Attention Clarkies (REAL Clarkies That Is): Do You Think Wes Will Run?

[Dinger]

I don't. I believe that Wes thinks there are more pressing needs in this country and this world than campaigning.
This isn't a matter of patience on my part. To me, it's more like I feel like I need to look at other candidates/potential candidates. I'm going to seriously look at Al Gore for starters. Next? I don't know. We have good candidates currently running, but I'm sorry, none of them inspire me like General Clark. However, I am feeling, as a Clarkie, that it is time to move on.

P.S. I'm not happy at making this post. I suppose all the anti-Clarkies are happy now.:-(

[wyldwolf]

1. by "real Clarkies" do you mean those who were behind him from Fall 2003 on?

[Dinger]

4. Anybody Who Really Feels They Are A Clarkie

No other requirements. If they think they are, then they are.

[Adelante]

14. Aww, you been lonely?

:pals:

[Captain Hilts]

2. Yes, WHY participate in these early, silly beauty contests? nt

[EST]

3. I, too, don't think he's going to make a run.

He paid the price in 2004 for getting in too late. In three months, it will be about the same time as he entered, then.
I wish he'd make a public statement, however, one way or the other. I wonder if he's waiting for another "draft Wes" movement.

[BOSSHOG]

5. I think we can not say one way or the other

During his several years serving as general he spent a greal deal of his time planning and scheduling and adapting and improvising. He might be staying low for the right time to jump in. I don't think its too late. That assumption can't be made just because so many people announce what might be considered "too early." And eventually some of those announced will start falling out. On the other hand, if he chooses not to run I hope whomever gets the nomination has the sense to appoint him SECSTATE. Imagine the compare/contrast between the fucking failure who has that position now and GEN Clark.

[Dinger]

6. Good Point BOSSHOG

You cheered me up a bit, and believe me, I needed it.
(Got other big stuff going on in my life now.)

[BOSSHOG]

7. Actually

I'd rather the General be SECSTATE so he can concentrate his expertise on the repair job needed after eight years of totally failed foreign policy. When bush leaves office the most likely most important cabinet post will be SECSTATE. He also would be an incredible teammate and mentor to whomever is selected as SECDEF.

[lyonn]

26. Yup, SECDEF will definitely be critical after the bush years

to restore our diginity and stature in the world, if possible.

But having Clark in the running would be great. Haven't heard much about that possibility so have decided that he may be serious about not running.

[Texas_Kat]

21. Yes Dinger I DO believe that he's going to run.

Listen closely to what he's said.... He doesn't say "I haven't decided". He says "I haven't said I won't". In the political arena (with typical politicians), it's hard to remember but if you only remember ONE THING -- Clark is ALWAYS truthful. If he hadn't decided what his plans were, he'd say that.

At an event last weekend, he told a Clarkie that she "was going to be very busy".

Keep in mind that Clark is a master strategist. He has had 4 years to learn the 'political game' and many, many opportunities to see campaigning done well (and poorly) over the last election cycle.

Listen to what HE says.... not what others say.

[Cameron27]

25. ! ! ! ! !

"he told a Clarkie that she "was going to be very busy".:) :) :) :)

[Tom Rinaldo]

8. Agreed

I voted "I don't know". I will say that I by no means think that it is "too late" for another candidate to enter the race at this point. The calender does not rule it out yet. Has anyone noticed that on the equally wide open Republican side that people keep throwing out names of potential new candidates all of the time? Fred Thompson, Newt Gingritch, Chuck Hagel etc.

The 2008 race did start early this year. Some people will experience candidate fatigue. Already there has been talk about "disappointing performances". For Clark to enter the race in the next couple of months he will need to have a game plan crafted to the circumstances at play, and if he has one he sure as hell would be stupid to go around blabbing about it in advance.

Arguably before the first Democratic candidate debate a week or so ago, entering the race a few months ago did little or no good for any Democratic candidate who did not already have the media's blessing in hand. If you weren't Clinton Obama or Edwards very few people paid attention to you, and I have even seen Edwards supporters complain that all the media attention keeps going to Clinton and Obama. Even with having missed the first debate, it is still very early in terms of widespread public interest in the 2008 race, Clark hasn't missed much by being out of it so far. In a way the most concrete hit he's taken has been a slippage in active netroots support. People want to talk about people who they know are running. Even talk about Gore is dropping off. That can change if Gore, or Clark, decides to enter.

[Tejanocrat]

9. I hope so. I think it's not too late, but time is getting short. When's the next debate? He ought

not to miss the debates if he's going to run, and the field could sure use a man of his convisions and experience.

[Cameron27]

10. I voted I'm not sure,

but I'm still leaning towards yes. It's hard to tell what's happening with this primary being so front-loaded, but I think there's still time if Clark is working on his campaign behind the scenes.

[Eurobabe]

11. Nope, he's not going to run.

Just my gut feeling.

[Adelante]

12. "Not Sure"

I will remain not sure until he says otherwise one way or another. I believe if the situation were that he has decided not to run, he would have told us. I've decided not to pick a horse before September, anyway, Labor Day weekend. Then it will really matter. But, Ding, go on ahead and look at other candidates. Nothing wrong with that, although I know how strong your loyalties are and understand it ain't easy. You have to do what's right for yourself. Hey, if the time comes, I know you will reevaluate, as will all Clarkies who have gone on. If your commitment to a different candidate is strong enough, you will stay; if not, you will come back.

:hug:

[AtomicKitten]

13. I supported him in the 2004 Dem primary.

I have no clue what he is going to do. It seems late but the truth is this campaign season started way too early. I'd love for him to jump in because his is a voice that resonates.

[Adelante]

15. Wesley Clark in 2008? -- as of 5/2/07

After paying tribute to businessman and Democratic fundraiser Jess Hay at the Rayburn Johnson Dinner, retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark said he hasn't ruled out another presidential bid.

Gen. Clark got in late in 2004 and never recovered from not competing in Iowa. He concedes that was a mistake but says it's not too late for 2008.

"I'm still considering it," he said. "There's still time."

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-notes_02met.ART.State.Edition1.430aea5.html

[Cameron27]

16. Get ready with a list of all the things he's been

doing since 2004, because someone already accused him of sitting on his ass just waiting to announce.:eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

17. Shouldn't we be able to call that kind of a poster "freeper scum" and be

done with it? It's a much easier way of dealing with questions, also less time consuming, and an approach that certainly seems to work well based on various posts that I have read in response to questions undecided posters have had about certain candidates! :shrug:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3245366&mesg_id=3245432

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=801722&mesg_id=802143

[gravity]

18. I still have hope

but as time passes, the more I get the feeling that he is not going to run.

He should make a decision soon, because I'm tired of just having a hope right now. If he is not going to run, just say so, so I can start supporting another candidate instead

[Clark2008]

19. If Clark doesn't run, I'll be sitting here on Feb. 4 wondering

who the hell I'm going to vote for the next day - I'll tell you that. None of these other Dems do very much for me as I feel none of them have what it takes to flip some red states.

That said, I voted "Not Sure." I can't pretend to know.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

27. You don't think

there's a possibility that Richardson could flip some red states? He seems to be the type who could at least guarantee us a few red western states, and maybe some of the more moderate southern states.

[nealmhughes]

20. The General has said he has not yet decided. I'll trust him on that.

He has his chair at UCLA now and a column in The Gurardian whenever he wants to write it!
Could he be the obvious choice for Sec. of State, regardless of which party wins in 08? Obviously, but we'll have to see how sane the world is then re: politics in DC.
He has spent an amazing amount in Alabama lately -- and I dont' think it is for the golf, the beaches or bass fishing, myself. . .

[BootinUp]

22. Hard to say.

He has my support either way.


that rhymes. :)

[truebrit71]

23. I sincerely hope so...but I don't think he will...

Understand he will get 10000% of my support if he does decide to run....but I have an awful sinking feeling that he won't...

And that leaves me an one hell of a pickle, because the rest of the candidates leave me cold...(with the exception perhaps of Obama simply because he's one of my TWO home-state Democratic Senators).....

[windbreeze]

24. I voted yes, with a smile on my face...

I believe he will run...I also believe he is much smarter than the average bear...I trust he knows what he is doing...and is very carefully considering everything...he's going to go for it...
wb

[Pithy Cherub]

28. I voted

not sure, but hoping against hope for a YES! Wes mentioned some pre-conditions before and I would like to know more about what they are for him to say yes. Also looking forward to his next book too. Go Wes:patriot: