WesDem does not endorse Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination

[Adelante]

Congratulations and best wishes to Hillary and her supporters for the Clark endorsement. I love and respect Wes Clark more than any other public figure alive or dead. I would have turned my life over to his campaign if he ran for president in 2008, just as I did in 2004. I will continue to be a Clarkie and defend him against all comers any day of the week, but I have to step back for the course of the primaries in my support of his political commitments. I still don't know who I will support, if anyone, in the primaries, I may remain neutral, but I know it won't be for any candidate who voted YES on the IWR. That's just how it is.

I respect the Clinton supporters on DU and admire Senator Clinton in many ways. I'm sorry I can't join you and Wes Clark in this, but I can't do it.

For what it's all worth and any of you wondering in GDP what the Clarkies will do, this is one Clarkie's story.

[TwilightZone]

1. It's not really much of a surprise.

There has always been a pretty solid relationship between Wes and the Clintons, so this particularly Clarkie isn't surprised at the outcome. In reality, for Wes it was either run for president or endorse Hillary. The latter only confirms that the former won't happen.

[tammywammy]

2. Exactly n/t

[BeyondGeography]

3. My sentiments exactly

Don't mess with the General...Obama all the way.

[Pithy Cherub]

4. An AUMF voter can forget getting my vote.

My profound respect goes to Wes, always. The reason he resonates so clearly with me was his objection to the Iraq Debacle and how he stood up while people like Hillary, Edwards, Dodd, Richardson, and Biden laid down. So if Wes feels HRC is his candidate, it does not invalidate mey support for him, but it does nothing to assist with GOTV for Hillary. An egregious Aye on IWR sealed the deal, that my support is not negotiable or persuadable on that point. Kerry was the last endorsement that Clark got a free pass from me to say OK, I will vote for him. Never again. I voted Green for the California senate race in 2004 rather than vote DiFi for exactly that reason.

I am quite happy with my primary choice. Wes Clark, as much as I like, love and respect him, has zero influence on my growing regard for the next president of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

My Clarkie story and I only speak for me. Onward.

[Tom Joad]

5. more than any other public figure alive or dead? more than jesus and gandhi or King or

john lennon or moses or FDR or Charlie Chaplin or Ike or Fredrick Douglass or Helen Keller or Susan B. Anthony?

More than anyone?

that's devotion.

[Adelante]

6. Indeed it is nt

[renie408]

11. So, this guy you respect and love more than Jesus just said he supports

Hillary Clinton and you aren't going to believe him that she is worthy of support?

That is interesting, to say the least.

[Adelante]

13. He doesn't think for me and never has

That's ridiculous, to say the least.

[Totally Committed]

7. Awwwwwwwwwwww .......

:hug:

I can't vote for HRC either.

TC

[Jane Austin]

8. I can't support her in the primaries, either.

I adore Wes Clark and hold him up as the standard for how smart, honest, wise, accomplished and more a Presidential candidate should be.

To me, Obama is the most like Clark in terms of thoughtfulness, brains, authenticity, non-inside the beltway-ness. I am terribly disappointed that he is endorsing HRC - but it makes sense for both of them.

If Clark is her VP choice, it will make it much easier (for me) to vote for Clinton in the General.

[Colobo]

9. President Obama 08!

[WildEyedLiberal]

10. I'm sorry to read that Clark endorsed Hillary

I still have a ton of respect for Clark, that certainly hasn't changed, but I can't begin to imagine why he made this endorsement. Not that there was a great field to choose from this time, however. Our choices in 2004 were SO much better - I would take three or four 2004 candidates over every single one of the 2008 ones so far.

[Clark2008]

24. Imagine this: Clark as VP.

It dawned on me just last weekend - and my husband can verify this - that Hillary would be embarrassed to lose Arkansas, but the only way she could win it is to put Clark on the ticket.

Just a thought, mind you. I have no campaign insight.

[WildEyedLiberal]

47. That is pretty much the only thing that could mitigate a Hillary presidency IMO

If that's the strategy, I can understand it.... if not, well I love Wes but I don't know what he's thinking here.

[karynnj]

12. I commend you on this beautifully written post and the thoughtful sentiments behind it

It has to be a difficult time for Wes Clark supporters, as it ends any speculation that he will jump in. I would guess that part of his decision process is wanting to have influence on important issues going forward. If she includes him on her team, if she wins, he will likely be an independent voice following his own conscience. That would be for the good of the country - and more reassuring than many of the old Clinton people.

I suspect that at some point - even if only in the general election, supporters of Gore and Kerry will likely face the same situation. They are loyal Democrats and they will make the case that they both are already making - on the key issues - all the Democrats are better than all the Republicans. I hate that this year the process is being pushed up so fast that there will not be a role for voters to play.

[jcrew2001]

14. I think most Clarkies will agree with you on this

this won't help Hillary's chances in the Dem primary among Clarkies. Most have migrated to Obama already.

[LittleClarkie]

15. Sorry Wes. I can only imagine how this feels for you.

I know I was kind of a mess when Kerry announced he wouldn't run.

[Cameron27]

16. Nicely said WD,

I may stay an interested neutral Democrat on DU until the primary is nearly over. Sometimes I think it's better that way. I don't know, my head is still spinning over this endorsement, but you're right, the IWR is almost impossible to ignore.

[Eurobabe]

17. I kinda just don't get it either....

As vociferous as he has been against the 'Debacle in the Desert?'

But I guess on the other hand it doesn't surprise me either. He's a smart man who sees the handwriting on the wall. I have mixed feelings that he has come out this early and endorsed a candidate.

I knew he wouldn't run, but :shrug:

[Tom Rinaldo]

18. "Jersey" (an old nick name) you know I share your sorrow today

I've been making posts all afternoon on other threads here and at Kos and at Clark Community Network, maybe you've stumbled across one or two by now, but I don't want to repeat all that I have already written. My bottom line is that, unlike Wes Clark, there is no downside for me in sitting out the primaries for now at least. I am not happy with Hillary Clinton becoming our nominee. I did not enter into the realm of blogging on national politics in order to pour sweat and blood into an only slightly center left corporate friendly Democrat's political career. Maybe by some miracle Chris Dodd could still become politically viable, which would mean I then would have to decide if he was worth supporting. Maybe Barack Obama can still find some way of reassuring both me and enough of the public that he has enough experience and associated good judgement to become our next Commander in Chief. I see no miracle that can make Dennis Kucinich our 2008 nominee but maybe I will decide to support him to give support to his message.

But I honestly think Wes Clark is almost certainly correct that Hillary Clinton will be our nominee, and with Chuck Hagel out of the running (Ron Paul doesn't have a chance and comes with other issues for me) there is not a single Republican seeking to be President who doesn't absolutely terrify me at the thought of them some day sitting in the oval office. So I know come election day 2008 that I will be in a whole lot better mood if Hillary Clinton wins that election than whoever the G.O.P. runs.

Unlike Wes Clark, my lack of active support for Hillary Clinton during the primaries won't exactly be noticable to her. I can sit back and wait for a miracle or do something else with my time, but Wes Clark is an active player with important opinions that need to be heard by those who matter. Clark signing on with Clinton now has an upside for him - early open access to the woman who Democrats almost certainly will run for President, that it doesn't have for me.

Plus I see this in a way like I saw Clark quickly throwing his support behind John Kerry in 2004 when Clark came to believe that Kerry would certainly be our nominee. Clark wasn't sucking up to Kerry when he did so, he simply wanted to strengthen the Democrats almost certain candidate for President. Edwards became VP but Clark kept working for Kerry as an important surragate because it mattered to him whether Democrats regained the White House. God bless Wes Clark for all that he does for us, but he is in a position very different than my own. I know that Clark thinks that Holbrooke and Albright and Hillary's hubby make a sane core of a good foreign policy team, and he now adds his weight to them. May they collectively somehow get us out of this war and prevent the next one from starting.

For me this is a very sad day, because I think it closes the book on America's best opportunity in my lifetime to have a true independently minded progressive installed as our President. I never come down that hard on Hillary Clinton, but many here may remember that I supported her Democratic opponent, Jonathan Tasini, in the 2006 NY Primary for her Senate seat here. Obviously I think our party can do much better than Hillary Clinton, but I don't think it is in the cards for us to do so this year with Gore, Clark, Kerry and Feingold out of the race. Questions of policy apart, I just don't see Obama or Edwards, with their thin resumes, winning the confidence of enough people to defeat Clinton for the nomination.

I don't know what role I will play on DU's boards now and elsewhere in the bloggosphere. I believed very deeply in a Wes Clark presidency and now that it is not going to happen I feel no need to throw myself into candidate support just to be part of that process. Given that in my heart of hearts I truly expect Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic nomination regardless of what I do or do not say here or anywhere else about her, I do draw some comfort from believing that Wes Clark may be in a position now to influence her policies should she become our next Persident.

[Totally Committed]

19. I'm glad to see you take this position.

I was wondering. :hug:

TC

[Tom Rinaldo]

25. Thanks TC. 'Course you know I never can avoid those nuances

It saddened me so when it became increasingly clear that Clark, Gore, and Feingold would almost certainly not be on the ballot this year. Hilary Clinton is far far from being Satan, given the current political spectrum of choices Americans are given, but she in no way represents the fundemental progressive advance that I believe that our nation is ready for, even if people don't quite know it themselves yet. By throwing her formidable political machine behind her personal quest for the presidency, Hillary Clinton narrowed our field of choices considerably. I expect that Russ Feingold and John Kerry would have run along with Wes Clark had Hillary stayed in the Senate. Sadly it was not to be, and with her in the race I always thought it would take someone with the combination of inspirational appeal and seasoned "heft" of an Al Gore or Wes Clark to defeat her. I wish more Edwards and Obama supporters had seen it that way too and gotten behind Clark, or Gore had he shown an interest in running, but that is water over the damn now.

Hillary Clinton doesn't need me to shill for her. Her husband's Administration looked good on domestic issues only in comparison to the Republican ones that bracketed it, the current one especially. I don't expect much more if that from her. I think Hillary does have a real grasp on what diplomacy involves, and she has a good team around her in that regard. She may not embrace the foreign policies I want, but at least she is not allergic to international cooperation and diplomatic alternatives to war. I would say I thank god for little comforts, but with the way the world is lurching toward chaos, it would be far more than "a little comfort" to have a foreign policy closer to Bill's than George's back in vogue in Washington.

I understand why Wes Clark did what he did. I see the sense in it from his perspective. I do not need to go there for now though so I won't. As much as it pains me to admit, I am probably going to have to suck it up and give active support to Hillary in the 2008 General Election. After 8 years of "W", I think we can not allow Republicans to hold onto the White House one day longer than is absolutely unavoidable.

[JNelson6563]

26. My condolences to you Tom.

I'm sure, with this development ruling out any chance of the General making a run for the WH in 08, this is a disappointing day for you. As you know I too am holding out for someone not yet in the running (Gore) and I dread the day I hear the same of him--though still harboring a flicker of hope that it goes otherwise.

Anyway, I'm sure this smarts, I can relate, and you and all those who share your disappointment have my sincere condolences. Even with the possibility of a VP slot for your guy, I know it still ain't the same. Still, it could be a salve that would hasten the healing of the wound...

All that aside, my sympathies to you regarding the finality in today's news. My encouragement to you for what it could grow into.


Julie

[karynnj]

32. I hope that I will continue seeing some of your incredible posts here or on Dkos

I had hoped that Clark would jump in as I agree 100% with you on the current roster of candidates with any likelihood of winning. Clark was an excellent surrogate last time and I am sure he will be again. I understand the feeling of not wanting to be actively involved because I am in the same place.

I think if Hillary is the nominee and wins, there will be a need to hold to the same principles that we each find important now and not accept in a Democrat what we would not accept in a Republican. Possibly by pushing a Democratic Congress and a Democratic President, we can try to achieve what needs to be done.

[Sparkly]

39. I'm with you, Tom

"For me this is a very sad day, because I think it closes the book on America's best opportunity in my lifetime to have a true independently minded progressive installed as our President."

Yup... I couldn't agree more. :cry: :hug:

[windbreeze]

43. Agreed, and I couldn't have said any better...n/t

[jillan]

20. Having Wes Clark endorse Hillary

puts her right behind Biden to me.

Other endorsements that will sway me:
Kerry
Gore

[AtomicKitten]

21. K&R

Hey WesDem, I'm sorry you got the news today that Wes Clark is not going to run for president. I am disappointed and can only imagine how you feel. I respect Clark and that isn't diminished by the endorsement; I would be conversely delighted if he had endorsed Obama.

I do hope this clears the way for Clark to be considered for the VP slot or a cabinet position. He deserves it and would be an honorable, faithful public servant. And that is the window that opened when he closed the door to his own candidacy.

[Clark2008]

22. As a Clark supporter, I will join you, WesDem, in not voting

for Hillary in the primaries.

However, if he's her VP nominee, I am going to get a bumper stick that has only: "Clark for VP" on it and leave the "Hillary" part off. :)

[blm]

27. And I will join you on that.

.

[renate]

51. what a fantastic idea

It would be a thrill to put that bumper sticker on my car.

And I suspect that, if a Clinton/Clark ticket really does come to pass, there will be a whole lot more people voting specifically for the VP in 2008 than in any previous election.

[high density]

23. I won't be joining Clark on this either

I loved him in 2004 and appreciate his voice, but his endorsement is quite divergent from my own personal feelings in this primary.

[imlost]

28. I'm feeling the same way. n/t

[Gloria]

29. Clark had fallen off his pedestal for me a long time ago...that started

last year during the war in Lebanon and I posted my concerns at WesPac several times. I was forseeing this sort of thing, so I'm not shocked. Very disappointing, nonetheless. Let's see if he's named VP, which he has always said he wasn't interested in being.

[BenDavid]

30. I respect you for choosing a candidate

that you first can respect and second support.....What I hope you will do is look over the field of candidates again and give Hillary Clinton a good look over. Do not view her from all the vile crap that has been written in here....If you decide to support another democratic candidate I respect that. Being involved and feeling you are making a difference is a darn good thing to do....Others in here should show more respect for someone supporting someone other then their candidate...

Stay involved and I appreciate your views concerning General Clark....I would say he would make a great vice presidential candidate for Hillary......or he would sure as hell make a great Sect. of Defense...

Ben David

[Adelante]

33. Thank you for your kind thoughts, Ben David

I actually know Hillary Clinton, am not influenced in the least by anti-Clinton sentiment, and I respect her. I will support her willingly in the GE if she is the nominee. She is not eligible for my primary vote nor is any candidate who voted for the IWR. It's not personal to Hillary. Again, I appreciate your thoughtful post.

[BenDavid]

48. WesDem and I thank you for your most kind words....

[Nutmegger]

31. I can't believe the man who came up to support Lamont would then endorse HRC.

But, given the history between him and the Clintons, I'm not too surprised.

I wish he would run though. We need him in the race.

[BootinUp]

34. You gotta do what you gotta do

The IWR vote thing is certainly an issue that people have to come to terms with one way or the other. I'm glad you still support and defend Clark. I wouldn't call my self a Hillary supporter but I have no real qualms with her as the Presidential nominee based on the current realistic choices. I basically agree with Clark on this.

[Adelante]

35. I love you, Jim4

:hug:

[Crunchy Frog]

36. I'm with you on this, WesDem.

I have an enormous amount of love and respect for Wes and this endorsement doesn't change that, but I can't follow him in his primary choice. I will support Hillary if she gets the nomination.

Of the "big three", I'm most favorably disposed towards Obama, but I'm leaning pretty strongly in the direction of Kucinich for my primary vote.

[Sparkly]

37. I feel much the same way, WesDem.

The General's endorsement doesn't inspire me to support Clinton in the primaries. However, I'm not especially anti-Clinton, and I'm more forgiving of the IWR votes. I'm basically undecided and may stay out of involvement in the primaries.

In the general election though, my least favorite Democrat looks good compared to any of the Republicans. So that will be worth the fight to me.

If I knew General Clark would be Clinton's running mate, it would be enough reason for me to support her in the primaries -- I just think that much of The General. But in terms of policy positions, if things are locked up in Maryland by the time we vote, I'll probably vote for Kucinich.

Anyway, I just find it tremendously sad to think back on what we lost in both 2000 and 2004 ... Gore and Kerry and especially General Clark. I really wanted him to run again. He's a rare, one-in-a-generation individual. :cry: :cry: :cry:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

38. DemocratSinceBirth Will Proudly Support The Democratic Nominee For President Whomever He Or She

Might Be As He Has Done For The Past Seven Presidential Election Cycles....


This statement has been approved by DemocratSinceBirth...

[Adelante]

40. I'm with you there, DemSinceBirth

No worries.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

41. What Did You Expect?

Wes Clark has always been good friends with the Clintons... I'm just happy that our side has a General...

I also think he would be an awesome vice president because HRC is going to need a bridge to the military...

[Adelante]

42. He gets to endorse as he thinks best

I get to agree or disagree. That's the deal. Clark has been good friends with the Clintons for the past several years since he's been out of the army, although he'd known them before that clearly, especially over Kosovo. He is an Arkansan. He's been involved in the Clinton Global Initiative on global warming, is a strong supporter of the Clinton Library, and shares various civic group responsibilities with Bill Clinton in Arkansas. But I don't believe he would endorse for those reasons, especially, nor do I think he would endorse in order to be VP. He's decided Hillary is the best of the field to run the nation. He's decided it's best for him to join her in whatever way he can be of use to the nation. He's decided she is going to win. Trust me, I get it.

[windbreeze]

44. I get it too....

problem is...I don't agree...oh well...wb

[Boo Boo]

45. I'm right there with ya, WesDem. /nt

[AZBlue]

46. Clark was my choice in the 04 primaries and his support for HRC does hold weight for me.

I'm still holding out to see her healthcare plan - as I've said before, I want a candidate that will support healthcare for everyone, not just children. So, I'm still undecided. But, as much as I respect Wes Clark, his endorsement of Hillary is something I'm taking notice of. There are many endorsements of candidates flying around these days - but IMO, this one really counts.

[FrenchieCat]

49. You speak for me WesDem.......

I'm not in love with the idea, but I can live with it.


What will those who wanted to stereotype Clarkies of simply "following their leader" do now? :shrug:

[tom_paine]

50. Self-delete