Laurence O'Donnell on Al's show

[Sugarcoated]

Just when he started to name his five top '08 Dem contenders my husband called and I didn't catch it. Was anyone listening who can post the five? Appreciate it muchly!

[Cosmocat]

1. Top two ...

Were Kerry and Clinton ... He then mentioned Wes Clark ... Said he had a chance, that sometimes he hears him and he thinks he has a real shot, other times he does not seem like he is professional enough (something like that - experienced/understanding the politics) ... Al got it going by saying Dodd, and O'Donnell said he would be in the top three, four ... He also said Edwards showed enough last time out to be in the mix ... He said it was a pretty solid group overall, but disregarded everyone else ...

ME, what I heard ... Name recognition and MONEY ... It was nice to hear him throw out Wes, unproded ... Al listed off about 8-9 people and said Wes, but other than that, O'Donnell started out with Hillary and Kerry, then tried to talk about Clark with Al getting ADHD on him ...

[Gloria]

2. What, did Franken try change the subject? Don't know what you

mean by going "ADHD" on O'Donnell. A few weeks ago, Franken implored Clark to run...

Clinton would appeal to non-democrats?? Kerry, Clinton, DODD?? Out of that mix, Clark seems pretty impressive. As for "understanding politics"--yeah, the inside the beltway Senators are really so "experienced" with politics that they really inspire at this point...

[NYCGirl]

3. Dodd was mentioned because he's already announced. NT

[Cosmocat]

5. Al was just being Al ...

can't let a guest talk 15 seconds without trying to insert a sarcastic joke ...

I am a BIG Clark guy now, thanks to the DU ... I was just happy to hear O'Donnell bring him up ...

Again, his top two were Clinton nad Kerry ... Personally, I think it has a lot to do with money ... Kerry spent a quarter of a BILLION dollars in 2004, and was outspent by about 40 million by Bushco ... Right now, people think that Hillary has the biggest war chest going ...

They both have name recognition, but I think the biggest hurdle that Clark has at this point is getting BIG time money to make a run ... It is kind of like Kerry/Clinton are the Yankees/Red Sox with a 200 million dollar payroll, and Clark is Detroit with a 35 million dollar payroll ...

[Gloria]

7. I read somewhere today on another blog a piece that argued that

early, "big money" really doesn't mean so much these days...as evidenced by the huge amounts Dean raised quickly on the internet....Fingers crossed that this could be true in terms of Clark...

[Cosmocat]

10. I hope so ...

Lets just get through this election ... Focus on this fall ... Get at least one side of congress back in D hands ...

THEN, we can start seeing how this plays out ...

I like a lot of the Ds a good bit ... Both Kerry and Gore would have been really, really solid presidents, maniacal repukes in congress aside ... I know a lot here don't like Hillary, but I think she would be a real good president, too ... Smart, tough and experience in the white house ...

But, make no mistake ... Clark is the total package ... A BIG time leader ... Progressive in his philosophies ... Great international prestige at a time when we will DESPERATELY need it ...

He warms the hearts of the full spectrum of liberals, he is as a good a candidate in terms of the repukes having limited ability to skunk ... He offers qualities that will appeal the middle, and even poach some on the right ...

Frankly, he is both the best candidate in terms of what we are going to need AND electability ...

[Jack from Charlotte]

11. Additionally, I think '08 will be a great time for a NON politician. (nt)

*

[ray of light]

15. Don't say Detroit!

Or at least not while referring to baseball!

[blm]

12. Not all senators choose to be just beltway insiders.

Some of them are known for taking on some of the toughest battles in DC, guaranteeing permanent status as a pariah to the insiders there.

[democrank]

4. O`Donnell may think Clark isn`t

"professional enough" but I`d vote for him with great enthusiasm. Let`s bypass the Washington Wind Testers and get someone with backbone.

[NCarolinawoman]

6. "Wes Clark can't bring himself to lie". That is what Michael Moore said

that Clark's main weakness was back in '04. Mario Cuomo said something similar. I can't remember the exact quote but it went something like, "Clark is too honest, therefor he will never be a good politician."

Of course this is one of the many reasons I support Wes Clark. I am particularly interested in what he says about world events at this time, as well as what he says about our economic situation. I already know that he meets my criteria on the environment and health care.

Besides that, his IQ is in the stratasphere.

[CarolNYC]

14. Mario Cuomo

Here's the Cuomo quote:

"Wes Clark is a man of whom you can ask a question, and he will look you directly in the eye, and give you the most truthful and complete answer you can imagine. You will know the absolute truth of the statement as well as the thought process behind the answer. You will have no doubt as to the intellect of the speaker and meaning of the answer to this question....So you can see, as a politician, he has a lot to learn."

Sometimes I do fear that Wes is too honest, too straightforward, too unwilling to just say what he thinks people want to hear when it conflicts with what he feels or knows to be true....

One thing I learned in the last election cycle, when people say they want honesty from their politicans, they don't really mean it. :(

In any event, nice to see Wes mentioned....

[wisteria]

9. Alright! How about a Kerry/Clark ticket! It has a nice ring to it! n/t

[oasis]

8. By 2008, Clark, Clinton, Kerry, Edwards or Dodd can beat anything GOP.

If all ballots are counted.

[blm]

13. The only Dem who CAN win is the one who works with the DNC to secure the

machines BEFORE The vote.

And that person will DESERVE it.

[ray of light]

16. true. But we have to get Democrats elected and onto it immediately

In January 05. Bush and the Republicans had years to work with HAVA yet even in January 04 the first 4 commissioners of HAVA were being appointed. So lets see...9 months to fix election problems...yeh, right! Time delay is like the other T. DELAY...a friend of the Republican corruption.

[FrenchieCat]

17. Good to hear that, at least, Clark is getting a mention......

In the end, we shall see if what we need and what we want, we get.