Until Kerry picks Clarke as his running mate,

[balanced]

his strong suit would be Bush's weak point. Kerry would be better able to get cooperation among nations, including the U.N., in the war on terrorism. The Amercan people must realize that, in the long run, it is absolutely necessary to get cooperation among nations to fight a successful war.

[Josh]

1. Clark or Clarke?

I think Wes Clark would be an excellent choice for VP, but Richard Clarke would be a disaster. His strongest suit is that he is attempting to be non-political by saying he won't work for Kerry. Integrity for both men (Clarke and Kerry) would die instantly. The public wouldn't stomach it.

[ezee]

2. YOUR RIGHT

[balanced]

3. Wesley Clark

Sorry, Josh. Until Kerry picks Wesley Clark for his running mate, he should make sure the people know that he would do better in gaining cooperation from the international community, including the U.N., in the terrorism war.

[LandOLincoln]

4. Besides, Dick Clarke-with-an-e swore under oath

that he wanted nothing to do with the Kerry campaign and would not accept a position in any Kerry administration.

[Hippo_Tron]

13. Damn shame too, he'd be good in helping Kerry on counterterrorism...

But I'm glad that he promised not to work for Kerry to make his argument credible.

[Iceburg]

5. Two Ex-military types might not play well to the rest of the world.

I think Kerry needs to be paired with a leader whose resume and management tool kit can promote the conciliatory face of America. Don't get me wrong I like Clark, but two former military officers leading the country ... make me queasy.

[balanced]

6. Queasy is a good word, and

any military officers running the country make me queasy. I don't know whether you were in the military. I was a draftee just prior to our involvement in Vietnam.

But Kerry is the nominee. However, Kerry has some baggage as far as the average person is concerned. He was a war protestor. You know, that unpatriotic band of brothers. Clark might bring the "gunslinger" mentality to the ticket without, of course, actually being a gunslinger like Bush. The American people want assurance that their president will do virtually anything to protect this country.

The major issues for this campaign may be jobs and the war against terrorism. But the war against terrorism will trump almost anything else in the end.

[Jai4WKC08]

10. The rest of the world won't mind...

First off, Kerry may be a former officer, but he's not a military man. He just wasn't in that long, and rather strongly identified himself with the anti-war movement.

And this may come as a shock to you, but until very recently, it wasn't at all unusual for both president and vice president to be former military: Reagan/Bush I for example. Carter was career navy (Lt Commander) until he had to get out to help with the family farm. Didn't stop him from getting the Nobel peace prize, did it? Heck, even so-called "peacenik" George McGovern was a former officer, and a decorated war hero, like Kerry and Clark. I only wish he'd let more people know that.

I seriously doubt anyone overseas thinks of Kerry as a military officer anyway. Heck, I doubt many people here in this country were aware of it before he played the veterans card during the primaries. And since most Americans slept thru the primaries, they probably don't even know it yet either.

Secondly, Europe has NO problem with Wes Clark. He is very popular over there. Well, except for the Serbs, of course. As for the non-European world, do you really think they would be concerned by a retired general as VP?

I don't think many people around the world have the same hang-ups the American left does with the military. It's kind of unique to our country. Probably a hang-over from the Vietnam era, since before that former military officers were often elected to office, and from both parties.

I think being reassociated with the military and simple patriotism, as old-fashioned as that may sound, could be one of the very best things that could happen to the Democratic party, in the long run.

[deminflorida]

7. We will lose the election to Bush without Clark on the ticket....

plain and simple.....

[balanced]

8. If the war on terrorism is the primary issue,

we will lose without Clark. And the war is not going away any time soon.

[Dinger]

9. DemInFlorida: Here Here!

Without Wesley Clark, fageddabadit!
NO way Kerry wins without Wes, no way.

[atre]

15. Are you serious?

1) VP selections rarely make much difference. Few people pay attention to them, to begin with.

2) Clark is not even our best VP candidate. Clark tried to run on military credentials in the primary season, and did not fare too well in that regard. A couple other VP candidates are polling better among the voting public.

3) This "cult of personality" really needs to go away. People need to start putting the party ahead of their personal heroes.

[floridaguy]

11. Clark is the Man!

A lot of the people who are disgusted with Bush, still won't go for Kerry. Clark could make the difference.

Also, since Florida appears to be a pivotal state, it's great to know that the Clark campaign was highy organized and energized. If Clark is named the VP, IMHO that will bring some new life to the campaign.

I certainly don't have a problem with Edwards, but I don't see him getting the older vote Clark would get in Florida.

[Auntie Bush]

12. That's a good point...Clark will appeal

to the older folks in Florida...and there sure is a lot of them.
I KNOW! :)

[Lugnut]

14. I agree

I think Wes Clark would be a better choice than John Edwards.

[juajen]

16. FWIW, I would love to see Wes as VP, but

I want Wes to do what is good for Wes. He might just relish being Secretary of State instead of VP. He would be tremendous there and that could be the reason we are not hearing the pundits go off on him as VP. I think it's unquestionable that he will be in a Kerry administration. Kerry is not dumb, and you do not waste a Four Star General. It's a shame about the rule for the Secretary of Defense, because, of course, this is his best fit; but, Sec. of State will be great too. I just get the feeling that Wes is not too fond of the VP role.

I think we all would feel a lot more comfortable knowing Wes as VP would be there to pick up the pieces if anything happened to Kerry. I certainly would not feel good with many other candidates in that position. I guess we just wait and see. These are perilous times and the VP choice is vital to our country's interest now more than ever.