General Clark Meets with DraftWesleyClark.com Leaders for First Time

[DoveTurnedHawk]

Posted in its entirety, as it is a press release:

General Wesley Clark Meets with DraftWesleyClark.com Leaders for First Time; Addresses Clark MeetUp Supporters across the Nation

Clark to Draft: “I’m approaching a decision and I will have to make a decision by the end of next week.”

(Washington, DC), DraftWesleyClark.com, the campaign to draft former General Wesley Clark for President, today announced that its leaders met with General Wesley Clark for the first time on Sunday night.

“We reached out to General Clark, and were delighted when he agreed to meet,” said John Hlinko, co-founder of DraftWesleyClark.com. “It gave us the opportunity to tell him first hand about the extraordinary support he has for a Presidential run.”

The meeting took place in Los Angeles, over an extended dinner. It gave General Clark the opportunity to learn more about the movement and what it has accomplished thus far. Draft leaders attending included Hlinko, Josh Margulies, Maya Israel, and Dr. Chris Kofinis.

GENERAL CLARK ADDRESSES THE “LAST” DRAFT CLARK MEETUP

The DraftWesleyClark.com leaders also met with General Clark in a follow-up session on Monday afternoon where he prepared a short video message to the Draft Clark movement. The video was emailed to regional draft “Platoon Leaders” and aired that evening across the nation at local Clark “MeetUp” gatherings.

“I want to welcome each and every one of you to the last Draft Wesley Clark MeetUp,” said General Clark in the address. “You all are changing the face of America by participation in these MeetUps. Through this activity we’re bringing citizen participation into democracy. It’s a tremendous inspiration to me, and it’s been the encouragement to me to really give serious consideration to joining this race.”

Draft supporters across the nation were inspired by the address, shown at some locations on large screens, and others on small laptops.

“I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dedication, for your faith in each other that’s brought all of you together and to say that we can do great things for America,” Clark continued. “Each and every one of us working together, working on behalf of the causes we believe in and helping to make this country strong and great and good.”

(see http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/meetup_message.htm for transcript and video)

DRAFT LEADERS: “STRONG OPTIMISM”

”While we understand first-hand from General Clark that he is still making his decision, my own feeling at this point is one of strong optimism,” said Maya Israel, media strategist for the effort.

“One thing we can say for certain is that General Clark is committed to continuing to serve his country,” said Josh Margulies, co-founder of the effort.

“In my opinion, meeting General Clark in person confirmed the results of our poll – he would undoubtedly be a very strong contender for the Democratic nomination and the presidency,” said Dr. Chris Kofinis, political analyst and consultant to the DraftWesleyClark.com campaign.

ABOUT DRAFTWESLEYCLARK.COM

Launched in April, 2003, DraftWesleyClark.com has collected tens of thousands of letters urging General Clark to run, raised over $1.3 Million in pledges, and built a network of volunteer leaders, ready to serve - if General Clark chooses to lead. DraftWesleyClark.com has already been featured on Good Morning America, Meet The Press, CBS Evening News, Crossfire, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox, as well as in the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Esquire and Newsweek.

DraftWesleyClark.com is the largest effort to draft Wesley Clark for President. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, one block from the White House. For more information, please see http://www.DraftWesleyClark.com.

http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/press_release_090903.htm

DTH

[DoveTurnedHawk]

1. Shameless Kick (eom)

DTH

[Donna Zen]

2. Thanks

and this is more than just a kick. Trolling in another Clark thread I happened across yet another Pristina Airport post. Somehow I am not in the mood to roll out the rebutal. I wonder if those people would have drafted Milosevic if we hadn't locked him up?

Anyway, it must have been a bitter-sweet meeting for the people mentioned. They have put on an excellent campaign. Read somewhere on the boards that Rangel is supporting Clark.

I wish I could make sense out it, but I'm prepared to feel suspended for the time being. If anyone has definate knowledge a pm would be nice.

[Julien Sorel]

3. I'm leaning towards him running again.

After the video yesterday I was thinking otherwise, but after viewing it again, it was more promising than I first thought. I have a hard time believing that he would decide not to run after all this.

At the same time, it seems like he would want to make a big deal out of an announcement, like Kerry did, but nothing like that is planned.

[diplomats]

7. I believe he's running

if he weren't he would've already said so.

[Kahuna]

8. The video was lovely! Nothing in that video said,,

he's not running. Buck up!

[KoKo]

4. First Meeting with Draft Clark Groups???

????????:shrug:

[TacticalPeek]

5. Technical considerations, I believe.

[Kahuna]

9. And your "concern" is?

:shrug:

[Kahuna]

6. I watched the video. It was so lovely and heartfelt.

Run, General. run! :7

[Clark Can WIN]

10. I really loved the video

And I am convinced now more than ever that he will definately run. I'm so excited about volunteering for the campaign. It's going to beautiful. We're going to get our house back, people. :bounce:

Just for fun I picked up a bag a Clark bars today. Delicious.

:kick:

[Pepperbelly]

11. I do not have a clue ...

I think that if I were he, I would not. But then again, if I were he, no one would be asking me. :D

Wesley is far more productive and motivated.