Why (else) we STILL need Wes Clark for president
Submitted by Dan Juma on April 29, 2007 - 12:26am.
Democratic politics | Economics | Economy | Wesley Clark
[previously posted to my blog]
From The Nation's coverage of the Democratic debate in South Carolina:
There has been this idea going around that the Democrats have a fabulous, unstoppable array of candidates this year. We can't lose! This debate gave the lie to that comforting notion in any number of ways.
But they think it's only economics that will win the debate.
They still don't know--not after tonight--that the Democrats are their best bet to heal the economic fissure between the ever-fattening haves and the vast, anemic mass of the rest of us. Out in the hinterlands, local and state politicians are stirring souls and winning elections by reviving the old spirit of Huey Long and Share Our Wealth. But among the national Democrats, there appears to be scant recognition of the bleeding obvious: People are hurting, and not just those who've been unfortunate enough to land in Iraq or have family members there. A full one-eighth of Americans now officially live in poverty, we learned this past week, just as the Dow ding-dinged its way to 13,000. On this issue, among the folks I've been talking to, the anger and frustration are mingled with heavy doses of mystification: Doesn't anybody get what's happening to us out here?
It's not just economics. Besides, Democrats always have the edge on economics with the majority of Americans. It's also national security, and that's where Wes Clark has the edge on just about anybody, Democrat or Republican. He's not so well known for his positions on economic issues, but let's go to his website and see what he has to say about the issue. It's not easy to find what he has to say, so let me find it and bring it to you here:
I taught economics and political philosophy. I’ve worked in the civilian side of the Office of Management and Budget in the White House, I’m a businessman. I have, like, four different businesses. I consult for various different companies and I’ve been around the block a few times. So I’ve got strong ideas.
I believe we need to raise the minimum wage. We need to help small businesses in this country. We need to fix the access to the healthcare system. We’ve got to stop the unfunded mandates, that are running out for the No Child Left Behind Act. We’ve got to raise and enhance teacher pay and morale and performance. We’ve got to get preschool education for every child in America.
In America we’ve got to take a much more proactive role in helping Americans help themselves. Families need help. Families need leadership. Families need an advocate. I’m not talking about someone who hands out dollars or food stamps in a program and who says “Oh, I’m sorry, you don’t meet the criteria for the program.” I’m talking about people who know that family and will stand up and argue for that family. And if the programs don’t work to help our people, they’ll get those programs changed. So, I think we’ve got to really have a broad front program to help this country. If we don’t, we’re not going to be competitive in the larger, global environment. And ultimately, America’s strength, as General Eisenhower said is not our Armed Forces. It’s America’s economy. It’s the men and women who work and the men and women who put those companies together and lead those companies. And it’s teamwork. And it’s about teamwork.
I think our labor unions have a vital role in this. Our labor unions have to be strengthened. We need the ability to do real training,
(Applause)
And real education through the unions.
(Applause)
I think the union movement is the real secret weapon of the American economy. We just have to turn it loose.
Unions are the only real, effective, market method of bringing greater economic equality into society. Support them. Wes Clark does. He understands the economy better than any of the announced Democratic candidates, and they aren't even in the same league with him when it comes to foreign policy and national security. He has to be the next president. Write to him and ask him to run for president. He has to know people support him. Go to the Clark Community Network and make your voice heard.
and thanks for suggesting people stop by here too.
If Wes should run, it would be so nice to have his site be bustling for the netroots analysts to see. Just in case... we should all be linking back to CCN and SA as often as possible. At least as often as we link away...
As for the topic, I wrote on the GD tonight and I think this is the singular time, out of all our elections, that it's absolutely essential we have a leader with unimpeachable international appeal. Not just foreign policy knowledge, or wonkiness. Not just a pretty collection of degrees in International Relations, but cultural sensitivities, in-depth international experience-- actual real life experience, a global profile that is not only recognizable but that commands respect, even reverence in some countries... an ability to grasp not only a country - but a planet and how it all fits together.
We've never needed it more.
It's almost like the next President has to be part Ambassador to the world, part repairman, and all leader.
Know anyone? ;p
It would be nice if these people were looking for the most qualified person to get us out of Iraq in a responsible manner (which is Gen. Clark in my opinion) instead of looking at so-called Democratic "rock stars" and "media darlings" who do NOT have a fraction Gen. Clark's foreign policy, military, and national security experience:
http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=323
Campaign '08: Analysis of Key Voter Groups
Released: April 26, 2007
Top Campaign Issue - Iraq
A clear plurality of both Democratic and Republican voters say the war in Iraq will be the most important issue to them in choosing among the candidates for their party's nomination. Nearly four-in-ten Democratic voters cite the war as most important, more than double the number who mentioned the economy and job situation (16%), health care (13%), or education (12%).
Among potential Republican primary voters, 31% say Iraq is the issue they care most about in choosing between GOP candidates, followed by terrorism and security (17%), immigration (12%) and the economy (12%).
Relatively few voters in either party cite abortion policy as the key issue shaping their primary vote, though Republicans are more likely than Democrats to volunteer abortion as most important to them (7% vs. 1%). In addition, Republican voters also are more likely than Democratic voters to say they heard "a lot" about the recent Supreme Court decision upholding a ban on a specific abortion procedure known as "partial birth abortion." More than a third of Republican voters (36%) say they heard a lot about the Supreme Court decision, compared with 28% of Democratic voters...
For the Democratic primaries, it's probably important to note that the COMBINATION of Economy/Jobs, Health Care, and Education trump the war in Iraq.
What that tells me is that the successful Democratic candidate (successful meaning to get the nomination) must present an integrated, coherent, full-service agenda with credentials for dealing for the Middle East and progressive proposals to improve the domestic situation.
Then, for the general election, national security and dealing with terrorism get thrown into the mix.
There's only one person out there with the full-service agenda that can address the top several things that will affect people's votes. Clark will have to beef up his reputation on the domestic side, but he (and we) know how to do that.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
Since Susan had put a call-out about a need for us to assert ourselves, I've been thinking about this: why Clark, why now?
My mind gets clogged with reasons for a Clark presidency, but having been subjected to this recent debate, I've been able to narrow my mental debate.
When I look over the people on the SC stage, I ask myself which one of them would I trust in a crisis? And the one thing that we can be sure of is that there will be another crisis. Whether it be a natural disaster, an economic collapse, or an additional foreign policy mess beyond Iraq---there's always Pakistan, who would you trust to act with wisdom and skill to make the best decision?
For long periods of time, the world limps by with an assortment of people who fill the leadership roles, but basically, they are people, whether nice or mean, good or bad, smart or dumb, who are where they are because of money, circumstances, or birth. Actual leadership is very rare throughout history. True leaders possess that rare combination of intellect, common sense, honesty and selflessness. They move nations away from folly and onto a constructive path. Seeing the national stage without Wes Clark emphasizes the need for a leader.
I would never write about this on any other blog because of the stupidity of the comments I would be forced to read and answer. I'm glad you provided the opportunity for me....thanks Dan.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley