I fully support Wes Clark's Decision to endorse Hillary Clinton
Submitted by Gabriele Droz on September 16, 2007 - 1:38pm.
Clark endorsements | Hillary Clinton | CCN Series Blogs
Over the past few weeks, as it became more and more (depressingly) clear that Gen. Clark is not going to join the 2008 presidential race, I've given a lot of thought to where to put my support, and I reached the exact same conclusion as Wes. But then, I'm originally from Europe where Hillary is far more popular than here.
So two weeks ago I joined the Hillary campaign, still ready to switch back to Wes at moment's notice.
I have watched Hillary for many years, and observed what she's been through - and how she's handled all the mud-slinging, lies, attacks and falsehoods thrown at her over the past 17 years.
The reality is that she has an over 90% straight liberal voting record in the Senate, but that's not being acknowledged by so many of us who, over the years, have bought into the right's re-creation and villification of her. I highly recommend reading Allegre's Hillary Diaries over at Daily Kos, if you want a balanced positive picture of Hillary's long record of achievments (I know, I know, it'll take some time to shift opinions). I have absolutely no problem giving Hillary my FULL support, and I'm thrilled Wes endorsed her (although I would certainly have preferred Wes or Al Gore). I'm not sitting this out.
Now we need to get busy and make absolutely SURE the White House does not fall into Republican hands once again. And it will take ALL of us to do this. One thing we can do right now is head over to Hillary's Clark Endorsement Page, and leave a comment asking her to put Wes on her ticket as VP.
I think she will surprise the hell out of us once she gets elected, and we will have positive, exciting times ahead of us. And just for what it's worth, here's a comment taken from Hillary's website announcing General Clark's endorsement:
by clairtx
9/15/2007 6:07:56 PM
"Aside from Wes announcing that he is running for President, this is the best possible news. I asked Hillary when she was in Fort Worth, TX earlier this summer if there would be a place in her cabinet for Wes. She said definitely. What a combination - Hillary, Bill and Wes Clark!"
P.S. I was one of two regional Clark 2004 volunteer co-coordinators here in Santa Barbara, CA, and a co-moderator with Stan Davis on the Clark2004 yahoo list between 2003 and 2004.
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
Guess you just opened yours a little earlier than some of the rest of us, Gabriele.
Hillary and Wes are lucky to have you.
Eventually, I hope we'll be able to say that about most Clarkies.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark still could be the national security candidate.
because of the right wing smear machine
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/13346#comment-239975
It really does get tiresome having that thrown out every whip-stitch.
For myself, I may have been a registered Independent but that doesn't mean I was a buyer of Republican bull sh*t.
I'm glad your comfortable with this endorsement Gabriele, your one heck of a lady and I respect your thoughts, but please don't buy into the DLC talking point that the only reason some of us don't like Hillary is because we've been "had" by the right wing talking points.
Thank you.
from a more international perspective than most Americans are able to acquire. I just know that Europeans and many countries around the world would be more open to Hillary over Obama or Edwards, as there is a record of the Clinton administration as one of diplomacy and international good will, and a lot of international nostalgia wishing for this once again.
I'm not saying Obama or Edwards wouldn't do that, just that the Clintons have a track record already, and considerable experience in international affairs.
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
and supported the war right up until it wasn't popular. That's not right wing spin. I liked her til then. If Wes can somehow get me to see beyond all those dead people, perhaps I could agree with this decision. I hope he takes a run at convincing me. I'm listening...
show me ONE single US president - between 1776 and 2007 - including the best, brightest, and most beloved (i.e. Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, etc.) that hasn't made a substantial blunders during or before their presidency.
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
we could argue over whether it was a blunder or a purely political calculation,which makes me want to puke.
However, that's why I want to hear from Wes. I'd LOVE to have him convince me to look beyond that. And I think there's potential that he can. I'm a big picture person. And I don't have to like someone to think they'll make a decent president.
Look further down thread :)
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
What I hope is that Hillary's future actions will convince me that she truly and deeply regrets her previous support for Bushco's war.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark still could be the national security candidate.
And I very much appreciate hearing your perspective.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
Wes has done the sensible thing. He made it clear he did not think he could run and win. Although I believe he could have, his decision needs to be respected.
Wes is a Democrat, and it is only sensible his endorsement would be of one of the "top tier" Democratic candidates. That means either Obama, Edwards or Clinton.
Of the three, Clinton has the most experience, and is probably the most electable. She may not be the perfect candidate; she may have some significant obstacles to overcome in terms of appealing to the Red State voters, but she has a better shot than Obama or Edwards.
I'm with Gen. Clark 100%, and I urge others to look for the wisdom in his decision. It was the only choice.
I don't like that one one bit myself, but supporting Edwards (who also voted for it, PLUS co-authored the resolution) gives me the creeps, no matter how cool his wife is.
And Obama, as nice as he is, is too much a babe in the woods for these extremely difficult times. His time is yet to come.
I could work for Richardson, but it looks like too many people will go after him for private life issues. Dodd is looking better all the time, but can he make up the lost ground? Biden, forget it. Nice talk, but no thanks.
So who else is there?
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
if you support hillary, your gonna need em. White Water, Rose Law Firm, Dirty Money, ect. ect. ect.
The neocons will vomit up every scandal she's ever been involved with, the swift-boat crew will have a field day.
Your ex-Goldwater Gal does not, will not have my support, my money, or my vote. I would'nt elect her as head laundry washer at a Nevada chicken ranch....
Phil, thanks, yes, I've thought about this, for a long time, actually. But two things First, all this is old, old news that has been rehashed many, many times. There is nothing new, and there are answers to everything. Don't think that anyone else wouldn't be just as viciously attacked, and I don't need to rehash all the things that have and could come out on the others. Second, she has proved that she can take it and take it and take it and win. And one thing I know....to be in the White House, to deal with International Security, you have to be tough, tough, tough. And she is.
I respect you, I always have. I helped as best I could in 04 here in S.E. Kansas and in Tulsa, OK. even if it was only to make coffee, phone calls, and help return the rental cars. Like you I grew up in Arkansas (Arkadelphia) I joined the Navy right out of High School and served during Desert Storm. I'm just so sick to death of politicians and the same old crud they hand out every 4 years. I'm the first to admit that we need change in this nation that we have both fought for, but Mrs. Clinton just seems like another cold, calculating, oportunistic, belt-way bungler. I also remember her as the Govenor's wife. She wasn't exactly warm and endearing then either.
I'll support any congressional candidate you choose, but I find I must respectfully abstain from supporting Mrs. Clinton.
(This is me frantically trying to look on the bright side... I'm still completely gobsmacked by the end of four years of hoping....)
After the last eight years I bet all but 29% of the electorate is absolutely fed up with all the right-wing bile and lies. "Rovian politics" is no longer considered sneaky but clever and effective, just greasy and evil. And there were the eight years of anti-Clinton weirdness and lies before Bush even got into office. So I suspect that Hillary will have an easier time dealing with the old, boring, long-disproven swift-boat-type rumors than the other candidates will when the Republican machine gears up against them. Those stories just aren't interesting or new any more, even to people who believed them.
That said, there's a core group of people whose lives seemed to revolve around hating the Clintons, and whose feelings have nearly made them mentally unbalanced (why on earth would they have cared so much about the false scandals of Whitewater or Vince Foster if not for a visceral loathing of the Clintons?). And they're going to be energized by a Clinton nomination more than they would be by an Obama nomination. But maybe they'll be dismissed as moonbats and ignored this time around, no matter how noisy they are, instead of catered to like they were in the 1990s. I suspect the Bush years will have made most voters more interested in substance than they were in 1992-2000, when things were going so well that we had the luxury of listening to silly gossip on the news.
That Republican disease has run its course, and so many from our side got infected with it, unfortunately.
I'm NOT saying all criticism of Hillary is based on that, but I'm sure a large portion of it is. I don't agree with everything she does, but then again, show me one 100% perfect candidate.
Hmmmm - who was that again?? Oh yeah, he's not running.
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
from someone who is an Independent voter.
Disagreeing with Hillary Clinton and not being able to support her candidancy does not mean someone is a "Clinton hater."
I differ with Hillary on several issues of great importance to me. I question the wisdom of her run for the presidency and whether it is good for America. But I don't hate her and never have. My "criticism" is based on substantive issues.
I'm telling you this because in your quest to support her candidancy you are going to need to win over people who think like I do. And in all honesty, it doesn't help when Hillary supporters approach people like me with the "Clinton hater" label.
Be careful that you don't fall into a "camp" mentality or worse yet, a kind of "you're either with Hillary or you're against her." It's not a disease to disagree with her on the issues or be concerned about the way she approaches politics and fundraising.
I'm sharing this to be helpful with you, Gabriele, and I certainly respect you as a former fellow Clarkie and the wonderful person you are. Just please remember that those of us who have not jumped on the Hillary bandwagon are thinking deeply about all of this and searching our consciences.
You are more likely to win us over if you realize that we are not all just a bunch of Clinton bashers who listen to the radical rightwing. I became a Clarkie because of my deep opposition to the invasion of Iraq. It's not a simple matter to now switch gears and say that never mattered, as it pertains to Senator Clinton.
All the best to you, Gabriele.
If you feel I was referring to you personally, then you have it wrong.
There's no doubt in my mind that the 17 year long smear campaign against Hillary has left scars - even on our side. That's why I was careful to say that disagreeing with Hillary was not off the table. I disagree with her IWR myself to this date.
The residues of this Republican slime has held traction - to this day - and don't tell me that no Democrats have fallen for it. That was my point. It was not directed against you individually, and I wonder why you would think it was.
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
and I'm sorry you have misunderstood me. I knew you were not referring to me personally.
I was speaking as a representative of the independent voter. I know lots and lots of independents and Republicans, and I have observed how they think.
My disagreements with Hillary have nothing to do with Republican slime or a 17 year long smear campaign. I was merely noticing that some Hillary supporters I have seen on other websites tend to dismiss some voters' concerns as just "Clinton hating" or "Hillary bashing." In fact, it's become pretty common for me, on some sites, to see anyone who raises any objections to Hillary become labeled a "Hillary hater."
I was not saying that you do that, but I do think that referring to Hillary opposition, even among conservatives, as "a disease" is counterproductive to winning either independents or conservatives over to your side. And Hillary is going to need every independent and conservative she can get.
My intention was to help you understand a certain mindset that may be different from your own. If I have not been helpful in any way, please disregard what I have said.
I agree with on so much. It is so difficult these days to find just the right words that don't alienate some portion of ANY group. And I'm not a word smith by any means. I appreciate your feedback and will keep it in mind. My criticism, however, is solely directed at the Republican Smear Machine, not at fellow Democrats or Independents. But I will keep your suggestions in mind. My best to you.
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
Gabriele. ;)
I love blogging, but the one thing that is hard for me is to remember is that the person who is reading my text doesn't know that I'm sitting here with a friendly look on my face and affection in my heart, even when I'm expressing what appears to be an opposing point of view.
Rest assured, those feelings of friendliness and affection are what I have for you and all of my fellow Clarkies.
the affection is mutual, and I love the image of the friendly look on your face. The feeling is mutual. I love this kind of discussion - respectful of each others' opinions, and open-minded to hearing each other. Sigh!
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
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Gabrielle,
I, too, joined the Clinton campaign - only 2 months ago. I was ready to embrace a run by WkC if he decided to give it a go but I wanted to be involved on the ground and the campaigns were the only way to do it. I attended an Edwards event, an Obama event and a Clinton event. After that I signed on with Clinton. It was obvious to me that she has the organization, the strength and the vision to see how to do this thing. I am so sick of the GOP mantra that "everybody hates Hillary" and "she can't win". That's bull. She can win and people like HIllary when they meet and hear her. With WKC on board, it's an unstoppable train.
So, after having supported WKC since 03, I'm thrilled to see my two favorite politicians together! I was in a serious quandry....I've been with Emily's List for 19 years and they endorsed Hillary Clinton quite a few months ago. Now my issues are all resolved!
Cheryl
(You're the Cheryl who sent out the "All Patriot No Act" t-shirts in 2004, right? I still have mine, needless to say! And I think of you each time I wear it!)
That's exactly what happened to me, except it was just a couple of weeks ago.
I feel almost relieved at this point to know one way or the other. And working/voting for Edwards or Obama becomes less and less appealing to me the more I watch them/listen to them.
I'm ready for a woman president named Hillary Clinton, even if she made a stupid mistake voting for the war authorization bill. Edwards did worse by co-authoring it, and his politically motivated apologies don't do squat for me.
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders
I look forward to General Clark's campaign for POTUS in 2012 or 1016, when America finally will have become aware what a national treasure Wes is.
"It does not take many words to tell the truth". Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
"We are the leaders we are waiting for". Hopi Elders