Clark: "Sometimes politics doesn't work"

[calteacherguy]

May 30, 2007
Alan Colmes Radio Show

<snip>

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: But, you know... sometimes politics doesn't work. Iraq is one of these issues where politics doesn't quite work. Take the case of the original legislation that Congress sent to the President, you know the one he vetoed.

Alan Colmes: Yes.

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: There were actually three big loopholes about the withdrawal. He didn't have to withdraw troops that were fighting al Qaeda, he didn't have to withdraw troops that were training the Iraqis and you didn't have to withdraw troops who were protecting the troops fighting al Qaeda and training Iraqis. Those are huge loopholes. Nobody knows who's doing what over there. You could have ended up with 150,000 troops left.

<snip>

Alan Colmes: What would you have done if you were in the Senate, though? Would you have voted against or for the supplemental?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Oh, I'd have had to vote against it.

Alan Colmes: You would have voted against it?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Absolutely.

Alan Colmes: Then, of course you have the other side saying "see, you don't care about the troops."

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: I know that.

Alan Colmes: You can't say that to Wesley Clark.

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: It's not about the troops, it's about the strategy. You've got to fix the strategy.

<snip>

Alan Colmes: Among the candidates now, is there any one you favor?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: I like them all. I think there's some great people in the race. I think there's some tremendous talent out there and um, and you know I think that the American people are going to have some real opportunities to express their views. But... <crosstalk>

Alan Colmes: You...

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: ... but, but this election is going to be about international affairs and national security, whether we want it to be or not. That's what it's going to be about because this problem is not going to go away. No matter... I've seen... President Bush says "ah maybe there's someone thinking about withdrawing troops." Believe me, they can start withdrawing troops in September. A year from now... unless... I don't know... unless something really amazing happens we're still going to have this problem.

<snip>

What you're really looking for in a president is someone who can do the work and grow. This is an incredibly difficult job. Nobody ever comes into that position prepared for it. So you need someone who will redefine print, who can look at a law and understand it, who can listen to briefings and absorb them, who's willing to get up at 6:30 in the morning and work on his own until 8 or 9 o'clock at night or 10 o'clock at night, who's willing to do the socializing that's required, who can travel abroad and know which country he or she is landing in. Somebody who's got capacity for growth and it's not just intellectual, it's emotional.

Alan Colmes: There's no on-the-job training. I mean, it really is... I guess it is on-the-job training. There's no real preparation other than being in that job.

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: There's one thing. Within the first year in office, there will be a major problem, a major crisis in foreign affairs. No matter which side's elected. That's the way it works in a presidency.

http://securingamerica.com/

[lyonn]

1. We are waiting Clark...... no time like the present to throw your hat in!

Clark could get votes from States that Hillary or Obama couldn't. He seems to be front and center with his ideas on how to run a country and in particular during our dire times in Iraq and with our image around the world.

[tabasco]

20. I'm waiting too.

We need Clark as our President.

[pkspiegel]

30. It is SO sad

General Clark could win the general election without any problem (every Republican I know loves him). But getting the Democartic nomination in the wake of this circus, I don't know...

[Cameron27]

2. This is a remarkable exchange:

Alan Colmes: What would you have done if you were in the Senate, though? Would you have voted against or for the supplemental?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Oh, I'd have had to vote against it.

Alan Colmes: You would have voted against it?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Absolutely.

Alan Colmes: Then, of course you have the other side saying "see, you don't care about the troops."

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: I know that.

Alan Colmes: You can't say that to Wesley Clark.

For Colmes to recognize that and say it is pretty significant I think.

The part you highlighted is the reason Clark's the man!

What you're really looking for in a president is someone who can do the work and grow.

I don't know anyone more fit in body, mind and spirit than General Clark.

[FrenchieCat]

3. Uh....Wesley Clark is a self starter.....and would work his ass off like he always has, so he must

Run, Wes, Run!

"This is an incredibly difficult job. Nobody ever comes into that position prepared for it. So you need someone who will redefine print, who can look at a law and understand it, who can listen to briefings and absorb them, who's willing to get up at 6:30 in the morning and work on his own until 8 or 9 o'clock at night or 10 o'clock at night, who's willing to do the socializing that's required, who can travel abroad and know which country he or she is landing in."

[roguevalley]

9. god i love this man. we all do in my house, including my nephew

who served under him in Bosnia.

[sam sarrha]

4. world for stealing election after election... it must be good for something

[capi888]

5. Who Really has the Credentials to be President?

Are we going into this election with the strongest candidate, with the RIGHT credentials, to solve the existing problems, both economically, and international, because of the media horn blowers, who are trying once again to pick the the Dem candidate. Are we nuts or what??
Here we have a chance to really be the LEADERS in deciding 'WHO CAN FIX BUSHIES' MESS. NO it can't be done overnight, but its going to take someone with knowledge, smarts, energy, and dedication to this country to attempt this horrible situation. Someone who will put the hours in, sun up to sun down, with intelligence, stamina, and experience to get America legitimacy BACK.

WES CLARK can do that. No disrespect to other candidates, I like them, they are all to be respected for attempting to correct the mess made by Bushco, but this time WE MUST have a LEADER that is respected nationally and internationally. Who also, abides by the constitution, respects the law, and is respected INTERNATIONALLY. Plus, has the fortitude to put the amount of hours required (not like bush) to put sanity back in our Gov't. Willing to grow and learn from those in his cabinet and NOT dictate from the Podium...(or orders from his VP)


Wes Clark will do that!! Hope he runs!!!

[lyonn]

7. Excellent reasoning capi888.

All Democratic candidates are worthy of the job of president. Clark has a quality that combines book smarts with street smarts. Clinton was in that area but not like Wesley Clark. Bill was fighting the good fight but had no idea that his opposition was soooo tied to the media and he was doomed and spent far too much time fighting that battle. Clark knows his enemy!!

[slipslidingaway]

6. Thanks and a good reminder from Clark on the loopholes.

"There were actually three big loopholes about the withdrawal. He didn't have to withdraw troops that were fighting al Qaeda, he didn't have to withdraw troops that were training the Iraqis and you didn't have to withdraw troops who were protecting the troops fighting al Qaeda and training Iraqis. Those are huge loopholes. Nobody knows who's doing what over there. You could have ended up with 150,000 troops left."

[Donna Zen]

8. Absolutely NO

This is great exchange. I tried listening last night, but my stream kept bumping out. The interview was as usual enlightening which is what we've come to expect from the General.

[jcrew2001]

10. Seems like he's supporting Hillary considering

that he believes that foreign policy experience is essential for this election and Hillary has the most experience; just my perspective.

[Wesin04]

11. Clark has the most experience

Head and shoulders above Hillary or any of the others. I think that is what he was saying.

[Greyhound]

16. What?!? I must have missed where she got all this foreign policy experience. Please explain. n/t

[Clark2008]

26. No.. if that were true, and it's not, then he's be supporting

Richardson or Biden, who have MUCH more FP creds than HRC.

[jenmarie]

12. Small correction

...So you need someone who will redefine print

It was a transcript error and should read:

...So you need someone who will read the fine print...

Thanks for the post!

[calteacherguy]

21. Thanks. nt

[CarolNYC]

13. What Alan said afterwards...

I don't believe it's in the transcript and I don't know if it's included in the audio file on securingamerica, but after the interview Alan went on to say:

"I’ll tell you what I like about Wesley Clark...It’s interesting, we got a conservative calling in who liked him too...He says what he’s thinking and I don’t think he is licking his finger, putting it up and seeing which way the wind is going to blow on it. He truly says what he thinks and maybe he’s too candid to be a successful candidate for President."

Unfortunately, he may be right about Wes being too candid. Even here at DU you can see it...People prefer a panderer to a truth teller all too often. :(

[calteacherguy]

22. Reminds me of what Mario Cuomo said of Clark:

"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."

[mzmolly]

14. Gore/Clark?

;)

[LBJDemocrat]

15. Clark/Gore would be better nt

[mzmolly]

18. Oh no, the former VP needs to be at the top o the ticket!

;) Gore is also a veteran so he covers all bases.

[Wesin04]

17. Neither one as Veep

Don't think either would go for the second spot. Gore wouldn't want a repeat, and Clark is top spot material, not a veep kinda guy. He'd do more for the country on his own if he doesn't run for president.

[mzmolly]

24. Clark was a general, and he didn't win the last primary by a long shot, my guess is he'd

take a VP slot?

[Clark2008]

28. He did better in the primaries than Edwards - but Edwards hung

around longer.

Of the eight in which they both competed, Clark beat Edwards five times.

I guess it depends on your definition of "long shot."

I thought Clark did pretty well considering the media never mentioned him from December 2003 on.

[mzmolly]

29. Regardless I don't think it's realistic to say that Clark would not accept a VP slot.

;)

[Clark2008]

33. Dunno - he didn't seem to want it last time out.

But, I'm not him, so I can't speak to it. :)

[mzmolly]

35. Well no one CLAIMS to be running for VP.

But I "dunno" either. ;)

[Apollo11]

37. Clark wants to be President

Based on his decision to write a book covering his ideas on domestic and international policy issues, title it "A TIME TO LEAD" and publish it at the start of September.

http://securingamerica.com

[Norrin Radd]

19. k+r

[smalll]

23. Ex-general: "Sometimes politics doesn't work"

Someone itching to ride?

(A white horse.)
Boulanger! MacArthur! Your dream lives again!

[PurityOfEssence]

25. Like them or not, most of our recent presidents have respected the obligation

Clark would throw himself into the job with everything he had, as would any of the current Democratic candidates, and he's self-aware enough to know how to pace himself. It's a brutal job if done correctly and the before and after pictures show a depressing effect of aging in the process.

Like them or not, most recent presidents have risen to the occasion and worked like dogs. The notable exceptions are Reagan (whose health was much worse than known at the time after the assassination attempt and who wasn't a real diligent type to start with), Bush 1 who was a bit of a patrician slacker and Junior, who's a pathetic total bum. Junior hasn't aged much at all, but that's because he doesn't give a fuck about anything but his immediate personal concerns and highly values his personal comfort.

Nixon was a son-of-a-bitch, but he worked like the wannabe outsider that he was and actually cared about certain things. (Many of them were evil things, but he at least put out the heat.) LBJ was a ham-fisted apparachik, but he truly cared about the little guy and civil rights. Carter was such a dutiful servant of the people that he worked himself to death. Clinton, for all his faults, was incredibly curious, unflagging in his pursuit of policy goals and literally tireless. Look how much he aged.

To have that job is to wake up every day knowing that you owe more effort than you can even muster.

[haypops]

32. Thanks

What a great recap of history and the republican failings.

[bamacrat]

27. It has been a long time since politics has worked.

[ksclematis]

31. We need

Wes Clark as President. But guess it depends on the $$$$ candididates..who can raise and spend the most. Too damn bad for the US if Wes isn't the next POTUS.

[Kat45]

34. I believe Clark is the best choice for President.

If I were a hiring manager who had to find the next person to do the job of President of the United States, I would hire Clark as the best fit for the job.

[Dinger]

36. My Gut Tells Me He's Running

He is EXACTLY what this country needs - NOW!
:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: