Clark, the video and Republican National FEAR!

[Clark Can WIN]

I don't think people are accostomed to candidates who are honest anymore and I find that a sad statement. Wesley Clark however is not a politician and that is one of the biggest reasons why I love him as a candidate. I will wait to see the context of this clip before I make a judgement of any kind. I will take him at his word when he says that until recently, he did not consider himself a partisan. I believe that to be potentially a very good thing, especially in the general election. Al Sharpton was right when he told Clark not to be defensive about being new to the party.

We will find out now if he has the skills and resources to maneuver the shark infested waters of a political campaign. You will notice that video was released by the REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE. They are trying to hit him early and hard while they have left other candidates pretty much alone. Why is that? Why are all of our republican "friends" like Chris Mathews and Rush Limbaugh are advising us Democrats to go with Dean or Kerry? Why? They are terrified of Wesley Clark in the general election, that's why.

The very tape they released to smear him is quite possibly the same tape that will sound their own death bell if Wesley Clark emerges victorious and claims the Democratic nomination. Almost half of this countries voting citizens cast their ballot in favor of George Bush and while they now feel betrayed, they will not be eager to have their noses rubbed in it either.

The less partisan and more mainstream voter will find empathy in Clarks position that we were, as a nation, collectively duped. This video is the sharpest spear they have in the arsenal to throw at Clark I am sure, before the Democratic primaries.

They threw it early and desperately because his numbers are higher than their worst nightmares and they know this may be the only chance, and the only way they have to defeat him. They have launched a "pre-emptive stike" if you will at the Wesley Clark campaign before it gets unstoppable traction.

If I were Wesley Clark I would turn this right around back on them. I would point out in the press that the RNC is the one who realeased the video and then ask the question, what do they want? First the Republicans claim that saying bad things about the President is unpatriotic and devisive, even dangerous......... now they seem to be complaining about a candidate who ONCE UPON A TIME had GOOD things to say about the President.......... so which is it Republicans? Then I would point to my theme of the NEW AMERICAN PATRIOTISM, and talk about honest and open dialoge. That's the way to get back on track in my very humble opinion.

In short, come this General election, I'd rather be kicking ass, something I still firmly believe Clark can accomplish for us - - than be the party of the ass getting kicked again.

Newguyatl, was this your big "October suprise"? *flicking crumb off of placemat* Yawn. The picture of Clark emerging as being EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID HE WAS............ *gasp* A former BI-PARTISAN who is now a PROUD DEMOCRAT. Shocking! :wow:

[wyldwolf]

1. EXCELLENT!

You're hired! Report to campaign headquarters tomorrow.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

39. this is the dumbest Clark bash of all

Clark, like the rest of the politicians, says diplomatic things about the opposition all the time. I really don't understand the fuss. I like what Sharpton said, "Don't worry about being a new Democrat, it's better to be a new Democrat than an old Democrat who acts like a Republican"

[cprise]

2. They learned that attacking Dean increased his popularity

And think it might work on Clark instead.

If Clark's appeal is liberal, then of course the attacks will just help Clark in the primaries.

[AngryYoungMan]

3. What video?

I must have missed something. What's this video?

[Kool Kitty]

16. Please, what video are you talking about?

Have I missed something?

[Clark Can WIN]

19. On RNCNN this morning they showed a homemade

video clip of Wesley Clark saying something nice about Bush. It was realeased by the RNC.

[Kool Kitty]

22. Thanks. Now I'm going to ask you

another dumb question-what's RNCNN?

[Qutzupalotl]

27. A slur against CNN

tying them to the RNC.

Kind of like BSNBC. :)

[Kool Kitty]

29. Oh, I get it.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm such a twit. ;-)

[VolcanoJen]

The real reason Republicans are afraid of Clark:

[FlashHarry]

4. Hmm. If they're slamming him for supporting 'pukes...

...and then switching. How do they feel about their own Norm Coleman?

[captain_crunch]

5. If a democrat was in office,

Clark would be seeking the Republican nomination for president!
He's no democrat, how many innocent people did he bomb in Kosovo?

[Zuni]

8. well

he didn't bomb anyone--he was on the ground. Innocents were killed by pilot errors and mistakes, but they weren't Clark's fault.

Think about how many Kosovar Albanians would have died, been mutilated, been driven out of Kosovo if it hadn't been for NATO's campaign.

[captain_crunch]

10. Oh I see, he was supreme commander, ordered the bombings,

but he had nothing to do with the bombing because he didn't actually push the button??!!

OK, thanks for straightening that out for me.
GO CLARK!!!!

[sangh0]

21. Clinton ordered the bombings

The last time I looked, our military was under CIVILIAN control.

[captain_crunch]

11. you sound like rummy,

defending the Iraq invasion

[HFishbine]

6. Makes no sense

"Chris Mathews and Rush Limbaugh are advising us Democrats to go with Dean or Kerry"

Huh? Do you really think that dems follow their advice?

[Clark Can WIN]

30. I think my point

just parted your hair.

[robbedvoter]

7. Perfect! That will bring GOP-ers to us just as the "Clinton's man"

label is bringing them in droves.

[kentuck]

9. I can understand the "bi-partisanship" of career military men...

especially in the officer corps. I can understand General Clark's transformation after becoming a civilian. I do not think he is a plant of the RNC. I think he is sincere with his political statements.

However, I think his problem is one of credibility. His close ties to the Republicans may be understandable to some Democrats, but to many it will be a problem for him. I think he can be an asset to the Party but not at the head of the Party.

[cally]

12. I agree, I'm concerned

The man has to prove he can be a partisan as well as a candidate. I want payback but that candidate will not win election. Still, I don't want someone who believes as Republicans do. Their economic plans are always disastrous for us.

Hey, Clark coming to support Davis will allay some of my fears. Work for the party and come to Cali. Say you oppose the recall.

[returnable]

20. "Say you oppose the recall."

I like your idea.

Of course, if Clark follows Clinton & Gore out to Cali, some will nail him as a DLC puppet.

There's just no pleasing some people :)

[Clark Can WIN]

17. I still maintain that Al Sharpton was right

He shouldn't have to justify being new to the party when it's clear his heart is in it now. So what do we do? Do we sacrifice ourselves at the altar of "party purity" (whatever that means)? Or do we call the RNC at their bluff and tell then to go to hell? I tell them to go to hell.

[delhurgo]

13. I fail to see what the big deal is....

...about a speaker being polite to republicans at a republican function. And all this was years ago before anyone knew how The Bush Admin would perform in office. This makes Clark look like he is above politics, like he is not your typical partisan politician. I agree that is is positive for him, not negative. I think they feel it may hurt him in the dem primaries with true believers. Probably true, but if he becomes the nominee it will be a help.

Same goes for the nice things he had to say about Reagan. Lets face it, average votesrs like Reagan.

[Dhalgren]

24. I am a Kucinich supporter at this point,

and it has been said that I am bigoted against Republicans (I am). That being said, I would dearly love it if hundreds of thousands of Republicans would "see the light" and switch parties. I would welcome them with open arms. Clark being new to the party is of no concern to me - he is more liberal than some of the candidates and more conservative than others. If he wins the nomination, I will vote for him (and then leave the party). But, I don't see how he can be said to be a mole for the RNC - the DLC doesn't need RNC moles, they do very nicely undermining Progressives on their own.

[Clark Can WIN]

38. Interesting circle you have there

:grouphug:

I do agree that the more of the country we can drag (kicking and screaming if need be) towards the left the better off the whole blessed planet will be.

[madaboutharry]

14. I agree

The worst thing for the Clark canpaign is to become defensive.

[robbedvoter]

15. You remind me of the "Peter Arnet is a traitor" thingy

I remember Huffington foaming at the mouth: he went in Iraqi TV and said: "Thank you for inviting me" (funny from the Gingritch girl turned "progressive").
I was happy when Jeffords turned independent. Clark is a similarly important and beneficial event.

[tokenlib]

18. You have a strong point...

Most people I know still think I'm nuts when I tell them the GOP dream is to do away with social security, medicare, and that they see veterans benefits akin to welfare. The GOP has been good at duping America. Hell, I made the mistake of voting for Reagan in 1980--and always have regretted it--temporary insanity!

Clark seems to have his heart in the right place on many issues--Social Security, health care, the environment. And although I like Dean a lot--the idea that Clark might be a stronger president is rolling around in my head recently.

I'm not going to hold it against him that he said nice things about repukes in the past. Veterans have been seen as a "republican" voting bloc---how many millions of veterans are waking up to the fact that all the GOP ever does is piss on them?

The GOP has duped a lot of people...

[Julien Sorel]

23. Some excellent points here.

Another point: Why is it that the Republicans released this video now, as opposed to waiting until a general election against Clark, when it would have potentially had a meaner impact on the actual voting public? Could it be that they don't want Clark as their opponent in the general election? Nah -- that's too obvious. It must be part of that old Karl Rove mis-mis-mis-mis direction plan again. The Republicans are really terrified of Howard Dean and John Kerry -- that's why they focus so much effort on attacking Clark. Keeps him in the spotlight.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

25. It's Classic Gray Davis/Garry South

They started this trick (and it's brilliant, IMO) of demolishing difficult general election opponents in the primary.

My gut feeling is that because we and the media are aware of it now, the counter-spin of pointing out exactly what the opposition is doing here will stick a little better. Hopefully, we can even work this into Clark's favor.

DTH

[Capn Sunshine]

33. We all know who Garry South works for, don't we

:)

[DoveTurnedHawk]

34. I Think Clark Would Be Smart to Ask South to Join After Lieberman Drops

Generally speaking, Garry South is one smart campaign man, IMO!

DTH

[Capn Sunshine]

36. I dunno CCW, the idea of this video circulating

at hotel room VCRs come convention time, it might be the x factor that moves delegates away from Clark. But that's just me being paranoid; just because I know of someone duplicating 25,000 of these doesn't really mean they will necessarily use them.....

(and it ain't Dean guys doin it)

[Clark Can WIN]

37. Never said it was

Just said I think one of them knew about it. That's all.

And on the delegates, I personally don't think they'll give a tinkers freakin' damn if they have the sweet and heady flavor of VICTORY on the plate before them.

[saoirse]

26. The GOP is making a HUGE mistake

For exactly the reasons you and many other DUers are pointing out.

Most people vote for a candidate, not a party. And many people who voted for Reagan voted for Clinton, and see no inconsisency in doing so. And the more reflective among them - like Clark - eventually see the error of their old Republican ways and stand firmer in the Democratic camp.

It's called maturing. Clark, especially, should be allowed his political evolution - he was to busy serving his country to be too concerned about politics. And as a military man, it's only natural that he support Reagan, with his lavish defense spending. Now, as a civilian, an American, and a patriot, Clark has a bigger perspective - and he sees that we're still struggling to clean up the mess Reagan left us. Or at least we were, before Dubya and his cronies took over.

So Clark is a gracious man, who, like most Americans, wished our leadership well in the wake of September 11th. This will only illustrate that Clark is a true patriot who naturally puts the national interest over partisan politics. Now, in the wake of the Patriot Act, the war in Iraq, and all the other crimes of the Bush maladministration, I don't think he'd be nearly as generous.

I would suggest reading the following very illuminating article from someone who criticized the general during the Kosovo war:

http://www.sftt.org/cgi-bin/csNews/csNews.cgi?database=Hacks%20Target%20Homepage.db&command=viewone&op=t&id=32&rnd=735.1185025959128

It explains how a lot of the criticism of the General is actually based on what a fine man he is.

I, for one, have never in my lifetime been prouder of my candidate. And I can't wait till he takes the oast of office, and our great republic's dark ages finally come to an end.

[lanlady]

28. first the GOP slander machine said Clark was --

--Bill Clinton's water boy, then he was running pass interference for Hillary, now he's....a Reaganite??!

[saoirse]

31. That's perfect!

I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see your line on the talk shows... :)

[Clark Can WIN]

32. They're running all over the map

trying to kill his candidacy before it gets away from them and there is NO WAY they can stop it. They're Sh**ing bricks.

[jumptheshadow]

35. It depends on what crowd they're trying to reach

He's the Clintons' water boy for the Repugs and a Reaganite for the Dems.

They want to stop this guy, and in the worst way.