What's General Clark Waiting For... And Is It Too Late?

[theshadow]

Every day that goes by sees the attention on Kerry, Dean, Kucinich, etc. Someone, please educate me. He still hasn't ruled it out, so what motive/strategy could he have for waiting?

[JohnKleeb]

1. actually I hardly ever seen any attention to Kucinich

in the media that is. Also thanks for the pm and I am not related to that actress. Its not too late for General Clark though imo, a lot of presidential candiates have entered later.

[carpetbagger]

2. Kerry, 9/11, money, Iowa.

I think he's very much in the race, and that he's waiting until the week of September 15 for a number of reasons. The first is to give John Kerry's announcement a chance to settle, but also I'd imagine he's thinking that the administration will get a large amount of press over the next week celebrating the terrorist attacks.

His recent statements have talked mostly about feasibility. To me, that means he's shaking down the behind-the-scenes money tree. That would make some sense out of the Hillary Clinton rumors, if in fact she's giving him some invisible help.

Finally, he's got a speech at the University of Iowa on September 19th, and it looks like he's got a number of appearences possibly set up in that state. If he's going to get any momentum there, an announcement accompanying that visit might push him farther than an earlier announcement.

[roguevalley]

3. It could be out of respect that he's waiting for the

wtc thing to pass. He wouldn't exploit
tragedy. He's seen enough of that personally.
So, I think he's waiting for the patriot wallow
to pass so he can discuss things like this
without appearing to pander.

[Kahuna]

4. I don't know. I have sensed something different in his last

couple of appearances. He seems nervous. That's uncharacteristic for him. My guess is that he's gonna do it and he's feeling uncertain because he has never run for political office before.

I know the Clark bashers will crawl out of the woodwork to chide us and say, 'well if he's afraid of running, he probably shouldn't.' To that I would respond. Running is the unhappy and uncertain process to achieve the goal. It doesn't matter to me that Clark is a "political" neophyte." What matters to me is that if he can weather the storm, what a fantastic leader he will be.

[DrGonzoLives]

5. Probably too late

I really don't see how he can raise the money to be competitive against the four that have raised the most so far (Dean, Kerry, Lieberman, Gephardt, I believe). If he's smart, he'll lobby to get on the ticket as vice-president or national security advisor or Secretary of State; I think he would be far better and far more useful and beneficial in of those positions.

[hyphenate]

6. I do agree

that he would make an excellent VP. Then, if he wants to run for Pres after 8 years, he would be perfect at that time.

As you also said, Secretary of State or National Security Advisor would also make excellent positions for him.

A "Kerry/Clark" "Dean/Clark" "Gephardt/Clark" ticket would be excellent for us. I don't like Lieberman, though; unless he was definitely the only alternative to Bush, I would not support him. He's become a DINO since the 2000 election.

[truthseeker1]

8. What's a DINO?

Excuse my ignorance, but I've seen this terms a few times lately and don't know what it refers to. Would someone please fill me in?

[hyphenate]

11. DINO

Stands for a Democrat in name only. Someone who is really representative of the Republican Party, but who has himself classified as a Democrat.

The other side of this is someone who is really a Democrat, but is labeled a Republican. That's a RINO.

You will mostly find a lot of DINOs in the South--people like Zell Miller and Mary Landreiu. But in truth, they're all around.

In some ways, Lieberman is a DINO right now--at least IMHO he is.

[Donna Zen]

18. And of course

there is always PINO....

president in name only

[truthseeker1]

30. Thanks hyphenate!

Now that I know what it means......
I would agree that Lieberman = DINO
especially after that debate the other night!!

[BuelahWitch]

19. Welcome to DU!

Fellow Deaniac and Truthseeker!

:toast:

[truthseeker1]

31. Thanks for the warm welcome

I've been on lots of message boards and this is the first one that made me want to stick around! Well-informed, passionate people who aren't (for the most part) rude and vindictive - which is what I've found on most other boards. I like the productive debate that goes on here.

[renie408]

7. Top fundraisers

The top fundraisers are Kerry, Edwards, Gephardt and Dean, in that order. Kerry is at $16 million, Edwards at nearly $12 million, Dean at $10.5 million and Gephardt at $9.75 million.

[OHdem10]

17. pobably too late - I hope not

The last couple of times I saw him on TV he did not seem like himself and this made me concerned. he seemed nervous--for the lack of a better word. The Media has made such a deal of his statement re being told he should make a connection of 9/11 and Iraq. I believe him unequivocally after the way I have seen our Media change their attitudes and stories on a dime. You had to conclude they had gotten orders from someplace. They think we are so stupied we donot see through their games. I think they made such a deal out of it because they do want him to run. They know he would show Bush in a bad light. Their attitudes show even if they do not realize it. There have been deliberate throwing out stories or making hints
to discredit him even before he has announced. If he decides
not to run the Leadership in our party will make the mistake of their life if they do not lobby him for VP slot. Our Leadership and the Media are hell bent on Lieberman as President.

[kang]

9. Clark's got a chance to win the nomination

it's still really early and according to what I've read something close to half of all Democrats still are undecided and wish there was somebody else to pick as a candidate.

And while the other candidates have lots of money, when you're not even polling at 10% you've got to wonder how much value that money is if your message isn't resonating with voters. Dems this time more than ever will value a candidate that they think can beat Pres. Bush. If Clark somehow got the nomination, he would present many problems for the GOP. He's moderate and has no elected office history to attack. His line on gun control is absolutely the best one I've ever heard. It's an attempt to water down the NRA's strength (dividing hunters/gun collectors from militia types).

If the Clintons came out in support of him (maybe not publicly, but in fundraising) he could be the guy. Especially since Clark's on pretty good terms with them (it's the Little Rock, Rhodes Scholar connection), it could be an unsaid deal to get a Clark-Clinton ticket. That could be smart for Hilary since if they lose it would set her up for 2008. Ok, totally off in space here.

[renie408]

10. Reality

The reality is that nobody except us really gives a damn right now. But give it another month and things are going to start picking up. Maybe he will win the nomination, but I just have a hard time believing that will happen. At this point, just about anybody has a shot. But you have to concede that waiting until all your opponents have their staffs and campaigns in place and have been fundraising for months is not what anyone would consider an 'ideal' strategy. THINK about what he will have to put into place over the next four months. A staff, a message, a campaign strategy, a fundraising strategy and management for those funds...it seems like a lot to pull together. The people he is up against have health care plans in place, economic plans, etc. It just doesn't seem feasible. I think he would make great VP material, but I think if here were going for the whole enchilada, he should have gotten started by now.

[kang]

12. Tough but not impossible

You're right about nobody caring just yet about who's running (I use my Dad as a measuring stick for voter interest! He barely knows of any of the people running). That's why it isn't too late to enter the race. The fact that he would be the so-called "underdog" because he lacks money, infrastructure, etc. will only make him more attractive to story-hungry journalists. As we learned from Bush, lowered expectations can pay incredible dividends.

The fact that all of the other candidates have domestic plans out there already actually makes it easier in my mind for Clark. He can pick and choose from these plans and if he's accused of copying somebody else's idea, he always can say that he's not going to ignore a good idea just because it came from somebody else (an answer made famous by Clinton). It's not like anybody other than highly-interested liberals will care where a plan came from originally, only that you're proposing it.

[theshadow]

13. Some New Background On "Is He In or Out"

See http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,96738,00.html.

[renie408]

14. Page cannot be found

Could you please give me what it says in a nutshell?

[theshadow]

15. Here's The Whole Article....

Democrats Nervously Eye Wesley Clark

Monday, September 08, 2003



LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Democrat drawing wary glances from the crowded presidential field and forcing some party stalwarts to hedge their bets on endorsements isn't even a candidate yet.

Wesley Clark (search), the retired Army general with four-star military credentials, is poised to shake up the primary race if he chooses to seek the presidency. Clark has promised to reveal his plans before a major speech in Iowa on Sept. 19.

Clark, 58, has a resume that unnerves potential rivals - Arkansas-raised, Rhodes scholar (search), first in his 1966 class at West Point (search), White House fellow, head of the U.S. Southern Command and NATO (search) commander during the 1999 campaign in Kosovo.

A White House bid by him would grab the political spotlight and undercut the strengths of several in the nine-way Democratic race.

"Certainly he's going to have an impact in the race, and I think he would be a good candidate," presidential hopeful Howard Dean (search) told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.

Dean was quick to point out, however, that Clark faces the challenge of catching up to candidates who have been campaigning for months, raising money and organizing, as well as attracting supporters through the Internet as Dean has.

"There will be some of that, but it will be incredibly hard to build what we have," the former Vermont governor said.

Dean's campaign manager, Joe Trippi, said Clark's entry would reshape the race just as Dean is gaining steam.

"I think people underestimate the energy of his support and the strength he has, particularly with some of the grass roots and Internet and even among elected officials. We're not underestimating him. We think he would have an impact on the race," Trippi said.

Another Democratic aspirant, Rep. Dick Gephardt (search), told a television interviewer on Sunday that Clark "would be a great candidate," although the Missouri congressman predicted he'll be the nominee.

Gephardt added that Clark was someone he'd "definitely look at as a possible good vice presidential candidate."

Although Dean has seized the momentum, the Democratic primary race is filled with uncertainty. A recent CBS News poll found that two-thirds of those surveyed couldn't name one of the nine candidates seeking the party's nomination, suggesting the race is wide open.

John Hlinko, a founder of DraftWesleyClark.com (search), one of several groups working to persuade Clark to run for president, acknowledged that the retired general is months behind the other Democrats but insisted Clark could make up ground quickly if he decides to run.

"There are some very good candidates, but a sizable number of the people are yearning for someone else," Hlinko said.

Clark supporters say they have received pledges of more than $1 million.

Not everyone is intrigued by a possible Clark candidacy.

"I don't think any of us are holding our breath because this guy is going to jump into the race and it's going to change things overnight," said Gary Nordlinger, a Washington-based Democratic consultant. "He could be a very interesting candidate. But right now, he's generating more curiosity than interest."

"I have nothing against Wes Clark, but I wouldn't recognize the guy if he was sitting in a restaurant with me having dinner," Nordlinger added.

But Clark has drawn the attention of union officials, including Gerald McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (search), and he has slowed efforts by Dean and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts to make inroads with labor. Some elected party officials also are holding their fire, waiting for Clark to decide.

"The Democrats have been out here for a while and a lot of people are disillusioned with all of them. He will be the fresh kid on the block and people might be excited about that," said Forrest Maltzman, a political science professor at George Washington University. "If he could win the nomination, a Southern Democrat with military experience is probably the Republicans' biggest fear. He would be a strong contender."

Clark's background could prove to be an attractive alternative to Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War hero and favorite of many party leaders. Although Clark was raised in Arkansas, he was born in Chicago just like candidate Carol Moseley Braun. And even though Clark grew up a Baptist and converted to Catholicism, his father was Jewish like candidate Joe Lieberman.

The inevitable comparison for Clark is with former President Clinton, the Rhodes scholar who traveled from Arkansas to the White House. Political observers cite the dynamics of Democratic politics in 1991, when Clinton declared his long-shot candidacy, and this year.

Clinton saw a President Bush struggling to repair the economy after a war in Iraq. Clark is looking squarely at another President Bush dealing with the nation's financial woes and an unsettled postwar Iraq, said Art English, a political science professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

"He may be also seeing a situation where he's coming into the Democratic field late, but where expectations in some of the early primaries might not be high, particularly because of regional candidates," English said.

"He's saying, 'There is time for me to make a mark with my positions in the forums and debates and demonstrate that I'm the cream of the Democratic crop by far.'"

[u4ic_librul]

16. Does anyone know if Wesley Clark was on Hardball this evening...

...and if he was, how did he do?

Thanks!

[Donna Zen]

20. Welcome to DU

Yes, he was. Although I don't have access to Hardball, the reports coming into the thread on GD were very positive.

[JeniB]

21. He sent out an e-mail tonite.

It's at www.draftclark2004.com . It's a video and he says he knows he has to make a decision in the next week.

[leftist_rebel1569]

22. he's waiting until after Sept. 15

so he doesn't have to report his dismal fund-raising numbers (at least compared to Dean and Kerry and the such)....

[EyeStink]

23. Clark & Edwards???

I just saw him on Mahr... he will most certainly announce soon. He is impressive enough to recover from the delay. He takes Bush's whole patriotic argument away from him. I think a Clark/Edwards ticket would have a great chance of winning... with the added bonus of an experienced Edwards in charge of a better world in 8 years. Global problems solved. Domestic problems on the way. Any thoughts?

p.s. This is my first post, but I've been a fan for several months... great site.

[JeniB]

25. Welcome to DU EyeStink!

Glad you decided to join in.:)

[union_maid]

24. All kinds of reasons for waiting

All the ones mentioned and the fact that the candidates have to declare the money they've raised on the 15th and of course, Clark wouldn't have much of anything to declare.

As for his candidacy, I think he'd have the best chance of beating Bush, hands down, bar none. And I like all the candidates except Lieberman and I even think he'd be somewhat better than Bush..probably. My sister went to a Draft Clark Meet-up tonight. I couldn't get there, but she said it was interesting and good. Smaller than the Dean one that we've been to, of course, but demographically very interesting. Almost all men. White males seem to be the Democrats Achilles heel, but Clark could be very attractive to them, without alienating other demographics. And there were veterans. Recent vets and older vets who respect Clark and think he's right about this war. That could be extremely good for the Democrats.

[Donna Zen]

26. Rebuilding the party

Part of the Clark movement is about expanding the base...lots of Clark repubs. to undo the foul years of Reagoon Dems.

[CoffeePlease1947]

27. All these threads talking about him, IMHO.

I think if he can get 20 TV appearances to get him to declare he is a Democrat, and 45 TV interviews to talk about his possible running can get people talking about him than he is getting as much PR as he can out of the deal. How many threads and interviews did Dean and Kerry get about their possible run? None that I know about. I think this is just his way to get as much free press and people talking as much as possible about it. He is a smart guy no matter what you think about him. Milk the cow of every drop you can get.

Mike

[MercutioATC]

28. Did you see him on Bill Maher a couple of days ago?

When Bill said that his 84-year-old mother wanted Clark to run (and then joked that he'd better hurry, because his mother was ill and might not last long) Clark said something like "She'll be even better at 94". This doesn't lead me to believe he's going to run. In fact, I haven't heard him say one thing suggesting that he'll run. Clark is an articulate man. You'd think that he could find a way to give his supporters more encouragement without actually declaring if that was his intention.

Just curious...did anybody get a different impression from the interview?

(on edit)

I just saw the Clark MeetUp announcement too. He talks a lot about his supporters "having faith in each other" and "supporting their individual goals". It doesn't sound to me like he plans to run.

Tinfoil hat time: If a candidate wanted to win the nomination and thought a strong VP would help his/her chances, wouldn't this be a great way to get support for that VP in advance? Now this is PURE speculation, but my hat is off to ANY of the candidates if that's the case. What a great way to sew up a nomination.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

29. It's not too late!

over a third of the Democratic Primary voters are uncommited to a candidate at this time!!! Maybe they are waiting for him!

[LuminousX]

32. 2/3s of Registered Voters

Can't name a Democratic candidate. It isn't too late for Clark. Kerry, Dean, Edwards, Gephardt, and Lieberman have been soaking up endorsements and money, though, which means Clark will need a well oiled campaign machine to hit the ground running.