Wes Clark on MTP repeat on CNBC 0100 ET - the real deal

[poppabear36]

From the threads I had read of this show not having yet seen it, I was expecting to have to watch it through my hands to avoid seeing Tim Russert hand the General his ass.
Listen folks .... Clark was absolutely f-ing brilliant! I mean really, this may have been the best TV performance I've seen by a candidate yet. He was not once thrown off by Russert and was able to get across his positive message about leadership, responsibility, accountability, a government for the working class, focusing resources on our GREATEST national security threats, the right to choose, and on and on.
My hat is off to anyone who can master Russert - whether it be Dean, Kerry, Clark, Kucinich - today it was Clark.
I have to think the threads earlier today were part of the Republican or rival camp meme that Clark is "shaky,""gaffe-prone," etc.
In fact I caught a brief bit of Brit Hume on Geraldo saying these exact things, that Clark comes out with one gaffe after another.
Nobody who is an honest dealer can report on MTP and tell you Clark did poorly.

[maxr4clark]

1. I for one thought he nailed it, too--and posted it.

The TV media seem to dismiss Clark no matter what he does. They probably will until he wins a state--which I believe he will do on Feb 3.

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. Yeah there was a Clark basher started thread about MTP

There were also a couple of threads written by those without a negative bias. You must have missed them. Go back a page or three and check them out if you want. You are absolutely right. Clark was fantastic today. Best I've seen him on TV by far (other than CSPAN events from NH).

[poppabear36]

5. Sorry I missed ya'll's posts

The thread I saw had about 40 negative posts on it before anyone gave him a thumbs up.
I guess I felt like I had to post having just seen it - because this wasn't just a marginally OK performance. It was truly masterful.

[JasonDeter]

3. I agree! Wes Clark denied republican russert* manipulating the interview

with his stupid questions. The way he answered the questions nullified russerts obvious partisan republican leading questions. I would have no problem voting for Clark for President.

[dennis4868]

4. Clark did just as well in the....

CNBC MTP as he did this morning on the NBC MTP....haha...sorry for the stupid joke :-)

[snyttri]

6. Exactly, Clark has gone against the supposedly tough Russert time after

time and always stuck to his principles, while some candidates are afraid to face Russert. Other sites recognize Clark's strong performance for what it was. He calmly and coolly turned the petty questions to plans for the future.

Clark was heroic in refusing to bash Moore when every ink-stained and talking head mediawhore in the country wanted him to. Those who call Clark an opportunist do not understand him. The opportunists in the race have showed their colors by bashing Moore, who doesn't even have a connection to them. Live Free or Die state, show what your principles are.

[Name removed]

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[snyttri]

9. Clark believes in the law, too. Tim Russert favors life at conception.

Thirty-one years ago the Supreme Court ruled that the guarantee of liberty in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution extends the right of privacy to encompass a woman's decisions related to pregnancy and child bearing. Time and again, during the last three decades, that right has been threatened. The Court's ruling has been tried and tested and affirmed - but it will be tested again. Wes Clark is committed to defending Roe v. Wade. Wes Clark will protect women's choice by protecting privacy and promoting the health of women and families.

"Nominating judges who will uphold the law. We as a nation have embraced several simple, important constitutional values, such as one-person, one-vote and the right to privacy that are settled law. Wes Clark is committed to appointing judges with the highest qualifications, from diverse backgrounds, who will uphold the law and enforce fundamental constitutional guarantees-- including the rights of privacy and equality."

http://clark04.com/

[Name removed]

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[poppabear36]

11. Like most Americans

Clark probably sees the 300 shades of gray that apply to the abortion issue.
It was a gotcha question, with no "right" answer, and Clark was masterful in reframing the issue to highlight what IS important about a candidate's consideration of the right to life/abortion issue.
That the Supreme Court has recognized that the right to choose is constitutionally protected and that it is so because it IS a personal, private choice that shouldn't involve the government. That is the law of the land. There was nothing disengenuous about his response at all.
And I say this as someone who personally believes strongly that life does begin at conception.

[Name removed]

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[krkaufman]

13. Ummmm...

> russert asked him his personal belief
> clark said he believed in the law.
> ...
> just tell me your opinion big wes.

Ummm... that *was* his opinion. The fact that you're not happy with the answer only means that you don't agree with his opinion.

As for whether or not it is Clark's "personal belief", that's another thing; and Clark needn't answer any detailed questions regarding his beliefs. Or are we to have a religious litmus test, and a faith-based Presidency? I thought we were trying to avoid this.

[robbedvoter]

14. here it is: Clear enough ?

[JCMach1]

8. Russert made an ass of himself!!!

Clark did just fine.

I fear that like Dean, though, the media-lynching has hurt his chances.