My repub garage mechanic wants Clark for pres. in 08!

[CTyankee]

This guy voted for Bush, didn't like Kerry. I started to bug him about how Bush was screwing up everything. He had to agree with a lot of what I said. He likes Wes Clark. He asked if I thought Clark was "moderate." I said "On what issue?" He thought that Clark would be a leader in defense of the country. I agreed with that. Too bad we couldn't sit down and have a couple of beers. Maybe I could get hime wooed over. Course he's working on my car which still has a "Veteran for Kerry/Edwards" bumper sticker on it! (I'm not a vet, hubby is).

[rniel]

1. Wonder if he watches Fox news regularly

and had the first opportunity to actually listen to what Clark had to say instead of it getting filtered, and taken out of context through the corrupt media what was said.

And many were shocked when Wesley Clark joined the fox news team, but maybe it was a smart move for him.

[CTyankee]

2. Definitely!

My gut sense in being for Clark early in the 04 campaign was that he would be invulnerable to repukes smears with people like my mechanic. I haven't actually seen Clark on Fox News but I am so glad he is there. I think he's got a great chance in 08 (if we make til then!).

[leyton]

6. No one is invulnerable.

The Republicans have smeared all of our candidates - Dukakis, Clinton, Gore, Kerry. To say nothing of Ann Richards, Max Cleland, and a host of other state candidates. The key is to find a candidate who will fight back, as Clinton did, and who will fight back hard. They will find something wrong with Clark's handling of the Balkan crisis, no matter how skillfully he handled it. The question is, will he be dignified about it and ignore it, like Kerry before him, or will he open up a can of whoop-ass?

[FrenchieCat]

8. ooh, ooh...Can of WhoopAss?

WHOOP...THERE IT IS!

[CTyankee]

9. Yeah I do worry about the Balkan thing

Hopefully, now that we've been Swift Boated a few times, we can develop a better response. Repukes are bound to pull out some creep who will claim that Clark did a bad thing or didn't do what he said he did. By then, we damn well better have a lineup of defenders ready to hand the Katie Couric's their heads when they start repeating the lies.

[FrenchieCat]

10. Kosovo was fully investigated, and Wes Clark was fully Cleared....

Here's the "final" report in full.

I will be sending it out to various journalists BEFORE THE SHIT even smells like it might hit the fan.....like Next week!

http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/nato061300.htm

Plus, there has been too many published praises for Clark's role in Kosovo...even by the right wing press (written at the time, circa 1999-2000)

Also, he received a medal of Freedom, as well as these medals for his work there.....so I think it would be difficult for anyone to NOW say that he "did a bad thing".

Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom); Commander of the Legion of Honor (France); Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Orange-Nassau, with Swords (Netherlands); Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy; Grand Cross of the Medal of Military Merit (Portugal); The Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of Republic of Poland; Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; Grand Medal of Military Merit (White Band) (Spain); The Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold (Belgium); Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defense First Class (Czech Republic); Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic; Commander's Cross, The Silver Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia; Madarski Konnik Medal (Bulgaria); Commemorative Medal of the Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic First Class (Slovakia); First Class Order of Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas (Lithuania); Order of the Cross of the Eagle (Estonia); The Skandeberg Medal (Albania); Order of Merit of Morocco; Order of Merit of Argentina; The Grade of Prince Butmir w/Ribbon and Star (Croatia) and the Military Service Cross of Canada.

[tsuki]

22. Medals mean nothing to the Chickhawks, just a slag of metal.

They use them to smear Kerry and Murtha saying that they didn't deserve them.

[SpiralHawk]

25. The Republicans trash every US Veteran who comes along

and they are a bunch of shirking chickenhawks: Cheney, Hannity, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, etc. etc. ad nauseum. Not a one of them served, and their leader Bush served with no honor whatsoever.

[FrenchieCat]

30. The point is that Clark got chestful of medals from foreign countries

which are largely made up NATO countries.

The English are not going to give you a Knighthood for what you did in Kosovo, if what you did in Kosovo was to royally fuck up, etc.... That's my point!

[tsuki]

47. Does he have one from France? And when has having

medals, a Knighthood, a history of service ever stopped the freepers? They have a Joe McCarthy icon over there. (They would have a Roy Cohn icon, but they are homophobes.)

No, they will attack and smear because it makes the pathetic eunuchs fell "manly."

[CTyankee]

38. Wow!!

That is impressive!! I am in awe. Thank you so much.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

11. If we wanna play the sound byte game, I think a good response would

be that those who are critical of Clark are jealous.

Because of his status in the army, his brilliance.

I mean as a first line of defense.

Also need the facts.

[underscorenow]

50. just quote Gen. Barry MacCafferty:

"We could fight Kosovo a 1000 times and we would lose Kosovo a 1000 times. Wes Clark is a national treasure."

[JasonFromWaltham]

61. Check out the Wes Pac Site

A lot of Clarks appearances on Fox are available for DL on the Wespac site www.securingamerica.com. Some are on the home page (official), others are available in the community section (grabbged by bloggers). He has been on Fox at least once (sometimes up to 3 times) a week for the past several months. I think he is making a good impression.

[Ilsa]

7. This is why I thought Clark's signing with Faux news was so brilliant!

He can get loads of exposure to moderate Republicans who are wanting a big change. The reich-wng nutjobs will still vote for the coathangers and warmongerers.

[democrat_patriot]

3. Me too.

He has no senate record to smear, he's a General for god's sake, intelligent and well-spoken.

I think he would make a great candidate for president.

[Coexist]

4. Him not having a voting record to distort is a huge + in his favor

My .02

[Clark2008]

13. Photogenic, too.

For those shallow people who vote based on who "looks" the most presidential.

[ShockediSay]

27. We're talking about a country whose swing vote

has a sound bite mentality.

I think he'd be unbeatable, even against McCain.

[underscorenow]

51. I hope you're not just figuring that out now.

don't mean to be snide, just so damn disgusted that the Dems didn't all see this obvious point when it mattered.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Hey....I saw Wes Clark last night in San Francisco, and he discussed

his appearances on Fox. He said that his contract expires in May, and he's not sure what he's gonna do after that. He did say that his appearance on Fox precludes him from appearing on the other cable channels (CNN, CNBC, MSNBC), but not on the Network channels (ABC, CBS, NBC).

He stated that in attempting to infiltrate and influence the minds of the Fox Viewers, he's taking great care that he gets the message to them without getting too mean and nasty with some of the "hosts" if at all possible, so that his message comes across crystal clear and is not confused by the manner in which it is presented....all the while making sure that these "hosts" don't get an upperhand......so he said that he is "restraining" himself a lot of the time....cause he's keeping his eye on the prize.

He apologized for not being on a station that more Democrats watched instead.....saying that he knows that many Democrats won't watch Fox....and so in attempting to influence the Bush voters, he may be missing out on getting his message out to the Democrats....but feels that educating Bush voters is must more important right now!

So he asked his supporter to make sure that we talk about what he is doing to progressives, so that they will at least know what he's up to.

[Clark2008]

14. He's got time to do that after May.

I think this would work out perfectly: he spends this year educating Republicans and then hops out to be a foreign affairs spokesperson on Keith O.'s show.

Remember when, post 911, that Keith was reporting for Aaron Brown's News Night and Wes was the military analyst. Whew... hot nights on TV! :hi:

[CTyankee]

17. Just a post script

my mechanic did say he saw Clark on Fox.

[Donna Zen]

35. Yep...the Foxbots know the General

I was flying out of Memphis when a man across the aisle insisted on having a political chat. The man grew red in the face praising bush...yadi yadi bing bang. All Dems were dirt according Mr. Red. But then up popped the subject of General Clark. "If anyone EVER said something bad about Clark...I'd kick their ass in honor of my father, a Korean Vet." He also said that he'd seen the General of fox. "If he's on fox...then he's okay," announced my surly companion...to the whole f'king plane.

The guy was painful and loud, but it did give provide some insight into a blotto red-mind set.

Could they swiftboat Clark? Well, they'd try...but I think that this time they'd find themselves on the wrong side of the thin grey line.

[renate]

42. that's exactly why I'd be happy to see his contract go for another year:

"If he's on FOX, then he's okay." (Whatever, dude. :eyes:)

There are FOX viewers who are just stupid enough to think this way--that's why they're FOX viewers, duh. But their votes still count every bit as much as votes from people who have a couple of brain cells to rub together, so we'll take 'em.

[Donna Zen]

43. 72% of the people who voted for bush

....thought that he supported importing cheap drugs from Canada.

Most voters have no idea where the candidates stand. It is partly because they don't bother to learn anything, and mostly because the MSM gatekeepers make sure it is difficult to impossible to find out. The media portrays the election as a horse race to blockout any serious debate.

That is why the online community that reads and talks and talks some more, tend to have a very different take on who are the best candidates. It's too late for me...I can no longer go back to voting by TV.

[renate]

45. "Most voters have no idea where the candidates stand."

Boy howdy, is that true.

In Oregon we get a voter's guide with our mail-in ballots; the candidates write a little "About Me" page outlining their positions; also, social and environmental groups etc, unions, and so on can pay a few hundred bucks to include an essay of their own saying why they support their candidate.

It's still possible to obfuscate, but having everything laid out in black and white, with the candidates' positions all in one place for easy comparison, would be such a huge help to voters who don't know enough (whether from lack of time, lack of interest, whatever) to make an decision based on anything but TV ads.

[CTyankee]

53. "Boy howdy"? How Texan of you!

I grew up there. Never hear "boy howdy" (pronounced "Hiedy" in my part of Texas)up here in CT.

[Clark2008]

12. Hell, most of the paleo Republicans I know want Wes to run.

They LOVE him and hate the Shrub.

I live in an area with a lot of old-time Republicans who were none too happy about the choices they were given in 2004.

[Adelante]

15. That's a kind of voter

Wes can be really good at reaching. The blue-collar red voter. I think it's because Wes is such a straight-talker. He doesn't pander to anybody. Just tells the truth as he sees it.

edit: typos

[Totally Committed]

16. My republican son (I know... where did I go wrong? LOL!)...

wants Wes Clark for POTUS, too. He told me the other night he wanted Wes to run again, because he was so tired of having to support "Bush's lameness". He said "Wes isn't a wimp, and he's a grown-up. I could support him, but the Democrats are too stupid to nominate him so I'll be stuck voting for another Bush or that whacko McCain." (He thinks Jeb or McCain will be the Rep. candidate)

(During the primaries in 2004, my family had a first in a lifetime experience... every single one of us, from the Democrats to the Greens to my son, the Republican, supported Wes Clark for President... all for differing reasons, but we all supported him. That one year, all the family gatherings and Sunday dinners were peaceful. It was heaven, thanks to Wes.)

SoThe upshot?... Wes is a guy who can bring the whole political spectrum together under one umbrella. We need him.

TC

[Crunchy Frog]

19. We're all Dems in my family

(that's my mother, my sister and I) but we all ended up supporting Wes, and we all came to that support independently of one another. It made for some nice togetherness in an otherwise rather distant and alienated family.

Hell, even my total douchebag of an ex stepfather supported Wes.

(I didn't know that one of your kids was a Republican.:hug: )

[Totally Committed]

31. Yes... my son is a Republican... *hanging my head*

My other son was a Republican, too, but he passed on almost ten years ago. It has to be the Y chromosome or something. All three of my daugters are Democrats. I have a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law that are Green. We all voted for Wes... every last one of us, and that had never happened before or since. I think that really says something about him.

TC

[Clark2008]

28. Not that my hubby is a Republican, but he told me last

night that Wesley Clark was probably the best candidate for president in his lifetime; however, he worries that the insane media will ignore him like they did last time and the sheeple will follow Hillary.

I honestly worry a lot about that, too.

[Crunchy Frog]

18. That's very interesting.

The sad fact of the matter is that if we're going to get a Dem elected, we're going to have to get some of the people who voted for Bush last time. We're going to actually need to put someone forward who will be able to communicate with those people in a language they can understand.

I think alot of the people that voted for Bush actually do not agree so much with the Repub party positions, but do it sort of impulsively on the basis of feelings. I have the hope that Wes has been subtly influencing and educating some of those types during his stint at FAUX.

I hope you'll keep working on this guy and see if you can get him to clarify his own beliefs for himself. He may yet discover that he's a Democrat under the surface.

[LadyAziz]

20. I too am supporting Clark he knows how to lead...

his calm, intelligent and inviting but I really liked Kerry and Edwards. I guess will have to wait and see who wins the nomination.

[underscorenow]

52. why do you like 2 guys that broke the constitution...

and said they'd do it again? It boggles my mind that Dems still don't acknowledge this. No offense, but you can't blame me for being ornery over something so catastophic and black and white and inexcusable.

[SammyWinstonJack]

60. How did Kerry and Edwards break the Constitution? Perhaps you

meant to type bush and cheney instead? :shrug:

[Catchawave]

21. What are the chances.......

We can have Wes come to Virginia and challenge George Allen ! LOL...but...I'm not only serious, but d.e.s.p.e.r.a.t.e. Only because the last "series!!1!" Dem challenger was Ben Afleck !

Also, I believe, Gen. Clark could beat him, since Virginia is a Red/Blue/Purple state, most heavily populated with active and retired military/fed employees.

This would not negate his run for '08, as he would win this Virginia Seat, then when he's elected President, Tim Kaine, our Dem Gov, will appoint his replacement!
A Democrat.

God, I love politics :hi:

[Texas_Kat]

23. Once Clark makes a commitment

he doesn't toss that commitment for 'greener' pastures.

So I'd say "no, thanks but no thanks"

OTOH, I hear there are other 04 candidates who are still under- or un-employed.

[Catchawave]

24. "Greener Pastures" ?

I want to get on that bandwagon :hi:

[Texas_Kat]

56. Sign up right here

http://www.securingamerica.com/cnn

But, on second thought, you've been on several potential candidate's bandwagons, first JRE then Warner.

Hey, I have an idea.... go ask Warner to run against Allen. After all, he actually lives in Virginia.

[Adelante]

26. So right

Wes would never run for an office and then abandon that constituency to run for president.

Lots of lawyers in Virginia, I bet ...

[FrenchieCat]

29. Yep....I'm sure there are losta of attorneys who can afford run due

to their personal fortunes.....

But that being said....It should be someone from Virginia who runs anyway.

For there to be a suggestion that someone should set themselves up to be called a Carpetbagger and then to suggest that this same someone could disappear from his elected position to go and run for President! What a ridiculous idea!

I wouldn't never vote for someone that callous!:shrug:

[Catchawave]

33. And that would imply.....?

Can we try and Raise the States before we get all jiggy over 2008 candidates? Especially in this most important election year :shrug:

Sidebar: My post wasn't intended to offend (?) Clark or his supporters, and if it was misconstrued, I apologize. But I'm damn serious, a Senator Clark in Virginia is much more palatable than a Senator Allen any day!!!!

[FrenchieCat]

36. Talk to Warner, why don't you....

He's from Virginia, supremely liked there....and it's not too late for him to do this.......let him know that he can also run for President too!

[Catchawave]

37. Where have you been ? ~nt

[FrenchieCat]

39. So if you've talked to Warner....What did he say?

Did he say NO?

[CarolNYC]

40. To bring a bit of seriousness to the conversation here...

It is too bad that Warner won't run. I hear he could likely beat Allen....Webb has said he will not run, which is unfortunate because, from what the folks I know in Virginia say, Miller has less than no shot and the race is over before it's begun. Very disheartening to the Virginians I know.

[Catchawave]

41. No to challenging Allen because....

2008 is an attainable goal for him, unlike some prez wannabes :hi:

[FrenchieCat]

44. Like whom may I ask.....

are these Prez wannabes for which the Presidency is this unatainable goal you speak of?

[Clark2008]

32. I thought you disliked Clark?

What changed your mind?
Not that I'm complaining!

:hug:

(SNORT!!! I wrote "hugh" instead of "hug" for the hug code. LMAO!! I've been seeing too many Freeper threads, I suppose).

[Wesin04]

48. As much as we need

Someone serious and competent to challenge Cowboy George Allen, it would be a waste of a good man to put Wes Clark in that position. I'm from Virginia and want to see Allen taken out as much as anyone, but if our own former Gov. (Warner) can't even be bothered due to his higher ambitions, then our state party has a problem. Not Wes. He's national material.:patriot:

[Sparkman]

34. Tune him into AAR, shut off Limphog, and he'll come around in a wink.

Problem is the media, or the Dems would DOMINATE local politics and rarely give up national grand slams like in 2000 and 2004.

[NCarolinawoman]

46. He sounds like the the kind of guy who would like Ed Schultz.

I agree, we can't do much without a more pervasive Democratic leaning media. Extremely important.

[Sparkman]

54. good match...shultz never did it for me-but as a gate keeper for recruitin

g Pubs into the fold? good one

[underscorenow]

49. so you're surprised that someone like that could go for Clark?

or were you just pointing out anectodal proof for those who need the obvious pointed out?

[CTyankee]

55. well, just because you might think it's obvious

doesn't mean it really is.

[Texas_Kat]

57. A cab driver who noticed my Clark bumpersticker did too

Shouted at me "When's the Draft Clark site going up"

It knocked me over....

[Hello_Kitty]

58. My Serbian co-worker

Who was in the Serb army and swore he'd like to shoot Clark on sight (along with Pres. Clinton and Madeleine Albright) actually grudgingly admitted that the General "is a very smart man" and "maybe not so bad" after hearing him on TV recently. :wow:

Of course, I've (tactfully) pointed out to him that what happened over there in the late '90s could have been much, much worse had the bobos that are running the situation in Iraq presided over the Kosovo actions.

He agrees.

[hopeisaplace]

59. I don't pretend to know who is the best Democratic Candidate, but

I can DEFINITELY see how a Military Guy would have a better shot with Right Wingers
given the sorry state of affairs the planet is in due to the * Administration's
massive massive failures. I think a military candidate, with no voting record in the
senate (a big plus!), could win.