Obama / Wesley Clark ticket

[Cruzan]

Whatdya think?

[Guava Jelly]

1. I would love it.

I doubt he would do it though.
He is long time friend of the Clintons.
I was a big time Clarkie.

[Tellurian]

6. Gen Clark has too much integrity to lower himself into the sewage of the Obama camp....

[earthlover]

9. Do you think you are going to win anyone over to your side by this crap?

Calling the Obama camp sewage?

Just one more example of the Hillary Clinton Mud Slinging Campaign

[K Gardner]

20. Hillaryis44 is on Life Support. Expect last gasp respirations.

[Cha]

41. How many examples does

that make? 100,003, 200, 006?

[goclark]

42. Millions of people are smart enough to be above the name calling

HC really is a "leader" that fosters such talk.

:bounce: GOBAMA!

[JVS]

15. It is going to be so much fun when Hillary drops out of the race.

[independentpiney]

23. I really feel some empathy for what you're going through

but I cant wait for Senator Clinton to drop out just to see you stfu. You and the vile site you promote have been the embodiment of everything that was wrong with her campaign.

[Tellurian]

35. You should be thrilled there is a website available that tell the Truth about Obama..

Think of it as Radio Free Europe!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

37. This enthusiastic Clark supporter in 2004 disagrees.

If he got the offer he'd probably take it, and he will certainly support Obama if he's the nominee -- just like he supported Kerry/Edwards in 2004. Clark is a good, loyal Democrat who will do what he can to prevent a Republican win... unlike some Duers.

I don't think he'll be asked, though.

[elleng]

68. HEY OCELOT!!!!

GREAT to see you!

You are correct, of course, that he would take it if offered. I've said I'd rather see him as National Security Advisor, with a hand directly in intel, military, diplo, etc; don't think of him as 2d to anyone!

EllenG

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

73. Hey there!

Good to "see" you! :hi:

[truebrit71]

47. Welcome to ignore douche....

...if the General was asked to serve his country again, I doubt he would turn it down...

[krkaufman]

61. Don't worry about that angle.

The Obama camp will seem downright utopian when stepping-up from the Clinton gutter.

See how easy it is to be senselessly derogatory?

[joeprogressive]

76. See ya, don't come around here anymore after the primaries

[MagickMuffin]

2. After listening to his introduction for Hillary at the Foreign Policy Speech event

I don't think so.

[Uncle Sinister]

3. Won't happen; and Clark ain't all that. Obama /Richardson maybe...nt

[Kahuna]

4. It's not going to happen. One, Wes is a strong Hillary supporter. Two,

I don't think he would want to be V.P. under Obama.

[MrSlayer]

5. All for it. Won't happen.

We should be talking about Wes as the incumbant VP looking for the second term.

[Uncle Sinister]

8. and we SHOULD be talking about sprinkling fairy dust our children. But we ain't

[MrSlayer]

43. I'm guessing you meant "on" our children.

I agree with you. If wishes were ponies and all that rot.

[Uncle Sinister]

72. no, actually, I meant sprinkling our children AS fairy dust,

just gotta grind the little wankers up first.

[cyclezealot]

7. Obama will need all the 'white guy 'help he can get.

The GOP attack will be vicious. Today the Obama photo surfaced with Obama in Kenyan dress. I can see the pending swiftboat captions. A overt appeal to America's hidden racism , I fear. Will It work. Obama this he can talk nice to Swiftboaters and win? Wesley Clark might help.

[Vinca]

10. If not Wes Clark, another military person who can spend 100%

of their time extricating us from Iraq. I think posters above are selling Wesley Clark short. I'm betting he puts his country first.

[elleng]

69. Vinca,

he always has!

[earthlover]

11. Wes Clark would be perfect! That he supported Hillary is actually a plus

It would be seen as reaching out for unity in the ticket.

Wes is a true progressive, although his military background makes him look moderate. He has impeccable credentials in foreign policy, has negotiated with world leaders, is brilliant, older than Obama, geographically balanced, a good debater, and likeable. He would be a good attack dog VP, who would earnestly respond to Repub bs, leaving Obama to take the high road.

[elleng]

71. earthlover,

that's a powerful argument you make! Listing all of General Clark's attributes! Smiling here!

And the unity aspect is so important!

[mmonk]

12. Wes Clark is a Hillary supporter.

[abburdlen]

21. so?

Clark ran a strong campaign against Kerry and the others in the 04 field but once it was obvious Kerry was going to be the nominee Wes was one of his most vocal advocates.
Wes Clark will put the country and the Democratic party before his friendship with the Clintons.

I don't know if Wes will be the next VP but I'm sure he's on the short list.

[Leopolds Ghost]

63. Are you implying Hillary and Bill Clinton's former cabinet members won't heavily back Obama in 08?

[Tveil]

13. Great Ticket!!

I love it!

[JVS]

14. No. Clark is closely poltically tied to the Clintons. Obama doesn't need him

[Dawgs]

18. I disagree. Obama does need him.

McCain has only one argument, 'Who can you see as Commander and Chief?'.

Like it or not, he will win using this tactic with almost everyone. Obama needs someone as strong as Clark to neutralize this argument.

[Skwmom]

32. Judgment is the number one requirement for Commander-in-Chief.

Invading the wrong country after 9-11 is hardly a sign of good judgment.

[anthilltiger]

16. Obama's cast of Characters

Hey, my gosh is this for real is Obama taking Farrakans endorsement? Not looking good if he stays quiet we all know Farrakan is a racist and Jew-a-phobe! This is by the AP also!



A Spry Farrakhan Sings Obama's Praises

By SOPHIA TAREEN
Associated Press Writer


AP Photo/Jerry Lai




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Interactive
Louis Farrakhan Timeline



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CHICAGO (AP) -- In his first major public address since a cancer crisis, Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Sunday that presidential candidate Barack Obama is the "hope of the entire world" that the U.S. will change for the better.

The 74-year-old Farrakhan, addressing an estimated crowd of 20,000 people at the annual Saviours' Day celebration, never outrightly endorsed Obama but spent most of the nearly two-hour speech praising the Illinois senator.

"This young man is the hope of the entire world that America will change and be made better," he said. "This young man is capturing audiences of black and brown and red and yellow. If you look at Barack Obama's audiences and look at the effect of his words, those people are being transformed."

Farrakhan compared Obama to the religion's founder, Fard Muhammad, who also had a white mother and black father.

"A black man with a white mother became a savior to us," he told the crowd of mostly followers. "A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall."

Farrakhan also leveled small jabs at Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama's rival for the Democratic nomination, suggesting that she represents the politics of the past and has been engaging in dirty politics.

Said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton: "Sen. Obama has been clear in his objections to Minister Farrakhan's past pronouncements and has not solicited the minister's support."

Farrakhan rebuilt the Nation of Islam, which promotes black empowerment and nationalism, in the late 1970s after W.D. Mohammed, the son of longtime leader Elijah Mohammed, moved his followers toward mainstream Islam.

Farrakhan has drawn attention for calling Judaism a "gutter religion" and suggesting crack cocaine might have been a CIA plot to enslave blacks.

In recent years, however, officials with the Nation of Islam have promoted unity and tolerance among religions. Farrakhan now often quotes the texts of other religions, such as the Bible, in his speeches.

Farrakhan's keynote address at McCormick Place, the city's convention center, wrapped up three days of events geared at unifying followers and targeting youth.

It had a different tone from a year ago, when Farrakhan made what was called his final public address at a Saviours' Day event in Detroit. The 74-year-old was recovering from complications from prostate cancer and months earlier had temporarily passed on leadership duties of the organization's day-to-day activities to an executive board.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

[anthilltiger]

19. Come On Louis

damn sounds like Louis forgot about old Whitey again when he says Obama captivates the "black, brown, red and yellow. Gee I thought Louis was a decent guy?? HE'S A JERK, IF OBAMA DOESN'T SAY SO Then I WONT VOTE FOR OBAMA THE RACIST. I PUT FARRAKA ON THE SAME Level AS DAVID DUKE JUST A DIFFERENT COLOR.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

38. So you're saying Wesley Clark is an anti-semite?

Or that Louis Farrakhan is a white supremacist?

You're not making much sense.

[From The Left]

17. I think "No"

Wes Clark has tied his fortunes to HRC and her ship and her supporters are going down.

[texas_indy]

29. Exactly, why on Earth would Obama select for his VP a person who backed his opponent??

He can make an excellent pick from the many people who supported him in his run.


Texas is Obama country! VIVA OBAMA!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd-MVU4vtU

[truebrit71]

53. ...because it would show how Obama gets EVERYONE on board...

...

[nonconformist]

54. Maybe he'll pick a Republican running mate.

Since Republicans are the only ones he seems concerned about getting on board...

[truebrit71]

55. No, I'm pretty sure Hillary is only interested in top billing...so no GOP on the Obama ticket...

...

[nonconformist]

58. Maybe his mentor Lieberman? nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

22. No thanks

Obama and Howard Dean

[shadowknows69]

24. Um, Yeah, absolutely 100%

Unbeatable in the GE. SAdly I think his ties to Clinton would probably prevent this. Sec of Defense maybe?

[Adelante]

25. I am for it nt

[Mz Pip]

26. I'd rather see Clark

as Secretary of State working on diplomacy.

[Tom Rinaldo]

27. Assuming Obama wins, it could work well if they both wanted it to n/t

[indie_voter]

28. Powerful. I hope it happens. n/t

[ElsewheresDaughter]

30. I think it's nuts...Wesley Clark would not join the Obama ticket

[Skwmom]

31. No.

1. Clark is too closely tied to the Clintons.

2. Even though odds strongly favor Obama winning the nomination, Clark supported Clinton's attack on Obama regarding his ability to be commander-in-chief (even though the Republicans will use this footage in the general election).

3. As a former strong Clark supporter, I thought I would never think this about Clark, but I'm worried that he would say something like "I won't be Obama's Dick Cheney" hurting Obama's chances in November.

4. Clark, who decried dirty politics in 04, has remained silent while the Clinton campaign has engaged in dirty, disgusting, gutter politics. They have tried to divide blacks and whites, blacks and Hispanics, the younger and older generation, unions, etc. How Clark could view this as good for this nation is beyond me. It makes me question whether his loyalty to the Clintons has clouded his judgment and question whether he has put loyalty to the Clintons above loyalty to county (or to the Democratic Party).

[andym]

60. Re: No-- maybe yes

Counterpoints

>>1. Clark is too closely tied to the Clintons.

It would be a gesture of reconciliation with the Clintons.

>>2. Even though odds strongly favor Obama winning the nomination, Clark supported Clinton's attack on Obama regarding his ability to be commander-in-chief (even though the Republicans will use this footage in the general election).

For the most part he has said that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate to be commander in chief. He hasn't said to my knowledge that Obama is completely unqualified. In any case, he has two paths to correct this. One is that he plays up that he and Obama both had the good sense to oppose the IWR. Two, he (Clark) is on the ticket because he brings special insight on international affairs and the military that goes way beyond Clinton (or Obama).

>3. As a former strong Clark supporter, I thought I would never think this about Clark, but I'm worried that he would say something like "I won't be Obama's Dick Cheney" hurting Obama's chances in November.

His political savvy has grown since the 2004 campaign. Probably not much of a worry.

>4. Clark, who decried dirty politics in 04, has remained silent while the Clinton campaign has engaged in dirty, disgusting, gutter politics. They have tried to divide blacks and whites, blacks and Hispanics, the younger and older generation, unions, etc. How Clark could view this as good for this nation is beyond me. It makes me question whether his loyalty to the Clintons has clouded his judgment and question whether he has put loyalty to the Clintons above loyalty to county (or to the Democratic Party).

I am sure Wes Clark is not pleased by some of what he has seen in this election or the last election. However, one pattern that repeats itself is that the Clinton campaign backs off as the divisiveness charge is raised. I'd like to think if they did not back off Clark would have removed himself from the campaign.

[Khaotic]

33. Won't happen

don't worry wasting time thinking about it.

It won't happen.

[Leopolds Ghost]

65. I'm a little unclear why Webb/Richardson are being promoted on the blogs and Clark is not.

It seems to me like the upper-middle class liberal blogosphere is
out to lunch on this issue. No offense but Richardson brings nothing
to the ticket against McCain, (he brings his own state which Obama can
win or lose without Richardson as VP) and Webb just got in the Senate
and his seat would probably go red in a special election in Virginia,
especially if millionaire Dem Mark Warner (who is DLC and the opposite
of Webb on the issues) gets John Warner's old Senate seat in the horse
country of Northern Virginia as a Democrat.

Clark is the only choice that makes sense, to be honest.

Tim Kaine is an interesting alternative that puts more cards on VA.

Given the "chatter" on these blogs it seems to me like it's a moot
point -- Clark seems to be getting passed over so far, Kaine seems
to be intently in the loop at Obama campaign HQ.

Maybe Hillary will have the grace to appoint Clark some sort of special
liason with the Obama campaign, to engineer a graceful exit from the
race on Hillary's part in return for putting Clark high up in the ticket.

[northernsoul]

34. Fine by me

That's a pretty potent one-two punch.

[sloppyjoe25s]

36. A good combo

I think.

[Marie26]

39. If you want Clark, you should vote for Hillary nt

[x-g.o.p.er]

40. He's a big time Hillary supporter,

and it would damage his message of change by picking a Washington insider for his running mate.

[Leopolds Ghost]

66. Clark isn't much of a Washington Insider

In fact, he's pretty hated by Washington insiders for being an ambitious
ladder-climber and boot-polisher who has a loud mouth, lots of ideas,
goes over people's heads to curry favor with the big bosss, and an
attack dog mentality -- qualities that make him eminently suitable for VP.

[high density]

44. If Clark wasn't latched onto Clinton I think it would be a good idea

But given his alignment I don't know if it could ever happen.

[Kaylee]

45. Oooo! I was a Clarkie last go around. nt

[cliffordu]

46. Clark's website used to have a BUNCH of stuff on the WTO

and NAFTA - I haven't been there in a while, but he'd be perfect on that level with Obama.

He is a real-deal war hero, too. Mccain stopper...period.

He is as smart as they come, too.


AND, it would give the "Everything here is sexist" group more to rant about. Always an added plus.

:eyes:

[Leopolds Ghost]

67. I think Clark would be perfect for all the reasons stated...

It would instantly patch over the breach with the Clintonites, and reach
out to the moderate red-state Dems on military issues, and cement ties
with the left on trade and foreign policy issues, leaving only the DLC
and the hard-core Obama-is-a-muslim-addict folks out in the cold
where they belong.

[cliffordu]

70. Amen, Brother.

[RunningFromCongress]

48. To be honest, only if Clark is 100000% better on the stump then he was in 04

[ingac70]

49. No. General Anthony Zinni. n/t

[Emit]

50. Never -- Clark's for Hillary

Doubt he'd do that

[nonconformist]

51. There's a very good chance he'd be Hillary's running mate

He would at least definitely get a cabinet position in her administration.

He won't be Obama's running mate, or in his administration.

[RiverStone]

52. Clark or Webb would rock! ...n/t

[mkultra]

56. i love it

[Hatalles]

57. It could happen. He's locked a cabinet position for sure.

Just because he endorsed Hillary doesn't mean he wouldn't be considered a VP candidate for Obama. Party unity will be on the way soon enough. Whoever wins the nomination, the other candidate will be campaigning for the winner after a well-deserved short vacation.

[Johnny__Motown]

59. if you can convince me he will deliver Ohio, or Florida.

[AgadorSparticus]

62. McCain wouldn't have a chance....but then again, I don't think McCain has a chance anyways.

That would be ok with me. But I have to wonder if Clark is done w/politics.

[meow mix]

64. i love it

:applause:

[Draft Clark for VP]

74. Draft Clark for VP!

I have started a blog on my.barackobama.com to Draft Clark for VP!
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/WesleyClarkVP

The first big decision that Barack will face once he wins the Democratic nomination for President will be the choice of a Vice President. This choice will demonstrate his ability to attract the best and the brightest to his campaign. What better choice for VP than Wesley Clark. 

Pros:
• Former General. Demonstrates commitment to National Security and Defense.
• National recognition.
• Committed to the Democratic Party. Former presidential candidate.
• Charismatic public figure.
• Brings experience to the ticket.
• Counters McClain's war hero status.
• Army vs. Navy. The Army usually wins this one :)
• Attracts Veterans vote.
• Strong appeal to independents.
• Not a Washington Insider.
• Opposed War in Iraq!
• Would racially balance the ticket.
• Good looking.
• Well spoken. He was a commentator on CNN.
• Clean image.
• Pragmatic reformer, consistent with Barack's policies.
• Provides a good contrast in his life story to Obama. Two different paths of devoted public service.
• Could provide critical support in the South.

Cons:
• Supports Hillary Clinton in primaries. 
This could actually be a Pro because it shows that Obama is able to reach out to the opposition.
• Too old at 63. 
Sure he wouldn't make a good next presidential candidate at the end of Obama's 2nd term, but his age is a Pro for the experience factor. 
• Never held public office. 
No, but he did hold an executive position of leadership as a general in the United States Army!
• Hillary Clinton should be the VP.
First, I'm not sure Hillary would want to be the VP. Second, she has poisoned her relationship with Obama and would present serious negatives to the ticket.
• John Edwards should be the VP. 
John Edwards wasn't able to help John Kerry win the Presidency. Plus he has made himself irrelevant by not endorsing Obama earlier.
 
The best choice for VP for Obama is without a doubt Wesley Clark. He is an inspired choice that would immediately signal to the Republicans and Independents that Obama is serious about National Security. As a charismatic figure along side the even more charismatic Obama, this would be a dream ticket that would be impossible to beat.

To learn more about Clark start with the well-balanced Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Clark 
 

[JVS]

77. Welcome to DU

[demokatgurrl]

75. I was hoping for a Clinton/Clark ticket. n/t

[Jersey Devil]

78. I'd rather see someone like Joe Biden

He would offset McCain's expected attacks on Obama for lack of experience perhaps more than Clark. While Clark was a fine General, he has no experience whatsoever in government. I am also one of those people who thinks military experience is some kind of free pass to obtain public office and would rather not have someone who is likely to be chummy with the people at the Pentagon as their boss.