General Clark endorsing Kerry live on CNN now

[NNN0LHI]

Making a joint appearance with Kerry in WI.

[Ninga]

1. It just doesn't smell right.

[NNN0LHI]

2. Its all a plot I am sure n/t

[NewYorkerfromMass]

11. Yeah. A 'plot' to win the WH back.

How devious and novel.

[Jivenwail]

3. And why do you say that???

Just curious

[Jack_Dawson]

4. It's too bad

Watching Clark play 2nd fiddle to a career politician. Guess that's what the media and voters want...

[bowens43]

44. Don't know about the media but it is what the voters want.

[Turkw]

144. I'd put that the other way around. The media didn't wait to find out what

the people wanted

[Kahuna]

63. Sad, yes. But you gotta give it to our guy. He never fails...

to show us what it's really about. Country over politics. Country over the individual.

[Nashyra]

5. On live

General Clark to Kerry "Sir request permission to come onbaord" refering to his navy experience.

[robsul82]

9. Oh, PUKE.

Geez, Clark might as well do a little softshoe and say "yessir, massa!" What HAPPENED, General, damn.

Later.

RJS

[Kahuna]

65. Oh, whatever. You just can't stand it can you?

:eyes:

[robsul82]

70. No, I can't stand it that YOUR candidate just SOLD OUT.

And THAT would be why I'm complaining, chief, LOL.

Later.

RJS

[John_H]

84. LOL! I don't know what I find more satisfying

the thought that Clark has a very real chance at becoming Secretary of Defense, that he has put another nail in Chimp's political coffin, or reading the posts of people pissed off he didn't endorse Dean. They're all so good.

[Kahuna]

90. I feel the same way.

}(

:pals:

[LandOLincoln]

102. Clark CAN'T be SecDef. He hasn't been out of the

military long enough. He'll be Secretary of State, and a brilliant SecState at that.

And by the way, did anyone see Bill Richardson on Hardball last night? Matthews kept trying to get him to admit he'd consider being Kerry's Veep, but Bill just laughed at him and repeated the promise he made to us New Mexicans when he took office--that he'd serve out his full four years as guv. He has two years to go.

He ALSO said it was time for the party to unite and close ranks around the front runner--just as Wes Clark is doing today. Clearly Kerry has convinced Wes that the rumored bimbo eruptions are without substance, and so Wes moved immediately to cover his back.

And Dean is reminding me more and more of Nader--an ego masquerading as a reformer. As several of the more sophisticated political thinkers on this board have pointed out, this is not the time to reform the Democratic Party.

First we get rid of BushCo, then we worry about reform. Eyes on the prize, everyone, please. FOCUS!

[JI7]

28. that was too sweet

it wasn't anything one would consider big, but i'm sure the meaning of the reference meant a lot to kerry.

[Adelante]

82. "The Army is here."

It was great! :7

[MoonRiver]

6. What doesn't smell right?

[Nashyra]

13. Clark is continuing with his stump speech

certainly sounds a lot more involved than the Gephart and Lieberman endorsements. I'm begining to smell the ticket, Kerry/Clark. Clark getting an awful lot of applause.

[lancdem]

17. I would love Kerry/Clark or Kerry/Edwards

[pezcore64]

31. wow

i didnt know lieberman endorsed kerry!

that outa say alot!

[girl gone mad]

47. Who'd you want him to endorse?

Bush?

Lieberman isn't perfect, but he is a Democrat and he does have a little class.

[John_H]

86. Oh. I see. You're angry that Dean might not even get a VP slot, right?

Apologies if I'm mistaken. Please clarify.

[mountainvue]

118. That would be awesome.

Wesley Clark is a standup guy. He definitely needs to be involved in this administration.

[still_one]

8. I think it is terrific

It shows unity

[polpilot]

23. Replay: "Get in Wes" "Now get out get out now !!!!! "Endorse Kerry now!"

Can't say the general can't follow orders.

Dean '04..The anti-Iraqi War, anti-establishment guy

[Torgo4]

128. At Least No More: "As 4-Star, Clark Not Used to Following Orders...!"

I almost kicked the TV everytime one of those civilian weenie pundits would say that.:grr:


Clark took/gave orders his whole adult life, from Cadet to General! Just like every military person of ANY rank! Read his Waging Modern War book and you'll see a 4-Star getting his ass chewed and ordered around in every chapter.

Remember, his name was Clark, not Sulla!!!

[JI7]

7. they have been friends for some time

it isn't too much of a suprise that he would endorse him.

[NNN0LHI]

10. They have both "been through it". That is a powerful bond n/t

[Screaming Lord Byron]

14. What about Clark's little crack about Lieutenants and Generals?

That was a little nasty. Perhaps it was a heat of the moment thing.

[JI7]

19. yeah "heat of the moment"

clark took the joke from dole too personally and felt insulted and hurt. he did call kerry later and they dealt with it.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

21. Good. Clark and Kerry would be a formidable team. Damn Good.

[BootinUp]

24. He had just been insulted by Dole, and he wanted to respond

forcefully. He was not trying to attack Kerry, it just came out wrong.

[Jack_Dawson]

Dole is a shitstarter, got the reaction he was looking for

[Kahuna]

68. Sure did. Score one for Dole.

:puke:

[mikehiggins]

79. Nah, I think he was just wondering where he left his viagra

and said the first thing that stumbled across his brain.

Time is not being kind to Bob.

[democratreformed]

25. It was misconstrued and blown out of proportion.

[krkaufman]

26. LB, have you actually *watched* what Clark said?

LB, have you actually *watched* what Clark said? Seen the context and Clark's smiling (joking) expression when he said it, responding to Bobdole's personal dig?

Yes, it was spontaneous and not remotely derogatory. If anything, if Clark can forgive Kerry's later smear of him on '60 Minutes', then who am I to hold a grudge on the General's behalf?

See: http://www.videos4clark.com/vidclips/CNN_LKL_011904.WMV


edit: added video link http://www.us4clark.com

[Screaming Lord Byron]

35. Fair enough, I accept that Wes was joking. Guess I bought into that spin

You've always got to be wary of the spin.

[krkaufman]

50. You speakum mouthful. n/t

[Screaming Lord Byron]

60. Thanks, I think.

Not sure what that means.

[JI7]

37. it wasn't a smear

the 60 minutes segment was taped before clark talked to kerry about the incident. when kerry was asked about it after clark talked to him he said they had worked it out and everything was ok.

[maddezmom]

12. CNNI showed a minute

then went to Kofi Annan. :( But I think they are going to show it on CSPAN later.

[Jack_Dawson]

You guys, what's it like to not have to work and monitor politics on TV

all day? Just wondering. I'm jealous.

[NNN0LHI]

42. I put my time in. Ford retiree here. Proud UAW member until I die n/t

[mikehiggins]

81. IBEW for 36 years

retired in 2002

I'm actually thinking about going back to work now that the Clark campaign is over. Too much time on my hands.

[Jack_Dawson]

103. That would be my fear in retiring

Unless I was filthy rich and could just travel all I wanted.

[edzontar]

15. I guess we know who who the "superior officer" is now....

I am so ashamed and embarrassed for Clark.

What a disgraceful sell-out.

When do we learn about the quid pro quo?

[eileen_d]

16. A show of Democratic unity is now cause for shame and embarrassment

Wow.

[lancdem]

Anyway

[robsul82]

18. Pure sellout.

Wow.

"I'm an outsider!" - a month ago.

"Permission to come aboard, sir?" - today.

Later.

RJS

[lancdem]

22. He wants to get rid of Bush in November

That hardly makes him a sellout. It does make him a good, loyal Dem, however.

[Calico4000]

125. Yea right

Just like Bush wants freedom for Iraq.

Clark wants a position with Kerry in his admin. There is no noble agenda. That's all it is. But hey, if it makes you feel better to pretend otherwise...

[mike1963]

27. Would you rather have him endorse Bush?

I think I might need to take a long vacation from DU

:grr:

[ronnykmarshall]

89. I agree, Mike.

At least from this forum. Nasty, nasty, bitter, bitter.

[Tom Rinaldo]

30. Question for you

If Kerry wins the nomination, will you be more of a "sell out" if you Do or DON'T campaign for Kerry to get elected?

[robsul82]

32. Sniff sniff, boo hoo.

Clark's a sellout and now everyone can see it. I'm sorry, but tossing off your outsider principles to ho yourself for a VP spot is SELLING.OUT.PERIOD.

As I've said before, Kerry 2004 - It Better Not Rain.

Later.

RJS

[krkaufman]

48. Nader sure did maintain his outsider principles in 2000

Is that your model for how it should work?

[robsul82]

53. Ain't my fault Clark sold out.

Clark didn't HAVE to say something as horrible as "Permission to come aboard, sir?" That's pure sellout.

Later.

RJS

[KnucklesBuchanan]

58. And when Howard Dean...

puckers up and kisses the ass of the DNC once his campaign draws to a close (because he knows it's in the best interest of the party, and Dean is many things but NOT an idiot), you'll go back to supporting Ralph Nader or whomever. Congratulations on your "principles".

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[KnucklesBuchanan]

74. You are quite correct...

given his history of skiing instead of serving. Military vernacular probably isn't his thing.

[Adelante]

85. Nah, that's pure charm.

Clark could give lessons. ;)

[bowens43]

55. He's not a sell out,

he's an opportunist and that has been apparent from day one.

[Shanty Oilish]

137. Memo

Some people who seek the office of POTUS are not in it for personal glory. (You might want to write that down, it's kind of forgettable.)

;)

[Kahuna]

77. Says you.

nt

[Mountainman]

132. Man I have been reading a lot of your posts today

Last night I saw Dean on Larry King and he just turns me off! It would really help if he got the hell out of Dodge and let the games begin.

Kerry brings so many more people in to our camp than Dean could. I give him credit for starting the ball rolling but at this point he is just in the way.

[Zech Marquis]

36. a sellout?

now I've heard it all--for ne retired military man to endorse another is selling out. :eyes: I guess so, along with the VA voters all being DLCers :eyes:

BTW, don't let the door hit you on the way out :evilgrin:

[robsul82]

38. Thanks.

I'll be referring to this every single time we get another patronizing, whiny post about "Everyone HAS to come together for Kerry, NOWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

Later.

RJS

[Qutzupalotl]

129. It'd be nice if you posted it there

instead of here.

[democratreformed]

43. And lets not forget the voters in TN, NM, AZ, NH, etc.

It is done. We can't change that.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ronnykmarshall]

91. I'm sure there will be some spin on it.

[Bread and Circus]

93. Great point, will Dean be a sellout then?

[Kahuna]

75. Get over it. Clark was never going to endorse Dean.

Clark got into the race because of Dean's rise and the fear that Dean would get the nomination.

[Nashyra]

98. Not at all

He said he would do anything to get rid of *. I salute him for his courage and committment.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

20. Well... Kerry is way ahead of Clark in terms of elected office

so yes Kerry IS Clark's superior in that regard.

[krkaufman]

41. I don't think the General needs your empathy

> I am so ashamed and embarrassed for Clark.

The General needs not your empathy

Many out here respect his exercise of free will and laser focus on the cause -- ABB -- especially, while many other candidates remain focused on personal glory.

[Kahuna]

83. Great post kaufman. I couldn't have said it better.

:yourock:

Some people still think this is about "them," "their empowerment," "their cause." It will always be about "them." That will never change. Just see it for what it is and move on.

[Uzybone]

117. Hee hee

they think they will get their seat in the WH if Dean wins. All their life long dreams of somehow being significant to something got washed down the drain when DR Scorched Earth screamed in Iowa.

[LandOLincoln]

107. Amen, brother or sister, amen!

"Many out here respect his exercise of free will and laser focus on the cause -- ABB -- especially, while many other candidates remain focused on personal glory."

[Kahuna]

71. So what do you think Clark should do? Try to undermine...

the guy who is going to be the nominee, like somebody else we could name?

[West Coast Democrat]

153. When Dean eventually endorses Kerry..........

how will you feel?

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Adelante]

34. What did you think, GROVELBOT?

A graceful transition, no? :)

[BootinUp]

45. Nice shiny avatar there

Did you see Wes on the tube just now?

[Adelante]

52. It was the only way I could

I'm nervous :scared: with my new avatar, but I did it for the General.

[incapsulated]

92. I forgot to change mine... there it's done. But...

It ain't no Kerry avatar, it's back to bongo for me.

I'm not "working" for any other campaign, and Kerry doesn't need my active support. When he get's the nomination, it's defacto, anyway. Obviously, to me anyway, he's the only one left qualified for the job. It doesn't mean I have to be a "Kerry Supporter", whatever that means. If Clark gets a Kerry tattoo, maybe I'll reconsider. ;)

[maddezmom]

51. I'm with you WesDem

if Kerry is good enough for Wes, he's good enough for me.

[Jack_Dawson]

62. Hope y'all don't mind if I'm not as quick to make the transition...

[maddezmom]

67. no I respect everyone's decisions

just so ya know, it feels a bit strange. You worked your butt off for Wes. Take your time to decide what candidate is best for you. All the Clarkie's will always have a bond. :pals:

[incapsulated]

72. Really?

What happened to Clark is a piece of shit because he dropped out and asked me for money?

Strange love.

Yeah, I'm pretty ruthless when it comes to loyalty, in case you asked. Opening a thread that encourages Clark bashing on DU is inexcusable to me.

[Adelante]

76. Goodness, no, Jack

I would NEVER question your feelings or decisions or loyalty. Don't ever feel insecure with me, please. I trust you to do what you believe in. I admire you and will always respect your opinions. Still :loveya:

[BootinUp]

80. Take your time

thats what I'm doing as well. I do want to see the endorsement speech though. Sooner or later I want to stop feeling like crap.

[HuskerDem]

162. I don't see any reason in the world for ditching our "Clarkness"

We can still support Kerry or the candidate of our choice and remain Clark people.

[Adelante]

66. Thanks, mom

We stand together, as usual. :)

[KnucklesBuchanan]

33. So, what, if he'd supported Dean or Edwards he'd be a stand-up guy?

That's crap, and you know it. Good lord, the guy is demonstrating some party unity AND his support for the best remaining candidate, and he's a SELLOUT? Get over yourselves. Christ, the only reason Lieberman hasn't endorsed anyone is because he knows his endorsement isn't worth shit, AND no one wants it. Is Gephardt a sellout because he endorsed Kerry? Is CMB a sellout because she endorsed Dean? NO. They are expressing their opinions about whom they feel is best equipped to serve as president. We all seem to feel it's our right to select and support who we want, why are they 'sellouts' if they do the same goddam thing?

[democratreformed]

39. By some people, WC was ALWAYS held to different standards than

most of the others.

[incapsulated]

40. "General Clark will not stand *behind* me, he will stand *beside* me"

Well, I guess Kerry read my posts, lol.

It was some balm on the wound.

This was from MSNBC, who carried more of the speech, btw.

[Adelante]

49. And "Don't disappear into the background, Gen. Clark"

It was lovely altogether. While the basic hurt doesn't go away so easily, I thought they were beautiful together today. I'm happy if Wes is happy and he looked very happy to me. :loveya:

[BootinUp]

54. Thats cool n/t

[Adelante]

61. Did you watch, Jim4?

It was really nice. :)

[BootinUp]

73. I'm not where I can watch

hopefully it'll be on cspan tonight.

[Adelante]

78. I'm sure C-Span will show it later

I'd like to watch it in its entirety. Wes said there were Draft Clark people there and he thanked them. :cry:

[incapsulated]

57. Did you catch him on Charlie Rose?

He was really upbeat and looking foward. It helped me to move on, I guess. He was so great, it reminded me of all the reasons I've supported him.

Ah, it was a beautiful dream while it lasted.

[Adelante]

69. I caught most of it.

Honestly, I think he's better off now. Wes can be Wes, and we're all better off when that's the case. He will bring us where we have to go just like always.

[HoosierClarkie]

88. Last night

he looked almost giddy. He was able to be himself like he was when he first joined the race. Those were the days eh? He looked well rested and happy. He deserves that. Whatever he does, I am so glad none of us have to go through him getting beat up everyday or ignored. They were brutal. Besides, Kerry was stealing his message anyway. Now, Clark may be able to take it back. :P

[Adelante]

108. Look, Incap

[maddezmom]

111. great pic, Jersey

thanks for posting. :)

[BootinUp]

112. Thats a nice one

Looking forward to that speech.

[incapsulated]

115. Yeah, I caught that :)

Pretty cool. :)

I'm glad the fighting between these two is over, even if I'm still heartbroken about the campaign. Kerry was always my number two, and the shit between them in the heat of battle was painful for me, I started to hate Kerry. I'll never have a Kerry avatar, or be a "Kerry Supporter", but he has my vote and support after the nomination. And against sludge, of course.

[Kahuna]

56. U WES A

<sniff> My man just rocks. I love that guy. <sigh>

[NNN0LHI]

59. I sense some sour grapes here today. Here you go

[Kahuna]

87. They want us Clarkies to rant and rave and disavow..

Kerry. I hope they are not holding their breath. Cause it ain't gonna happen.

[democrank]

94. I respect Clark

for his integrity. This could have become a long, drawn out cock fight with all candidates attaching razors to their talons. Instead, Clark kept his eye on the enemy...Bush...and decided there is strength in numbers when you find common ground with the teams.

I wanted Clark to get the nomination. That isn`t going to happen. Next best scenario? He`s still part of the movement, he`ll still have influence and the country will still benefit from his experience and vision.

Thank you General Clark!

[bhunt70]

96. I agree

[democratreformed]

97. Well said. This is exactly the way I see it as well. n/t

[jmoss]

95. What I DON't GET is.....

If the General thinks our country needs a "Washington outsider, so bad , why in the heck hasn't he supported Howard Dean?
-Or at least the "lesser" outsider-John Edwards.

He has COMPLETELY sold out. I am sure this will alienate many of his supporters; who will NOT just jump to the Kerry ship, on principle alone.

Even in making a political endoresement, he shows how much of a rookie he is in the world of government.

[BootinUp]

99. You know that saying

if you can't beat them, join them.

Since I can't have a President Clark, I at least, want him to have some influence in our government going forward (at the National level).

I think this is really the only way that is going to happen (in the immediate future). I hope Kerry will call on Clark for advice, both on foreign policy matters and domestic stuff too.

I think the General learned a lot about his country over the past 5 months and he is so goddamned intelligent. General Clark has so much to offer and I know he will do the right thing if he is asked to serve his country again.

[Tim_in_HK]

106. He also said

that the Dems need to run a candidate who has national security and foreign policy experience. Been saying that for a long time.

There go endorsements for Dean and Edwards. Sorry.

So, what do we have . . . in the end, national security trumps Washington outsider. Whowoodathunkit. Well, me for one. Although I'm still not that hot on Kerry. I'll be sitting out the primary and wait for the nominee.

I think many of his supporters will feel the same way. And if not, that's their prerogitive. But I think it would be foolish to imagine that the majority of people who were drawn to Clark did not believe that national security is one of, if not the most, important attributes to have in a president.

[onehandle]

100. Yes! Kerry/Clark '04!

"you won't be standing behind me in this campaign, you'll be standing beside me"

An early Veep choice would be a Powerful show of unity and determination.

Some say that another Veteran wouldn't bring anything to the ticket, and that Clark's credentials would show up Kerry.

I say, Rove is running on the "War".

Kerry/Clark.

Bring it on!

[Adelante]

113. Heh

Some guy was wearing these at the rally this morning.

[democratreformed]

116. Wow.

The lady who coordinated our trip to TN said this after Wednesday's speech - "Wes said to keep our buttons b/c we'll be needing them again". My daughter said don't tell anyone b/c it will just get people's hopes up. But, darn it, I just couldn't keep it to myself any longer. She said he told them that at the hotel Tuesday night.

[Adelante]

122. I really, really want

one of those white buttons.

edit: typo

[democratreformed]

124. Let me see what I got and I may be able to help you yet again.

Wanna know another funny story? I had two buttons on my jacket when I went to that speech the other day. When I left, I had none - AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM! My daughter said how could someone take them off my jacket without me knowing. I HAVE NO IDEA, but they're GONE. That still drives me INSANE. I don't know if I have a white one or if all of them are blue (that's all I can find in my purse right now.) But, I'll look at home and if I find one, I'll send it your way.

[Adelante]

126. Be still my heart

:loveya:

[democratreformed]

127. I'll get back to ya tonight or tomorrow and let you know if I find one n/t

[Piltdown13]

133. I'll check too...

I know I have at least one left somewhere, maybe even more than that...and possibly one or two blue ones that say "new american patriotism" rather than "for president".....

:hi:

[LandOLincoln]

169. I've got some extra Clark buttons & bumper stickers.

PM me if you're interested. They're free, by the way, and I don't have that much:

6 white Clark buttons (as pictured in the earlier post);

6 blue background (all lettering in white except "04" in red);

6 teal blue with white lettering & "04" in red, plus "Para Presidente!" across the top;

10 white Clark bumperstickers.

[Adelante]

171. What a nice offer!!

Demreformed has me covered on mine. Thanks very much. I'm sure you'll get some takers. Really nice of you. :)

[BootinUp]

170. deleted

[flpoljunkie]

130. You will appreciate this photo from today's Wisconsin rally...

[maddezmom]

131. great sight

:)

[mdmc]

101. Why did Clark ever run?

Why didn't he just back Kerry from the get go?

[onehandle]

104. He was drafted and begged to run by supporters....

Kerry was weak at the time that Clark announced so Clark seemed to be our best chance.

[democratreformed]

105. Clark ran b/c we asked him to.

In many ways, he was as naive as those of us who begged for his entrance. He ran b/c he was concerned about what was happening in our country. He said that in his speech. He ran to give a voice to the thousands who asked the he speak for them. He ran to bring a higher standard of leadership to our country.

He left b/c he was honest with himself and knew that his campaign was over. That had to be very hard for him. It sure was hard for me. But, you know what? I went to Tennesse and worked very hard. I looked at the numbers from there when it was over. In the counties that we worked so hard in, we did great - we still didn't beat Kerry but we beat JE pretty bad. That tells me this - when you have to work THAT hard to get your message out and STILL have a moderate showing, it's over. There is no point in going on.

Now, we could still be wishing that something would change. But, you know what else? I waited for that change and it didn't happen. I no longer believe it will. General Clark decided to not prolong our agony in any longer by keeping our false hopes alive when it was OVER.
I respect him for that.

[LandOLincoln]

110. In politics as in show biz...

...you always leave 'em wanting more.


"General Clark decided to not prolong our agony in any longer by keeping our false hopes alive when it was OVER."



WKC, :yourock:

[mdmc]

161. Clark is a super great asset to Democrats

and the human race!
:kick:

[KnucklesBuchanan]

109. He didn't back Kerry from the get-go...

because Kerry was running a pathetic campaign. I was hopeful when Kerry got in, but he simply went through the motions. I would have backed him initially (half-heartedly, I admit) had he shown any semblance of the ability he is showing now. What I'm trying to say is this: If Kerry had, at that time, been running the campaign he is running now, Clark never would have gotten in the race.

[incapsulated]

120. This is true

And he has said as much.

[Adelante]

121. You are totally right

This was the turning point in his decision to run, I believe, beyond that he was being drafted by hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens and Dem pols. Kerry and Graham were the only viable national security candidates. Kerry was flopping, Graham dropped out, Wes stepped in. Kerry has now shown he can win and Clark's 100% behind him. It was always about national security.

[RetroLounge]

114. So is Clark gonna accept VP

or will he need to be drafted for that also?

[Joe the Revelator]

123. Sour grapes taste better as whine

[Crewleader]

119. The General Endorsing Kerry

the front runner,
wants to unite the Democratic Party and you got to love him for that for a win to beat Bush. :-)

[sleipnir]

134. Thanks for selling us out Clark.

I'm so sick of his endorsement. I thought we were in at least until Super Tuesday. Oh well, too bad he threw support to a man who doesn't even stand for a majority of Clark's platform. Oh well, yet another massive dissapointment with democracy this year.

[Guava Jelly]

135. ya know, no matter What you think of Clark or Kerry

Kerry did mop the floor with everyone but Clark once and edwards once.
The people picked Kerry.
I would rather have Clark as the nominee but guess what i lost!!!
Time to back the nominee and work to get the chimp out of the Oval Office and send ashcroft rummy cheney and the whole mess of those clowns away in 04

[Adelante]

136. Stop talking sense

:hi:

[Kahuna]

168. "Us?"

:shrug:

[in_cog_ni_to]

138. I missed it.

So, he endorsed Kerry, eh? Now I have to do some serious mulling over in my mind. How the HELL am I suppose to reconcile this? shit. shit shit. shit. :cry:

[LandOLincoln]

140. Reconcile? How about this:

The day after Clark drops out, Sludge runs with a Kerry rumor that's allegedly been floating around for months if not years.

Meaning: KKKarl has been busting his greasy guts in hopes of using the Kerry smear (a) to take down the frontrunner, and, even more important (b) to step on the AWOL story before the real bombshell hidden inside that story detonates on Dubya's sorry ass.

But Karl didn't dare take Kerry down while Wes was in the race, since Kerry was the only one standing between BushCo and Wes, their worst nightmare. But with Wes out of the race, Rove is free to unleash Sludge. Or so he thinks.

Except Wes figures out immediately what's going on, and moves to outflank 'em. He flies to Wisconsin and endorses Kerry.

In the meantime Bill Richardson goes on Hardball last night with essentially the same message, to wit:
Dems, this is it, it really is time to circle the wagons.


Oh yeah, the bombshell inside the AWOL story? Dubya's long-rumored 1972 coke bust and subsequent community service at the Houston poverty center. With all the AWOL digging going on, how long before some truly enterprising reporter stumbles across some hard evidence of that?

[in_cog_ni_to]

143. How does that reconcile anything?

I'm talking about the fact that Kerry voted for the IWR and the Patriot Act and MY candidate....one of the reasons I supported him...spoke out AGAINST the damn war and the Patriot Act. NOW he's endorsing the man who would NEVER, EVER get MY vote. This is depressing as hell. This whole primary season SUCKS! The entire process has been turned on it's head. The election process is in the hands of the fucking media and the DNC...not "We the people." How the hell am I suppose to vote for someone who voted for that war? Over 500 American soldiers have DIED. 1000's of INNOCENT Iraqi citizens have died because of a damn LIE! BILLIONS and BILLIONS of $$$$$$$ have been wasted because of a LIE and now MY candidate supports a man who voted for that to happen??? No way will Kerry get my vote. It's NOT going to happen. THAT is what I need to reconcile....and it's IMPOSSIBLE to do.

[LandOLincoln]

154. So, you'd rather have another 4 years of BushCo?

What do you think is going to be left of this country--and the world--if you hand those maniacs another four years?

Because a vote for Dean or Kucinich (or Nader, if the swine decides to run) is a vote for Bush, make no mistake about that.

OTOH, a vote for Kerry is a vote for Wes, because it's clear Wes will have a very large role in a Kerry administration, either as Secretary of State or Co-President (formerly known as VP). :hi:

He'd make a great Secretary of Defense as well, except that he's ineligible because he hasn't been out of the military long enough to qualify.

In any case, please think consider everything I've said before you throw your vote away.

[Cogito]

160. I am a big supporter of Clark

I have to say that my respect for Clark GREW today. Clark demonstrated today that it was never about personal glory but about doing what is best for the country. Kerry is going to be the nominee, Clark's endorsement has no effect on that one way or the other. But Clark's endorsement does say that we should never forget what the primary race is really about and how important it is to achieve victory in the fall. Clark's endorsement says that country comes first. I have changed my gif from Clark to Kerry to show my support for the General and the ticket. Bring it on. ;)

[andym]

164. Here's how to reconcile it

Here's how to reconcile it:

Clark had more sense than Kerry when it came to the Iraq war and Patriot Act, but, he know Kerry pretty well and thinks that overall Kerry's judgement is good enough to lead the country. He might even feel that with better advice from his friends (like Clark), Kerry might not again make such wrongheaded decisions. Clark looks to the future, not the past.

[Lefta Dissenter]

139. Well, I couldn't go

but it's probably just as well. I would have been bawling my eyes out anyway. :cry: A bunch of my Clark friends and cohorts were going (with their Clarkie attire and signs), and Clark was going to meet with the Students for Clark group before the endorsement rally. I can't wait to talk with them to see how that went.

HA, I think I recognize that sweater that has the two buttons on it! If it's who I think it is, he came into our office the day we were cleaning out, and took ALL of the remaining bags of Clark buttons - BAGS of them! :( I wasn't quite sure why he did that - he wasn't even one of our solid every-day-reliable volunteers. But we weren't about to be questioning people, we were too bummed out. It did make me feel bad after that, though, when people stopped in off the street to get a souvenier and we didn't have any buttons left.

I'm still feeling at a loss as to what to do about my vote on Tuesday. My heart says to vote for Wes. I think I'm going to go see Edwards tomorrow with some other Clarkies, to see if he inspires me. Kucinich is here on Monday - I'll try to get in and see him, too. I wonder how Clark's leaving the race before the primary here has affected the others' campaign plans.

I hope I can see the endorsement rally tonight on CSPAN. Mr. Vote is out of town (Daytona - he'll be in the same town as bush!!! :puke:) and I stopped and picked up a bottle of wine today on my way home, so I could sit and cry all by myself (well, with the dogs in my lap, of course), drink my wine, and have a huge headache tomorrow!

Thanks for the updates, everyone. :pals:

[Adelante]

141. I hope you can see the c-span rerun, too

You will see two men who are extremely happy to be on the same side.

If this doesn't settle your stomach, nothing will. I promise. :pals:

[HuskerDem]

163. It helped me a lot to see how happy Wesley was & enthusiastic

They looked great together.

[democracy eh]

167. in at least one quantum possibility - that is the Ticket

hopefully it is ours

[Zhade]

142. I owe Clark supporters an apology.

I truly thought that with his background and past actions in Kosovo (which I still contend border on war crimes) he was the DLC plant that corporate America was hedging their bets on, should b*sh fall.

I stand corrected. He is not the plant. Rather, he has for some reason endorsed the actual plant.

So, to Clark supporters, my apologies for labeling Clark what he was not.

Sure wish I knew why the hell he was endorsing Kerry, though!

[in_cog_ni_to]

145. ME TOO! n/t

[Adelante]

146. No warning

:tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat:

[Turkw]

149. Clark endorsed Kerry for the same reason he dropped out, he thinks

that every election is different, and this year the voters are focused on getting Bush out. Having a credible front runner, I think Dean was just as credible, the majority want to go after Bush.

I think the media and the way the time table was set up this year had a lot to do with the outcome. I don't entirely agree with his assessment as to why it is turning out this way. I respect his decision as his. This is politics and nobody does anything for nothing, so Clark will get something out of it, if only to shut up people who call Clark a Republican.

Dean will drop out when he feels that there is no chance of winning and he is hurting the party. I don't think he is hurting it, so why drop out now? Dean and Edwards are both waiting to see if Kerry can keep his momentum and are ready to be there if he stumbles.

I have lost two candidates, none of the others thrill me, so it is ABB now for me. Doubt I will do much more than vote this November.

When you look at some of the data that the media watchdog groups are coming out with, the media corporations are much more the culprit than the DNC or DLC.

[shivaji]

147. My predictions about Clark came true, again!

I had Clark figured out exactly right, he is an opportunist.
When he saw no opening in the GOP to advance, he turned dem.
When he saw defeat written on the wall in dem primaries, he
caved to the winner, hoping to atleast garner a cabinet post.

When Clark was a CNN analyst, he unabashedly was pro-Iraq war.
This man puts personal gain over his core beliefs, I am happy
to see him being recognized by the voters for what he is, a FRAUD.

[in_cog_ni_to]

148. He's not a fraud!

I saw him speak out AGAINST the war when he worked on CNN. I remember commenting to my husband about how I bet the WH would have CNN fire him over it....they did let him go. He's not a fraud. He's a good, kindhearted man.

[funky_bug]

150. You obviously NEVER watched CNN then

Clark Dems, don't you get tired of saying this over and over again?

He was NOT pro-war. Hello? That was what caught the attention of many of us. He was unabashedly anti-Iraq war. But then again, people only see what they want to see, after the fact.

Call it what you want. We Clark Dems know sour grapes when we see 'em.

[democratreformed]

158. Yes, I get tired of posting that

As a matter of fact, I won't do it any more. I don't give a damn about those attitudes. I am sick of them. Sour grapes is right.

[BootinUp]

151. Hey so is mine

That you will always spin Clark in a negative way. Its gives your posts about Clark a complete lack credibility.

[funky_bug]

152. Exactly

If it ain't one thang, it's another.

[Nashyra]

155. My My MY

I saw the first blurb of Edwards today. Clark has been dominat on TV all day. That press conference this morning announcing the endorsement was worth waiting for.

[funky_bug]

159. Sadly

We finally see Wes getting the press he deserves.

If Kerry gets him where we always wanted him, then kudos to Kerry.

[fujiyama]

156. I was about to post a thread...

last night, when all those affair rumnors began floatin around, that tomorrow would be a great day for kerry in some ways and that I was looking forward to seeing two great heroes on stage together.

This is one endorsement Kerry REALLY should appreciate. Clark is a great man, and a true patriot. He also ran a very clean campaign - very respectable and positive.

I especially like the pic with Kerry saluting Clark...and where he said Clark would stand beside him, not behind him.

[BootinUp]

157. The CSPAN video link appears to be broken

I e-mailed them about it.

Any hackers out there think you can get it to work?

rtsp://cspanrm.fplive.net/cspan/project/c04/c04021304_kerry2.rm?start=15.0

[zach]

165. Here ya go

I figured it out for you Jim4Wes

rtsp://video.c-span.org/project/c04/c04021304_kerry2.rm?start=15.0

That's the correct link, that they currently have screwed up.

Enjoy!

- zach

[BootinUp]

166. Thanks zach