The three factors that make me back Clark

[RobertFrancisK]

After reading Clark's real time interview I'm sold, he's the man. He has an accurate view on American history and what makes this country great, he's from working class roots and he'll fight for the working people of America and he isn't afraid to say what he's thinking, and he does so in a manner that doesn't seem rude or offensive whatsoever.
I like Dean a lot because he shares alot of the same values as me and is an exciting candidate.
I like Kerry because I think he is truly a good man and I think he would have a good shot at winning the white house.
I like Wesley Clark because he is both of these things and I think he could lead and excite America. I think he could build a democratic majority for years to come. I think he make America feel a sense of pride it hasn't felt since the Kennedy administration.
I agree with him and I'm excited by him, I think he's a good man that can win, and I think he will inspire all Americans and go down in history as one of the true great presidents. He's got my vote.

[wndycty]

1. Kick

:kick:

[Mz Pip]

2. Meritocracy

vs. Legacy. Clark is similar to Clinton in that respect. He doesn't come from wealth and priviledge which is a welcome chage from Bush who never had to work for a damn thing in his entire life.

I see Clark as a uniter. We need that now. We need someone who can return honest debate and respectful discourse to the political process.

MzPip
:dem:

[robbedvoter]

3. In short: he raised the dialogue back to Clinton's levels

It was these words:
"We live in a liberal democracy. That's what we created in this
country. It's in our constitution! We should be very clear on this...
this country was founded on the principles of the enlightenment. It was
the idea that people could talk, have reasonable dialogue and discuss
the issues. It wasn't founded on the idea that someone would get struck
by a divine inspiration and know everything, right from wrong. People
who founded this country had religion, they had strong beliefs, but they
believed in reason, and dialogue, and civil discourse. We can't lose
that in this country. We've got to get it back."

[FDRLincoln]

5. yep

It was those words on the Maher show that sold me on Clark. THIS GUY GETS IT. He knows what's at stake in '04.

Even if he doesn't win the nomination, having him in the debates and in the campaign is a huge plus.

[Mz Pip]

6. We've lost it

with the current crop of politicians. There is no civil discourse anymore and I find that very troubling. THe polarization of political discourse is dangerous to a democracy. One important element in democracy is to protect the minority from the majority. I don't see that happening now. We have an administration with the attitude that a difference of opinion is nearly treasonous. THey don't come right out and say it, but the subtext is there.

MzPip
:dem:

[tjdee]

4. I've read the transcript, and I agree, very impressive.

I find it hard to be a Clark supporter, though, for three reasons:

1-I like Edwards. A lot. In fact, I find he and Clark to be an easier fit than Clark and Dean, for example. They both started with nothing, etc. I don't know, maybe they both remind me of Clinton or something?
I concede that Clark has more experience/gravitas? (hard to say what I mean?) than Edwards, which is no small deal. But Edwards has qualities that Clark doesn't.

2-I don't know what Clark's vision is, or what policies he wants to put into place (though, he's not running yet and what he IS saying sounds good). I don't know him well, I'll say. But he is *very promising*. That Bill Maher interview was the stuff.

3-I don't know if he's running. I have the uneasy feeling I had around the time Gore went on SNL.

I have no doubt about his ability to get support, raise money, or to actually govern. I think he's a good man with good intentions who could seriously, seriously put a major hurting on Republicans.

I think your instincts are spot on.

[RobertFrancisK]

7. I do think Edwards has great potential

But I think it just isn't his time yet. He's getting good experiance in how to run a presidential campaign, but I think he could use another term in the senate and to write some important legislation, then go for it in 2012.

[Clark Can WIN]

8. I like Edwards too, He's the gratest thing to come out of North

Carolina since shaggin! But he's got kind of a Beaver Cleaver vibe mostly I guess because of his age and inexperience. I look forward to him becoming a formidable force in the future. If he's your guy, bless you and you should follow your heart. I just wanted to thank you for being good enough to keep an open mind.

As long as the shrub goes, it's all good.

[MODemocrat]

9. Have I missed something? Has Clark announced his candidacy?

I like him a lot too, and he looks presidential and oh, so handsome, but most importantly, he has to enter the race to win.

[Donna Zen]

10. Is he running?

On November 4'th 2004 I will vote for whomever the Democratic candidate is...if the DNC takes my vote for granted then that is their problem and failing. I'm being honest with myself.

I find Clark a very interesting person. American electoral politics is a slough of despond that does not often attract our best and brightest citizens, those who would possess true leadership. Sometimes, yes, and that includes a nod to some of this year's participants...but many people who might make great contributions walk away from the process not because they are cowards, but rather because they are smart. Terrible but true.

Searching through the information about possible presidential nominees, I also looked in Clark, someone I was not at first interested in because of my own "uniform allergy." What I discovered was a liberal with a breadth and a depth of knowledge vital to curing our countries many ills. Here was one of our best and brightest; and yet, because he had chosen a different path, a military path, many chose to scorn and accuse him.

The reason I post in the Clark threads has nothing to do with whether he is running or not. Part of me hopes he does, and yet, considering what a Democratic candidate has heaped upon them from the rightwing, from the corporate media and in the case of someone with medals, by their own party, makes me want to tell him not to bother. That said, the reason I post in the Clark threads is because when one of our best choses to stand up, their true record and person should be set straight. For if we do not respect people of character, we will eventually reap a system lead by the worst and the dumbest. Look who's in the White House.