Amy Goodman on Democracy Now about Wesley Clark - not flattering

[shance]

One things a no - brainer. Hes not an anti- war candidate.

Robert Fisk is on talking about Kosovo and Clark's war history and career and its not flattering. Shows someone whos more concerned about his career and how things appear, versus whats in the best interest of all. Fisk just finished talking about the World War III comment.

Clarks candidacy is inconsistent. Strikes me hes trying to run as a liberal and is much more conservative.

Also keep in mind this is the best strategy going these days with Republicans as well as Democrats.

[joeybee12]

1. Take it with a grain of salt...

...I'm not supporting Clark, however, a lot of the crap that comes out in the next few days will simply be that--crap. Pundits--whether liberal or conservative--say things just to love to hear the sounds of their own voices.

[shance]

3. I agree ***

More will be revealed.

Thanks.

[monobrau]

2. Maybe it's time

To quite trying to label people as liberal or conservative and make them fit into a mold. Could it be that he's just a sharp guy with a good head on his shoulders? I'm still looking at him myself, and I'm not sure what to think either.

[shance]

14. He very well could be and I think he is.

But I also am seeing alot of inconsistencies. On Democracy Now, a journalist was talking that General Clark wrote a column for the London Times during the seige of Baghdad.

Now, for someone who was anti-war, his quote of "Liberation Liberation is now at hand" and further went on to praise Bush and I think Powell saying they should be "proud" of the overall accomplishments (at that time). At the very least, that is someone who is battling two ideologies and/or has perhaps has a penchant just to be on the winning side in general.

Colin Powell had the same issue. Powell was ideologically in line on almost every issue with Clinton, but would have nothing to do with the Clinton Administration. He chose to put his investment with the Bush Administration because he thought they were the winners. I have to wonder how he feels about it now.

[latebloomer]

4. any more details?

I feel quite suspicious of any military man.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

7. Please Try to Overcome Your Prejudices

It really bothers me to see so many progressives subscribing to a kneejerk prejudice against all things military. Clark is an honorable and decent man. Please give him a chance. Thanks.

DTH

[latebloomer]

11. yes, but

I have not been happy with anything our military has done in my lifetime. Anyone who devotes his life to carrying out that mission is questionable, in my opinion.

Then again, nobody I really like and respect would ever be electable. Big Money will make sure of that.

[AP]

17. This is a variation on the essential reason why there will never be an Dem

Eisenhower.

Republicans can run a general (and they might have creamed Dems had McCain run) because Republicans generally feel that national security is a significant component of the Republican identity.

For Dems to run a general, is the equivalent of Republicans running a social workier to get the liberal vote. You may get a few confused liberals, but you're never going to get your own base out. The average Republicans would say, this isn't what we're about.

Eugene McCarthy, Carter and JFK were all distinguished members of the armed services. They did not run on that at all.

I could be wrong, but to me Kerry is running on military experience in more sensible way. For Clark, I noticed that he talked a lot about liberal policy, but I don't think anyone going to forget that he's primarliy a soldier. And then you're back to the Republican social worker problem.

[Zero Gravitas]

25. But he's running against Bush

I don't see many Dems not voting for even a moderate General because of the alternative.

People who have actually served and fought in war are much less blase about military adventurism than chickenhawks in the current Administration.

Hell I'd vote for a Moderate Republican if I thought he had at least half a clue and it would mean getting rid of Bush. And I'm a borderline socialist and a pacifist.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

34. General Andrew Jackson Was A Democrat

and John F Kennedy parlayed his good looks and war heroics to the presidency....

Hell, they even made a movie of JFK's military exploits-PT109- It starred Cliff Robertson...


I like Kerry... Why is he using his military experience different than Clark... Clark never boasts of his... Other folks do....

Big difference...

[FlashHarry]

8. Here you go

Link to Clark's position on a variety of issues.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. The Long Knives Are Out For Wes

On one side we have Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, David Horowitz(oh the stink that emanates from that man) and Tom Delay.

On the other side we have Noam Chomsky and Robert Fisk....


Poor Wes....

On the bright side , an old lefty like Katrina Vander Heuvel all but annointed Wes on Hardball and a neo-lefty like Peter Beinart all but annointed Wes in the pages of the New Republic...

It reminds me of the words to Garden Party....

"If you can't please everybody you got to learn to please yourself."

[oasis]

15. Katrina, Bill and Hill, Michael Moore and Charley Rangel like him.

Plus he has the looks of a winner.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

21. I Like Charlie...

He's a yellow dog like me...

Katrina Van derHeuvel is a pleasant suprise.....

[shance]

24. I read the Michael Moore letter - have to say I was impressed

I dont know. One thing I get is that he is a kind individual. But that is not necessarily what I want to be president.

And I would have to take issue with the "looks of a winner". No doubt he is a great looking guy, but America's overall addiction to a "look", or image versus substance is frankly ruining and eroding the character of our nation. This philosophy of winning, versus doing what is right, or doing our best is also a big problem, and I digress! ***

However I am not sure I can justify the inconsistencies with Clark. And a lack of real conviction it seems. On the other hand I know no one is perfect, including any of the other candidates. Dean and Kucinich have appeared the most consistent and authentic to me. I feel like I know them better than any of the other candidates.

I want to support the one who is the most consistent what I believe and will not be afraid to stand up to factions that are threatening the well being of our nation and our world.

[tjdee]

6. Anti-war meaning what?

Clark isn't anti-war, but neither is Dean, etc. So what? Neither was Clinton, etc. etc.

Kucinich, I think, is, and that is it.

Clark IS anti-Iraq war. People need to get their heads out of their asses (not you) and differentiate between anti-war and anti-Iraq war.

[Eloriel]

31. I don't knw where Clark is NOW but he was NOT anti-Iraq war

before. In fact, AFAIC, he waxed positively orgasmic in this piece -- all his own words:

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0917-14.htm

Eloreil

[Democrats unite]

9. Clark's war history

Oh yea I forgot he is a retired 4 star general. We now have a commander in thief named Bush. I think I'll stay with Clark.

[Gigi]

10. Wesley Clark

I was home yesterday and caught the CNN profile on Clark. It was
not at all flattering. It wasn't CNN opining but rather had
quotes from people who had worked with him at the Pentagon. I'm
willing to wait and hear more from him before I make up my mind. My
first impression is that he will only impress a certain segment of
the voting population.

[wndycty]

12. CNN. . .

. . .is going to go hard at Clark, they have to he used to work for them. If he stands the heat, which I think he can, it might turn out to be the best thing for him.

[joeybee12]

13. If it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger...

...it's sort of good Wes gets attacked--he could come out stronger.

Dean has been weathering attacks (mainly from fellow Dems) and is gaining support.

It's gonna happen, but I think all candidates need a "rapid response" team to refute attacks. If you fight back, people respond to that--it shows you have a backbone.

[janekat]

16. He's just a mix.....

...like most other people who are deep thinkers. He has some conflicting issues.

I'm sure everyone here does.

Why does someone have to have a label put on them? Why should everyone simply "tow the Democratic" line with every issue? Everyone has issues that are personally important to them.

[shance]

18. These arent attacks everyone, these are observations.

Clark is not a good or a bad person.

Hes a candidate that is running for president. In other words, hes applying for a job and we need to evaluate him.

Wouldnt you evaluate someone running for the highest office in the United States?

Is it not beneficial to look at the overall picture of a candidate?

I wish all the candidates were great, because that would potentially mean we would have a good cabinet.

I want to support a candidate that I GET. I dont want to buy into a smoke screened picture and am misled for 4 more years. Our country cannot afford it. I dont think any of us can.

[RichM]

19. Don't worry, the Clark Bullies will show up soon to bash Amy Goodman,

just like they bashed FAIR the other day. No one is allowed to say anything critical about Clark, you see. You can't even raise any questions. Has anyone noticed that?

The Clark Bullies are just like brownshirts -- same style, same technique.

[disgruntella]

23. Clark supporters can't respond to criticisms?

I guess we can all pack up and go home.

If people weren't allowed to say anything critical about Clark, this board wouldn't have thousands of posts about him from all sides.

Unless you'd like this board to be solely for posting criticisms of Democratic candidates without rebuttal -- I can think of several posters that would have a field day with that.

[Pepperbelly]

26. when you are supporting ...

a smear job and trying to pass it off as honest criticism, that indeed opens you to criticism. And the FAIR article was, at best, a smear job.

But since you like FAIR, Clark supporters should just stay silent and not call bullshit on bullshit.

Whatever, RichM.

[jonnyblitz]

27. I have noticed it.

But I will try not to hold it against Clark.

[random]

28. And what are you, a "Dean Bully?"...

strikes me as a little thin-skinned.

[RichM]

29. Amusing that you would leap to that conclusion...

without the slightest bit of evidence for it.

FYI - No, I'm not in the least enthused by Dean (though he's far less objectionable to me than Clark)

[random]

30. Your inference is that anyone who supports Clark is a bully...

so why don't you grow a spine and tell us who or what you support and stop criticizing those of us who will profess an opinion. Try and stand up for something!

[RichM]

33. Oh, boo hoo, now you hurt my feelings.

I'm so devastated that you've accused me of not having a spine, I'm afraid I just can't type anymore. And that zinging riposte at the end - "Try and stand up for something!" -- you've simply overwhelmed me.

[DemNoir]

20. This is predictable

As much as I admire Amy Goodman in many ways, i'm afraid she would rather lose to the Bush mob than support any candidate that was'nt a perfect Pacifist-Green-Socialist-Vegan angel.

[DinahMoeHum]

32. IOW, the "Nothing But The Best For The Oppressed" syndrome.

n/t

:evilfrown:

[realFedUp]

22. this was a good segment...especially on conditions in Iraq

it's good get information from journalists
who are still on the ground in Iraq...he should watch
his back.