Wesley Clark campaigns for Kerry in Topeka

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Former presidential hopeful Wesley Clark campaigned for Democratic front-runner Sen. John Kerry this evening in Topeka, saying the Democrats are determined to bring change to the country.

Clark said restoring the nation's economy and "internationalizing" the conflict in Iraq would be priorities of a Kerry presidency. He spoke during a news conference this evening at the Ramada Inn Downtown before addressing at the Democratic Party's annual banquet at 8 p.m.

"We have to focus on the really important issues for this country -- keeping America safe and bringing prosperity back," he said. "We're at the end of an era. The American dream is closing down for young Americans."

He said he knows many people serving in the top command positions in Iraq.

"They are doing a darn good job in a job they shouldn't be doing," he said. "That was a war we didn't have to fight."

http://www.cjonline.com/stories/030504/bre_clark.shtml

[Adelante]

1. I hear it was SRO

in Topeka tonight. :)

[Maat]

2. This is a good sign.

Mr. Kerry and Mr. Clark continue to maintain a cordial and supportive relationship. Hopefully, Clark will be a part of both the campaign and the new administration.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. It sure seems like

he's gonna be offered 'a' job -- but which one?

[Adelante]

4. I trust them

to make the right decision in terms of how Wes can best serve the country.

[MuseRider]

19. A lot of our

old timer Democrats were saying they were stunned by the turnout. It is very good news and the excitement and the momentum was palpable.

[Adelante]

5. Here's a little anecdote from tonight, Feanorcurufinwe

"Wes took off his tie. He signed it and it went up for auction. It quickly was sold to raise money for the party for $3,400. It was a young guy who bought it. Wes was wearing a Kerry button. He is campaigning for John Kerry, no doubt about it."

(copied from the Clark blog)

[Adelante]

6. Another one

man in crowd: "Kerry/Clark!!"

Wes: "It doesn't matter to me what that ticket is. What I want to do is I want to see a Democrat, John Kerry, in the White House. That's the mission! Okay?"

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. Clark is always giving the clothes off his back, it seems

[Adelante]

8. The sweater

for the veterans in NH, yes. That brought in several thousand dollars, around $12,000, I think. Freepers were screwing with the auction the whole time, the creeps.

[Leilani]

9. This is all really good news!

Lucky folks in Kansas!

I wish Wes would come to the Aloha State!

[slinkerwink]

10. oops---Clark should've told Kerry that before Kerry voted for IWR

[Tom Rinaldo]

11. Yes. I believe he did.

"That was a war we didn't have to fight." Even before IWR was drafted, Clark testified before Congress that there was no compelling reason for the U.S. to invade Iraq, and that other means were available for dealing with the issue of Iraq.

The way I figure it, we have to keep Kerry surrounded by Democrats who will not let him stray off into ill advised military adventures as President. I think enough of Kerry (I think I do anyway lol) that I don't think he would have started the Iraq war on his own, but Kerry didn't do enough to fight Bush on it.

Kerry will be our nominee. Clark closed ranks quickly which helped him preserve influence with Kerry, at least I hope so. Dean has a lot to potentially offer Kerry in their upcoming meeting also. He should end up with an inside voice also. Collectively I think we can prevent Kerry from making really wrong moves, can we get him to fight hard enough for the right ones? That's my question.

[robbedvoter]

16. Welstone quoted Clark in his Senate speech against war

But as General Wes Clark, former Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe has recently noted, a premature go-it-alone invasion of Iraq "would super-charge recruiting for Al Qaida."
Paul Wellstone
http://www.wellstoneaction.org/news/news_detail.aspx?itemID=2039&catID=298
So, I guess he told them all, BEFORE any Dem I know of (DK included) said anything abvout war.
Clark's views were the same as Kennedy's, Byrd's
http://chat.forclark.com/story/2004/2/1/84318/48694

[Adelante]

20. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin

used that same Clark quote back then. I just read it a few days ago.

[MuseRider]

12. My report from Topeka

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=439851&mesg_id=439851

[Adelante]

13. Before the Dem dinner in Topeka

There was a $1000 per person fundraiser in a private home Clark worked for Kerry. I hope he raised lots of moolah.

[MuseRider]

14. I heard a rumor that he raised

more money in the last 2 days in Kansas than anyone ever. It would not surprise me. I keep telling you all, I don't know a single soul who will vote for Bush*. No one, nada and I hang out in ranch barns with a lot of republicans or with a lot of physicians (my husband was one) and they do not like Bush* either. I would not be surprised to see this state go Democratic this year.

[Adelante]

15. more money in the last 2 days in Kansas than anyone ever

Whoah!! GO WES!! :bounce:

[Adelante]

21. From another thread

"This is sort of switching subjects, but I recently heard from a local Kerry coordinator Wes is smokin' everybody but Kerry in raising money for Kerry. I know he brought in twice the prior-year numbers at the Kansas Dem Party dinner last night, and from what I hear, maxed out attendance a $1K/plate fundraiser for Kerry right before. This is KS, which is about as red a state as you can get."

This is all so fabulous I can't stand it!! :bounce:

[robbedvoter]

17. 3 more reports from kansas

Ksenija also has a blog up about the dinner.
http://ksenija.forclark.com/story/2004/3/6/1407/37821
Here is Larry's composite:
http://larry-in-kc.forclark.com/story/2004/3/6/3517/26974
and this

by LJM (ljm4clarkatyahoo.com) on 03/06/2004 11:48:59 AM EST
Rate this: - 1 2 3 4 5 + | Reply
  I don't think there were any press cameras allowed at the Ad Astra Dinner  We looked and sure didn't see any.  There were some pretty spirited speeches from various Kansas luminaries.  I think ksenija was the only one to film it.  At the close of the dinner, they showed a film of a speech Kennedy made in Wichita in 1960.  He may have been the last Democratic candidate to take the time to campaign in Kansas.  It was a very cool speech and although almost 45 years ago, the message is still much the same.  Also, when we sang the song, the people in the room started clapping in time to us singing.  It was very cool and those who were in he audience told us later that we sounded ok, we didn't stink.  We put our best singer in the front with the mic. When the general approached us, he kept saying, "I can't believe it.  I can't believe it."
The second link is a MUST READ for Clarkies!

[MuseRider]

18. About the singing.

They sounded great, everyone was clapping along and having a ball and as soon as they were done General Clark dove into them with hugs for all. It was very touching actually. There must have been security there but I did not see them. Clark was in amongst the people. You could tell he was tired and wanted to go when we all got to him but he walked back out of the elevator and stood there talking to us for at least 20 minutes. Very approachable and very gracious. I wish Gert had been there too.