Wes Clark thanks "the progressive netroots community". And will speak at Netroots Nation

[Tom Rinaldo]

I think this comment that Wes Clark made, contained in the announcement that he will speak at the Kos sponsered Netroots Nation Conference this weekend, is so typical of him, and frankly charming. Wes Clark has ALWAYS honored netroots activists; on line, in the media, and in person:

“The progressive Netroots community is a critical force for positive change, working tirelessly to put America back on track after seven-plus years of failed right-wing policies,” said Clark. “Without the progressive blogosphere, I wouldn’t have run for President in 2004, and I couldn’t continue to speak out and fight for the issues we believe in.

“Netroots Nation will give our community a great opportunity to re-connect in person, exchange ideas, and mobilize for the important political battles we face in the weeks and months ahead. It will also give me, personally, a chance to thank you for all of your help and support, especially recently. I look forward to seeing everyone in Austin and being a part of this historic gathering.”


This line in particular gets to me:

"It will also give me, personally, a chance to thank you for all of your help and support, especially recently."

We know what he's talking about, and he knows that we stood by him, and he is grateful of that. The man in genuinely gracious.



From the event announcement:

"July 11, 2008--Netroots Nation organizers announced today that Gen. Wesley Clark confirmed his participation in the third annual event, to be held this weekend at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. The retired four-star general will speak to conference attendees for the third consectutive year as part of Thursday night’s program...

...The Thursday evening plenary begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the media."

[SharonRB]

1. I look forward to seeing him again n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. I was there last year

But unfortunately I can't make it this year. I envy you, it's a great event. Send us a report!

[grantcart]

3. good to know

[Adelante]

4. Anytime, Sir

:patriot:

"It will also give me, personally, a chance to thank you for all of your help and support, especially recently."

[roguevalley]

18. We love you back, Wes. Thank you for being a man and a patriot.

[snowbear]

5. Awesome! ..I hope KOS will put up links of his talk!

~~~

Rock on General ~~

[hlthe2b]

6. I have so much respect for him and would love to see him as VP

He should be high on the list no matter the RW smear tactics.

[tishaLA]

7. he constantly shows that my respect for him

is well-deserved.

[Tom Rinaldo]

14. Three years in a row,

Wes Clark made a point of attending the largest netroots gathering in the nation for 3 straight years now. Clark's not running for anything, he simply thinks Netroots Nation is important and wants to support it. And, like Clark said, he wants to thank us in person. That's a clear sign that the respect is mutual.

[shireen]

8. love that general!

:loveya:

[Forkboy]

9. Cool to see.

He's said some things that need to be said and took the hits for them. We might want to thank him.

[Sensitivity]

11. Thanks Wes. What a beautiful and courageous man!

[ErinBerin84]

10. I love Wes Clark.

I was disappointed that even Jon Stewart had to take the MSM bait and ridicule Clark for his statement last night, all the while using the same deceptively edited (and question omitted) Clark Clip. Oh well.

[faithfulcitizen]

12. The "Real Deal" is so overused, yet so appropriate to describe this man.

Again, I want to thank General Clark for speaking truth to power, especially recently. :thumbsup:

[Kat45]

13. You're right, he is genuinely gracious.

Back when he was running in 2004, he was appearing on Hardball, which was being taped in a Harvard building. A couple of women and I were holding up Clark signs on a street corner nearby, and when he walked by us on his way to the event, he thanked us. Another time, he appeared at a bar where we were all waiting for him after an event and on his way in, he made a point of greeting and shaking hands with all the folks working at the bar; it wasn't just 'for show'; the only reason I saw it was because I was sitting at the back end of the bar; most people were toward the front of the bar and wouldn't have even seen him do this.

[jillan]

15. I hope he gets a standing ovation.

He deserves it, especially for getting thrown under the bus for his truthful remarks.

[Tom Rinaldo]

20. Clark got one last year when he spoke there.

People made him wait to start his speech, and that was at 8:00 AM when a lot of folks like me are still sleep walking. I bet he'll get one this time too. I wish I could be there for that.

[Adelante]

22. I wish I'd been there for the one he gave the year before

standing on a bar stool :evilgrin:

[Tinksrival]

16. Genuinely gracious and he makes me laugh!

I wish I could go too!



Texas is far! :cry: I miss seeing the General. I wish he was President! :cry::cry::cry::cry:



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[woolldog]

17. I like the way he took on McCain's supposed "commander in chief"

credentials.

Wish he had been a little more adept about it though. Of course, it didn't help that the media intentionally misrepresented what he was saying.

[AtomicKitten]

19. I still think he's a contender for VP.

[DevonRex]

21. I'd like to thank you, Tom, for being a force for positive action on

this. You really did a good job in letting us know how to show our support for Wes.

And I'd still like Wes for VP.

[Tom Rinaldo]

23. Thanks Jennifer. I really wanted DUers to see this to know how much Clark appreciates the netroots

and ell of the support we have given him over the years but recently especially. Folks here really rallied for Wes this time, so I wanted DUers not to miss this direct expression of gratitude from General Clark.