It's better to be a new Democrat that's a real Democrat

[RageAgainstTheirMachine]

My response to all anti-Clark threads:

It's better to be a new Democrat that's a real Democrat than a lot of old Democrats up here that have been acting like Republicans all along

-REV AL

[mhr]

1. I Like Al, But Even Al Can Be Fooled

Remember the Brawley case?

[RageAgainstTheirMachine]

2. And what would Clark's motive be for faking liberal positions

[thebigidea]

3. dunno, the Presidency, maybe?

[Pastiche423]

5. Good answer!

[kiahzero]

6. ...

:eyes:

At a certain point, there's really no point in debating anymore. I remember at one point, I was talking about how we need to respect other people's religions with a very Christian friend of mine, and she said: "Well, Christianity is the one true faith, after all."

At that point, the conversation's done, because there's nowhere to go from there.

I feel we're just about to reach that point soon about Gen. Clark. Many people on this board have created an unfalsifiable hypothesis: Gen. Clark is a Republican plant, and any time he claims anything to the contrary, he is lying.

There's really no way to debate this, because any time any counterargument is made, there's a stock answer: he's lying.

All I have to say is that if he's lying, he's a damn good liar.

[Pastiche423]

7. I agree w/you

He is a damn good liar. But, he's a better opportunist.

[kiahzero]

10. So you don't disagree

That you've created an unfalsifiable hypothesis, and therefore have rendered all debate meaningless?

Why, then, do you keep pretending that it is the Clark supporters that have the blinders on?

[Jolene]

21. I'm patient - I'm ready to make a deal

I haven't made my mind up, yet. I have reservations about all of the candidates. That being said, Clark turned my head tonight.

Here's the deal: Regardless of who your candidate is, if he can do what Clark did tonight, between this morning and the primaries, I'll take a closer look at your candidate.

For those who missed it: At the Town Hall meeting, General Clark made me bawl. (Yeah, go ahead...make fun.) Here's why...

In an unscripted moment, with a sincerity I haven't seen in years, without hesitation and with only the effort it took to crook his little finger, he gave me a taste of leadership again when he looked into that woman's eyes and apologized for the sexual assault she had suffered in the military--not because he knew about it and did nothing, but because he considered himself responsible because he was in command.

Not only did he know where the buck stops, but he humbled himself before all of us in making that apology. And, he went a step further, by asking her to meet with him privately so that he could ask questions, find out where the chain of command went wrong, and work to fix it. He followed through, and he met with her.

No coverup. No obfuscation. No passing the buck. Just humility, a desire to fix what's broken, and pushing for follow through.

When one of the other candidates does that for me, I'll be sure to let you know. Until then, say what you want about General Clark, I don't give a rat's ass. I got a taste of real leadership today, and I damn well liked it.

[mhr]

4. If He is a Republican Plant

Then his motives are very clear. He gets paid to do candidate stand up for a year while insuring the republicans win with either himself or Bush.

Pretty simple really.

[RageAgainstTheirMachine]

8. ridiculous

Look at Clark's record. Read his book. Read one of the several heroic stories about Clark's military career. Research his solidly Democratic family. Look at the interviews with his solidly Democratic son. Listen to the conviction in his speech. Any honest person who does this will conclude that Wes Clark is a solid progressive with more integrity than any President we've had since IKE. I consider the liars on this board, who continually skew the General's record, in the same camp as Tucker and Rush.

[mhr]

9. Then Why Did He Vote For Reagan?

I am a Southern white male and I resisted the urge to become a Reagan Democrat. What is Clark's excuse?

Just like abortion, this is a litmus test for me!

[Julien Sorel]

15. If it's a litmus test, why are you bothering to discuss it?

He voted for Reagan -- case closed. You can now spend your time on more pleasant endeavors.

[mhr]

17. Your Point

Your message was lost in transmision!

[Julien Sorel]

19. Here, perhaps this will help:

litmus test: a test in which a single factor (as an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive

Yes? No? 'Lost in transmission?'

[mhr]

20. Finally You Are Understood

Yes I agree with that definition.

[Julien Sorel]

22. LOL

Enjoy your conspiracy theories. They apparently hold together in the otherwise shaky world of your transmissions.

[Toucano]

24. Do you have two litmus tests?

If abortion is your litmus test, then Clark is pro-choice. You would support Clark.

If a pure democratic voting record is your litmus test, then you would not support Clark.

Is this a paradox?

[mhr]

11. If You Are Calling Me a Liar

Please be careful as that is counter to the DU Rules.

[andym]

13. Republican plant idea is silly

Let's think this argument through.

Let's assume what you say is true, he is a witch, I mean Republican plant.

Let's look at your scenario.

1) He wins the election and then declares himself a Republican. The electorate both Dems and Reps, excluding neocons, would be outraged because it would be an explicit breach of faith. This would doom the Republican party (as not to be trusted) for decades. {Now we may feel that they have already done this with W-- but the majority of Americans who are just starting not to believe in him, do so for his incompetence not his treachery.}

It is implausible to say the least. The right would not commit political
suicide in such a stupid manner.


Andy

[mhr]

14. No Andy

He would never declare himself to be a republican.

He would just be a very conservative democrat with pro-business leanings.

By the way, this is what Clinton was.

Many say Clinton was the best republican president ever.

I would have to agree.

[Julien Sorel]

16. Yes, and the Republicans just

loved him for it! They still do, in fact, to this very day.

[mhr]

18. Your Point

Message lost in transmission!

[w13rd0]

23. Actually, considering what we've been...

...exposed to the past three years, no, your hypothetical isn't unthinkable. I put nothing past the GOP...

[izzie]

12. Well Bush play he likes people and will keep things the same.

Is that not what he ran on?