going to his best for our country. If he gets tapped to fill a position in the Kerry administration and Clark feels he can do some good, he'll take the role. If it helps the most Clark speaking out on third rail issues like pre-9/11 intelligence and B* inaction then by god Wes is going to speak out.

Unlike the side story that the republicans tossed out to the press, I see Clarks ego as having no influence on his future political decisions

[BootinUp]

26. That is about

the most depressing post you ever wrote Donna :(

I think I'd rather you kept it a secret.

[Donna Zen]

29. Oh, you know I'm sorry Jim...but

Wesley Clark is a national treasure...and I fought all the DU battles because the man was not here to defend his honor. It was my duty. Here is a letter from a friend of Clark's about the Axcion smear:

Truce! I agree that you and I will not be able to have a meeting of minds on this election choice.

I must move on to other matters as I have more tasks at hand and because you don't know me well enough. When I tell you Wes has no personal ambitions, any greed, or a scintilla of avarice, you have no basis to believe or trust me. 

Yet I have known Wes for 40+ years, have borne the brunt of Wes' criticism for acts as mundane as cutting Sunday Services, have heard his response as to why anyone would tell of a marriage when to do so resulted in his being drummed from the Corps, offered Wes a major banking house partnership at age 31 when he was working in the White House and getting less-favorable offers from others, and witnessed Wes staying the course in the military, not for personal gain or fortune, but because we the people and our nation need leaders such as Wes Clark at a time when we seem to have none.  His actions today are for the same reasons alone.

I've not questioned Wes on this latest allegation and won't have the chance before the campaign is decided, but as every other allegation, and those yet to come, are so contrary to Wes' life-long character and actions, it's not a matter of choice for me to believe or not (even as all the others have been proved false), but it is a matter of fact and record that Wes has not a spec of deceit or dishonesty in the fabric of his soul or the ability to exhibit or express anything of the kind. If anything, Wes comes off as an egg-head in the rather straight-forward, precision of his answers (yes, even the first one on his first day when he gave a short-hand response to a question that needed a whole lot more), reactions and responses to those who have dissembled at best and expect others to do the same.

If you can tell me you know John Kerry or any one else as well and can say the same, I'll admit we have a draw and two men are equally unique.

If you can't, and should Wes' message not be heard, should Bush remain where he is after November 2, I pity us all. Wes will move on as he has always, seeking to create security for Gert and now Wes III, but not ever forgetting or even stepping away from service to our nation.

If you've read this far, please don't think I am some old fool; I've been with, seen, and experienced the most incredible life that is Wes Clark's from up close and personal.  He's stayed with me long after I'd disappointed him by my own displays of avarice, cunning, and greed  more times than I care to remember, all of which are so incredibly absent from his being.

Wes is no savior, far from it. But Wes does have a singularly unique ability that I've seen for all these many years to influence if not direct outcomes that encourage success in others. 
But now I'll rest my case with and allow history to draw its own conclusion

Good luck to us all.  XXXXX

As Marion Frances Berry said at Pembrooke: He's got the goods.

[RandomUser]

32. Thank you for sharing that letter, Donna (n/t)

no text

[BootinUp]

33. Thank you DZ

Don't take that post the wrong way, you have always been a top top top notch Clark supporter, its just that you know the politics of the thing better than me, and I don't think I want to know it. :)

[For PaisAn]

37. excellent analysis of the thread topic

and of Clark the man

[Crewleader]

23. I think Clark would be wonderful as Secretary of State

and the way John Edwards is speaking now, he may be the V/P for Kerry or somewhere in the administration. I think it's wonderful all candidates are involved in someway as we take back our country and win in Nov. 2004! ! :-)

[BootinUp]

25. I admit it

When I used to say I thought Clark would never want to be a veep, I was lyin my ass off. Clark would glady serve in a John Kerry administration IMHO.

[Adelante]

30. If called to service

by the President of the United States (or nominee), we all know he will answer, but there really is no reason for us to think he will be VP, or that it's what he wants, or what Kerry needs. We should let the old man manage his relationship with Kerry as he sees fit. And we should let Kerry pick his own VP.

Have a drink, Jim4. :hug:

:beer:

[TruthWins]

27. Definitely Make Clark Part of the Plan

He might not get VP, but it would be wise for Kerry to telegraph that Clark would play a role in his administration. In Ohio there was a lot of enthusiasm for him and he's got roots in the south. Remember that he & Edwards were probably splitting the vote that would have gone to just one of them in some of the southern primaries.

I'm not even a fan of Wesley Clark, but he is a huge asset to the party and should have a real role as we move toward the elections.

Kerry/Edwards with Clark penciled in to be Secretary of State is a pretty attractive Democratic package.

[Donna Zen]

31. The military vote:

Kerry will carry the anti-war vets who have increased in number hopefully, but many will be soured by Kerry's stance on the last war, and his vote on this one. Anyway, most of the military who will vote for Kerry, will vote Dem. anyway.

Strangely enough Clark's position is just the opposite. He stayed in after Vietnam, has a reputation for being good to those serving under him, and can piss off lunk-headed brass. And yet, he was against this war. And he's Army...infantry. Did you know that being first in his class, he got to chose first what path he would take. When he said "infantry" his entire class rose to its feet and cheered. Fuck Shelton.

Anyway, what is important here is that a swing of 6-10% of those hardcore military voters, and you take six red states. Clark is also insulation against charges of anti-gun bias. Basically, Clark strengthens Kerry's weaknesses where bushco is likely to attack. And you must make bush work for the South, not because you plan to win all the states, but because you need to force bush to play the culture cards that the repubs use as part of their formula. The problem for the republicans is that those very positions scare the hell out of the suburbs of Northern swing states. Clark gives you many options because he is a liberal who will always be seen as a moderate. Clark will get you the win.

17 red states are currently running 30-37% fundy. The most fundy of the fundy churches in Little Rock had Clark signs on their lawn.

[LandOLincoln]

34. He didn't choose infantry (the most dangerous branch of the Army).

He chose the armored branch (which is only the second most dangerous). :D

Loved your post, especially the last half of the last sentence.

Can't wait for the Vice Presidential debates:

The war hero vs. the war profiteer
The hunk vs. the blob
The lap pool vs. the heart monitor

Just thinking about Cheney is making me queasy, but I've got one more thought before I have to go heave:

I'm thinking, instead of debating maybe they could just arm wrestle?

:bounce:

[BootinUp]

35. LandOLincoln

I really like the lap pool vs the heart monitor line. I could imagine Clark rushing over to help after he sent Cheney into cardiac arrest!

[in_cog_ni_to]

39. The VP is as visible

as the presidents wants him/her to be. If Kerry is smart enough to choose Wes Clark, he certainly isn't going to waste his vast amount of talent by having him sit in a fucking bunker for 4 years....like Cheney has been doing.