To all the Clarkies out there, here's my little prediction....

[Bread and Circus]

First, let me just state I was one of the first draft clarkers back here on DU (I used to go by the name of familydoctor but people kind of have an ambiguous feeling about docs on this board so I changed my name back when they let us do it one time). We, as Clark supporters, had to fight an uphill battle to get Clark the sort of support he deserved on these boards but he certainly earned it and is still fairly popular around here. I was glad to help in those discussions.

I can't say I'm happy about the Clinton endorsement but I've been reading Clark's blog and I think this is the deal. One, Clark will not be getting the VP nod. I hope I am wrong about that. However, he is going to be in President Clinton's cabinet and my prediction is Secretary of Defense or possibly Sec of State. I'm betting on Sec. Def. unless there's some legalistic reason he can't do that. It's gonna be one or the other though.

Anyway, check out Clark's Blog, it's really interesting.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Can't be SecDef--needs 10 years after getting out of the military, I think.

SecState--a possibility. I dont' see VP--he's not politically seasoned enough for the Machine, and also the Queen won't be overshadowed--Clark is a fairly forceful/opinionated personality.

[KittyWampus]

2. Actually, yes he can. Congress would have to okay it. And considering all the GOP flunkies

that Congress has allowed Bush to install, they couldn't turn Clark down.

[Lucinda]

16. Thats good to hear. n/t

[elfin]

3. Am disppointed he endorsed....

but Edwards would probably not choose him due to their dust up in the earlier campaign.

He apparently is not on Obama's radar now, and is making a calculated play for VP.

I think he jumped too soon -- she will cajole him to the limit and then choose someone else like Richardson who she may feel is easier to control.

I am disappointed in him and do not trust Clinton --- still going with Edwards here.

If he is indeed on the ticket, would vote for her a bit more easily, but fear she sould box him out with favorites in Defense (who?) and State (Holbrooke) --- making his position superfluous.

[emilyg]

6. Richardson? - nah

[Clark2008]

17. You trust Edwards?

Why?

[Hekate]

4. I'd love to see Clark in the Cabinet.He's reality-based, intelligent, experienced, successful...

Wesley Clark would be a tremendous asset to any administration, and I hope he's
short-listed by all the Democratic candidates regardless of his endorsement.

Hekate

[BootinUp]

5. Hi doc! Good to see ya around.

You are good at reading the tea leaves, as I recall you made some predictions before that turned out right. But I just looked over there and didn't see any clues on the VP thing. Can you clue me in on where you are reading that from...

[Sparkly]

9. I'm not seeing those tea leaves, either.

I just don't see any way to know what might happen re: VP pick if she wins the nomination -- nor would I know for anybody else who's running.

(On edit: Having said that, I can see MANY reasons why any of the candidates would be smart to offer the slot to The General, but that's just my opinion!)

[BootinUp]

10. I think the best signal will be

how much they use Clark as a voice for her campaign. I am still shocked that Kerry did not choose him.

[Sparkly]

11. I thought that was a huge mistake, as well.

They continued to use his voice for Kerry's campaign though, so I'm not sure that's always an indication, either.

I think his endorsement takes him off anybody else's list of VP possibilities, although others disagree with me about that.

Another debate is whether he'd really be more effective as SOS than VP. Just campaign-wise, I'd rather see him as VP especially if Clinton gets the nomination, because I think she'd need him...

[Bread and Circus]

13. It's instinct... and to be honest Clark aint that much of a politician

He's a helluva guy and a good soldier but he's just a bit awkward when he dresses up in the politicians robes. Frankly, I think he has Gore syndrome - he's too damn good of a person to be a good candidate. Clinton is shrewd and will pick a VP choice for political reasons and I'm just not feeling Clark - he's too risky. However, I believe that Clark and the Clinton family have a deep connection. I would be damn amazed if he doesn't get a very high level cabinet position.

I'd believe an Obama VP pick before I'd believe a Clark one.

As much as I hate to say, Sen. Clinton will win the nomination. The Clintons are just too powerful of a family and there is a lot of nostalgia for the Clinton years.

Like I said, this is all gut instinct but it's the same instinct that predicted Dean's collapse back when he was on top. The funny thing is in the long run, I've come to really adore Dean. He was another guy who was probably just too damn earnest and good to make it all the way.

[BootinUp]

15. Clark hasn't touched a domestic issue

in a long time, I think thats his biggest weakness, just that he is not in the game there. He could have been if he wanted to. His style is different, but that is part of what makes him an attractive candidate to some I think.

If I was guessing on a Clinton VP candidate, I think if not Clark, it would be someone like Evan Bayh, or Richardson. I think Obama would be a long shot since he doesn't add much in the moderate voter segment (my opinion).

[Colobo]

7. Let's see what Obama decides once he wins the nomination.

[BootinUp]

8. ok,

;)

[Bread and Circus]

14. If Gore doesn't run, then Obama's who I want. I just don't sense it

happening for him.

[bonito]

12. I would have supported Clark

But now I'm looking at Paul closely

[Adelante]

18. I do remember you as familydoctor

I was Jerseycoa and changed it the same time you did :hi:

I don't get too into these speculations. If Clinton wins or somebody else wins, they'll pick the people they feel will work best for them. If one of them is Wes and he wants whatever it is, fine by me. But I truly don't think he's going into this with that in mind. He's about helping the country as best he can.