Clark to Alabama Dems: Reject "incompetent" GOP leadership

[Adelante]

Clark: Democrats a party of 'values'
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
By BILL BARROW
Capital Bureau

BIRMINGHAM -- Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, former and possible future presidential candidate, delivered a fiery charge to Alabama Democrats here Monday, telling them to convince voters in this conservative Southern state to reject "incompetent" GOP leadership and embrace a party of "genuine" patriotism and family values.

-snip-

State Democrats promised to heed Clark's call Monday night, as they unveiled their motto for the upcoming election: "Ready for a Fight in 2006." And despite the axiom that "all politics is local," an observation made famous by one of their own party, former U.S. House Speaker Tip O'Neal of Massachusetts, those gathered appeared emboldened by a spate of bad news for Republicans in Washington, D.C.

During both his appearances, Clark keyed on some of those troubles: climbing gasoline prices; the death toll in Iraq nearing 2,000; criticism over the federal response to Hurricane Katrina; record budget deficits; and legal troubles for temporarily deposed U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and several other figures affiliated with Bush.

"We've seen what one-party government looks like, and it isn't pretty," Clark said.

Alabama House Majority Leader Ken Guin, D-Carbon Hill, said his party is ready to tar Alabama Republicans with their national brethren.


http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/112902226569870.xml&coll=3

[quaoar]

1. Well, they can start

by recruiting some quality candidates to run for Congress, especially in the 3rd District.

[Adelante]

3. Surprising to me, at least

How Blue the state legislature is:

"Democrats hold a 63-42 advantage over Republicans in the Legislature's lower house. Democrats control the Senate 25-10."

[quaoar]

6. True

but the Alabama Legislature is a fairly worthless bunch.

[1932]

12. That's what happens when you have one party rule?

[MaineDem]

2. The writer could have gotten Tip's name correct

O'Neill, Mr. Barrow. Do your research!

[Red State Lib]

4. Reply to Clark article

Did you by any chance attend this? I live in Alabama but only learned of this event over the weekend. Bama has big, big problems, Judge Roy Moore announced for Governor last week. The horror, the horror....

[Adelante]

5. No, sorry

Some Clarkies did, though, and maybe they'll come into the thread and report.

[QC]

7. Moore is more than 20 pts. behind Riley in newest poll.

I don't think his campaign is going to amount to much. Maybe he'll run as an independent after losing the primary--that would be cool.

[quaoar]

13. The early polls also showed

Amendment 2 having widespread support.

[QC]

17. I think the business/GOP establishment will bring out the long knives

for Moore, given how he would be bad for Alabama's business image and how his grandstanding put the state GOP in a bad situation. I honestly think there's little chance of Moore winning the primary, and a real likelihood of him running as an independent in the general. Looks like Lucy Baxley could very well be the next governor.

[UncleNoel]

8. Reports on Clark event in AL from Clark Blog

You can tell enthusiastic Clarkies!!

Posted by dixie clarkie on October 10, 2005 - 9:11pm.
I am typing from kinkos since I don't have a computer at home right now. However, I just wanted to let everyone know General Clark did very well tonight. I went to both the rally at the Work Play Theatre and the reception at the AL Sports Hall of Fame. He spoke at both and gave what are more rallying type speeches rather than policy ones. Although, he was to talk about southern strategy with some people later so maybe that is the more meaty discussion. Overall, I thought he did great considering the venue styles. I didn't take notes, I wanted to listen, but trying not to put words in his mouth he commented on Iraq and the need for a logical strategy, China and economics, better education for Americans to keep up with rest of world, how democrats are strong on national security, the need to take the prisoner abuse issue seriously, he endearingly had us all say the pledge to the flag which I thought was a really nice thing to do, and he talked about how morality isn't all about sex related issues such as gay rights and abortion but involves being smart and caring about the well-being of all Americans (e.g. healthcare, the environment, good economic policy to help the less fortunate). He did use the G. Gecko analogy to distinguish btwn. Rs & Ds which I don't really follow. :P It was amusing, though. I also got to speak to him and, although I was more nervous the cameraman would film me than actually speaking to the General, my mouth was dry from the antibiotic I'm taking so I could barely talk and I felt like I was taking up other peoples' time to talk to him so I turned away somewhat abruptly and I hope it didn't seem rude. He was very nice and I thanked him for coming to B'ham so I could drive up and hear him speak. I just really wish I had a chance to talk to him longer and ask my questions. Oh well, for a peon I'm satisfied just finally getting to meet him after waiting four and a half years. Well, it seems everyone is asleep but I just wanted to make a small report about our awesome general. Maybe someone else went and can give a more detailed report? THANKS and KUDOS GENERAL CLARK!!!!!!!

Posted by RocketCityBev on October 10, 2005 - 10:54pm.
I see Dixie Clarkie beat me to the punch on an account of Clark's visit to AL. OH MY GOD -- it ROCKED!! Wes talked about all kinds of things -- not just about Iraq!! It sounded just like a campaign speech -- swear on a stack of bibles!! Speaking of religion -- he asked everyone at the Sports Museum who went to church -- just about everyone raised their hands -- then he basically said -- well don't tell me that the republicians ave a monopoly on that subject!! It was great. Met John Saxon -- the AL head of Wes's 2004 campaign. Oh and ICB.. your buttons were a HUGE hit!!! They just flew out of my hands -- they were gone in about 10 minutes. And Maria -- you will be happy to know I gave 2 buttons to Lucy Baxter -- she is running for Gov. Dixie Clarkie failed to talk about some loud mouth (uhm) yelling "RUN WES RUN". I probably embrassed the crap out of Wes but I just cannot help it!! Wes just inspires me SO much!! There was a question/answer session after the WorkPlay event and someone asked "how to make AL blue"?? And that loud mouth again (uhm) yelled out "nominate Wes." WHAT!!!?? IT JUST SLIPPED OUT!! bahahaha Well had a couple of people come up to me later stating they like my enthusiam. WOO HOO woot woot woot --

Noel

[CarolNYC]

26. Thanks for posting these...

When i read dixie clarkie's account on CCN very early this AM, the thing that struck me was that Gen Clark mentioned the need to take the prisoner abuse issue seriously...I'm glad he's still trying to keep focus on this. I agree with him, very serious issue.

I also agree with those who think that the General would be the perfect candidate to speak to the south...and the north and east and west...What he says just makes so damn much sense....

[newyawker99]

18. Hi Red State Lib!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Donna Zen]

9. My fundy sister-in-law lives in 'Bama.

She voted against bush, but tells me in her church, to even mention that you might be a Democrat, can get you drummed out.

General Clark, who has a road named after him in Alabama, is a great messenger with a perfectly pitched message. The state and region take heroes very seriously. I'm glad that the party has one person at the national level who can build the bridge.

Note: my southern friends tell me that even though many of their relatives remain registered Dems. and will vote Dem. locally, it is the national party that keeps them voting republican. General Clark has attributed this pattern to the national party's perception which needs to be about "loving America and providing a strong pro-American stance" vs local issues centered on education and pot-holes.

[quaoar]

14. Depends on what part of the state you live in

In Shelby County south of Birmingham you'd need a search party to find a Democrat.

[Jai4WKC08]

10. How to talk to voters in the deep South...

"It comes down to a common morality," Clark said. "We believe in helping people. We believe in lifting people up. What does the other side believe in?

"They want to tell you that morality is only about sex, so they talk about gays. They talk about abortion. And they tell us, 'Greed is good.'"

Amid growing applause, he continued, "They stand for bettering individuals at the expense of everybody else. In the Democratic Party, we stand for the common good. Those are values Americans and Alabamians can understand."

[Totally Committed]

11. Wes Clark

continues to be the only candidate, or "possible" candidate that continually gives me hope for and pride in this Party.

Where are all the other Dems that should be talking about the eradication of poverty, classism, and acting for the greater good as Democratic Party Values?

[AX10]

23. That's how I feel. I supported Clark in 2004 and I will...

do so again in 2008!

[laureloak]

25. Hmmm. Well EDWARDS is running UNC Poverty Center.

[Texas_Kat]

15. This is how to bring the Democratic message to red states

Language that can connect local and state Democrats to national Democratic candidates. Until the Democratic party can nominate someone local candidates can run with (instead of run away from) there won't be a strong Democratic party in the South.

Most of the middle-class South are 'ticket splitters'. They want to vote for a person not a party. Wes Clark is the kind of Democrat that can pull these ticket splitters away from the dark side.

"This is our flag," Clark said, as he stroked an American flag in the atrium of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame downtown. "We fought for it. Some of us bled for it -- and nobody is going to take it away from us."

Clark asked veterans in the crowd, gathered at the $50-per-person fund-raiser for Alabama House Democrats, to raise their hands. Noting the significant number, he said, "Why aren't we the party of patriotism?"

He then asked for a show of hands from those who attend church, pray and read their Bibles. As nearly every hand went up, he asked louder, "Would you say this is a party of faith?"

[bmbmd]

16. Competence is the key issue, in my opinion.

Republicans are great at getting elected, but lousy at governing.

[Adelante]

19. I think you're right

Call them on their incompetence and you hit straight at the profound anxiety underlying the current poll results.

[FrenchieCat]

20. Is there a video somewhere?

I'd love to know! Sounded like the perfect speech in these times. We've gotto win back in 2006!

[Eurobabe]

21. He's running...

pitter-patter!! :loveya:

GO WES!!

[Adelante]

22. Carpetbagger Report

Clark strikes a Southern chord
Posted 1:54 pm | Printer Friendly

-snip-

Granted, this was a crowd of loyal Dems. Nevertheless, it was Alabama.

If recent history is any guide, it's going to be a while before national Dems can compete well in the South, but I'm wondering if maybe, just maybe, Republican support is slipping a bit in conservative Southern states.

Using data from SurveyUSA, I looked at Bush's approval rating in what I call "the South" (the old Confederacy plus Oklahoma and Kentucky). Of those 13, all of which the president won in 2000 and 2004, Bush's approval rating was above 50% in only four (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma). Given the region's voting trends, his support should be stronger.

To be sure, it's only one poll, and Bush can crumble before his party does, but it's enough to make me wonder whether the Dems, with the right candidate with the right message, could compete again in the South.

I always thought Howard Dean had an excellent pitch when he campaigned in 2003 in the region: "The South has been voting Republican for about 10 years. How's that been working out for you?"

It may have been a Vermonter asking the question, but he'd routinely see some nodding heads. Any chance a different candidate might be able to break through here?

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/5505.html

[incapsulated]

24. I love it when he gets all fired up!

Go Wes! :)

He will be great on the stump for southern candidates in 2006!