Bob Scheiffer exposed Clark's vulnerability-

[Beaker]

The repukes obviously have a war plan for each of the candidates, should they gain the nomination. Today, on Face the Nation, one of Clark's vulnerabilities came out-
They played tape of Clark praising the Lil' Dictator's choice of Darth Rumsfeld as SoD as "an inspired choice..." etc.-
Then they showed tape from a week or so ago on 60 Minutes, where Clark said that if he had been Prez Bush, he "...never would have hired Don Rumsfeld in the first place...".
As much as I like Clark, and what he has to say, I fear that the Rove machine will chew him up and spit him out...I have the same fear as to what they'll do to Dean...
I'm starting to have serious thoughts about a Kerry/Clark type ticket- if it just weren't for that whole DLC thing.

[WillyBrandt]

1. They will find this with everyone

If you think about it, this is really minor. But you can find this for every candidate. They did the exact same stupid crap with Gore. Turning molehills into mountains, and ignoring the great issues of the day.

Whores.

[Renew Deal]

16. Dean also said some nice things about Bush.

A while ago regarding the war. You are totally right.

[SahaleArm]

2. Have you been hiding in a cave?

That tape's been played since the RNC released it in late September. Clark adressed it straight on, in Meet the Press and elsewhere; if that's all Rove has to work with he's in trouble.

[Beaker]

24. This is a little different take on it-

And is being made a comparison with a "60 Minutes" piece from 2 weeks ago, so no- this particular portion hasn't been been making the rounds since September-

The first part, the older part, and possibly part of the tape you mention has Clark praising Bush's appointment of Rumsfeld- which doesn't bother me in the least actually.

BUT-
in the second, more recent portion, when asked if Rummy should be fired, Clark said that if he were Bush he would have never hired Rumsfeld in the first place- while he's on the record saying that Rummy was an "inspired choice"

It makes Wes look more and more like just another politician, IMHO

[oasis]

25. Rummy will likely be a private citizen before summer.Then it's Donald who?

[xultar]

26. So no one has ever met someone and thought they were a

nice person and then found out later that they weren't the person you thought they were.

Or is everyone here so perfect and has never had to deal with that situation?

[Spazito]

3. I don't see it as a problem...

at the time Clark had good things to say about Rumsfeld Iraq and it's subsequent mess hadn't happened. Clark has addressed this quite adequately and, to be honest, any questions such as this are better addressed now than later so if this is part of Rove's plan, it won't work, imo.

[Clark Can WIN]

4. They are going to do this with anybody.............. unfortunately

Jesus Christ is not running as a Democratic candidate this season.

I think Clark will handle it just fine. He's more accostomed to political backstabbing than most anyone realizes.

[coralrf]

7. A few examples..

"""Rush Limbaugh is full of shit"""

..remember that? I don’t see the 'New Rush' saying much about Clark. I am sure Clark will have his time with the media but he cannot do it with a huge Dem field. The no chance duds like Kucinich, Sharpton, Gephardt, Lieberman and the like need to bail now so Dean, Kerry and Clark can get along with campaigning against Bush and not that lost flock.

"""Don't you dare twist words into disrespect for the men and women in uniform. I love those men and women. I gave 34 years of my life to them. You better take my words the right way..."""

...I don’t see the fear factor here..

[coralrf]

5. So What?

They played tape of Clark praising the Lil' Dictator's choice of Darth Rumsfeld as SoD as "an inspired choice

So what? Many people thought Rummy a good choice. We have had 3 years to look at him ..that is the reason he is not held in such high regard anymore. What is you point here?

I fear that the Rove machine will chew him up and spit him out

Have you seen this man's reaction to such crap? Did you watch the FOX news clip? Nobody is going to chew up Clark and I doubt that Rove is going to try. Clark will go as far as you 'authorize' him to in fighting you. I imagine Clark would love a bout with Rove but I don’t see Rove risking his boys chances with such a thing.

[Donna Zen]

6. Scheiffer to Jesus:

Well Mr. Christ, It says here in your book: blessed are the poor. Your critics are saying that you intend to put in place the old Soviet welfare system. Do you really think that will sell on Wall Street?


*****pause for lightening bolt******

[bicentennial_baby]

8. ROTFL!

OMG, that was hilarious! Thanks! :hi:

[1songbird]

9. Clark sent a subtle

but unmistakable message to Rove* and Co. Mentioning Bush's alcohol problem and marital strife was brilliant. It makes him mortal and vulnerable. I'm sure there were some RNC tail feathers ruffled over those comments. :)

[Spazito]

11. Yes, that was perfect!

The Repubs would hate it but can't say a word about it because this would bring Bush's past up into even greater limelight. I love it.

[frank frankly]

14. yes, that was excellent

I loved it when he mentioned Bush's boozing!!!

[Clark Can WIN]

28. Yes , I love that.......... He's dealt with equal evil

and that is not something that they are prepared for really........


This MUST be our choice, if we want a sure victory.

[Bread and Circus]

10. It's only an issue in the primaries, in the GE it will be strength...

Here's how the memes will play out:

Clark is fair
Clark puts country above party
Clark is non-partisan
Clark is a patriot
Clark will unify the country
Clark will heal the malaise of partisan politics
Clark tried to give the President the benefit of the doubt

on the other hand:

Bush is partisan
Bush is radical
Bush is beholden to special interests
Bush is polarizing
Bush is Right Wing
Bush is controlled by conservative elements.

Got it?

[KittyWampus]

20. Yes! A Percieved Weakness Is Actually A Potential STrength

IMO, Clark would be well served to simplify and shorten his answer to something like:

I was being diplomatic and reaching out! It's not MY fault Bush and his Administration are unwillinging or unable to live up to their responsibilities or put the good of the country ahead of their own personal ambitions...

I really don't think Clark should go into any detail.

[Bread and Circus]

21. dude (or dudette), you should write soundbites for the campaign...

:kick:

[Ilsa]

12. I think that tape will

mobilize the middle for Clark. They'll see him as nonpartisan and nonpolitical until Bush went too far and lied and soldiers died.

[Donna Zen]

18. Coalition of the feed up

Many people supported the regime...someone else who tried to play nice but decided the rules had changed will give them a way out while saving face. That is a good thing because the bases of the parties are of fairly even strength. Any cut into their base is good.

I never liked anyone in this administration, but who on earth could have imagined three years ago that they could be this bad? What is even more unimaginable, is that 50% of the American people would think that they were doing a good job?

[IndianaGreen]

13. The Rove machine will chew out any Democrat that goes against Bush

so let's quit wringing our hands everytime they play Gotcha politics.

[QC]

19. Exactly.

The only way we can avoid nastiness from them is to nominate Bush ourselves.

[Clark Can WIN]

29. Of course, they have a draft to get going

and jail to stay out of..............

Yes they will go after any contender.

It is our challenge to pick the most resillient and the strongest candidate.

Human lives are at stake. We must win.

[Renew Deal]

15. Did you see Clark's explination.

He could put out an ad that goes like this. 3 years ago I was kind to GWB. Since then this that and the other have happened. I alike many Americans no longer support the president. Just check the poll number. I am one of the x% that changed my mind.

[Donna Zen]

27. We can fundraise the ad

If and only if he calls them mother fuckers.

[Zomby Woof]

17. yeah, that was a good one

I think it is worse than the usual flip-flops. It is reallllly bad. No one should trust this guy. Folks, he ENDORSED RUMSFELD, OTHER TOP REGIME FIGURES, and BUSH HIMSELF. *splashes cold water on Clarkies*

[Bread and Circus]

22. I just woke up, thanks for the cold water.... (end sarcasm)

Yeah...repeating the Right Wing talking points
really convinced me this time. :eyes:

If such statements prove Clark is not trustworthy
why did the RNC release the tapes? Last time I checked
they didn't have a candidate in the Dem Primary. Oh wait,
yeah they do. It's Dean.

[QC]

23. Do you think maybe you could try to be a bit more pompous?

That always wins people over, you know.