Message posted to the daily Kos today by Wesley Clark Jr.

[chaska]

Just a couple of comments (and yes, I am who I say I am as Kos can attest),

I don't know if he will run but he'll make an announcement either way (my guess is at the very latest labor day). I understand that the wait might be frustrating for people in the DraftClark movement and the Democratic party - but if he runs, I assume that those who think he is a good candidate now will probably not hold it against him just because he waited a few extra weeks.

He won't be running as a Republican.

He IS NOT campaigning for a VP slot.

He is very progressive on every issue - he's stated that global warming is happening, that he's pro-choice, that he's pro-affirmative action, that he's pro-union, that the tax code should remain progressive, that multilateral solutions should be found for the world's security concerns, that he was against the decision to go to war in Iraq and that we need stronger social safety nets. I don't know what other positions people need to find out which direction he leans but it seems fairly clear to me.

He is most of all interested in the battle of ideas and not that of individuals (to include himself). I'm sure he'll help out whomever wins the nom for the Democrats when it comes time to bring down Bushco - whether he mounts a campaign himself or not.

I don't know if he would be able to win the Democratic nom but I believe he is the only one who can win the general election because it will be about one thing - national security. I wish it were about health care, the coming water crisis, the need for alternative energy or the economy but it won't be. National security is now personal security and that trumps every other issue.

As an unrelated aside, does anyone else out there believe that the real reason the Repubs are having the convention in NYC isn't to crow about 9/11 but to provoke a riot a la Chicago in '68?

Wesley Clark Jr. | 07.09.03 - 5:05 pm |

[AnnabelLee]

1. IIRC

Wesley Clark, Jr. lives in LA & is a screenwriter.

[ShaneGR]

2. LINK?

please

[charlie]

3. link

link

[terryg11]

4. I would like to see him throw his hat in the ring

for one, we could see where the DLC really stands - are they really about getting a true democrat in the white house or just about playing patty cake with their corporate sponsors.

for another, he has a huge chance of winning for reasons already stated.

as for the unrelated aside, I think they are going use 9/11 for all they can which is truly shitty and I will be very disappointed (although not that surprised) if the american people don't nail their asses to the wall for it. Provoking a riot would be a nice "freebie" though.

[clar]

5. I'm pretty sure this is legit

I posted earlier on this. Wesley Clark Jr. has been posting on Daily Kos from time to time for several weeks now. According to Markos he is who he says he is. Daily Kos strikes me as being a meticulously run site. I think if this guy is an impostor that would have been made clear. The posts themselves, and there are several on today's comment thread for the weekly cattle call, are quite interesting.

[Merlin]

21. I think your right, clar.

I had my doubts when I couldn't find it on the DailyKos site. But I found my way there (Cattle Call 2004: Comment Period 7/9; click on Comments).

[Pastiche423]

6. Anyone who believes

that National Security is the biggest issue in our country, has bought the * cabal's bullshit, hook, line and sinker.

[copithorne]

7. he said biggest issue in the election.

not in the country.

I welcome Clark into the race.

[Pastiche423]

9. It isn't the biggest issue in the election either.

You buy Clark? You bought the fear.

[Nashyra]

10. I buy Clark because I want to win the election

Just because you buy Clark does not mean you have bought the fear, but it does mean that you understand that the majority of the voting public has bought the fear and that we have to have a candidate that can combat that fear. Clark can be a very good candidate and sounds to be from I've heard slightly to the left of moderate which appeals to alot of voters, it also sounds like he knows how to be diplomatic abroad and at home, this would be invaluable to get the economy on track, healthcare reform and a myrad of other social issues back on track. I hope he throws his hat in the ring sooner.

[Pastiche423]

12. Please, please, please

show me where he sounds like he knows how to be a diplomat. Have you heard how he has treated service people below him in rank?

[Eloriel]

8. Not only that

but Bush couldn't be more vulnerable on National and Domestic security if he tried. All that needs to be done is to have that pointed out.

There's NO ONE in this country (who is not a first responder or otherwise directly involved) who has the faintest idea what to look for OR what to do in the case of a potential or actual terrorist attack. Our ports aren't being protected. First responders funds have been denied. The war in Iraq made us more vulnerable, not less -- and that's according to our own CIA prior to the war. On and on. You're right. It's RNC spin, pure and simple.

Oh, and having voted for the damn war doesn't mean shit on the subject. Nor, IMO, does a seat on any committee which hasn't done its job on Bush to date.

Eloriel

[Mz Pip]

11. Then you are willing

to blow off about 70% of the electorate? Maybe the country has bought the cabal's bullshit. But ignoring it won't change it and denying it doesn't exist won't either.

What happened in 2002? The Bush cabal convinced the electorate that only they could protect America. Busllshit yes, but that is what happened and just blowing it off won't produce victory in 2004.

MzPip
:dem:

[Pastiche423]

13. What happened in 2002

was a cross between liver lilled Dems and rigged voting machines.

What this country needs is a leader that will help repair our relationship w/the world community and fund our police officers, EMTs, firemen and ports. (As far as security.)

A uniform w/no governing experience and no diplomatic experience is the last thing our country needs to heal. And we need to heal!

[Mz Pip]

14. Any candidate

who is perceived as being weak on National Security has ZERO chance of winning in 2004. ZERO. Remember most of the people in this country don't give diddly squat about what the world community thinks.

I agree with you about what this country needs. I am not convinced that Clark cannot provide that.

MzPip
:dem:

[IranianDemocrat]

15. Americans will not elect someone soft on National Security...

That's why I wouldn't vote for Kucinich. Sorry but I want to fight TRUE terrorism with a little more than just singing "Kumbaya"

[Pastiche423]

16. What is TRUE terrorism?

:eyes:

Buy the FEAR, feel the FEAR, BE AFRAID!

[Mz Pip]

17. So what's your point?

How do you convince millions of Americans that they've been had? Bush is a one trick pony - Terra terra terra ( throw in Tax cuts once in awhile for the domestic scene.) It's been pretty effective.

It's all well and good to point out that the Fear Factor is an opportunistic ploy. It's another thing to change the tune and make people believe it. The Dems haven't been real effective on that one sorry to say.

If you can come up with a plan that will convince the majority of the people in this country who believe that terrorism is a serious concern that they really don't have anytthing to fear, well, more power to you. BUt I just don't see it happening.

MzPip
:dem:

[Merlin]

18. The most important part of this is the follow-up.

Several posts later, Clark's son says that his father "probably" would accept the VP slot if it mean's helping the ticket and beating Bush.

Anybody on this forum who doesn't think Clark makes an impeccable choice for VP is smoking something very wierd.

Think about it!!! Dean/Clark. That's a damn winning ticket!!!!! Rove will be apoplectic.

So is Kerry/Clark. Hell, so is Gephardt/Clark.

And will national security be important in '04? Hello? Have you been paying attention? Where is Shrubbie being nominated? NYC. Where will he give his acceptance speech? Ground Zero. How soon before the election? 60 days. Remember the flags on the cars last year? Remember the 85% polls? Nuff said.

[Donna Zen]

19. And if they get cornered...

there is always an LIHOP moment. The campaign is going to be a war.

[Merlin]

20. Here's how to find this on Daily Kos

It's tricky.

Go to the Daily Kos web site:

http://www.dailykos.com/

Scroll down to:

Cattle Call 2004: Comment Period 7/9

Click on: Comments

Then scroll down 3/4 of the way or so to 5:05 pm.

(Or you can use the link Charlie provided in one of the first few posts. He apparently put a copy of the whole blog page up on his own HaloScan web page.):
http://www.haloscan.com/comments.php?user=dailykos&comment=003322#13404