Wes Clark: Wednesday night I'm scheduled to be at a dinner in Milan, Italy.

[ProSense]

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: I'm basically a businessman. I'm not in elected political office. I'm trying to help people get into political office. I've helped a lot of people, but it's not- and I'm not finished helping, but as for Denver, we'll have to wait and see.


Rachel Maddow: Of course, you know what I'm wondering is if you have any plans to be behind a podium, say, Wednesday night in prime time. (laughs)


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: (pause) I...Right now, on Wednesday night I'm scheduled to be at a dinner in Milan, Italy.


Rachel Maddow: (laughs) That is, that is, that is fair enough. Let, let me ask you one last question about, about Denver and I won't, I won't put you on the spot further than this. But we have heard now from the Democratic Part and Convention organizers that Wednesday will be a day, in addition to hearing from the Vice Presid- Vice Presidential candidate, we've heard that Wednesday will be a day devoted to talking about veterans and honoring veterans. Do you think that the Democratic Party has effectively seized the issue of caring for veterans and caring for service personnel as, as its political bailiwick and sort of taken that on effectively a-a-a-a while the Republicans still try to claim high ground on national security?

link

Alan Colmes: Hey General, if, if, you know, if you're not the Vice President for Obama, would there be a place for you in an Obama administration? You think you might have a formal role coming up if he's the President?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: I- Al, I just wouldn't know. I really don't know. But I'm in the business community. I travel a lot to Europe. I'm accessible, and you know I still want to help the country any way I-

Alan Colmes: Yeah.

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: -can and help the people who are in office. I think this is an issue for Americans. It's not a partisan issue.

link

(emphasis added)

On edit: Wonder why Steve Clemons is pushing this rumor?

[Spazito]

1. He also said this during that interview....

Rachel Maddow: Hm. Um, are you going to be in Denver, General Clark?


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: I'm not sure yet. I have business commitments overseas, and the convention honestly, I mean, it just hasn't taken form enough for me to know.

I have no flipping idea whether Clark will be in Denver or in Italy and this interview does little to give me one, imo.

[gateley]

2. Thanks for this --

I just referenced his conversation with Rachel in another post, but you're far more conscientious than I! :headbang:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Those were non-answer answers.

He could have flatly said, "No, I won't be at the convention because they haven't asked me to be there." Or, "No, have not been asked to be Obama's running mate." Interpret that however you like, but those "answers" were pretty evasive, IMO.

[RazBerryBeret]

4. hmmm....I'm still hopeful...

notice that he said
"Right now, on Wednesday night I'm scheduled to be at a dinner in Milan, Italy"

using the phrase "right now" implies that it could change at a later time
and
"I'm scheduled"...schedules are easy to change, he didn't say I'll be in Milan, or I plan on being in Milan....

[Flying Dream Blues]

6. Yeah, he definitely left the door open for the possibility. I'm hoping he's the one. nt

[RazBerryBeret]

10. I was behind him in 04..

because of the mess Bush had gotten us into I thought he was our best choice diplomatically and militarily (is that even a word?)...and I would still consider him a DC outsider, so he fits the "change" message. I will continue to hope and so does me 76 year old dad!

[Cleita]

5. I'd like to see Clark as Secretary of Defense.

Since he is no longer active in the Army and a civilian today, I think this is a possibility. He would be the guy who would know where to start cleaning house and then to build it back into a military force that we can be proud of as Americans. I think he would know how to unload the mercenaries like Blackwater too with little ado.

[Lena inRI]

7. Once and for all. . .

. . .there is a RULE that says military personnel have to be civilian status 10+ years before consideration for Secretary of Defense.

General Clark retired and started civilian status in 2000.

Furthermore,

are you aware of his breadth of knowledge and experience that would make Clark the ideal VP choice?

Start educating yourself:

http://securingamerica.com/about

Anyone trying to diminish Clark's stature is either uninformed, envious, or both.

[Dinger]

8. Good Post Lena (nt)

[Cleita]

11. You don't have to shout.

Clark is not being considered for VP and wishing it so, isn't going to make it happen. Sorry, I thought it was ten years, but thanks for the information. Maybe Secretary of State? I really do want to see him in this administration, but I strongly believe he won't be asked to be VP because there are other candidates out there that will be considered first.

[RazBerryBeret]

12. Not to mention...

he is the ONLY person who came close to criticising McCain's military experience...he got lambasted by the press, but at least he had the balls to do it! I admire that, and I think we need that!

[WinkyDink]

9. I'd cancel ANY dinner if I were tapped to be Obama's VP. So "a dinner in Milan" means squat.

[Independent_Voice]

13. I think the "Milan" comment was a joke, tongue-in-cheek

Even if he's not chosen as the V.P. or given a prime-time speaking slot, there's no way Clark would miss the convention just to go on a random jaunt to Italy.

[Whisp]

14. could be a misunderstanding of what he said...

I'm having a melon for dinner on Wednesday, It, Ally (that's my melon's name) is scheduled for it anyway.

[Sparkly]

15. I'm sure he'd break a dinner appt for the Democratic National Convention!!

Please don't take this as a "Sorry I can't make it!"

[Dinger]

16. Wes Will Be There, Especially On Wednesday, After Tammy Duckworth Is My Guess

B-)


:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: