Clarkies: Best running mate for Wes in 2008

[Doctor_J]

Poll question: Clarkies: Best running mate for Wes in 2008

[Dinger]

1. Feingold Or Gore

Just my opinion.

[guidod]

7. Gore would never settle

for the Vice side of the ticket.

[Dinger]

14. That's True nt

[guidod]

25. Signed and done.

[guidod]

26. But if you turn it around and make it

Gore/Clark you might have something. Then after 8 years you could have Clark/Feingold. Then in 8 more years yo get Feingold/Obama or Edwards. And on, and on, and on.

[Tom Rinaldo]

37. Those numbers won't work

In 2016 Clark will be 70, not likely he would just begin an 8 year Presidency at that point. It's possible, but unlikely. If people want Clark for President, now is the time. Failing that I would rather he were our Secretary of State, but I would much prefer him as President.

[guidod]

49. That's a problem of mine...

...I keep forgetting that we all age.

[Tom Rinaldo]

51. LOL, Yeah. Some folks are real keepers, too bad we can't just keep 'em...

...for as long as we need them, and us too, just to make sure that they stay appreciated.

[Jai4WKC08]

52. I dunno, Tom

Clark's in awfully good physical condition. He has more energy than anyone I've ever seen on the political stage. Or anywhere else I can think of. And, so far, he really doesn't look his age.

If Clark at 60 is any indication, Clark at 70 will be like most other men at 60 or younger in what he's capable of (assuming of course no health problems intervene--I know his father died of a heart attack at 51, and heart disease is frequently inherited). More importantly, the average voter will simply not think of him as old if he doesn't look it. And it's not like 70 is ancient.
(Edit to add because I forgot before ;): A 70yo today really is younger than a 70yo as recently as the Reagan era, much more so than Eisenhower's time.)

Granted, if Clark were to run at 70, his opponent and the media would try to make a point of his age. But it won't get much traction if voters perceive otherwise, and age is something voters will tend to judge for themselves, since it's something you can see on the TV... hmmm, I guess I could see a problem if they only run photos that make him look old, which I wouldn't put past the bastards.

In any case, I sure don't want to wait until 2012. We need Clark now. And if things keep going the way they are (and I have no reason to think they won't... maybe even worse) we will need him all the more by January 2009.

[Tom Rinaldo]

53. Hell yeah. Can't dispute that, after all...

Carter would still make a great President in his 80's compared to the guy we have now, or most anyone come to think of it. But America has a cult of youth thing going on, I think that would work against Clark running at 70 for his first term. Hopefully it will work against McCain in 2008 also.

[Jai4WKC08]

54. Good points

We do almost worship youth in our culture. Not as much, I think (and I may be stereotyping incorrectly) among those leaning right as those leaning left--the Repubs seem to be more willing to vote for old farts, like Reagan and Dole. Might be that "daddy" thing they seem to need. But it could help a 2016 Clark in appealing to Repubs and indies. Might hurt him in the primaries, but if he were VP, he might not have too much to worry about on that score.

Just idle rambling. I don't see either VP Clark or Clark '16 happening, as you know.

I also hope you're right about age hurting McCain. But McCain does have health issues, and he looks old... maybe even older than he is. Been rode hard and put up wet, as my hubby likes to say. POW camp may have a lot to do with that.

Please note that I edited my post above while you were writing, btw.

[underscorenow]

46. then he doesn't deserve to play!

[tatertop]

83. That's why we need a Gore/Clark ticket

or Gore/someone else
not to include Hillary or the Lieb

[McLuhan]

60. Hey Dinger!

I agree with your assessment of Feingold for the VP spot on the Clark ticket,eh. Is Farve coming back or what? Can you share any insider information on the Packer plans? Go Wes and the Pack!

[rsmith6621]

2. Why The Hell Are......

We Concerned about 2008.....If we dont get focused and fighting right now for 2006 we may not have 2008 to vote in...

2006 is the most crucial election if America is going to survive.

[saltpoint]

4. rsmith6621, I have to disagree. I like the post and any other DUer's post

on speculative elections because it focuses our attention on the long-term.

I am almost positive that the GOP has people working on the 2016 election. If you were to criticize me for only being concerned about 2006, I would hope I could say no, I'm interested in the long-term health and well-being of the Constitution, which means my opposition to George W. Bush is not limited to him or his administration, and so my interest in the opposing party should be strong and long.

I'm not trying to dis you, but I am posting here in support of the OP.

To paraphrase Janis Jopin, "It's all the same election, man."

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

15. Janis. Her saying "It's all the same..." always struck a chord with

me.

Something haunting about that statement from her.

[saltpoint]

16. Hi to you, Humor_In_Cuneiform. Yes, Ms. Joplin was the rare soul

who could rip ya apart while she heals you at the same time. Unbelievably vivid human being.

I miss her.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

18. Yes, and I had only begun to really love her music and then she

was gone.

My boyfriend of the time said that she should have stayed with "Big Brother and the Holding Company."

I'm inclined to believe that, as she was used and exploited by the music industry or so I gather.

Now she and so many are in Rock and Roll heaven. And it IS one hell of a band!

[saltpoint]

20. Yes. If i ever make it up that way, I want a front row seat.

:)

:yourock:

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

23. Me too, me too!! n/t

[Clark2008]

65. Why the hell does someone who doesn't want to talk about

2008 always invade the thread and rant about it?

If you don't want to talk about 2008, fine, but just stay in the 2006 threads. Mmmm-Kay?

:eyes:

[saltpoint]

3. If General Clark is the Democrats' nominee for president, I think it

might be effective for him to name the loser of the Ohio Senate primary this year -- either Sharrod Brown or Paul Hackett.

We need some kind of foothold in the Buckeye State.

[Doctor_J]

5. SPLENDID idea, Crusoe

It would be nice to have the upper hand in OH. And both of those guys would be terrific in the shotgun seat. But I also think it might be time to get some color and/or some estrogen on the ticket.

[saltpoint]

10. Agreed. A new generation of women and minority Democrats are

afoot and we need to steer them toward seeking higher office.

A LOT more estrogen in the White House might have averted all the nastiness of the current administration's foreign policy, and the abandonment by Bush et al of women and minorities in domestic programs.

My god there are nights like this when I miss Bella Abzug and Shirley Chisholm a great, great deal.

[CTyankee]

57. my Bella Abzug story

When Nixon was running for reelection I lived in New York. I had put a bumper sticker on my car that read "Reelect the dike bomber?", a reference to Nixon bombing the dikes in Vietnam. An old guy came up to me in the Safeway parking lot and asked "Is that a bumper sticker for Bella Abzug?"

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. I like Hackett and all but it would be overkill to even think of him

He is a recent military man who also has never held office before, and Hackett falls far short of having the breadth of leadership and international experience that Clark does. It would not make for a good ticket. Clark can pick almost anyone he trusts and feels good about,a woman, a minority, a strong Liberal, with solid elective credentials, to run with. I can support either of these Democrats running in Ohio for the Senate as potential Senators, but not Hackett, at this stage in his career, for Vice President.

[greentrees]

61. Buckeye State

"We need some kind of foothold in the Buckeye State."

The best asset in OH right now is that idiot Taft ... oughta be able to capitalize on that.

[DaveinMD]

6. Mark Warner n/m

[Doctor_J]

8. I'm still REALLY hoping the people of VA can talk Warner

into unseating George "I'm Stupider than W" Allen this fall.

[DaveinMD]

11. that won't happen

He's running for President.

[snowbear]

29. Nope.. He's even hiring interns already in DC for his run...

I saw it on his PAC site.. Evidently, he has no interest in the Senate :shrug: He's going for the gusto!

[Totally Committed]

34. I've said this before, but aside from the fat Warner's DLC....

he's Michael Dukakis WITHOUT the charisma, if you get what I'm saying.

He's got the excitement level of watching jello 'gel'. Can we please get serious and SMART about who we choose to run for this nation's highest elective office????

TC

[Jai4WKC08]

58. Since we're talking about VP

I'm not sure the VP has to be exciting as much as competent (altho I agree with you Warner isn't very exciting). People mostly want a VP they feel can step in if necessary. And Warner's pretty smart--he'd probably hold up in a VP debate pretty well. Even without the foreign policy background.

My biggest problem with Warner would be his lack of experience in either govt or campaigning. He only has one term as governor (not his fault, but still a fact) and only two elections, one of which he lost even tho he had a lot money to throw around.

But he does seem to be an effective manager, by his success with Nextel and his performance as governor. Who knows... maybe that's what WKC will be looking for.

'Course, the other problem is he's another rich white man. Granted, he doesn't come from money, and since Clark doesn't either, there could be an interesting theme there--self-made men, one in the military, one in the corporate world. But I still think it's time we put a minority and/or woman on the ticket.

He's not my first choice, but I could live with a Clark/Warner ticket. I think we can do better.

[LibDemAlways]

35. Warner just might help wrestle away

Virginia's electoral votes into the D column. I think he'd be a good choice. (Though I agree I wouldn't mind him replacing George Phony Southern Cowboy Genuine Racist Allen in the Senate.)

[HuskerDU]

9. I am starting to think that Feingold is the real deal.

Just like Wes!

[jackpan1260]

13. Where is Warner? He is my pick. eom

[snowbear]

67. Where "he be" ...

According to his PAC site.. he's in Virginia right now, then headed for San Diego for a speech on Health Care later this month-- then Los Angeles to address the American Council on Education..

Then it looks like he's headed back to New Hampshire AGAIN..
He's definitely staying busy!

[nickshepDEM]

17. Warner, though Id prefer him to be on the top of the ticket.

They'd make a good team.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

19. If only John Conyers was just a slight bit younger. n/t

[Bonobo]

21. How about Eliot Spitzer?

[wiley]

24. We need Spitzer as Governor of New York

He'll be occupied.

[FrenchieCat]

22. My pick, although it would not be up to me, would be

Representative Loretta Sanchez--A strong woman (deeply involved in the house on Veterans' and Foreign relations matters)who is also Hispanic.

She's clean as a whistle, smart as a whip, and I personally think would add additional finesse and freshness to the ticket.

Sanchez has experience kicking some self-righteous butt. She beat Bob Dorman, a Republican who was a real piece of work. Orange County is very Republican.

Clark can easily run on a ticket with a woman......as he is a strong defense alpha male. I can guarantee you that putting this strong woman (who has a very compelling life story) on the ticket would attract many votes in the southwest, i.e., New Mexico, Arizona, as well as other states with a high Hispanic population, e.g., Nevada, Texas.

Concluding analysis--She's a good prospect, especially for Clark as his VP. That ticket could possibly kick ass in defense, draw strong from all minority groups (especially Hispanics), and women would love voting for her, cause she's real and competent. She has a strong domestic background too, and came from very humble circumstances.

http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/display2.cfm?id=805...
Congresswoman Sanchez is the ranking woman of the House Armed Services Committee. She has served on the Terrorism Panel of this Committee, where she joined other Members to investigate intelligence progress and terrorist threats to the United States.
While serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Congresswoman Sanchez took a leave of absence from the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which oversees education and labor issues. During her tenure on the Committee, she has protected parental involvement initiatives and successfully saved national gender equity in education program. She spearheaded efforts to promote school safety. Congresswoman Sanchez is a member of the Hispanic Caucus, the Blue Dog Democrats, the New Democratic Coalition, and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. She also is a member of the Women's Congressional Caucus, the Older Americans Caucus, the Law Enforcement Caucus, and the Congressional Sportsman's Caucus.


Loretta Sanchez' sister, Linda Sanchez, is also a congresswoman. First sister team ever to serve at the same time.
http://www.lindasanchez.house.gov/index.cfm?section=abo...
ABOUT LINDA SANCHEZ
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez was sworn into office on January 7, 2003 to represent the newly created 39th Congressional District of California. The 39th District includes the cities of Artesia, Cerrritos, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada, Lynwood, Paramount, and South Gate (in their entirety), a large portion of Whittier, small portions of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and parts of unincorporated Los Angeles County - East La Mirada, Florence-Graham, Los Nietos, West Whittier, and Willlowbrook. Sánchez’s service is historic as she joins her sister Loretta (D–Garden Grove) in the U.S. House. They are the first sisters and the first women of any relation to ever serve in Congress.

[wiley]

27. Clark/Sanchez 08

I think most Americans would love her, specially those red state hunters and gun owners who are also into conservation. She's a Blue Dog Democrat.
I think that she should be campaigning with Wes in all those red states.
I do like Feingold a lot, however.

[thatsrightimirish]

28. Either

Calrk/Feingold or Clark /Napolitano but clark/Sanchez would be good to

[orleans]

30. maybe none of the above. randi was talking about his company

axicom--the biggest data mining company that doesn't have to advertise because they're so big--

she said it on friday's show and i thought: wes clark ownes a company like this? clark?

um...so i vote none of the above. i don't need another president who's up my butt again.

[Justice]

31. not his company

He does not own the company

He was on the board, and also did consulting for the company after 9/11. He stopped the consulting work and is not on the board any longer.

[CarolNYC]

33. Orleans, please see at this thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2437506

for info on the acxiom deal.

Thanks!

[KitchenWitch]

32. How about Colleen Rowley

The FBI agent who blew the whistle on the pre 9-11 Intel. She currently is looking to run for Congress in Minnesota, but I think she would be very good.

[in_cog_ni_to]

36. Boxer is my first choice. It will be 2008! Time for a WOMAN on the ticket!

Boxer is a fighter. Feingold is my second choice. Just don't have a DLCer on the ticket!

[Totally Committed]

38. She is my first choice, too...

but I have to be realistic enough to know that the American electorate is still not ready for a woman on the ticket. Sorry to say that, but I believe it. And, she's a smart, strong LIBERAL woman... no way. We need to win the next one, and she needs to stay a Senator.

I can still remember the excitment I felt when Geraline Ferraro was put on the Mondale ticket. I also still remember the resistance that came afterward. Things seem to have gone backwards since then, so -- we are not ready.

But, that having been said, wouldn't a Clark/Boxer ticket ROCK??????

TC

[in_cog_ni_to]

44. Oh yeah! Clark/Boxer ticket would be AWESOME!

:thumbsup:

[jeannicot]

39. Might as well be Carrot Top

Since he won't run, won't get the nomination, and won't need a running mate.

[Tom Rinaldo]

40. How many of your 37 posts concern Wes Clark?

Without actually counting I've seen close to ten already. For someone who you feel is irrelevant I find it odd that you join DU and then spend much of your short time here popping from one Clark thread to another saying Clark is a political non entity.

Why don't you discuss who you think is relevant and why, on the appropriate threads?

[jeannicot]

41. I'll post whatever whereever.

Thank you very much for your welcome.

ps. this is not another "gracious thread" is it?

[Tom Rinaldo]

42. Of course you will. We both will, and obviously we'll say what we want.

No, this isn't one of those "gracious" threads. Personally, for what it's worth, I have no problem with your posting your comment here. But my question was a real one. That doesn't mean you have to answer it.

[in_cog_ni_to]

43. How do you know he won't run? Is that wishful thinking?

How do you know he won't win the nomination? What makes you so sure?

[jeannicot]

45. If you are so confident,

put a bet on the line. As high a stake as possible. In fact I'm throwing down this deal against all the Clarkies that Clark would not be a serious contender for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination. By "serious contender for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination" I mean he wouldn't even be participating in the preprimary debates.

Deal? Willing to put your money where your mouth is?

[in_cog_ni_to]

47. LOL...that's just silly. He WILL be in the pre-primary debates IF

he thinks he's going to run. Why wouldn't he be? How will we collect on our bet? You'll just change your screen name again and we'll never find you.:eyes:

[Tom Rinaldo]

48. I actually might buy some of those online Candidate futures for Clark

If I do I'll be betting on him winning the nomination though, not just showing up for the debate. I just rarely gamble with money, it has nothing to do with the odds, I don't bet on sports events either. But if I want to bet, that's how I'll do it, not with you. No offense intended.

[FrenchieCat]

50. Hey......

How you doing..."poster who only joined DU to say negative things about Wes Clark without any documentation"?

How's the work coming along?
Feeling good about only posting negativity toward a Democrat who is fighting so that we can win the 2006 elections? :hi:

PS. Ironic how one so "politically Dead" could be so talked and written about in places other than DU.

The day truth broke out
2/4/2006
snip
At first glance, making the Democrats seem soft on "terrorist surveillance" looks like another winner for the GOP. For Democrats to explain that they don't oppose all eavesdropping but object to the way it was done is a two-step answer that's too complicated. It would be better to argue that Bush's NSA program has been a failure because it has threatened civil liberties and violated the law without doing anything to catch Osama bin Laden.

This would fit with the Democrats' idea of fighting fear with failure - Bush's failure. New polls show his approval ratings in the low 40s, with strong majorities believing he has failed on every score except keeping the country safe. To confront the security issue, Wesley Clark is chairing a PAC to help the nine Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans running for Congress as Democrats (versus one as a Republican). The idea is to adopt the Rovean strategy of attacking your opponent's strength.
.....
(from Newsweek opinion page
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060204/1051493.asp

http://quigleyblog.blogspot.com/2006/02/wes-clarks-world-and-bushs-i-had-small.html
Wes Clark’s World and Bush’s
2/1/06
snip
General Clark is old school. He lives by the rules, but he also lives by a code of honor. It pervades every utterance and every act. I heard him speak a number of times in the New Hampshire primary and I think it frightened people. And what I thought that meant was this: We admire men like that. But we are not yet ready to turn to a man of honor. Our failure is not yet great enough.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/1/30/17455/5250
1/31/06
Wes Clark Endorses transition to Single-Payer Health Insurance

http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2006/1/30/221916/857
1/30/06
Wesley Clark on Iran: "We Need to Talk"

http://www.politicaldogfight.com/dogfight04/2006/01/wes_clarks_real.html
Wes Clark's REAL State of the Union Speech
The following is the complete text of Wes Clark's speech at The New America Foundation Conference on 1/30/06. While one line about 'single payer' has gotten all the play there is much more that this brilliant thinker said in that speech.

http://brouhaha.blogs.com/brouhaha/2006/01/a_state_of_the_.html
The Real State of the Union 2006
Wes Clark gave us a speech yesterday to the New America Foundation, entitled "The Real State of the Union 2006." It is a speech to be proud of, with a realistic assessment of the problems we face and the forward-looking solutions to those problems. It is an approach that seeks to unite us as Americans once again to rally around a shared purpose: to be worthy of our shared heritage of freedom; to live up to the responsibility of world leadership; to restore the Beacon of Hope that America represents to the world, a beacon which has lately grown dimmer.

Please take a moment and read Clark's speech, and remember a time when you were proud of what America stood for in the world. It isn't too late. That time can be brought back again. We only have to be willing to make it happen.

1/31/06
http://www.progressivelyceum.com/?p=272

1/31/06
http://hootathought.blogspot.com/2006/01/in-military-parlance.html
Military Parlance
Clark, retired military citizen now and perhaps politician later, was eager to point out not only our casualness but our lack of desire as a country to compete regarding all things of importance. Domestic issues were tackled as much as foreign affairs. A point encompassing the speech was the fact that we are all humans on this earth and should be treated accordingly. He stressed that whether across the street or across the oceans, people should receive respect and diplomatic candour while disagreeing over disagreements. We are not alike in many respects; our speech, our land, our cultures and our beliefs.

And, as a citizen who is not under the thumb of others, he said what was on his mind.

[Adelante]

55. Busy little bees, aren't they?

"The swiftboating of Clark has already begun...."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x321522

[Sparkly]

69. I hadn't noticed.

[Pithy Cherub]

56. Oh Frenchie, it is a mighty thing to see a truthful

post with so many Clark facts, links and data.

Of course, what you were rebutting was like cotton candy in a torrential rain strorm.

[Sparkly]

71. Frenchie, have I mentioned lately...

:yourock:

Your informative posts, with quotes and links, are so spot-on -- and the difference between your posts and another type of posts with links is that you never "snow" with yours. They're current when they need to be current, spot on-topic when there's a specific topic being discussed, you give headlines and excerpts that make it clear what the linked articles are about, and you select them all carefully rather than muddying it up with irrelevance.

You're a veritable source of sources! :D

[FrenchieCat]

74. Awe.....Thanks! Just walking "points".....ya know!

[Clarkansas]

59. WARNER!!!

[election_2004]

62. Feingold or Stabenow

Russ would be great in the V.P. slot, but also keep your eyes on U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan...she can pull in the same degree of female vote that Hillary could, while preventing the ticket from repelling the centrists who have a knee-jerk reaction against Hillary.

[karynnj]

64. The first (and only) time I really saw her in the Senate she was good

She apoke for the filibuster on Monday (in the same hour as Kerry). Per rumours, she was among the few who adamantly supported Senators K & K (D, MA).

[skipos]

63. I am hoping for Warner and Clark. nt

[oasis]

66. Michigan Senator, Debbie Stabenow. She's a hard workin' Democrat. (eom)

[tokenlib]

68. She voted wrong on bankruptcy reform and tax cuts for the rich..

..therefore she may get my vote this year for senator by default--but I will not work for her campaign--and she deserves the political kiss of death for future aspirations. These DLC types stab the vulnerable in our society too easily and are too undependable in standing up for traditional democratic progressive values.

[oasis]

72. All I have to say about that is "bless Debbie's 'DLC type' heart". She's

one of the hardest working Democrats and that is always a good thing.;-)

[Gloria]

70. Bayh.

Making some strong comments about standing up to Bush. Has gov. and sen. experience, right? Gov. is good.
Has money in the bank. Has appeal to the midwest, family crowd.

DLC, but would be OK as VP for all the reasons above and probably some more....

Clark/Bayh.

[greendog]

73. Sheryl Crow

:hide:

[abex]

75. general curtis lemay or his ghost

[tatertop]

76. Lieberman or Hillary!

[ncteechur]

77. I would refer you to the post which discusses Lieberman's support for

McCain. Lieberman needs to go.

[Totally Committed]

78. Get real...........

Ugh to both, plus Lieberman has now gone on record as saying he supports McCain for POTUS in 2008.

TC

[Tom Rinaldo]

79. No one proposes Lieberman on a Clark thread who is being real

And very few would propose Hillary. Same with the Curtis LeMay snipe. They are not friendly amendments.

[Totally Committed]

80. Lieberman should be honest and just run with McCain

on the other Party's ticket.

TC

[tatertop]

82. Lieberman should drop out of politics forever

He does a lot of harm.

[holdyourbreath]

81. Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics. ....gotta think outside the box.

Seriously. Here's why: His book is very critical of Bush for the environment, poverty, and the war. He's very, very prominent--he was at the inauguation ceremony of Desmond Tutu. Most of all: OUR BACK IS AGAINST THE WALL, WE DON'T HOLD ANY OF THE CARDS, THE ELECTIONS ARE FIXED AND WE NEED TO PORTRAY AS MUCH MORAL AUTHORITY AS POSSIBLE, PARTICULARLY SINCE SO MANY OF THOSE WHO GET TO VOTE ARE NOT ALL THAT WELL INFORMED OR HAVE THEIR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT.

and the man actually has a good deal of political education.

[MH1]

84. Clark will be a nice vp choice for Kerry.

;)

[Totally Committed]

85. I respectfully oppose that idea...

thanks, anyway.

TC