General Clark Endorses Senator Clinton
Submitted by kmissik on September 15, 2007 - 11:33am.
Democratic politics
No one has mentioned it yet, but I just read this on the Securing America home page. I am at a loss for words at the moment, to say nothing of being in a turmoil of emotions. Excuse me while I try to collect my thoughts, collect myself.
I expected that this was coming but that little ray of hope still kept me going.
It would have been easier to bear if he had first told us that he was not running.
Why he is endorsing Sen. Clinton so early?
Well the deed is done now, I think that I will try to forget about politics for the rest of the day.
General Clark Court is pretty much ready to go- hopefully Gen. Clark will be near Virginia Beach soon and we can have a dedication ceremony and a great excuse to honor him and his remarkable achievements.
I do not believe it is because of his so called "special reltionship" with the Clinton's. He endorsed Hillary for the same reason that he endorsed John Kerry as soon as he knew he could not win the nomination himself. Hillary will be our nomminee, of that I have had no doubt for awhile now unless Clark or Gore had gotten into the race. Hillary will be professional about America's foreign policy; she will have a top notch team gathered around her. Clark trusted Kerry could pull off being President in a dangerous time and he trusts that Hillary can also.
Like 2004, when Clark would rather have become the Democratic nominee himself rather than back Kerry, as soon as the handwriting was on the wall Clark reads it and understands the implications. Clark was not going to become the nominee and he knew no other Democrat would deny Hillary that distinction. As one of those who endorsed Hillary, this keeps Wes Clark in the policy making loop. Of that at least I am glad.
I knew he wouldn't be running himself. The calendar told me that. However, I am suprised at the early endorsement. I don't understand his moving his support at such an early stage.
I can only speculate that he's convinced that Clinton will be nominated and that he will have more influence as an early endorser.
Not sure what to think...
making a rather bitter diary post directed at netroots activists who wanted a progressive to run for President in 2008 but who did not rally behind Clark early on. The only reason why I haven't so far is I don't like acting bitter in public.
It was abundently clear to me by early June at the latest that neither Obama nor Edwards were going to be able to stop Hillary from winning, they simply don't have enough gravitas, and Richardson Biden and Dodd could not get traction. That left Clark or Gore as the only hope for stopping Hillary. Those leftists astute enough to recognize that for the most part chased after a will o the wisp in Al Gore rather than rallying to Wes Clark, a man who was willing to run for President given enough support. This result in my mind was completely predictable.
I am convinced Hillary Clinton will be the nominee, and I very much suspect Wes Clark is also.
I am at a loss and I am not a Hillary fan which makes it all the more hard to handle.
I am hoping that this means he will play a part in the new administration. Sad day for all of us. Perhaps because he is endorsing HRC, he will get more airtime?..
I suppose she thinks she will get Wes supporters...!...
But it does mean that Clark will not be an outsider to a Clinton White House. Not only will he not be on any informal soft core "enemies list", but his relatively early endorsement will be rightfully appreciated. Now Hillary and the rest of her team can consult with Clark regularly with there being nothing awkward about doing so.
unless I can vote for Wes as VP
this sucks... plain ans simple
and sorry for my words, but it is how I feel
right now
Bill (from RI)
?????????????????????????????????????
wtf??????????
Bill (from RI)
From masslib at dailykos:
Just got off a conference call. Clark has endorsed Senator Clinton. He said he wanted to help "America to choose the right leadership team". In discussing her Iraq policy, Clark described Clinton's policy as begin withdrawing forces now, diplomacy in the region, new approach in the region, no specific timeline as of yet, no permanent presence, common sense policies.
Taylor Marsh wondered how the troops would respond to a female Commander-in-Chief. Clark told her among other things "The troops will be very proud of her." Jerome Armstrong asked about Clark as a possible VP. Clark commented that he was "trying to get right focus on policy issues, and the right leadership team." Someone asked about other domestic issues that Clark appreciated in Ms.Clinton. Clark responded that she "see’s big picture." He said there is "urgent work to do in America". And, that we need the next president to "improve the lives of ordinary people". That Hillary Clinton was "the total package", "really has it", and "will be a great president".
This was a very strong endorsement. I asked Clark if he would be involved in the campaign. He said he hadn't gotten that far yet. Just wanted to make the endorsement "Now".
"The mark of leadership is not to standup when everybody is standing, but rather to actually stand up when no one else is standing" - Pulitzer Prize winning author Samantha Power, introducing Gen Clark
I believe it was on MSNBC. They were talking about Hillary and her ties with Moveon.org. And that she came out against Patreaus. And later the talking head (sorry don't know who but it was a female). Said that it was alright. And didn't think it would hurt Hilary as she has always supported Bushes War Policy. (Ok the Sh*ts already starting to hit the fan).
Clark has never supported Bushes War Policy. Big difference.
And now this endorsement. :(
vote for her
in the slim chance wes runs as VP, I will
vote for the ticket-----
but I think that is very slim
well,
goodbye everone
I will not support Hillary in the Primary. I will probably vote for one of the bottom tier candidates. (Sorry General Wes). I just can't do it. But I haven't made up my mind yet whether to hold my nose during the Primary or just stay home.
(Hillary won't carry my Red State anyway). The General wouldn't have had that problem here in Oklahoma. I'm sorry but it looks like 2004 all over again :( .
Well have to go now an collect my thoughts.
Andrew Rice for US Senate Oklahoma 08
Run Andrew Run
(This is Inhoffes Seat)
you do it. While I'm less than crazy about Hillary Clinton, I am more than positive that you've thought this through.
OK. My primary vote. Huh. I wasn't planning on having one. Still not sure.
That said, I'm going to trust you, and hope that this doesn't mean another republican administration come 2009.
Free Wes Clark. I stand by that. Although I'm sorry that Wes isn't in the running himself, I have to say that I am somewhat relieved that he's made a decision.
And I still stand by Wes Clark.
Lately, many of my Clark supporting friends and relatives have quit asking me when he was getting in the race, but instead who he was going to endorse, assuming that he didn't run? I had no answer, although I would speculate that he was most likely to endorse Hillary.
At this point in time there can be no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the one Democrat of the top three who is most likely to be capable of restoring our international reputation and credibility. That is essential to our national security, as Wes Clark most certainly knows.
This endorsement will actually make things easier for us over the coming months. We now know what Wes wants us to do. That is to search our own thoughts; and, provided that we reach an alike conclusion, join him in supporting Hillary for President.
I shall give this very careful consideration.
Meanwhile, my signature line has been slightly modified.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark still could be the national security candidate.
I have to agree it is for the best. Its been obvious for a long time that while Clark would have made the best candidate, and best president, with the nature of the process he just wouldn't have had a chance. Chasing windmills just doesn't make sense.
I'll even agree that perhaps Hillary does offer the best chance of restoring our international reputation and credibility, but given the alternatives that's not exactly high praise.
I don't have to change my signature. And except for incrementing the number of years I fear that I won't have to change it in 2009 either.
Barry
Are you safer today than you were six years ago?©
I think you and I are in close agreement about all of that, Barry. For my part, I am presently just exploring the idea of becoming at least "cautiously optimistic".
But hopefully, events will enable us to see things far more positively in the weeks ahead.
Hopefully....
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark still could be the national security candidate.
The first step in seeing things more positively may be to remember those Congressional candidates that Clark is asking us to continue to support. In my case Joe Sestak and Pat Murphy are fairly close by even if they are in the next state. And my parents live in Sestak's district, in fact he's about the first Dem they've ever voted for and they're happy that they did. We need to be sure people like that get re-elected.
It also doesn't hurt to remember that while politics is central to getting this country back on course its not everything. I'm fortunate since as a college professor I've been able to start building links between the college and the Middle East, more importantly between my students and students in the Middle East. That is a long term project that will only really bear fruit when those students progress in their careers and move into leadership positions. The understanding that we can start building today will make a difference in the future.
Barry
Are you safer today than you were six years ago?©
I'm trying to be calm and thoughtful so don't get me started on Mike Ferguson! :)
Barry
Are you safer today than you were six years ago?©
Something like this had to happen because of the early primaries, lack of preconditions, lack of money and possibly many other reasons that can only begin to fathom. I am sure General Clark did a lot of thinking and processing prior to this decision. Now I am doing the same but not at his scale. Currently I am not enthusiastic about any of the top tier candidates and awfully disappointed with the performance of the new Democratic majority in Congress. Mmmm, what do do, what to do......
Bill (from RI)
Come on guys. What gives us the right to think he owes us anything?
Does he owe us because WE blog at CCN?
Because WE donated to WesPAC?
Because WE donated to his '04 campaign?
Does he owe us because WE decided to pin all our hopes on him?
Because WE were so sure he'd run?
Because WE know he'd make the best president at this time in history.
Or is it the he didn't play the game the way WE think it should be played...he didn't do what WE wanted?
Wes gave and gave and gave to his country, and continues to give.
Maybe he DESERVES to run his life his way NOT OURS!
Wes Clark owes me NOTHING!
harshly.
I have to admit, in my mind when someone feels they deserved something they didn't receive there is a lingering feeling of being shorted (owed).
Guess you didn't mean it that way. Apologies.
not owed
in fact, had Wes announced
I was going to take a year off from my job and
work on the ground in NH
just my stupid opinion, but wes would have won
so, no, not owed, you know...
i guess i dont know what to say
a lot of us knew part of this was coming;
the second part many of us won't agree with
but you all have been great, and of course
I support GC, while I disagree emphatically
with hois endorsement
all the best OHIO, and fellow Clarkpeople
Bill (from RI)
that Wes announced her endorsement elsewhere first.
Can you imagine the right-wing media reports that would surely pick up on negative comments posted here if Wes had alerted us first - and they swarmed the site for info?
No, it's far better that he announced it as he did.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark will be the national security candidate.
No more speculation, its over...about time too Wes.
Your choice sucks bilge water IMHO, but its your choice to make, and you've made it.
For a brief moment in time,... my family were reconciling towards our common values. There was hope for unity under Clark.
Now, we're back at drawing lines in the sand, based on our politicized religious and moral views. I'll not be able to defend HRC. It was clear that her potential nomination would do this, even among many friends with broad political leanings.
Unfortunately, I understand that this is what our (dysfunctional) political system has become -- mostly dependent on division through partisanship of an extreme order.
I think I know exactly what you mean, Knightrider. My own family and friends include many Republicans who either supported, said they would support, or said they would consider supporting Wes Clark. However, I think all of them also said that they would not even think of supporting HRC.
If Hillary wins the Democratic nomination, I'm afraid that we are almost certainly in for another deeply polarizing national election. Still, now that Wes has endorsed her, I hope that I'm proven wrong about that.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark still could be the national security candidate.
I know how difficult that is and I'm so sorry ...
I slept in and just now got the word myself.
Reeling like everyone but-- oddly.... privately, and in emails only... I had been "feeling" this coming for awhile. Suspecting this liason. Instinct only. But I couldn't shake the feeling, but knew better than to express it here. Heh. : )
I have not yet bypassed even the first stage of grief, so I have a lot of catching up to do....
I am the lone socialist in a family of lifelong Republicans.
My dad is a bit of a Goldwater/Teddy Roosevelt conservative. He was disillusioned with Bush. But his attitude had always been that no matter how bad the Republian was, he was better than having a Democrat.
In August, my dad and I were on a flyfishing trip. And we got to talking about politics. And I was talking about Wes. And my dad said something that floored me. He said, "if Clark runs, I'll write him a check. I like the guy."
I'm not sure I can explain what a HUGE statement that was coming from him- this lifelong Liberal-despising Republican.
I told him today about Wes' endorsement of Hillary. His response was that he must have had Wes all wrong. And that, no matter how disappointed he is with the current GOP, that any Republican is better than Hillary. So, he's back to voting with the GOP, whether Wes is VP or not.
Unification lost.
to wake up to. Need to go walk and let it sink in. BBL.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
Well folks, I am disappointed today. General Clark is officially not running for President of the US in '08 since this morning he endorsed Mrs. Clinton. I think he would have made the better President because he has so much leadership experience; such as skills with diplomacy, as he was key in negotiating the Dayton Accords and led NATO to stop ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. As head of NATO, he became very skilled at dealing with the many European leaders as well as other leaders around the world and has an international reputation for his great intelligence and ability to reason his way out of very thorny situations. America just lost the chance to have possibly the greatest President they could ever have imagined. Not only because of his being highly educated, but because of his 34 years of high-value hands-on experience: he is actually qualified for the job, unlike almost all other contenders. So it will be Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush, Clinton, Clinton - close to thirty years of two families in charge down south.
....is staying on my car.....and it will be the ONLY one there through the GE
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
The sticker on my car says "Wes Clark Democrat" and its staying right where it is too!
Barry
Are you safer today than you were six years ago?©
The "Wes Clark Democrat Gear" is still available here.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
What is that famous quote from General Clark about getting ideas adopted? After we all settle down, after this endorsement, after Hillary wins (hopefully), then he will be able to project his vast expertise and knowledge in some form or another in a new administration. That certainly sounds pretty good to me!
This is so heartbreaking on so many levels, I don't even know where to begin.
from Jeralyn
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/9/15/111342/368
And Armando..
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/9/15/11435/0531
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
then I'll support HRC wholeheartedly. That still leaves a strong possibility of WKC getting into the Oval Office at some point in the future.
The only way this is a good thing is if she picks WKC as her running mate. As Bill Clinton said, "There are two stars in the Democratic party." HRC had better pick the "other" star as her running mate!
Poll Averages - Democrats
Hillary Clinton 42.8%
Barack Obama 23.5%
John Edwards 15.4%
Bill Richardson 3.3%
I suppose it was predictable that Clark wouldn't be running, but.... his endorsing Hillary is tough to swallow.
From the Iraq war to national health care, Hillary has adopted positions I don't believe in. On the other hand, as a Clark supporter I want his endorsement to mean something. I want the Democrats to realize that he has a huge support base, and that his supporters are active and vocal. That would only enhance his position in the party, leading to a plum position in the next (gulp) Clinton administration...
But... Hillary?
seeing the forest for the trees. I dunno. Still wrapping my head round it.
I'm having integrity issues with myself. Need to think, ponder and suss out where I stand.
But I will always stand behind the people and mission of WesPAC.
General Clark is on some conference calls with reporters, but he's going to be posting here soon...