Dean on CNN: I'd seriously consider to have Clark as VP:

[robbedvoter]

Newsnight November 12 with Wolf Blitzer substituting for Aaron Brown
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0311/12/asb.00.html
BLITZER: General Clark is new leadership.
DEAN: He is. That's true. And we don't know a lot about him. And I guess we'll learn more as time goes on.
BLITZER: You told me a few months ago that you would seriously consider him as your running mate.
DEAN: I think that's true. He would be, certainly, on anybody's short list. He certainly has the ability to do that.
I think he needs to clear up questions about where he stood on the war. He claims vigorously now that he opposed the war. But the fact is that he had said last -- the previous October, advising a congressional candidate, advised her to support it, wrote favorably about -- that we needed to go in. He needs to square those statements with the American people.
But he's certainly capable and he has an excellent resume. And we'll see how he does in the primaries.
BLITZER: Is he still on your short list as a potential running mate?
DEAN: Well, to say that I have a short list would be a little presumptuous. BLITZER: But is he still someone you would consider?
DEAN: Absolutely. Absolutely. Many of the people who are running today are excellent people. And, as I have said before, if I don't win this nomination, I will very vigorously support the person who does win the nomination.
BLITZER: Besides General Clark, any other of the Democratic candidates on your potential list for running mate?
DEAN: Yes, but we're not going to go through a list, because I don't have a right to make a list like that yet. I have not one single vote yet in the primary. None of us have. And the voters get to choose who is going to be the nominee, not me.
BLITZER: It would be a little arrogant, is that what you're saying?
DEAN: Yes, it would.

[SahaleArm]

1. Double-talk will be backpeddling when this gets re-aired n/t

[maxanne]

7. right

What's to say? Dean gave a diplomatic answer.

He didn't say - "I'm going to ask Clark to be my running mate."
He didn't mention begging, pleading, or matrimony.

He just gave a polite, diplomatic answer.

By all means, get good and wound up about this!

[SahaleArm]

8. Sure...

BLITZER: You told me a few months ago that you would seriously consider him as your running mate.

DEAN: I think that's true...

So either way this is probably a non-issue.

[ibegurpard]

2. So?

What does this mean? :shrug:

[SahaleArm]

3. Free publicity for Clark and Dean n/t

[Demobrat]

4. Could you show me where the word love was used?

I can't seem to find it.

[robbedvoter]

25. My apologies for using such a dirty word. Didn't belong there - I agree

[Myra]

5. Thanks robbedvoter!

Lots of excellent quotes here:

"BLITZER: You told me a few months ago that you would seriously consider him as your running mate.
DEAN: I think that's true. He would be, certainly, on anybody's short list. He certainly has the ability to do that."

Ok, so that's settled.

"BLITZER: Besides General Clark, any other of the Democratic candidates on your potential list for running mate?
DEAN: Yes, but we're not going to go through a list, because I don't have a right to make a list like that yet. I have not one single vote yet in the primary. None of us have. And the voters get to choose who is going to be the nominee, not me.
BLITZER: It would be a little arrogant, is that what you're saying?
DEAN: Yes, it would."

Ideally that would be settled too.
I'm glad Dean recognizes how it can come off as arrogant to
discuss a running mate when the first primary is weeks away.
Arrogant if he does it, and arrogant if people do it on DU.

[Jim Sagle]

9. He never DID discuss it except when the media brought it up.

But hey, you knew that.

[Myra]

13. Yeah...I knew that the media brought it up, then he discussed it...

And the relevant quote is in this thread...

[Padraig18]

6. I didn't see the word 'love' used.

All he said was the obvious: that any sane candidate would have Clark on his 'short list'. I think this post violates the rules about agreement between subject line and 1st post, but I'll just chalk it up to 'journalistic license' on the part of the poster. :shrug:

[LizW]

10. Where in the transcript does it say what's in your subject line?

Oh, right, it doesn't.

I really don't understand all the uproar over this. Dean was very complimentary of Clark. What's wrong with that?

Dean was also very self-deprecating. He resisted Blitzer's urging to get him to talk about a short-list of VP choices.

I don't understand why Clark supporters are in a tizzy.

If anything comes out of this that sticks in people's minds, it may be the fact that Clark had a conversation with Dean that he promised he wouldn't talk publicly about, then later decided it was okay for him to dishonor that promise and blab to Judy Woodruff.

Clark is my second or third choice, and I'm disappointed in him.

[robbedvoter]

17. Edited it. If you prefer seriously considered, it's all yours!

Happy now?

[Padraig18]

18. I'm very happy now.

I'm always happy when the subject line accurately reflects the content. :)

[robbedvoter]

11. Who is backpeddling now?

[Padraig18]

16. I see no 'backpeadling'

Care to point out where it is?

[ddye]

12. re:"Dean on CNN: I'd seriously consider to have Clark as VP:"

Isn't all this kinda like arguing over who was a better bridge officer, Sulu or Checkov?

[Toucano]

21. Good one! n/t

on edit:

Welcome to DU

[KittyWampus]

26. Definately Sulu

:)

[batman]

14. i dont get where the actual offer was admited to. isnt that the question

dean said all along that clark was a consideration. the zit came to a head when clark said he was offered a position as deans vp. this does not indicate an offer. in fact, its quite the contrary:

"He would be, certainly, on anybody's short list" and "Well, to say that I have a short list would be a little presumptuous.

clark claimed the offer came in september before he entered the race, this interview took place two months later, and dean claimed he was not going to be presumptious. sounds like clark was stretching the truth again.

[robbedvoter]

20. Which part of "you told me a few months ago..." you don't get?

What business was of HD's to tell people at CNN about his VP dream just as the draft movement was gaining steam if not to neutralize us? It made WaPo, USA Today, NYT - and all of you. Now we know it was HD telling Blitzer that. WHY?
Marshall got it:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2003_09_07.html#001940
(September 11, 2003 -- 11:39 PM EDT // link // print)
This piece by Dan Balz is Friday's Washington Post strikes me as a very accurate assessment of the swirl currently whipping around Wes Clark and the pressure on him to get off the dime.

-- Josh Marshall

(September 11, 2003 -- 03:57 PM EDT // link // print)
Aha! More news about Dean Campaign Manager Joe Trippi's 'he's-begging-to-be-our-VP' dirty tricks campaign against Wes Clark. This from the just-posted edition of USNews' Washington Whispers ...

And forget about that talk that all the retired four-star general and former NATO boss wants is the veep nomination. Supporters say that's a dirty-tricks campaign pushed by rival Howard Dean who's scared of a Clark candidacy. Says Frisby: "Wes Clark firmly believes that he is the best choice to be president, not be vice president or hold any other government post."
Leave it to TPM to bring you the scoop first.

[batman]

22. which part of dean didnt offer clark jack dont you get?

??

[Ebbhead]

23. "Again"?!

Why do I even bother reading these loaded, asinine posts? :eyes:

So much for civility even with several rare attempts at unity. *sighs*

[Padraig18]

15. Nice edit.

:thumbsup:

[Toucano]

19. I think Dean's answer is great!

He neutralized the issue and praised the other candidates at the same time.

I am impressed!

I could have done without the casting of dispersions on Clark's war stance, but he has to distinguish himself somehow.

Thank you Dr. D! Put this baby to bed, already.

[RetroLounge]

24. "He would be, certainly, on anybody's short list"

and the problem with this is?

[batman]

27. agreed being on a short list does not constitute an offer

if i am on a short list for a job, it doesnt exactly pay the bills

[RetroLounge]

28. "if i am on a short list for a job, it doesnt exactly pay the bills"

LOL! Nice succinct way of putting it.

Of course, anything close to facts or truth seems to elude certain posters on DU. Careful you don't confuse them more.

[roguevalley]

29. It doesn't matter who offered what, when. As long as they are talking to

each other and kicking bush in the basket, I am a happy camper. GO, BOTH OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The real evil here is Wolf Blitzer.

[Jerseycoa]

30. Isn't it amazing?

The Dean/Clark ticket has been pushed and pushed and pushed here on DU until very recently when Dean/Graham entered the stage. Now we're expected to have collective amnesia. :eyes:

[Padraig18]

32. Umm, not quite.

The 'kill' came from the Clark camp, if you want to be factual.

[Jerseycoa]

33. That's true, thanks nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

31. Here's another transcript from August 24, 2003

before Clark was in the race.

BLITZER: Let's move on and talk about General Wesley Clark. He may or may not, in the coming days, decide to become number 10, the tenth Democratic hopeful for the White House.

You have high regard for him. Would you consider him as a potential running mate?

DEAN: Yes. There would be a great many people, of course, that would be considered as potential running mates.

And I must say, I think it's much too early to discuss potential running mates. I mean, we're five months from the time the first official vote and delegate-selection process takes place, so I find it very premature.

But I think Wes Clark, he is somebody I keep in close touch with. He's a terrific person, very bright, very capable, very thoughtful. Our views coincide on a number of matters, and he is a -- I certainly can't say enough good things about him. It'd be tough to run against him.

BLITZER: Well, if he decides to run, would you be disappointed that he throws his hat in the ring?

DEAN: Not a bit. You know, I think this is a democracy, and I never get disappointed when people throw their hats in the ring. You know, he has every right to get out there and give his views and do the Iowa and New Hampshire and so forth thing, and I wouldn't be the least bit disappointed.

BLITZER: One of the Democratic candidates who's been hammering away recently at you is Joe Lieberman.

He was on this program a couple of weeks ago. Listen to precisely what he said, raising alarm bells about your candidacy. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP

edit..forgot the link...http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0308/24/le.00.html

[ibegurpard]

34. Once again, So?

:shrug:

[imhotep]

35. Dean is just being polite

Dean knows it would be suicide to have that psychopath as VP.

[mikehiggins]

36. Calling Clark a psychopath, Imhotep? Is that allowed? eom