Clark Denies Interest in Vice Presidency

[Tripper11]

CONCORD, N.H., Jan. 2 — Gen. Wesley K. Clark played down the possibility of joining a Dean ticket on Friday, saying, "I'm not going to be Howard Dean's Dick Cheney."

General Clark said the race for the Democratic presidential nomination was a two-man contest between himself and Dr. Dean, a former Vermont governor, adding that of the two only he had the foreign policy experience necessary to be president.

The implicit criticism of Dr. Dean was unusual for General Clark.

In remarks after a campaign event here, the general said President Bush, another former governor, was "unlearned and inexperienced in foreign affairs" when he took office. "He tried to reassure the American people by having a lot of highly experienced and competent advisers around him," the general said, speaking of President Bush. "We see the results, right now."

NYTimes

I wonder if Dr. Dean would turn to Kerry? Personally I think part of how we get a Dem back in office is to have a "war" man on the ticket. Either way it would show the country that Dems are very cognizant of America's safety and foreign standing.

[davidinalameda]

1. two northeasterners?

nope

and Kerry has been slamming the war for a while now

Anyway, if he was chosen to be VP and by some strange chance he and Dean were elected, Kerry's senate seat would go Repuke

I rather not have Mitt Romney choosing a US Senator

[POed_Ex_Repub]

2. I still wouldn't rule it out..

Nobody is going to say they'd be willing to be someone's vice president. That would sound too much like a concession, and that isn't happening with anyone at this point. I'd be more interested in seeing what candidates have to say after the primaries.

[BeyondGeography]

3. Kerry despises Dean

The animosity is real. An all New England ticket would be silly anyway.

[Tripper11]

4. Good point....I forgot about that

Cheers

[DFLforever]

5. Another awkward start for the General?

The big story yesterday was that Clark, with his coffers filled to the brim, was setting his sights on Dean in the new year; yet here are reporters still rudely asking whether he would consider being Dean's VP.

At least he wasn't heard muttering "Dean, Dean, Dean".

[necso]

6. Maybe.

Dean should look for someone with a name like "Reno" or "Benteen". And maybe he should start flying the pennant of the 7th Cavalry.

Hey, maybe "Gary Owen" as a theme song. I'm with you guys --- now if we could all just end up dead when we lose!

[JohnKleeb]

7. Dean-Kerry oh that wont happen even if they got along

[Voltaire99]

8. Clark writes himself out of 2004?

Let him take his best shot. If he wants SecDef, though, he'd better not burn any bridges -- a new skill for the general, to be sure, but hey, why not aim for self-improvement at any age?

If the overnight political conversion thing doesn't work out, he can always go back to doing color commentary on TV for the Empire's wars.

[jamesinca]

9. I personally would like to see all of them with cabinet positions

Who ever it may be that gets the Presidential nod from the party, I would like to see the other 8 with a VP or cabinet position. I would mostly like to see Al sharpton as press sect, that would be a lot of fun to watch.

[LeinesRed]

15. that idea has occurred to me too!

and don't forget Bob Graham either. But the idea of a U.S. Senate minus Kerry, Graham and Edwards...

[farmbo]

10. No, he hasn't ruled himself out of being an honest, effective VP...

He only said:

"I'm not going to be Howard Dean's Dick Cheney."

[Stuckinthebush]

11. That was destructive

I like Clark and I like Dean. I don't know why either one of them would flat-out say that they would never consider being a VP of the other. That only hurts the party.

Politicians - and I mean allpoliticians - have massive egos.

[teryang]

12. I agree

I think that Clark needs to work for Dean, if that is the way things turn out. I would like to see Clark as VP in a Dean administration. I think it is necessary to keep the dirty tricks people and the pentagon from undermining Dean from within.

[KittyWampus]

13. Then Why Would You Vote For Dean? If He Can't Do It Himself?

"I think it is necessary to keep the dirty tricks people and the pentagon from undermining Dean from within."

Why vote for someone who is vulnerable?

[teryang]

14. The Pentagon and CIA have their own agenda

It doesn't make any difference who is in the White House. The VPs office has become the focal point of national security issues and covert operations for over twenty years. Clark can manage this from either office, but if he has do it as president, domestic policy agenda items will suffer greatly. I think Dean as President and Clark as VP represents the optimum ticket. Clark will not be as effective working with Congress as Dean because Dean is the more experienced politician.

I respect both men and will vote for whoever gets nominated.

[LeinesRed]

16. but that kind of talk

keeps the primary voter honest...don't you think? Think of how many people voted in the 2000 Presidential election for Smirk (with great reservations about his competence) because he had Uncle Dick and Colon Blow on board....Clark is saying to the voter that you need to pick the person you know is the best and most qualified for the job...not the front runner that will pick a VP or sec of state that will draw pictures for him and help him with the big words...

[yelladawg]

17. Clark is going into an attack mode

I would look for more statements from Clark attacking Dean and other Democrat candidates.

[lancdem]

19. Clark did not say he'd never consider being VP

Denying interest in the vice presidency is not the same thing. His response is not unusual at all at this stage.

[robbedvoter]

18. here's a better article on the theme - less snarkiness than NYT:

Clark says he wouldn't be Dean's Cheney
By Norma Love, Associated Press, 1/2/2004 14:32
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/002/politics/Clark_says_he_wouldn_t_be_Dean:.shtml

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) Retired General Wesley Clark said Friday he would not be ''Howard Dean's Dick Cheney'' if front-runner Dean wins the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

Clark said he's running for president, not vice president.

''I'm not going to be Howard Dean's Dick Cheney,'' Clark told reporters. ''We've already tried that model of government. That's what's misled America thus far.''

Clark said President Bush was a former governor, inexperienced in foreign policy who surrounded himself with experienced advisers, like Cheney.

''He tried to reassure the American people by having a lot of highly experienced and competent advisers around,'' said Clark. ''And we see the results right now in our presence in Iraq and the alienation of people around the world.'' more

[henslee]

20. What is the benefit of Clark admitting or even hinting he

is interested in the VP slot. It is a dumb question and only a dope would answer it concretely. It is in the best interest of all and espec. Clark himself to go for the brass ring -- to let his star grow as bright as it can before he discusses anything like a VP position. Clark understands this... as he understands the whole art and the process of "becoming" He sure seems to enjoy campaigning and it shows. He is spontaneous, warm, funny and direct. While I like Dean and admire him, he seems to bang the same angry drum and though it has woken up manyy and connected with many including myself who have been pissed since the theft of the 2000 election, something about his hytserical tone makes me doubt it can take him the rest of the way. Frankly, he does not feel electable "as is" Just as Kucinich does not feel electable (but is my first choice as a candidate).


Though I am pulling for Clark, if Dean does get the nod.... the ever pragmatic General will quite possible make the best of the situation and hammer out a deal for VP. It will be dramatic and powerful if and when they do team up. And Dean will be getting a VP, wiser and more batte ready as a result of his rigorous presidential campaigning.

[robbedvoter]

22. Clark needs to stop dirty tricks. An union endorsement was stolen from him

with the "2 for the price of one" whispering campaign. Voters in New Hampshire told me of similar devious sales pitch.
hence my old signature tag: you want Clark? Vote Clark. Today's MTP. closed the question - a literally shermanesque statement on it. Let it go!

[doubleyoi]

21. yes, but there are better ways to sidestep this issue than

the way Clark did on MTP this AM. Although assclown extraordinaire Russert didn't help the matter any by hammering him about it, pulling William T Sherman out of his butt of all people with the "if I am nominated I will not accept, if I am elected I will not serve" blah blah quote. Clark should have said "I am running for President, since you don't really RUN for VP in the primaries, this question is irrelevant, you bloated, self important nin-cow-poop, next question." but no, the general couldn't help but say "Tim, I will NOT BE vice president." Why say that? Why not PREPARE for this question? WHO is being paid large sums to advise Clark and doesn't sit him down and work out an answer to this question?

[newyawker99]

23. Hi doubleyoi!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: