LA TIMES: General marches through town
Submitted by Kat on November 15, 2007 - 11:45pm.
RETIRED Gen. Wesley K. Clark, highly decorated and a Democrat, took Hollywood by storm four years ago when he ran for president. Now he's back, this time rallying the troops for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Clark has spent so much time on the Westside in recent weeks, between trips to Iowa and New Hampshire, that industry politicos (the few who aren't on the picket lines or worrying about them) have started rumors: Clark could be Clinton's running mate. Or maybe secretary of state.
Hollywood may be liberal, but it's always been a sucker for a man in uniform. Clinton could name Clark the emperor of all Cathay, for all they care. The fact that Clark has stepped back onto the political stage gives them something new to puzzle over. (And frankly, that whole Obama-Clinton thing had become a bit of a bore.)
During a trip through town last month, he called on the Democrats' Beverly Hills Medici, Ron Burkle. Burkle hosted a small gathering for the general in the foyer of his palatial Green Acres estate. Clark addressed the crowd, which included Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen and former Gov. Gray Davis, from the grand staircase.
Clark read from his new book ("A Time to Lead") and then lavished praise on the current Democratic front runner. "She's the most qualified candidate to lead this country," he said.
Clark seems so fresh and interesting, again, like Clint Eastwood emerging from a long respite in Carmel to return as an auteur.
"It's that strong chin, steely eyes and gray hair," said glitterati publicist Howard Bragman. "He's bright, enlightened, fairly progressive. It was like he was out of Central Casting. We thought, 'This is it, this is the kind of guy who can win.' "
Obviously, Clark didn't win four years ago. He didn't even come close. But there's no sense in holding that against him. (Martin Scorsese was nominated six times for an Oscar before he won, after all.) It's all about staying in the game.
Burkle said he believes that Clark, who served as the supreme allied commander of NATO during the Clinton administration, is an excellent ally for Hillary.
"In addition to his natural charisma, people are drawn to Gen. Clark's foreign-policy expertise," Burkle said.
"At a time when our country has been taken to war with no exit strategy, Wes is someone who has had a successful track record of conflict resolution," he said.
In fact Burkle was so impressed with Clark during his presidential run that he ask him to head the Burkle Center for International Relations at UCLA.
"Wes Clark's class and credentials make him a vital player in the global conversation about war and peace, especially these days," Burkle said.
In addition to his appearance at Green Acres, Clark made a stop in Malibu, where he reached out to the geographically isolated but ultra-connected kingpins there. Then he was off to the Bill Maher show, where he sparred with conservative political commentator Andrew Sullivan and former tennis star Martina Navratilova about the socio-philosophical implications of the burka.
He also stopped by the historic Hollywood Methodist Church for a Q&A with the congregation. And then he was back on the road to Iowa and New Hampshire, where the race is tightening.
In his wake, he left a lot of buzz among industry political watchers. "Maybe she's looking at Clark instead of Bill Richardson for vice president," speculated one politico. "Besides, have you noticed that Richardson's suits never fit right? Why is that? You have to have suits that fit."
Norman Lear was one of Clark's biggest boosters in 2004. Others impressed enough to give money to the general's campaign included contributors Madonna, Robert De Niro, Danny DeVito, Steven Bochco, Alan Alda, Jennifer Garner, Richard Gere, Brad Grey, Quincy Jones, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Peter Farrelly, Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, Meg Ryan, Haim Saban, Aaron Sorkin andKris Kristofferson.
If Clinton wins the nomination, Hollywood Democrats will support her regardless of her running mate, but having Clark on the ticket would be a boost to their enthusiasm.
(If only they could be so united about ending the writers strike.)
Wonderful photo too.
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
Ok - so yes, that's a sexist remark. Fine. I admit it. I'm a sexist. But really...can you blame me?
blog police Badge #1393 
Suspect: Kat, kaflinn, Ellen, deceasedmessageperson
Violation: Drool Violation
Verdict: Guilty
Ladies, step out of the blog and keep you hands where I can see them. This incessant ogling will not be tolerated!
Everyone else move along. Nothing to see here.
Cripes this is gonna be a lot of paperwork.
And I do not see those fabulous six-pack abs I know are there. I'm gonna do time for this but so be it. Wes's swimmer shoulders are not best highlighted in a sweater. His "steely eyes" are not obvious in this picture. Give me five minutes with him and I'll give you a picture. :D
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
No Speedo pics.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
the black mock turtle neck with light jacket he wore on the debate Anderson Cooper held a while back...remember?
Best look everrrrr, I must say.
And I also liked the argyle....yep.
I'm the only one who thought the black turtle neck sweater, light sport coat, silver hair was absolutely smashing?? (Other than the person who was kind enough to give me a vote below???
FWIW, not just *anyone* can pull off wearing argyle, don't you know.
And...I'll throw in the gentleman and his lady in tux and gown. Totally smashing.
The movie stars made me do it!
I'm a victim of the undue influence of those horrible movie people.
It's justifiable drooling!
(Surely one of those will qualify to get me out of the pokey?)
Get in the car.
God, I needed that.
DeceasedMessagePerson?
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
that should have been on he cover of his latest book; maybe the next one. "Being Vice President Isn't So Bad After All."
We need to replace their lugs with our jugs.
I didn't know all those "stars" were behind him last time. Meg Ryan? Gere? Streisand? Hmmmm. Maybe I forgot. Wonder who they're supporting this time?
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
great pic- great guy. A great American. Period. So so so so nice to see this. Peace takes Power
Very nice article and it's wonderful to see this reporter gushing over our General. But....
I don't see a pic nor can I get the link to work.
I must have a rap sheet with the blog police or somethin.....3 strikes you're out?
The pic is fine
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"
And great article too.
;P
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"
I love that article. Very entertaining. I had known of SOME of those stars, but not all of them.
I first saw it in in an e-mail without a link, so hadn't seen the pic. Now, to keep me from being arrested by the blog Bobby, I have to say that it looks a little...well...posed. Not really natural. I do like the sweater, through.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
'It's that strong chin, steely eyes and gray hair," said glitterati publicist Howard Bragman. "He's bright, enlightened, fairly progressive. It was like he was out of Central Casting. We thought, 'This is it, this is the kind of guy who can win.' "'
'Publicist' as bad as campaign advisors! His hair is SILVER, and he's not 'fairly progressive,' he's 'resoundingly progressive!'
Wanted to send it around but that link is not working for some reason??
Link anyone?
Thanks Kat!
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I use to have blue cross/shield in the 1980's:
think all of these YouTube video diaries are BlueCross/BlueShield you mentioned BCBS FYI;
~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh0mgiwXzGM&eurl=
"I was a Teacher I have Insurance I was Denied Care"
~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4kEvdyIcBk&mode=related&search=
"I made very good money I have insurance I was Denied Care"
~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNHNCScYpX8&mode=related&search=
"I have been insured as long as I can remember my son was Denied Care"
~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2peGqRrjXek&mode=related&search=
"I paid into insurance companies but I was Denied Care"
~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYedy10iUyQ&mode=related&search=
"I am a Nurse I was Denied Care"
~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB0Vn_BppwM&mode=related&search=
"The Healthcare Solution: California OneCare" - - excellent video
http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org/
synthetic environment Rep. Dennis Kucinich - just imagine having a president that gets it right the first time.
from Congressional testimony in 2003 Wes in uniform, angle was from above think the testimony was over or nearly over
and he looked up from serious demeanor and testimony he flashed a smile at 90 degree angle shoulder straight into the camera;
it was a good pic; edit SEPTEMBER 26 2002 testimony
synthetic environment Rep. Dennis Kucinich - just imagine having a president that gets it right the first time.
the pic I am thinking of had to have been then during or right after Kosovo before he retired;
that would have been 2000 Congressional testimony; then 2002 testimony was out of uniform;
General Wesley K. Clark, U.S. Army, Commander In Chief, United States European Command -- Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the United States European Command 02/29/2000
synthetic environment Rep. Dennis Kucinich - just imagine having a president that gets it right the first time.
Made my morning!! Thanks so much, Kat--and good on the reporter, too!! About time for a little Wes-homage, imho!!
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
The rest of the pictures in this shoot plus some new ones from 11/10 can be found at Getty images.
http://www.gettyimages.com/Editorial/Editorial.aspx
Type in Wesley Clark in the search, click on search then on click on last 30 days on next screen. I'm sure most of you have been to the site before, but if you never have, click any date for the "way back machine" 23 pages from the draft days to the present. After a 6-7 month drought it's nice to see some of his pic's on this site again.
He's definitely hot in sweaters.
He was wearing a sweater (green) last November when he campaigned for Eric. It was very soft. Sigh...
(Sorry, I don't have the full resolution photo.)
We learn. We change. That's progress. If we don't do that, well, we're GWB.
Was anybody else confused by the comment about Richardson's suits not fitting well? It seemed really off topic and had very little to do with the article itself. Not that I am going to fault the LA Times for writing an article about how popular Clark is with Hollywood types, but was that the most insightful and thought provoking quotation they could get from "a politico" analyzing HRC's potential VP picks? It's no surprise to me that we keep getting stuck with "the lesser of two evils" candidates when we set the bar for political dialogue so low, I thought the LA Times was better than that.
"We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.- JFK
Nice sweater!!!
ahhhhhhhhhh!