DU Opinion Poll! (General Wesley Clark)

[BamaLefty]

I'm going to post about 10 different polls of Democrats in order to try to get a true % about what the mood is in here about these different people. Each one will give three options as listed in this poll below. When I've completed all the polls that I wish to create, I'll post them in one big thread for all of DU to see.

Inquiring minds want to know. ;)

___________________________________


What is your overall opinion of General Wesley Clark?

[still_one]

1. was extremely favorable until I read his so-called solution to Iraq

Now I need to know a LOT MORE

[Zen Democrat]

13. I'm for getting out now -- but I think Clark's "solution" is brilliant --

Here's why. For God's sake, we know Bush isn't going to do anything of those things that Clark outlined. He's going to stay the lost-cause course. Clark is quick to say that IF these changes aren't made, we should just get our military out of harm's way.

So ... Clark is very craftily positioning himself to be a "GET OUT NOW" spokesman, without having to carry any baggage of being soft on terrorism, or surrender or appeasement (the tags the Pro-Death crowd loves to hang on Bush's critics).

[Texas_Kat]

15. That's sure a step in the right direction

Clark has enough experience that he believes that diplomatic solutions trump military solutions.

His ideas are neither simplistic or condescending to people who want a real solution to the unholy mess bush's cabal have created.

It's not 'stay the course', it's "CHANGE the course before it's too late, or get out".

[madeline_con]

2. We need to unite behind him....

Regain the WH from the neotards.

[BamaLefty]

3. Yeah

I could happily support him for Prez in '08. I think he is our only chance of beating McCain or Rudy-- assuming the GOP caves in and lets them run.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. You mean, what do I think of the man who SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUR PRESIDENT?

I LOVE him! He's brilliant!:loveya:

[capi888]

11. I agree with you totally!

He is brilliant...noticed at the end of the MTP, Wes Clark had all the other Generals listening to him...His hands were moving as he was explaining his positions on the Iraq War!

[Gloria]

5. He was EXCELLENT on Meet the Press today...

The ONLY one of the 4 generals to really go after Bushco.....and stressed the real use of diplomacy, slamming the phony crap that passes for foreign policy with this Admin.

[wiley]

6. I thought so as well

Smart guy.

[capi888]

12. Right on!

Thank You!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. I liked him better before his idiot comments about Iraq.

Wake him up and tell the lost war isn't winnable.

[Hamlette]

9. tell me why the war isn't winnable?

I don't know.

I've read nearly every book/article about this war, before and after but I'm still not certain we can cut and run. I have heard some experts say there is a way it can be won.

Iraq, it is said, is more like the former Yugoslavia than any other country. If that is true, then Clark might know more about what he's talking about than I do.

[Pastiche423]

16. Win what?

What exactly would be won?

All the expended blood, money and the damage to our reputation in the world's eye wiil have won what?

[Hamlette]

17. I agree it is a mess, but Clark seems to be talking about

leaving the country relatively free of open, violent hostilities.

Unless you think if US troops leave peace will reign in Iraq. Could be, I don't know but I'm thinking probably not.

Clark has consistently said we never should have gone into Iraq. He's talking about what we do now. He's saying there is a third position, different from stay the course and leave immediately that may be better.

[Jai4WKC08]

19. "All" we can win is forestalling a bloodbath

Clark said in the WaPo article, and elsewhere, that it's past time to end the rhetoric about bogus objectives like democratizing the Middle East.

Clark appears to believe there is a high probability of civil war if we come out too soon, or the wrong way. You can disagree with him if you want. I tend to trust his judgment over most peoples. He was pretty damn good about foreseeing what would happen when we went in.

[oasis]

8. Love him. I'd support a Hillary/Clark ticket with open arms.

[Adelante]

14. Wouldn't work

The commander in chief needs to be the president. The vice president needs to preside over the Senate.

[capi888]

10. What our Country Needs is an Intelligent Leader!

WKC, fills the bill, he has the experience as SCOTUS, to end this fiasco that BushCo has put the World's Peace at Risk. Also, UNLESS this War is ended, we will NEVER be able to achieve the goals here in the U.S. Economy,Jobs,Healthcare, will all be under the table, as the Civil War in Iraq, plus, intervention in Iran, North Korea, progresses!
We need a LEADER, that has had the experience, solved these types of problems, has not been born with a silver spoon, is not a Washington Insider, and Loves his Country and the People in it. Not withstanding, he NEVER supported us going to War with Iraq...has said it over and over. Also, has very positive relationships abroad with Leaders of Countries.
We are in a terrible mess, in my opinion, I will support WKC as the leader to find the way OUT of this MESS!
I respect the others that may run for President, their ideas, but have to think about WHO is intellectually able to solve the problems we face in the future, both abroad and at home!

[Donna Zen]

18. After several days and much pondering:

Here is what I wrote to Wes Clark on his blog:

General Clark_You saw the concept of this war in Iraq as a geopolitical blunder, a war of choice that we didn’t have to fight. Of course, I agree with you--did then, do now. And I also agree that diplomacy will lead to greater stability regionally, and thus politically in Iraq. Nevertheless there are several problems with any plan for success. Who is there in this administration that can or will carry out regional diplomacy? No one. Honestly, no one. The Bush administration is locked into an economic, and ideological doctrine that never bends, no matter how much it breaks the backs of our troops.

Now we face a new dilemma: the longer we stay, the more we are hated, and the more we fuel the violence rather than secure the country. Conversely, if we leave, in all probability, greater violence will break out. Where is the third-way? We do need to find success in Iraq, but who will lead the way?
I
t is wonderful to hear from you about these matters. I appreciate your thoughts and hope to hear more.
By Donna Z at August 23, 2005 - 2:20pm | reply

^^^^^^^^^

I agree with those who have written here that bush will never do what Clark says to do. That's what I wrote to Clark, and yes, he reads the blog. Clark believes that the Democrats needed to point the way out. Okay. And that is exactly what he did. Nothing more.

At the end of the article he says that if bush fails to produce a plan for success, then this entire thing will become unraveled.

OPTIONS:

1. Stay the course and become Vietnam Redux

2. Do what Clark says and find a soft landing...get out no permenant bases.

3 If bush won't do #2, then we should leave.

Bush of course will do #1. Clark as admitted that in his closing statement on MTP. But the point is that a Democrat has proposed a strategy that will work. Clark believes that his plan will work.

#3 will not be an option, but as Clark says, we, the American people, should ask for that.