Wes Clark Coming UP On CNN 1:45

[KittyWampus]

[KittyWampus]

1. On Now

Starts w/Swift Boat crap.

[KittyWampus]

2. On Now

Starts w/Swift Boat crap.

[buycitgo]

3. then said Kerry called ALL vets war criminals

wes corrects him

leslie CUTS him off in mid answer

says Kerry WRAPPED himself in Vietnam experience

he's SO insulting

[Nashyra]

6. He toned down his rhetoric from this morning

His speech that they showed quips of this morning was the best against * that i have ever heard.

[Sparkly]

4. That was incredibly brief

What happened? Didn't that seem short?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Lily-Livered Leslie probably doesn't want Wes to talk too long

since once he gets wound up he's likely to take a chunk out of Leslie's hero's sorry butt.

[Pirate Smile]

5. What was that - 2 minutes? Unbelievable.

[KittyWampus]

8. Did You Notice The Background Noise Throughout Whole Interview?

it wasn't there seconds ago with Reed or Dean.

[spooky3]

9. sorry I missed this--sounds as if they are afraid to give Clark a chance

to speak his mind.

Go Clark and Go Dean (on another thread--he nailed Wolf)!

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. Clark positioned himself for defending Kerry against next attacks

We all knew (at least most of us did) that the Republicans would go after Kerry's war protesting as a wedge issue with Vets. It is their one two Viet Nam punch, cloud over Kerry's war record, then focus on how he "became disloyal" to the brave men and women still fighting in Viet Nam after he returned.

Our swift boat smear counter offensive is well underway now, most of the lies and distortions are already out there, so many Democratic spokesmen and women are positioned to refute that smear, along with some in the media. Attacks on Kerry's Viet Vets Against the War days are harder to counter with those who served and had hard feelings about protesters and the treatment they received upon returning from that war.

Clark in my opinion intentionally stressed how he disagreed with Kerry back at that time but strongly respected Kerry's moral courage in standing up for what he believed in. Clark also confirmed that there were real abuses and problems with the military in Viet Nam, which has the most credibility coming from someone like Clark who remained in the military during and after that war. Clark is the man Kerry can turn to now to speak to Vet groups if attacks on Kerry's patriotism derived from Keary's protest days become wide spread. I think that is why Clark did not present a more fiery image during this interview, he knows where the next rounds against Kerry are targeted and is planning how he can best defend Kerry in that battle.

[Leilani]

11. It seemed like something got screwed up

He no sooner started the interview, than it was all over.

Dean gave Wolf a pretty good pounding...

Maybe Wolf was afraid Clark was going to pound him too.

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. It was very short

I think Clark has learned a lot about the media since his early days running for President. He used to instinctively chafe against limits the media imposed on his attempts to make points, they would set him up with a large question to answer and then cut him off which left Clark sounding less than fully coherent at times, and frustrated trying to talk over the interviewer when they cut him off.

Now I see Clark more like an experienced batter in baseball, taking what the pitcher gives him rather than trying to pull every pitch into the left field bleachers. Sometimes he lays down a bunt, sometimes he takes a walk, or singles to right. When Clark gets the right pitch he still knocks it out of there, but he is more in control and less likely to be made to look foolish not connecting with the pitch.

[Leilani]

13. He is much smoother

& more effective.

Did not take him very long, did it?

He is a remarkably quick study.

[FrenchieCat]

14. IT is true...

Wes can say a lot in a matter of minutes. Can say more in 4 minutes than Bush can say in 3 years.

I will also add that most likely, Wolf was afraid that the discussion would lead to Wes repeating the statements that he made yesterday in Tacoma about Bush. If Clark had a chance to repeated them, they would have again made news. But just not the kind of news CNN wants out there about George Bush right before the start of the Republican Convention. Afterall, CNN doesn't want to have to broacast all day long that General Clark said that Bush is an indecisive incompetent who needs to be replaced. That's not a message that CNN wants broacasted. Too bad, cause it's just the plain unadulterated truth.

I did love that Howard Dean called Wolf on the fact that CNN is not focusing on the stories bad for the administration the way they have been about the SBVFT routine. Got a kick out of Wolf's reaction....."we are out of time...and we do try to cover all of the news".

SURE you do, wolf...whatever you say.

[Catch22Dem]

15. That is one DAMN good analysis

"taking what the pitcher gives him rather than trying to pull every pitch into the left field bleachers."

Permission to steal that sometime?

[Tom Rinaldo]

16. Thank you. Of course you may. n/t

[Tatiana]

17. I miss my Clarkie buds :(

And Wes, of course.

I hope Kerry picks him for Sec. of State.

[madfloridian]

18. I think Wolf was on the cautious side by 1:45.

Dean called him a Republican and criticized coverage, and he probably was extra careful when Clark came on. The way Clark spoke out yesterday made him be careful. I did not get to see it, but I will bet he was angry.