OBAMA/CLARK 08!!!!!

[ourbluenation]

If I can't have this...



This will do very nicely...

[rocktivity]

1. That was my original dream ticket

The first thing I did after recovering from celebrating the November 06 election was make banner:



But Clark's embrace of Hillary makes me worry that he'll be a DLC pipeline.

:headbang:
rocknation

[roguevalley]

41. i would work for this ticket.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

44. too bad Clark endorsed/worked for Hillary

that puts him out of the running in my book.

[PoliticalAmazon]

46. Mine, too. For Obama to take on one of Hillary's zealous supporters....

...would make everything he has campaigned on a lie.

You can't have real change in D.C. if you're anchored with a zealous advocate for the status quo, Bush/Rove, pig-slop Clinton politics.

[leveymg]

70. Which makes Clark the perfect "bridge" between the 2 camps. A surrogate unity ticket - perfect!

He brings national security credentials to the Obama campaign, and carries HRC backing, if she can get over her bruised ego.

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. That would be a very powerful ticket n/t

[Tatiana]

3. This ticket will guarantee us a landslide victory. n/t

[SoonerPride]

4. I posted this dream ticket a month ago and people laughed at me.

I think Clark on the ticket would appease most HRC fans since he's a Hill booster and would mute any foreign policy argument from the right.

I'm all for it!

[Schema Thing]

5. Now that ticket would get my money (on credit, since I don't have any money, lol)

[ewagner]

6. Well...................

If I can't have Wes Clark on the top of the ticket, I'll take second slot.....American can't do much better than Wes Clark.

[seabeyond]

7. i like. i really like. i would have voted him for pres.... n/t

[Jersey Devil]

8. I'd like Clark or Richardson

Either one would be a great choice for me

[purji]

28. me too,either one would be great.n/t

[BlueJac]

9. Not so fast........

He would be a great Sec of Defense.


Obama/Richardson 08

[truebrit71]

13. He can't be Sec Def...

..

[rox63]

10. That would be a fantastic ticket!

:kick:

[DMorgan]

11. I can live with this!

[Alhena]

12. Clark strikes me as a political opportunist- just don't trust him for some reason

[Tom Rinaldo]

14. I would trust him with my life

I mean that literally, I would.

[Alhena]

17. Did he show signs of progressive leanings during his military years?

It just seems like he was your average four-star general for many years, then *poof* he's a politician telling progressives everything they want to hear. Rising to the highest ranks of the military "cover your ass" burocracy tends to make me doubt his true beliefs.

[Tom Rinaldo]

25. Yes he did.

In a number of ways. For one thing he was always very supportive of women and minorities rising through the ranks. Well before he ran for President, Clark filed a legal brief on behalf of the University of Michigan before the Supreme Court in support of their affirmative action program. Clark also showed real sensitivity toward gay and lesbians under his command. Clark won an award from an environmental organization for his efforts to preserve habitat for an endangered land tortoise while he was a commander in the south west.

The thing is, I have been a life long anti war and environment activist. I approached Wes Clark as a skeptic in 2003 before finally becoming an incredibly loyal supporter of his. I have met Wes on numerous occasions. I meant every word of it, I would now trust him with my life.

[Alhena]

34. I'm open to being persuaded- he would help Obama's C in C credentials

[Tom Rinaldo]

38. Here is a link to an entry in the personal blog I had about Clark

How I First Came To Support Wes Clark For President
http://www.aleftturnforclark.com/2006/12/

If you have spare time to burn you can read me rant for Clark for hours over there, if that one post doesn't tell you more than you possibly could want to know about my opinion of Clark, lol.

[Tatiana]

16. He is a straight shooter who I would trust with my life and this nation's security.

He is an impressive progressive who would complement Obama tremendously.

Also, he is a team player, which is a quality many do not seem to appreciate.

[roguevalley]

42. I would trust him with my life as I trusted him with my nephew's life

when he was in Bosnia. He is the only one I completely trust.

[newmajority]

15. Any verification on the story that the General called Hillary last night and asked her to stand down

If that is true, I would definitely feel better about Clark as a VP. He may be the one guy in Camp Hillary who is capable of putting the country and the party before the Clintons.

Other than that, Richardson still looks like a strong choice.

[Bensthename]

18. That is the dream ticket for me..

Love em both

[Tinksrival]

19. Unite the Clarkies!!

Hillary's blustering on Iran is opposite of what Clark was calling on Bush to do. Clarkies had to turn themselves into pretzels to follow Hillary. I just couldn't do it. It made me sad to go to the Clark Community Network.

[Tatiana]

21. Hey, we could actually see Clark in the WH after all!

Who would have thunk it?

[Adelante]

67. Heh, wouldn't that be nice?

Unite the Clarkies!!

This has been a tough time for Clarkies. :(

[PatGund]

20. Hell to the yes

That would be a dream ticket for me.

[maddiejoan]

22. It's only one of two Obama VP picks

that would get my support.

[Terran]

23. or Jim Webb

Clark would be a great choice, and not from the Senate. But I do like Jim Webb, who has shown no tolerance for taking sh*t from republicans.

[GOPBasher]

45. Webb would be a great choice, but I just don't want to lose his

Senate seat in Virginia, which would be very hard to defend.

[malik flavors]

24. You're looking at a mighty fine ticket there. Obama/Clark Baby!

[PurgedVoter]

26. K & R

Been dreaming about it.

Since it is impossible now, to have the Barbara Jordan, Molly Ivins ticket (It would have redeemed Texas for all time!) This is the ticket I want!

[New Earth]

27. I think it would be perfect

[Tom Rinaldo]

29. It would be perfect

The above ground case that John McCain would attempt to make against Barack Obama is that he is not experienced enough to protect our nation from it's enemies. There is no one, absolutely no one, who Barack Obama could run with who would better counter that argument than Wes Clark.

The under the radar case that Republican operatives will attempt to make against Barack Obama is that his patriotism can'[t be trusted. There is no one, absolutely no one, who Barack Obama could run with who would better counter that argument than Wes Clark.

[Seabiscuit]

30. I'd support the ticket only because it might actually win the GE.

I'd rather see Clark as Secretary of Defense.

And I'd even prefer Hillary to Barack.

[IA_Seth]

31. I like it..

I think choosing Clark would bring some of the Clinton supporters back into the fold that may feel apathetic with Clinton's loss. Clark brings a strong southern voice, a respected military career, vast diplomatic experience, and loads of patriotism to the ticket. All things that Obama will need in the GE.

Then again, I'll always be a Clarkie.

[roguevalley]

48. he's also an economist. :) Europe would dig it and so would other

places around the world.

[Demobrat]

32. Clark was a loser 4 years ago

when running a general made a certain kind of sense. He has nothing at all to offer Obama now.

[Triana]

33. That would be powerful and Clark would add a LOT on Ntl Security/FoPo

I'd vote for it.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

35. I'd volunteer for Obama if he put Clark on the ticket.

[Kaylee]

36. I REALLY want Clark to be VP.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

37. Wes Clark is highly respected by military personnel...

an issue that's going to explode in the general. He will level the field for those that attempt to use McCains military experience against Obama. Clark has deep roots in the Jewish community. I believe he currently lives in Fl. an important state again in the general. Clark attracts both Democrats, Independents, and appeals to Republicans. That he loyally supported Clinton during primary season would be an opportunity to pass the peace pipe to Hillary supporters. Wes Clark on the ticket would be a coup for Obama and an unbeatable ticket.

[jefferson_dem]

39. After Webb, Clark is my second choice for VP.

[BREMPRO]

40. I like this ticket, but Clark is supporting HRC... doubt it will happen.

He was paraded out as a hillary supporter on that disastrous debate... clearly a planned strategy for HRC (and ABC/Disney?) to show a popular figure supporting her.

[madinmaryland]

43. Aren't the Clinton's and Clark very close.

Both are from Arkansas and go back many years. Probably not going to happen.

[Tom Rinaldo]

49. That could be a reason FOR it to happen

They are close, yes, but I am confident from my sources inside Clark's political organization that had he seen a real road to possible victory open to him that Clark would have entered the race this year opposing Hillary Clinton if necessary. He would have done so in a respectful manner, much like Biden, but what kept him out of the race was not loyalty to Clinton. Clark waited until September 07 to actually endorse Hillary, many loyalists were on board with her far earlier than that.

Clark can be a bridge builder inside of the Democratic Party now, which is much more divided than reading Democratic Underground would seem to indicate. Once Clark realized that he could not win the nomination himself in 2004 there was no Democrat more loyal to John Kerry than Wes Clark.

[Tatiana]

52. This is encouraging information. You also nailed it.

Clark can be a "bridge builder."

We have a grand opportunity to make some serious inroads into Republican strongholds in this country as well as take this party in a new direction.

Clark, Kerry, Kennedy... Obama

We can create a formidable team that will be unbeatable for years to come and usher in another "New Deal" era of peace and prosperity for America.

[ourbluenation]

68. Or, once she realizes its over, she could negotiate to get one of hers on his team.

Like the Jesse Jackson campaign did with Bill Clinton in 92 to get Ron Brown a cabinet position. And it could be her contribution to bring unity to the party and engage her supporters in an Obama nomination. Lots of ins and outs.

[KoKo]

47. Can someone explain to me DU and some others Obsession with Wes Clark?

I've never understood why he's pushed so much. :shrug:

[Tom Rinaldo]

51. If you attended YearlyKos in Chicago last Summer you might have a better sense

It's npt just at DU. Clark was given standing ovations addressing the full Kos Convention. He is a truly honest man who has always been open and respectful toward the netroots while never pandering to anyone. Here is my blog entry about how I was converted into a Clark supporter in 2003:

http://www.aleftturnforclark.com/2006/12/

[KoKo]

54. okay...thanks ...I'll check it out.

[TexanDem]

50. YES!! Obama/Clark !!

[Quixote1818]

53. An unstoppable ticket. Clark would go off on anyone questioning Obama's patriotism. nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

55. I always loved those photos of Gore and Clark...

...this one of Obama is a nice addition.

[weeve]

56. Am I the only one who's noticed ...

... that the day after the most Hawkish of the Dem candidates (Clinton) is given the boot, there's suddenly a PLETHORA of threads calling for a military GENERAL to be named to the ticket ?!?

Coincidence ?!? I think not.

Do you all know how deep the Military Industrial Complex has their claws sunk into this country, and the mind-boggling amount of our taxpayer's dollars they're dependent on ? After all these years of (needless) War do we really want to now put a GENERAL into the White House, just when it looks like this country might be willing to turn to the Left ?!

I'll answer that ... HELL NO !!!

[Tom Rinaldo]

58. Look who is posting the threads though.

Mostly long time DU members who have been strong advocates for Barack Obama. Clark has genuine netroots support.

I doubt you will find a more ardent Obama supporter on DU than FrenchieCat, so you might be interested in reading this entry she has posted on a personal blog she started last year about Clark. It deals with his relationship with the Military Industrial Complex which is why I suggest it:

What Wes Clark said about the MIC - Military Industrial Complex
Radio Interview with Laura Knoy:
http://www.nhpr.org/node/5339

"I think General Eisenhower was exactly right. I think we should be concerned about the military industrial complex. I think if you look at where the country is today, you've consolidated all these defense firms into a few large firms, like Halliburton, with contacts and contracts at the highest level of government. You've got most of the retired Generals, are one way or another, associated with the defense firms. That's the reason that you'll find very few of them speaking out in any public way. I'm not. When I got out I determined I wasn't going to sell arms, I was going to do as little as possible with the Defense Department, because I just figured it was time to make a new start.

But I think that the military industrial complex does wield a lot of influence. I'd like to see us create a different complex, and I'm going to be talking about foreign policy in a major speech tomorrow, but we need to create an agency that is not about waging war, but about creating the conditions for Peace around the world. We need some people who will be advocates for Peace, advocates for economic development not just advocates for better weapons systems. So we need to create countervailing power to the military industrial complex."


Clark: Don't spare Pentagon
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/09/25/elec04.prez.debate/
"We're faced with a very serious deficit problem. We need to keep the--we need to go back to the top 2 percent and repeal those tax cuts. We need to put all the government spending programs on the table, including the military programs. We need to then have no new programs unless you can pay as you go. And then we need a simpler, fairer, more progressive tax code. "

http://www.rapidfire-silverbullets.com/clarks_views_on_the_mic_pnac_t/

edited to fix link

[FrenchieCat]

60. You obviously have no information on General Clark to go on.....

Tom Rinaldo presented you with some info.

I suggest your review it, prior to making statements about who's for what, etc....

[weeve]

57. Am I the only one who's noticed ...

... that the day after the most Hawkish of the Dem candidates (Clinton) is given the boot, there's suddenly a PLETHORA of threads calling for a military GENERAL to be named to the ticket ?!?

Coincidence ?!? I think not.

Do you all know how deep the Military Industrial Complex has their claws sunk into this country, and the mind-boggling amount of our taxpayer's dollars they're dependent on ? After all these years of (needless) War do we really want to now put a GENERAL into the White House, just when it looks like this country might be willing to turn to the Left ?!

I'll answer that ... HELL NO !!!

[Tom Rinaldo]

59. See my reply to your dupe post above n/t

[tokenlib]

61. If you knew more about Clark..you would not be saying that...

Clark is very progressive--and in dealing with the military industrial complex he could be the candidate who can do the most about it--even as VP. In 2004 a number of us were talking to Wes Clark Jr.and we began to realize that his father is a decent man who actually is an postive answer to your concerns that many of us share.. Try to be a bit more open minded about Clark--he is a good and honorable progressive.

[weeve]

62. Do you really see him dismantling our bases in Iraq ?

I don't.

Do you see him trying to cut back on our bloated military budget ?

I don't.


Whatever his good points may be, the last thing this country needs right now is a Military man in the White House. Let the pendulum swing a bit to the Left first people.

[tokenlib]

64. Actually yes, I believe his goal would be to get us out carefully...

Not only based on what Wes Clark has said--but also on what his son has said. Wes, Jr. knows his father's heart better than anyone else. He isn't the war mongering General you think--he is a General that progressives and people who have opposed this war can believe in.

[Tom Rinaldo]

65. He called for UN control over the original Iraq Occupation Authority

after the U.S. invaded. Clark thought it was a mistake for the U.S. to try to run Iraq even then. He also has long been firmly on record that the U.S. has to openly renounce any intention of or desire for permanent bases inside of Iraq.

Look, obviously I am a true Clark believer but I have long supported him as a progressive because of his overall stance on issues, including domestic ones. But the other point is there is a good argument for believing that Obama's best chance for winning is to take the false patriotism issue off the table and bury it as deeply as possible so we can have a progressive administration come 2009 rather than a President McCain. I think Clark is the type of VP pick who can guarantee a progressive victory.

[truebrit71]

66. Yes to both. And he has said as much himself...

...

[drm604]

63. Interesting ticket.

I think it could work very well.

[bonito]

69. Sounds good to me.

:)

[DemVet]

71. Well, at least one individual on this ticket is qualified to be POTUS.....the Veep.