Check in if Wes Clark is your #1 VP choice!

[sampsonblk]

I believe Gen Clark should be Obama's choice for VP. There are a lot of factors to consider, of course. But from where I am sitting, Wes Clark is the best person for the job. And he's a great Democrat!

[julialnyc]

1. Here here!!

Checking in!

[SoFlaJet]

2. he-ya

.

[cliffordu]

3. Yep.

[madmax]

4. Here!!! n/t

[LisaM]

5. My Obama-supporting boyfriend disagrees (I'm checking in for him - he's not online)

He doesn't think Clark is a good campaigner.

[New Earth]

6. w00t

[renegade000]

7. i would love that ticket

n/t

[tridim]

8. Apparently he's still a delusional Clinton supporter this morning..

So, no he's not a good choice for Obama's running mate.

[PoliticalAmazon]

68. ITA. He is tained by Hillary's Buh/Rove politics....

If Obama named him as VP Obama would be a hypocrite, and would be saying to the world that everything Obama campaigned for--real change in D.C. politics--was a lie.

[NancyG]

9. Totally nt

[DevonRex]

10. Oh geez. I think so today. I want this to be my final answer. nt

[meow mix]

11. best choice for winning GE, imo

but my personal preferance would be Richardson, or Boxer. either one..

[NJmaverick]

12. Clark protects Obama from any terrorist fear tactics

Which will be BIG, since you can rest assured they will try and use that trick

[WA98296]

13. Too hawkish...I like him for Sec. of State

[Pawel K]

42. Too hawkish? How so?

[TwilightGardener]

14. I like Jack Reed. Bright, military guy, Catholic, low-key.

[DB1]

15. Great choice, not a good campaigner, but he does not have to be.

I'd like to see a photo of him standing next to Obama, anyone have?

[billyoc]

16. I want an easily electable incumbent VP for '16. Is Clark young enough? nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

50. He would be a few years younger then than McCain is now..

One possibility would be for him to serve one term as President after running with a younger VP who could then be the standard bearer in 2020. I think after an 8 year term as VP under Obama Clark would win in a landslide in 2016, which would provide a perfect opportunity for Democrats to position our next 8 year President as his VP.

The thing is the fact that Clark is older than Obama now while still being much more youthful than McCain is perfect age positioning for our ticket.

[billyoc]

63. Sounds reasonable, I didn't want to make it seem like I thought he was too old,

I was lazy and didn't check. He's only 63 I see. :hi:

[Larry in KC]

69. And he swims about a mile a day. May we all be such a 63.

[AZ Criminal JD]

75. He would be 72. The same age as McCain.

[Rick Myers]

17. Wes Clark would be my pick!!!

[PassingFair]

18. Not my number 1....

but I'd hit that!

Lever, I mean.

[Tinksrival]

19. Yep

Me and Lawrence O'Donnell

[renate]

20. checking in!

:hi:

[featherman]

21. I have been promoting Clark for VP for more than a year

[Tom Rinaldo]

22. Yes. n/t

[Aloha Spirit]

23. I voted for him in 2004, so I guess he'll do as VP.

[Kaylee]

24. ME!!

[Quixote1818]

25. Count me in for sure. nt

[PerpetuallyDazed]

26. I used to be a Clarkie...

but it would be hard to pick between him and Edwards for VP slot. Either would make me happy! :)

[malik flavors]

27. Yea, he needs to be the VP.

[tokenlib]

28. Wes is the most qualified...

For national security he is obvious, for economics--he taught it, overseas he is well respected,and a lot of his 2004 positions are in line with Obama's--taxes and Social Security.

Going on resumes, Richardson comes up next for all he can offer--geographical considerations, foreign policy credentials, outreach to Hispanics..

Sebelius, Webb, and others are unique people--but for depth of qualifications it really is Clark or Richardson

[rudy23]

29. Clark makes Obama bulletproof in the general.

Clark would cover all his gaps among white swing voters on issues like security, experience, toughness, etc. I think it's a no-brainer.

[DU9598]

30. My top pick at this point

[kevsand]

31. I can't imagine any choice that would make me happier! /nt

[roguevalley]

32. here!

[seabeyond]

33. here..........n/t

[npincus]

34. Why is Clark so popular at DU?

No disrespect, I'm just asking.

[tokenlib]

39. Depth of character, experience, knowledge, decency.....

He isn't just a "military" candidate. He is progressive on economics, the environment, taxes, etc...
Check out his resume!

[tokenlib]

40. Ooops duplicate

[Tom Rinaldo]

41. 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/

[npincus]

106. thank you.

[sampsonblk]

65. On foreign policy, he was way ahead of the elected Dems of 2004

And he's been way ahead of them ever since.

He had the courage the challenge the "wawr" long before it was cool (or politically expedient) to do so.

In fact, some on this board accused him of being unwise and unelectable because he had been so critical of Bush.

[RichardRay]

35. If he accepted the offer, he'd be gold.

I'm not certain he would accept the offer if it were made, he has his loyalties. But, he's also a pretty upright sort of guy; if he did accept the offer he'd be there 100%. It's in his blood - unit cohesion and all that stuff.

[The Doctor.]

36. He's up there.

[ShortnFiery]

37. No WAY! Clark campaigned for Clinton and his soldiers did NOT respect him when he was AD.

Clark is highly intelligent and pretty but he was FOR THE IRAQI INVASION.

He's nothing special, IMO, just another spring-butt retired General Officer.


NOW, if you want a retired General Officer who is HIGHLY RESPECTED former Marine by both his troops and the civilian power players ... a man who was AGAINST the Iraqi Invasion BEFORE hand, that man is Anthony Zinni. :patriot:


http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/zinni.html

Comments of Gen. Anthony Zinni (ret.) during a speech before the Florida Economic Club, Aug. 23, 2002:

Attacking Iraq now will cause a lot of problems. I think the debate right now that's going on is very healthy. If you ask me my opinion, Gen. Scowcroft, Gen. Powell, Gen. Schwarzkopf, Gen. Zinni, maybe all see this the same way.

It might be interesting to wonder why all the generals see it the same way, and all those that never fired a shot in anger and really hell-bent to go to war see it a different way. That's usually the way it is in history. (Crowd laughter.)

But let me tell you what the problem is now as I see it. You need to weigh this: what are your priorities in the region? That's the first issue in my mind.

The Middle East peace process, in my mind, has to be a higher priority. Winning the war on terrorism has to be a higher priority. More directly, the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Central Asia need to be resolved, making sure Al Qaeda can't rise again from the ashes that are destroyed.

Taliban cannot come back. That the warlords can't regain power over Kabul and Karzai, and destroy everything that has happened so far.


Ladies and Gentleman of DU: General (Ret) Anthony Zinni, is THE GENUINE ARTICLE. :thumbsup:

[Pawel K]

45. I never heard of him, thanks for posting

I'll have to do some more reading about the guy but he looks very intelligent.

[ShortnFiery]

51. You're welcome.

I've served merely four years in the US Army, but my husband of almost 26 years is a retired Marine. During the build up to the Iraqi invasion, my husband mentioned his name and noted that he resigned as envoy to the ME because he did not believe in the Iraqi invasion.

It's no small statement to say that a retired General Officer is respected by his Marines (or troops if Army). Just look at our celebrities? It's a rare personality who doesn't get "turned-on" by all the yes-men who surround them.

At a minimum General (ret.) Anthony Zinni should be an integral part of the Middle East Diplomacy effort ... perhaps Secretary of State or a high level envoy. Why? He's respected by ALL PARTIES - that's extremely rare.

[RainDog]

89. Zinni! I hadn't thought of him.

that's a good choice. yes, he was FORCED INTO "RETIREMENT" by the Bush/Rummy/Cheney because he openly opposed the Iraq invasion - because HE TOLD THE TRUTH that the invasion was poorly planned.

He might just be even better than Clark, for that reason. He doesn't have the same name recognition, of course, but he has solid creds in ways that would make him a possible choice.

However, I don't know his political stances at all. Do you?

[Clark2008]

70. Well don't that Short's word for it.

This person doesn't know squat about Wes Clark.

[ShortnFiery]

99. I know that he was A OK with the Iraqi Invasion DESPITE his extensive Military Science Background.

I've met numerous General Officers over the years and I know a "spring butt" and "yes man" when I see one. Clark sold out to the manufactured HYPE presented by BushCo. He's IMO a poor choice if one chooses to use a "moral courage" scale. :shrug:

[Clark2008]

72. You're a LIAR

Clark testified in front of Congress that we should NOT go to war in Iraq.

Are you that uniformed.

BTW, my hubby served under him and loves him. Many of his soldiers worked side by side with me when I worked on his campaign. Guess you were wrong about that, too.

[ShortnFiery]

101. I'm not a LIAR, he "bellied up" like Powell when the decision was made.

Well, there are several stories that he was an ego-maniac and would do ANYTHING to get ahead. Does that remind you of someone else? :shrug:

I'm a former Intelligence Officer - US Army so don't give me that bunk because you're all "starry eyed" by his IMAGE.

[Larry in KC]

73. CLARK WAS HIGHLY RESPECTED BY HIS TROOPS

I won't claim all of his troops--we both know no commander is. But the testimonies from many of them speak of him in terms of the highest praise and respect.

He was also very vocally AGAINST THE IRAQI INVASION. Several of the senators with the courage to vote against the IWR specifically pointed to Clark's testimony against invasion as a determining factor in their votes.

[ShortnFiery]

103. He sure got in line, to include reporting for FOX when the leaders said "Jump"

:shrug:

[Larry in KC]

104. Did you ever see his FOX appearances? He did not report, he debated...

...and made every faux talking head who tried to keep up with him look like the fools they are. He did it with a smile and courtesy, but with vast firsthand knowledge backed up by debating skills, so they couldn't even do their dismissive shtick. Truly, some of the finest moments that "network" will ever see.

[Leopolds Ghost]

80. No offense, but I don't remember Clark being for the Iraq war.

He endorsed Hillary out of job loyalty -- much as Richardson was expected to do. He is very ambitious.

[PurityOfEssence]

97. Oh, be fair: he was against the invasion, even if he WAS on both sides of the IWR vote...

They'd be perfect for each other: they're studiously on both sides of every important issue that they can be.

This is enough to make a sentient being gag. Great, maybe they'll bring us vouchers so we can get some more religion into things. Clark's always been against them, even though he supported them early on, and Obama's for them depending on what the audience du jour is. It'll be the double Lon Chaney candidacy: the ticket of two thousand faces.

Look, folks, I'm going to vote for the guy if he's the nominee, and I'll even vote for THIS ticket if it comes to pass, but DO YA HAVE TO BE RECKLESSLY CRUEL WITH YOUR IDIOCY?! Have a heart, willya?

Clark is responsible for the second ugliest act in presidential politics in the last two cycles: lying repeatedly about Kerry's and Edwards' votes against Junior's tax cuts, and doing so after Dean had been caught months earlier doing the same thing. The only act of greasiness that tops that was Obama's "40 Days of Faith" messianic race-baiting in South Carolina back in October. They're a perfect match.

The only problem is that, smart and energetic though they both are, there are just so very many issues out there that they'll run themselves ragged being on both sides of them.

It just gets worse and worse around here.

[ShortnFiery]

102. "Idol worship" is a very ugly trait. You need to re-evaluate "the real" Wes Clark?

:shrug:

[Larry in KC]

105. But is it "idol worship" to truly admire a truly admirable man? Answer: NO.

[wellstone dem]

38. yes.nt

[faithfulcitizen]

43. me

[Schema Thing]

44. Helz yeah

[immoderate]

46. A good matchup vs. McCain.

Others have mentioned Webb, Richardson, Boxer -- all among my favorite public servants. Let me add, though I'm not terribly familiar, I'm always impressed with Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island. Wouldn't it be cool if he ran for president? :)

--IMM

[BlooInBloo]

47. #3 choice here. Loyalties are suspect, and his opportunism doesn't jibe well with Obama's goals.

[Dr Fate]

48. #1 with a bullet. n/t

n/t

[papercut]

49. Best choice indeed

Plus, he's dreamy!

[GarbagemanLB]

52. Yep. Helps with Hillary's supporters, and independents who might be swayed by McCain's

national security credentials.

[JNelson6563]

53. The Wes Clark that's been a Clinton supporter all along?

I just don't see it happening.

Julie

[Leopolds Ghost]

83. Claqrk hitched his star to Bill Clinton's wagon but has always been to the left of them.

And was criticized by many fellow officers for "pandering to the left" to get ahead in the Clinton White House. I wouldn't mind seeing someone "pander to the left" for a change.

[PoliticalAmazon]

98. Too bad Clarke didn't have the conviction of his beliefs. As Hillary's whore....

he doomed his political future.

[Qutzupalotl]

54. Works for me, if they can iron out their differences.

Specifically, Clark's statements minimizing Obama's qualifications, and the "strong VP" scenario he laid out in 2004. He has said national security must be at the top of the ticket. IMO, he could say Obama's wise policies constitute national security, but we'll see what he can say about that.

[Tom Rinaldo]

58. I apologize for the retread post

but I had this one ready made from another thread and it deals with your question:

That could easily be turned to Obama's advantage

Clark could say "Look, I devoted my life to defending this nation. I take National Security very very seriously. I know Hillary Clinton personally and I knew she had what it takes to keep America safe, and I was comfortable endorsing her for that reason. But since then I've had a chance to spend more time with Senator Obama, and we've had some deep and far ranging discussions about national security. I would never have agreed to be his running mate if I did not fully believe that Barack Obama was now the right choice for America. America's security means far more to me than mere politics. I am proud to support Senator Obama for President. He has the wisdom and the judgment needed to steer our nation through difficult waters ahead. And he has the good sense needed to surround him self with the best advisers possible (smile)"

[biggerfishsmallpond]

55. yep

he complements Obama
he does not have the personal political ambition to be putting a knife in the back of the pres in a hope for 2012.
he would be a more than capable stand in in the case of an emergency
dealing with current and future global turmoil will be a big part of the Obama presidency
He will neutralize any perceived national security advantage of McCain
It would be suitable offering to heal the party without picking Clinton herself.

Even after this brutal primary campaign, this idea has legs on DU

[Norwood]

56. Right here!

He was my first choice for Prez in the beginning. Even though I didn't agree with his endorsement of Hillary it would be great to have him in the VP slot!

[weeve]

57. Wow ...

... the Military Industrial Complex has their fingers everywhere (even here). With the realization that this country might actually elect a (gulp) LIBERAL for the first time in decades, they're frantically pushing one of their own for the #2 spot, now that their Iron Maiden seems to have faltered.

Think JFK/Johnson. One muses on disentangling our interests in Viet Nam ... one is sure to escalate. One ends up being taken down. I hate thinking along these lines ( but if we don't learn from History ... ) , but if Obama wants to ensure his ... longetivity ... then he should name someone to the Left of him as VP. Just sayin' ...

[Tom Rinaldo]

61. Oh yeah?

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. "

edited to fix link

[Leopolds Ghost]

84. Wes Clark was hated by the MIC for "playing liberal politics" to advance his career.

[Az_lefty]

59. I like Richardson but Clark would be best due to his military experience.

[Leopolds Ghost]

85. Richardson would lock NM and Colorado but I think Clark guarantees Colorado too.

And Richardson's ethnicity would sadly hurt Obama with anti-NAFTA white ethnics in the northeast/midwest, even if both of them are anti-NAFTA (if Richardson is pro-NAFTA, since it doesn't really hurt NM and multi-generation Hispanics there have their own politics, it's even more of a problem.) Richardson would make a great Secretary of State, though.

[Crunchy Frog]

60. Present.

:)

[Joiwind]

62. Someone who could help him win Florida

Debbie Wasserman-Schulz

[Adelante]

64. Obama/Clark

I've been saying so all along :thumbsup:

[Larry in KC]

66. Oh, lord, yes!!!! How hard I would work for that team!

[TexanDem]

67. Yup -- great if not best choice!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

71. Might as well install an Hillary listening device in your cabinet.

One word: Medvedev.

[Larry in KC]

76. I think he rightly feels his Clinton debt is paid in full.

One word: Gore

[Birthday]

74. Yes!!! eom

[Leopolds Ghost]

77. Check. Kerry/Clark would have won. n/t

[mattclearing]

78. Either him or Webb would be great choices. n/t

[cliffordu]

79. Signed, sealed, delivered!!

[Bucky]

81. Alerting the moderators...

This thread is "kick and recommend" bait :)

[Perry Logan]

82. I like Wes. He would be the best choice for arresting all Republicans and herding them into Utah.

That's my plan--my little dream. We give the Right their own country, where they will quickly die.

[Leopolds Ghost]

86. They should be allowed to leave the reservation if they assimilate?

[high density]

87. Yup.

[merkins]

88. Obama/Richardson

or Obama/Sebelius

[JoePhilly]

92. Too off beat ... Clark and Webb bring the resonsible use of Military to the table!!

[TheDonkey]

90. He would be in my top 3 or 4. Would need to do more research.

[JoePhilly]

91. Ding!! Jim Webb is 2nd choice ...

Either one spanks anyone McCain can bring to the table.

[otohara]

93. No Military

nope, keep the General engaged, but not as Veep.

[JoePhilly]

95. As VP Clarke or Webb ENSURE responsible use of Military ... not ...

the kind of reckless use that has been Bush's legacy and is McCain's promise ...

It also kills the GOP Fear card.

[PatGund]

94. Yep!

Dream Ticket

[JoePhilly]

96. It also reaches out to Hillary Camp ..

[kerry-is-my-prez]

100. Yep - love to see him there. If people really want him they root for Hillary.

n/t