Just when --and why-- did Clark become a Democrat, anyway?

[Mairead]

Former NATO Commander Wesley Clark, who today announced his candidacy for President, joined the field of contenders competing for the Democratic nomination. But as recently as two years ago, he was addressing Republican dinners in his home state of Arkansas amid speculation about a possible future Clark run for office -- as a Republican.

Speaking on May 11, 2001, as the keynote speaker to the Pulaski County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner, Clark said that American involvement abroad helps prevent war and spreads the ideals of the United States, according to an AP dispatch the following day.

Two weeks later, a report in U.S. News and World Report said Arkansas Republican politicos were "pondering the future of Wesley Clark:" "Insiders say Clark, who is a consultant for Stephens Group in Little Rock, is preparing a political run as a Republican. Less clear: what office he'd campaign for. At a recent Republican fund-raiser, he heralded Ronald Reagan's Cold War actions and George Bush's foreign policy. He also talked glowingly of current President Bush's national security team. Absent from the praise list -- his former boss, ex- Commander in Chief Bill Clinton."

Clark told CNN's Judy Woodruff earlier this month that he had decided to register as a Democrat. Left unsaid and unknown at this point is exactly when and why he decided to become a Democrat.

http://www.politicsus.com

[dfong63]

1. thanks, that answers one question

... Clark did indeed help raise funds for the repubs. curiouser and curioser.

does anyone else have a problem with the idea that a man who raised money for the repubs in 2001, wants to be the dem nominee in 2004?

or the idea that this man who "heralded" Ronald Reagan's cold war actions, would be unable to remember whether he voted for Reagan?

[RandomUser]

7. I only have two questions...

that I ask of any candidate.

1) What are your stances on the issues?
2) Can you beat Bush?

Clark's pro-choice, pro-environment, etc. stances accord with mine. And I think he has a good chance of beating Bush.

The fact that he might have voted for Reagan is his business and his right as a private citizen. Heck, I've voted for green rather than democrat once and I'm a registered democrat.

I admit the fact that he might have been a recent convert to the party does alarm me a bit. But when I look at his issues, I'm reassured that they accord with my somewhat liberal views. And besides, Colin Powell didn't declare himself a republican until fairly recently in the past decade or so when he was mulling a run for president. I was actually hoping he'd declare for the Democrats.

There are liberal republicans (like McCain) I'd vote for before voting for conservative democrats (like the ones who always side with the republicans in congress).

Bottom line is Clark has declared himself a democrat, his agenda and views are liberal democrat, and I think he's got the best chance of beating Bush.

[renie408]

9. You might want to adjust that list

Look, I get where you ae coming from, but how about 'what is your agenda'? If this is true and Clark was walking and talking like a Repuke two years ago and has changed his spots to get into the White House, what is he going to walking and talking like two years from now?

[sandnsea]

8. In Little Rock???

Oh, hell yes I have a problem with it. And supporting Reagan's cold war bullshit, that's why we're in the mess we're in today. I was waiting to hear more about this guy, now I have. No way I'm supporting him unless I have no choice.

[renie408]

11. I want to hear more about it

It backs me up...A LOT, but I still need to hear how he and his supporters address this. I am not real sure what they could say, other than to prove the whole thing a lie, but before I think he is too much of a creep, I want to hear the explanation.

[sandnsea]

12. He/She was a personal friend

There's no other explanation that will wash, true or not. That brother-in-law of mine, that I told you about, grew up around Little Rock. They've lived in LR for 25 years at least and know alot of politicos. Big city, small town. You know the south. Email going out today. See if it comes back with big guffaws!

[davidinalameda]

19. he appeared at a fundraiser

is that the same as going out and raising funds for the Republicans

if we're looking for ideological purity here, we're going to be hard pressed to find it

Kerry's wife just changed her registration from Republican to Democrat; Dean grew up a Republican; Hillary used to be a Goldwater girl

Pickles used to be a Democrat; we have at least 3 sitting Republican senators that used to be Democrats--2 of them were first elected as Democrats

[renie408]

20. How about this??

>>FANCY CLOTHES AND OVERALLS

BY WADE EDWARDS

A little boy and his father walk into a firehouse. He smiles at people standing outside. Some hand pamphlets to his father. They stand in line. Finally, they go together into a small booth, pull the curtain closed, and vote. His father holds the boy up and shows him which levers to move.

"We're ready, Wade. Pull the big lever now."

With both hands, the boy pulls the lever. There it is: the sound of voting. The curtain opens. The boy smiles at an old woman leaving another booth and at a mother and daughter getting into line. He is not certain exactly what they have done. He only knows that he and his father have done something important. They have voted.

This scene takes place all over the country.

"Pull the lever, Yolanda."

"Drop the ballot in the box for me, Pedro."

Wades, Yolandas, Pedros, Nikitas, and Chuis all over the United States are learning the same lesson: the satisfaction, pride, importance, and habit of voting. I have always gone with my parents to vote. Sometimes lines are long. There are faces of old people and young people, voices of native North Carolinians in southern drawls and voices of naturalized citizens with their foreign accents. There are people in fancy clothes and others dressed in overalls. Each has exactly the same one vote. Each has exactly the same say in the election. There is no place in America where equality means as much as in the voting booth.

My father took me that day to the firehouse. Soon I will be voting. It is a responsibility and a right. It is also an exciting national experience. Voters have different backgrounds, dreams, and experiences, but that is the whole point of voting. Different voices are heard.

As I get close to the time I can register and vote, it is exciting. I become one of the voices. I know I will vote in every election. I know that someday I will bring my son with me and introduce him to one of the great American experiences: voting.<<

That was written by Wade Edwards about his father, John Edwards, a long time before Edwards ever thought about running for President. I would think it takes a least a degree of ideological purity to raise a sixteen year old son who would write that.

[dfong63]

24. and now he wants to parachute into the dem party and take it over?

is that the same as going out and raising funds for the Republicans

if we're looking for ideological purity here, we're going to be hard pressed to find it

we have to have some standards, don't we? the guy isn't a genuine democrat. two years ago, the repubs were on top of the world, and Clark was helping them raise money. now it looks like our side will win in 2004, and Clark wants to be on our side. Clark clearly doesn't grok the word "loyalty". Clark is a pure opportunist.

Kerry's wife just changed her registration from Republican to Democrat;

spouse's political affiliation is irrelevant. the candidate's is highly relevant!

Dean grew up a Republican; Hillary used to be a Goldwater girl

Dean and Hillary have changed and paid their dues as dems. and you can ask them what party they belong to, and they will give you a straight answer without making you wait 6 months.

Pickles used to be a Democrat; we have at least 3 sitting Republican senators that used to be Democrats--2 of them were first elected as Democrats

oh, these switchers are fine characters too, aren't they? suitable for being president, you say? BULL.

[shatoga]

26. I changed sides because a guy named Bill talked me over

In 1993,
I left the darkside and became a Democrat.
As did Barry Goldwater.

Because we agreed with President Clinton on almost every issue;
and knew "Republicans" then (and now) stood against everything (real)Republicans had once claimed to support.

Old labels mean new things.
Republican now means:
"one-party-rule" and "suspension of the US Constitution" in service to a right-wing police state."(rule by an elite minority)

Democrat, now means:
"Support for a return to Constitutional government and the right of people to have their votes actually counted." (government of by and for the people)


Welcome to all who escape the cult of conservatism.


They love America enough to stand against the Rupublicans' police state, and put their lives on the line.

[renie408]

28. Unfortunately

Clark had apparently not yet had this revelation as recently as two years ago when he was praising Bush at a Republican fund raiser.

[shatoga]

29. true of me in 1995/ Democratic President is america's salvation!

I learned late in life that rightwing lies are half truths at best.

Clark has hired or associated with former Clinton advisors.

No rightwing minions on his team.

No secret society ties.

He stands up against Bush's NWO with a (D) next to his name.
How many have died for having that (D) next to their name?:
JFK/ RFK/ King/ Carnahan/ JFK jr/ Wellstone.

Why would Clark put his neck on that chopping block?

[renie408]

2. That's nice.

No wonder he can't exactly remember piddling little details like how many times he has voted Republican. Ya think he remembers these dinners?

[w4rma]

3. I don't think there was ever any chance of him going Republican

Maybe he was teasing the Republicans a little bit. :)

It is my observation that he has a solid understanding of Democratic policy. He's no GOPer.

[dfong63]

4. why was he helping them raise funds?

[renie408]

5. Maybe he didn't have to 'go', maybe he was already there

What in his history leads anybody to believe that he is a Democrat? I don't know, that's why I am asking. Is his decision to 'announce' that he is a Democrat because he sees an opportunity to become President? I just finished reading an article from the same website that the above info comes from that was not over all derogatory towards Clark, but repeatedly mentions that he is extremely ambitious and has a need to face challenges and win. Is the Presidency the next challenge? In a life long Democrat, it is understandable that a combination of ambition, timing and credentials would produce the desire to seek the Presidency...that's how the other guys got there. In someone who can't remember how many times they voted Republican (but kind of thinks they voted for Reagan at least once), was only a casual acquaintance of Clinton's during his White House years and was raising funds for the Republicans and speaking favorably about them two years ago...it is highly suspect. What were you saying about Bush two years ago? Three years ago? When was the last time you spoke 'glowingly' about this administration?

Think about it.

[buddhamama]

6. hmm...

raises questions and concerns.
i'll have to do more research on this.

[imhotep]

10. political parties mean nothing

to these elitist establishment types.

[returnable]

13. And Kucinich was anti-choice in 2001

Yet that doesn't concern you?

Doesn't that seem a bit hypocritical?

[Mairead]

14. Hypocritical?

No.

[returnable]

15. Curious

I'm not trying to bait you - I'm genuinely curious how you can hold a 2001 dinner against Clark, yet not be concerned that as recently as last year, Kucinich opposed a woman's right to choose.

I like Kucinich, too - but I find that very troubling.

[Mairead]

16. Why?

1. It wasn't 'last year'. Kucinich's last anti-Choice vote was over 2 years ago. Last year he stood aside from the issue. This year, he has both spoken out and voted pro-Choice, and he has offered a plausible (if not, to me, fully convincing) reason for his change. He makes no bones about it having been a change, and he doesn't try to exculpate himself or paper over his history. That fits with the rest of the picture I have of him, and so I don't feel I need to understand it more completely than I think I do now. Regardless of his actual reasons for changing--and as I've said elsewhere, I think it was a concatenation of reasons--I think it was a real change from a real place of principle, and I'm okay with it (But I was totally not okay with it when he was voting anti-Choice--I gave him no pass on it. And I'm watching him like a hawk.)

2. I'm not holding anything against Clark -- I didn't do the research, I didn't write the article. I found it on a Dem website; I offered it as information. It's immaterial to me what label he claims pro forma -- if Mr & Mrs DLC are for him, he's a Republican.

[returnable]

18. Thanks for the explanation (eom)

[polpilot]

17. Bill Clinton & DLC crew are using Clark as a 'spolier' assuring Hillary

in '08. The question is, after corporate military' thinking can Clark
figure it out AND use it. He had one shot to sign on as VP and that's gone.

He desperately needed 'handlers' 3 months ago and is now on his own with the sharkey sharks. Politics rarely allows for missteps and he just made a big one.

Dean '04...

[kang]

21. Where's the EVIDENCE of the "Hilary" conspiracy?

Ok, I've seen this now a couple of times, and I'm just wondering how people get to a place where they think Sen. Clinton has some master plan for a 2004 defeat so she can run in 2008. That's an incredibly amazing charge that needs some kind of supporting evidence. Can't the fact that members of Congress are excited about Clark just be a sign that they think he'd make a good candidate or at the very least help the party's image?

The fact that Clark is seeking support from members of Congress and the party makes total sense when you're entering as late as he is. He's seeking out allies to help him raise money and get some kind of campaign infrastructure up and running. What's so wrong with that? And what's so wrong about him taking his time to decide whether he wants to run or not? That's a big decision and frankly I'm glad he took the time to be sure and form some kind of gameplan.

[renie408]

22. God, where have YOU been???

There was a full moon the other night and if you read the news by the light of the full moon, all of the hidden conspiracies are revealed!!

Jeez, and I thought I was a newby......

[kang]

23. Ok....so I'm night blind...where's the evidence?

by the way, I mean this in the most harmless smart-ass way. Need to be clear on these things...being a newby and all;)

Seriously, people believe that the Clintons want a loss for the Democratic party in 2004 so they can run in 2008?

[renie408]

25. Dude...

it was a JOKE. I would bet that there ISN'T any evidence other than the ramblings of the pundits. Hell, even if this is some elaborately crafted plot by the Clintons to to something weird to the nomination this year, they won't leave any EVIDENCE laying around.

Does anybody really think that the Clintons are this Machiavellian? And if they are, why didn't they handle the Monica thing better??

[kang]

27. Oh, ok.

[genius]

30. His platform looks relatively liberal.

I'm still voting for Kucinich. But Clark seems more of a Democrat than Dean.