Clark Shredded Bush

[Tom Rinaldo]

Today I will be making calls to Tennessee, but before any votes are counted, there is something I wanted to say.

If the Democrats win in November, with or without Clark as our nominee, it will be because of the hard efforts made by many people, including all of our potential candidates and all of their supporters. Bush WAS a popular President. All of us, working together (intentionally or not) have changed that.

There is something unique about Wesley Clark however, and he has already made an irreplaceable contribution toward bringing down George Bush. Listening to Bush on Meet The Press it was starkly clear that Bush will run as a War President. When Bush boasts about anything, it is about his fighting Terror. When Bush is faced with any failure of his domestic and economic policies, well that is because of the Terror, and his need to fight it. That has been Bush's script. That, and wedge issues, is his whole play book actually. Don't blame me, blame Osama Bin Ladin, and aren't we proud to be Americans?

Clark looks Bush straight in the eye, says I dedicated 34 years of my life to defending America, and then he blames Bush. Clark blames Bush for not having the country prepared to confront the threat of Osama Bin Ladin before 9/11. Clark blames Bush for not organizing the sympathy of the world into a coordinated international strategy to confront Osama Bin Ladin. Clark blames Bush for not following through and concentrating and GETTING Osama Bin Ladin. Clark blames Bush for giving Osama Bin Ladin fertile new recruiting ground throughout the Arab world by invading Iraq. Clark blames Bush for botching the Iraq invasion aftermath. Clark blames Bush for overextending and pinning down our military, and threatening the viability of our National Guard. Clark blames Bush for needlessly putting our Sons and Daughters in harm's way. Clark blames Bush for squandering 150 Billion Dollars in Iraq when we have urgent unmet Domestic needs at home. Clark blames Bush for subverting our very democratic process in an attempt to manipulate a pre conceived War agenda down the throats of the American people. Clark blames Bush for being a TERRIBLE War President, and there goes the entire rational of the Bush Presidency.

There was no one else in the Democratic Party with the clear stature and authority to so thoroughly tear Bush down as a War time President, than the former Commander of NATO; retired Four Star General Wesley Clark. There was no one else with the experience needed to speak clearly and directly to the American people and so thoroughly call George Bush's bluff. Rumsfeld has been shrunken from the swaggering Grim Reaper, to a withered pile of dust. Chaney is cowering in an undisclosed location, and Bush looked like a total idiot trying to answer Tim Russet's questions about how and why he took the United States to war. Many people contributed to this turn around, but Wes Clark was the man.

Early in this campaign season, many accused Clark of being a one trick wonder. The public Backed Bush on Iraq, he brought Turkeys to our troops, they CAUGHT Hussein for God's sake. Democrat's have to talk about the economy. Well the truth is, Democrats for the most part all agree about the economy. We will carry that issue into the Fall with whoever our nominee is. So much of what has passed as a campaign this year has actually been one long screen test, to see who could best deliver the best anti-Bush one liners about the economy. But Bush was always running as a war time President. 9/11 was Bush's teflon, and Wesley Clark shredded it. Sure, other Democrats have been highly critical of Bush over Iraq, but it usually came down to either; "Bush abused the public trust", or "I never trusted him in the first place." Clark has been the heavy hitter. Clark was the one who kept explaining exactly what should have happened instead and all the reasons why. Clark is the one who had the specific proposals for what could and should be done now. Clark had the global vision for America's security in today's world, he was the in house expert for the Democratic Party on the issues of war and peace, and Clark shredded Bush on it, relentlessly, Turkeys or no Turkeys, Hussein or no Hussein.

And now the Democrats are starting to reap the rewards, and Kerry has stepped forward to gather the bouquets. Dean sounded the alarm, Clark made the case, and Kerry is taking the credit as the experienced war veteran who can take it to George Bush.

Well there is another experienced war veteran in this race, and he already took it to George Bush. Clark stripped Bush Bare on War and Peace. He took him down for all of us, and now Bush is looking vulnerable. Thank you General Clark, your country AND your Party needed you, and one more time, you didn't let us down.

[teevee99]

1. i find myself admiring clark more and more each day

he's really taught us all alot...lessons we'll always remember.
thank you general clark.

[Kahuna]

9. Clark is great. Too bad, democrats in general can't ..

see how great he really is. Clark is the only one willing to take on the PNACers and put an end to their treasonous stranglehold on American politics. The other candidates would be so delighted just to be president, they would continue the, "can't we all just along" mentality. Clark would NOT just want to get along. He'd want to get even.

[krkaufman]

26. No, Clark wasn't interested in getting even

Clark wasn't interested in getting even; only in doing what's right. He was interested in trying to bring the country back together (or at least those not too far gone). We're not going to be able to make the necessary changes to the country's direction if we're just out looking for vengence (for whatever perceived harm).

"We'll even bring in people who voted for Reagan, and even Richard Nixon, and we're not even going to ask them to repent." -- Gen. Clark

[demdevil]

2. I think Clark is one of the smartest military strategists

of our decade. I hope to God that the Dems hire him as a Secretary of Defence. If he's put in the cabinet, I'm joining the military again. I will not work for Bush and his cohort of idiots.

[420montana]

3. I love this Clark, he

is the only one bringing to the floor, would love to see him on the ticket! Thanks for your hard work too!

[Bucky]

10. Welcome to DU, Montana

I like Clark too. I hope he's around for a long time, contributing to our party.

[returnable]

4. Kudos!

And keep working the phones :toast:

[Tim_in_HK]

5. I will forever be an admirer of Wes Clark

He's the only candidate I've ever really cared about in my 20 years of voting.

And I think he will also be my favorite president.

[LandOLincoln]

6. He's the first candidate I've really cared about since

Bobby Kennedy, and the only one I've ever actually got out and worked for.

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. That is my exact same story.

Not since RFK. It took almost 40 years to find someone I believed in as much.

[jackie867]

11. Me too!!

I never gave money to a campaign or followed a candidates' progress thru the primaries. I have never been inspired by any candidate for any political office before Clark and I doubt we will have the opportunity to have such a uniquely qualified individual run for office with this party again. Especially after some of the coolness he's received from party members.

[britpopper]

21. Me too too!

When I was 19 in 1992 I worked pretty hard for Clinton/Gore, but now that I'm 31, I have devoted time and money to Clark because he has that special something that I think everybody needs to feel and understand...he is everything this country needs as a leader right now, unfortunately most people today think we need an insider instead of someone who will speak up for all of us. If Clark does not get the nomination, I will most definitely still vote for the Democratic candidate but hopefully he will be in the cabinet or back campaigning in the years to come...Go Wes!

[cybildisobedience]

8. You're right --

Even though I may not even have the option of voting for him by the time our primary rolls around, I've admired the way he's really taken it to bush and pulled the "wartime leader" plank right out from underneath him. I don't know why everyone has been so hesitant to do that -- it's like they accepted that "popular wartime president" mantra from the media whores and were afraid to suggest that he's bungled EVERYthing related to national security.
I've seen others here at DU say the same thing: How can he claim to have strength as a wartime leader when 9-11 happened on his watch?
What's so great about that record?
At least Clark is asking the questions, and I give him high praise for that.

[Crewleader]

12. Well said Tom Rinaldo

General Wesley Clark Is The One to win the 2004 election against Bush because you see the excuses he's using for his failures with spending not only with money but at the high cost of soldiers. The domestic front with job losses, insisting the tax breaks are working with his arrogant attitude dealing with other country's opinions, his excuse of the attacks from others is he's stands as War President fighting Terrorism 24/7 and will use that heavily in the 2004 campaign.

This was used in the 2002 elections using fear then and took down a wonderful Senator Max Cleland ,a Vietnam Veteran because Democrats needed a voice. The Democratic Senators like Cleland, Kerry and Edwards voted yes to go to War giving Bush a blank check which I feel they did not stand out enough as leaders themselves to go along with the Iraq War and be a voice for the War with Bin Laden.

Even all of us on DU knew more then they with the information that is present here everyday. I remember posting Bush is Bombing Iraq in Feb.2001 and most of us said then it won't be long before he gets Saddam because of his comments that Saddam tried to kill his Daddy.

But unfortunately most citizens of the United States are not in tune what this Bush administration is all about, just what the Media dictates they are, and that's the challenge we face.

If it's either Kerry or Edwards nominated and there's a debate with the War President, anyway they attack him, Bush has this to say, you voted for it with the Iraq War, Patriot Act and even Leaving No Child Left Behind. The push is on ever since Iowa for Kerry, with Edwards behind disregarding what Clark as done with their black-out reporting of him and 5 minute clip attempt of destroying Dean. Along with the war chest of millions, the republicans will fight the nominee along with their big help of the Media.

The only man who can stand toe to toe with Bush is General Wesley Clark and bring a win for all Americans in November with Moderate Republicans, Independents and Democrats that will join together and rid ourselves of the Bush Regime. He's the only one who can heal the divide that plaques this country and working with other nations to come together with good leadership.

General Wesley Clark will make a fine president that we need so much right now and I hope everyone can see that like you do Tom,
specially today in Tennessee and Virginia...as more and more discover how right he is.
Our time now with National Security and his degree in economics, the experience in the army of uplifting families to a better life with strong values in jobs, health and education with his strong stand on affirmative action.

General Wesley Clark Is The One!

Thanks Tom Rinaldo for your wonderful support of The General
and may many join us in this fight to take back our country!:thumbsup:

[Crewleader]

13. kick

:dem:

[Eurobabe]

14. I just voted for Clark in VIRGINIA!

It was a tough decision at the end, because Kucinich's policy on campaign finance reform and advertising almost made me vote for DK.

[Jack_Dawson]

17. Good job! Wish I could vote in VA

[Tom Rinaldo]

19. I understand why it was a complicated choice

But you made the right one. This is a critically important State for Clark, not so much for Dennis. They both are great men with a lot to offer. By voting for Clark today we can make sure his voice will still be heard.

[Mobius]

15. kick

:kick:

[Gloria]

16. This is a brilliant summary of Gen. Clark's

message to America.

Alas, American is unwilling to wake up to the state of this union.

Clark has been mocked in some quarters for his "100 Year Vision." But he is the only one who has one. Last night he was featured on the History Channel on a show on "Unconventional Warfare." He explained Hannibal, Ghengis Khan, and other leaders and their tactics. Not only does he know the military, he understands it in the context of history.

Clark understands that we at the tipping point where the average American will be cut out of the democratic process entirely. We can see it happening now, this minute, in this primary season. This understanding is the underpinnings of his run. He doesn't say it often, but the message is there. He closed his speech at the VA JJ dinner to a silent room. It was a very powerful moment for me to see and hear Clark say these things right to the faces of the party establishment.

I will write his name in in November if it comes to that.

[elixir]

18. Thank You! That needed to be said. I hope he makes it to the white house

Whether it's as president or otherwise.

[Donkey007]

20. KEEP VOTING CLARK

Way to go everyone. Keep up the good work.

[oasis]

22. Gen. Clark made a huge sacrifice by throwing his hat in the ring. His

presence turned up the heat on the criminal in the White House.

[kaitykaity]

23. It was Clark, by standing by Michael Moore when the

Jennings' of the world wanted the General to disavow the whole thing, who helped start the Bush-AWOL shitstorm.

Way to go, Wes. :loveya:

[Qutzupalotl]

24. Great post, and moreover,

Clark will expect us to hold him accountable for all his actions as president. No more "blame Osama, blame Clinton, blame the CIA, blame everybody but me." The man takes leadership responsibility seriously.

[Tom Rinaldo]

I am kicking this in appreciation for what Wes Clark has accomplished

Whenever I turn on the news now, half of what I see is coverage of Bush shirking, not smirking, the National Guard. That is th biggest thing the media wants to talk about. How many times before have the Press sat at a Press Conference and played meek with Bush's spokesmen, refusing to ask the hard follow up questions, and refusing to challenge Bush on his credibility and accountability. Yesterday however they were all over Bush like a pack of wolves.

When the issue was raised in the NH debate however, all the media could do was talk about how Wesley Clark was hurting himself by associating with Kooky conspiracy accusations against Bush. Clark was our commando, operating inside of enemy territory, drawing fire, laying the ground work to take Bush down. Clark never got to stand next to Bush in those General Election debates, but whoever does will be standing opposite the amazing shrinking President. Clark reduced Bush's stature through comparison with his own, and Bush will never, never, never be seen the same way again.

[Tom Rinaldo]

25. I am kicking this in appreciation for what Wes Clark has accomplished

Whenever I turn on the news now, half of what I see is coverage of Bush shirking, not smirking, the National Guard. That is th biggest thing the media wants to talk about. How many times before have the Press sat at a Press Conference and played meek with Bush's spokesmen, refusing to ask the hard follow up questions, and refusing to challenge Bush on his credibility and accountability. Yesterday however they were all over Bush like a pack of wolves.

When the issue was raised in the NH debate however, all the media could do was talk about how Wesley Clark was hurting himself by associating with Kooky conspiracy accusations against Bush. Clark was our commando, operating inside of enemy territory, drawing fire, laying the ground work to take Bush down. Clark never got to stand next to Bush in those General Election debates, but whoever does will be standing opposite the amazing shrinking President. Clark reduced Bush's stature through comparison with his own, and Bush will never, never, never be seen the same way again.