REPORT: Gen. Clark speaking in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, April 28
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 29, 2007 - 7:48am.
Wesley Clark
Hello Everyone:
I attended the event described in the e mail below where Gen. Clark spoke in Dallas, Texas last night.
This was mainly a Democratic dinner where Jess Hay was being honored and Gen. Clark was one of several speakers before Paul Begala who was the main speaker for this event.
Gen. Clark's speech lasted for about 10 minutes or so and he focused mainly on Jess Hay and the importance of public service. He did not say anything at all about whether he plans to run for President again in 2008.
I spoke to Gen. Clark and to his aide for a few moments and told him that there are a lot of people who are very willing to support him if he decides to run again!
Gen. Clark's reply to my comment was "we are going to make it."
I honestly cannot say with any certainty what he meant by that comment and I think that each person will have to try and interpret it for themself.
My own interptetation of that comment is that Gen. Clark is aware of the issues, he is aware of the support that he will get if he runs, he has not come to a decision yet as to whether he will run or not, and he feels that things will work out one way or another.
Gen. Clark does read our blogs and he thanked me for writing the things that I do to support him. I thanked him and told him that I am trying my best to give people good reasons why they should vote for him if he runs.
He appreciated my saying that and I thanked him for all of the good things that he is doing. That was pretty much the end of our brief conversation.
His aide Pat Pangburn and I talked for a few moments after that. Pat thanked me again for posting what I do and asked how I had the time to do it. I told her that I think this country is in very big trouble right now and that Gen. Clark is the best chance that we have to fix the huge mess that we are in!
So this was overall a very good event in my opinion because I always enjoy seeing Gen. Clark and saying "Hello" to him when he comes my area!
Paul Begala was very complimentary of Gen. Clark when he talked about his military service and his service to the country. However he did say at least twice with a very heavy emphasis that "we have the strongest field of 2008 Democratic Presidential candidates that he has seen in a very long time!"
I wondered what Gen. Clark was thinking when Begala said that right in front of him, when he was in the 2004 field of candidates, and when he is very clearly a much more qualified Presidential candidate than Obama, Edwards, and Hillary are all put together in my opinion!
Begala kind of joked about his support for Hillary by saying that he mentioned her name first when he started going through the qualities of all the 2008 Democratic Presidential candidates!
My own interpretation of Begala saying that about the current field of 2008 Democratic candidates is probably because he had to try and pump up all of the people at a Democratic event which the purpose of was to raise money for all Dallas, Texas Democratic candidates running in 2008 where many of the donors are probably backing different Presidential candidates right now!
There was a full room with about several hundred people.
Mitch Dworkin
http://www.securingamerica.com/
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/10756
StopIranWar.com: "War is not the answer"
Submitted by Wes Clark on February 21, 2007 - 11:40am.
http://www.securingamerica.com/ccn/node/7191
Listen to Gen. Wes Clark fight for Dems on Sean Hannity's radio program: An excellent example for all of us to follow and what we all need to be doing to help fight back against extreme right wing Neocon smear propaganda!
--------------------
Subj: Join General Clark at the Rayburn-Johnson Dinner!
Date: 4/25/2007 12:03:57 PM Central Daylight Time
From: info@securingamerica.com
Reply-to: notice-reply-63w3kbr1xd3tdd@ga4.org
Sent from the Internet (Details)
Dear Mitch,
This Saturday, General Clark will be appearing as a special guest at the second annual Rayburn-Johnson dinner. The dinner will benefit the Texas Values in Action Coalition, and a special tribute will be paid to Mr. Jess Hay, a long-time Democratic party stalwart and former DNC Finance Chairman. We hope that you will join General Clark at this special event:
The Second Annual Rayburn-Johnson Dinner
Saturday, April 28th, 2007 at 7pm
The Ballroom at the Westin Galleria
13340 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75240
Individual tickets are $150, and tables can be purchased as well. For more information or to RSVP, please call 214-350-7875.Sincerely,Catherine Grunden
Executive Director
WesPAC - Securing America's Future
Tell your friends and family about WesPAC -- Securing America's Future! 
Tell-a-friend!
If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for WesPAC.
Paid for by WesPAC -- Securing America's Future.
Contributions and gifts made to WesPAC are not
tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Hi Mitch, thanks for the report. That response is something to mull over, huh.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
"We are going to make it"!!! Says to me, trust me, be patient, I am under the radar, building support with REAL solutions to problems facing our Country and the World. I think Wes has been under the radar for a long time...and we just don't know what ALL he has been doing, and will probably s
shock everyone.
Preconditions, he can not talk about..NOW!!!!Just my 2 pennies!
he may NEVER be able to disclose the preconditions!
(SHHH everyone, I've got to settle this Iran thing before I can take the time to do anything else!)
We may or may not ever hear specifically what the preconditiions are; he is NOT one to pat himself on the back, ya know. He'll not say, 'I'm running for President, now that I've fixed things up with Iran.'
As much as we would like to know, I am sure what ever he is accomplishing with these preconditions, has to be under that dern radar!! I trust him. No matter what!! Just my patience is waining at times! Then I just remember, Wes Clark is worth the wait!! :)
Should Bush be lunatic enough to drag us into a war with Iran, General Clark would probably become THE candidate for both parties - blindingly intelligent, highly strategic, a global, international thinker, with friends and allies abroad, not to mention credibility with the Muslim world - and principled enough to fight against it.
Can you imagine how Hillary would react in the same situation? Obama? Edwards? Would they work against something that would give them even the smallest edge (let alone an ENORMOUS one), even knowing that said "something" was atrocity that might well destroy America as we know it?
Maybe that's what Bush's advisors need to do to talk him out of this insanity - "Sir, if you start a war with Iran, you're pretty much guaranteeing that Wesley Clark will run and win."
While I would like to believe the too-busy-doing-other-stuff meme, I have to believe it's something else- personal matters, familial matters, etc. Something more along these lines. Of course, I'm just groping in the dark like most of the rest of you. I have no clue.
But the thing that keeps me going is that I take Wes as a man of integrity. And if he knew he weren't running, he'd say so. So I believe 100% that his intentions are very real.
However, who knows what these preconditions are or if they will end up breaking our way.
Wes Clark is the only presidential candidate I have ever truly believed in. If he doesn't run, I will be genuinely, deeply heartbroken.
Being the cheap guy I am I missed the dinner, thank you for the report. I think General Clark knows that Democrats will make it next year. One way or another all the work General Clark is doing for the party will pay off with a Democrat in the White House in 2008, and a larger majority in the House and Senate.
about your evening Mitch. Well, Wes didn't say "no" and we would hardly epect him to say "yes" at such an event! The fact that Wes is still attending events where he's not the main speaker sounds good to me.
Thanks Mitch for interviewing Wes Clark and reporting on the event. John Ballard may be right that the General was simply referring to the Democratic Party's chances to win the White House. But I reread what you said:
"I spoke to Gen. Clark and to his aide for a few moments and told him that there are a lot of people who are very willing to support him if he decides to run again!
Gen. Clark's reply to my comment was "we are going to make it." "
and if one considers that response in the light of Clark's statement about a set of preconditions that he's "not at liberty to disclose" including perhaps his commitment to preventing an attack on Iran, and this morning's news about Iran:
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSIBO85514120070429
which is right out of General Clark's play book for stabilizing Iraq and getting our troops home, then can we dare to hope that he was directly answering your question about his preconditions falling into place?
of General Clark's meaning; it makes sense and is consistent with what we know about him. Its good news anyway, even if the preconditions relate in some way to # of supporters or $ pledges or something else.
We all could use some cheering up at this point; feels like we're in the doldrums, and could use a breath of fresh air.
In case you've forgotten how good it feels to give to Clark, let's practice and give a little to WesPAC now. https://secure.ga3.org/01/wespac
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
John Kerry was at 3% in Iowa three weeks before the caucus. 3%!!! And not only that, he was financially hobbled and spending family money just to barely stay in the race.
But exit polls showed that Iowa voters, at a time of war, were looking for a national security candidate. (No, they weren't looking for the unions guy or the health care guy like all the pundits were saying then and, golly, like all the pundits are saying now.) And with Wes not running, they fell to Kerry. And Kerry went from 3% to victory in three weeks with next to no money. The next day, the $$$ started rolling in big time.
This year, the stage is set much the same. We have a trio of frontrunners- Hillary, Salon John, and Obama- who are national security novices. Hillary has a one-term committee post and an Iraq War vote as her résumé. Swiftboat Edwards has a war vote and a war co-sponsorship and is claiming an apology as his greatest national security credential. And Obama, well, come on. He's a promising kid, but President is a job for an adult. And none of the other candidates are viable.
DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE A VIABLE NATIONAL SECURITY CANDIDATE.
NOT ONE.
And polls show that three of the top four issues that voters are voting on for 2008 are Iraq, Terrorism, and Foreign Policy. In other words- national security, national security, national security.
Kerry, with a nearly bankrupt campaign and a 3% poll standing three weeks out, won Iowa as the only national security candidate. Exit polls showed overwhelmingly that that's what Iowans went for in the end.
We could easily, easily have Wes in a stronger financial and polling position than Kerry was at heading into Iowa. Easily.
If Wes wants in, he fills a HUGE vacuum in this race.
This is one of my favorite quotes!
http://securingamerica.com/node/2197
2/2/07 - General Wesley Clark at the 2007 Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting
"I speak to you today as the only person who will take this podium before you to actually have done the things we need to succeed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world."
must have been nice!
His aide Pat Pangburn and I talked for a few moments after that. Pat thanked me again for posting what I do and asked how I had the time to do it.
imaginary conversation in Dallas - well the democracy collapsed in front of my eyes, while the media ran from its responsibility to inform the citizenry ; so though I had other life plans (I) ( by that I mean the progressive patriots informal internet working group) stepped up to the task of getting informed and constructively distributing vital information to sustain our civil society and government;
on to coffee and reading the rest of your blog;
edit: Hillary is Begala's future employer - he figures odds of getting hired by Wes ( I wonder would Wes admin hire Begala) less than with the Clintons
A nation of sheep soon begets a government of wolves. - Edward R. Murrow
Both for writing your diary...I had no idea we'd be represented there...and for all you do. I'm glad that the General has noticed your work. Your diaries at CCN are a wonderful resouce for me.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
What a nice surprise. Thanks, Mitch.
Begala is on Hillary's team which explains why he said it was a strong "field of candidates". I'm sure the last thing he wants to see is Wes getting in the race.
I have no idea what to make of Wes' comment. Doesn't make me very hopeful for run tho' :(
WHERE'S MY GENERAL? Stolen from Charlie Rangel, via Susan in Cleveland. Hat tip,Syb ;)
Hope the General does make a run--it's getting close now. I hope he knows how many of us there are who will get out an campaign!
YES, WES!!!
How thrilling that General Clark complimented you on your diaries! You put so much into them and although I don't always comment, I read them often.
Thank you for your first hand account of the event!! You know how we live for these things! LOL!!
As for his we are going to make it, my hopeful self would like to believe he means "we" being he and his family and he's going to run. My logical self thinks he means "we" as in our country and that we are going to survive -- that the Dems will take back the WH and a larger majority in congress in '08. Although my logical self also thinks if HRC wins the nominee (which I don't think she will) it will mobilize the radical regressives like nothing else and will ensure another 4 years of a Publican WH.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
I know this came to your mind, Jen...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NEE8oURdM0
Must be getting early
Clocks are running late
"I ain't often right but I've never been wrong. It seldom turns out the way it does in the song."
The whole idea of Deadheads for a four star general never fails to crack me up.
To General Clark: "Long distance runner what you standing there for?
Get up, get off, get out of the door!"
:D
Netheads for Clark?
joe@nethead.com|org|us|org.uk
"Nothing left to do but :-) :-) :-)"
"I ain't often right but I've never been wrong. It seldom turns out the way it does in the song."
I'm not really a deadhead, but back '90 '91 I worked as a cook in a restaurant and every other human that worked there was die hard Deadhead, so the only thing on the radio from the time you walked in to the time you walked out was Grateful dead! So by the end of that stint, I knew damn near anything and everything about the songs and about the members of the band.
We won't talk about what sorts of things went on during er.. uhm.. smoke breaks.
But.. we did eat a loooot of frenchfries. ;)
You are so funny!! YES, that certainly did come to mind, and in fact I stopped myself from say "We Will Survive!!" LOL!!
Man, I'm THAT transparent, eh? :/
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
this little tidbit.
I lived in Santa Cruz when this video was made at their Laguana Seca concert. A bunch of my friends were there (it was a weekend/campout concert/event) and in the middle of the night, they came through the campground and asked who'd like to go watch the video be filmed. Well, of course all my friends got up and went. The stories from that weekend were pretty funny and they all had a grand old time! :D
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
for this great report -- and for all of your work and research here at CCN. I echo the sentiments already expressed here by many others -- I also appreciate your posts very much. ;)
you were able see General Wes, Mitch. Thanks for bringing us the poop.
Those six little words keep the glass half full too. :)
"We are going to make it."
A bit cryptic but comforting nonetheless.
LOL, and here we are once again, parsing every word looking for any hint or hidden meaning, etc. I find it reassuring. :)
Wes Clark: Soldier, Scholar, Statesman.
I sure hope that Gen. Clark runs and I completely trust him that he knows what he is doing when it comes to making that important decision!
Here is my open letter that I wrote to him about running back in February:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11184
My open letter to Gen. Clark about running for President in 2008
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on February 25, 2007 - 6:17am.
Here are many resources to back up the claims made in my letter to specifically show why Gen. Clark is far more qualified than Obama, Edwards, and Hillary to win the Democratic nomination and the general election to become President in 2008:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/9979
RESOURCES: Speeches, Articles, and Career Highlights to help define Gen. Clark!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on December 6, 2006 - 12:50am.
Really appreciate the FHA. And now I have another Clark comments to chew on!!
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3334
TEXVAC Dinner Inspires Pride and Hauls in Dough
by: Todd Hill
Mon Apr 30, 2007 at 07:46:21 AM CDT
I had the opportunity to attend the Texas Values in Action Coalitions 2nd Annual Rayburn-Johnson dinner this past Saturday in Dallas as a volunteer. The who's who among former and current elected officials, as well as Democratic donors, were pretty much all in attendance.
Let me first say this was one of the best planned, well managed, and well-executed fundraisers I have ever worked for. Paul Begala was an outstanding speaker, although I've heard him twice before at the past two Campus Progress student conventions I attended in Washington DC,; but I never remembered him being so funny before. And oh my God, stop my beating heart, as I got to see General Wesley Clark again too...
Newt Gingrich about the war in Iraq back on 10/21/05!
Here are the details about that debate:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/2181
Clash of the Titans: Gingrich, North debate Wes Clark, Begala on War in Iraq on 10/21/05
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on October 31, 2005 - 3:10am.