Heading to Denver
Submitted by Wes Clark on August 27, 2008 - 4:50pm.
I'm in Munich right now, but I can't tell you how ready I am to head to Denver and join my fellow Democrats.
The Democratic Party is ready to lead and address the many challenges ahead, and Barack Obama is the leader we need for our country and to help humanity meet today's global challenges.
We're a party loaded with talent. Like many of you, I've been thrilled by the speeches at the Democratic National Convention so far. Hillary Clinton was great last night. Her strength, her character, her call for unity. Her speech just proves once again that she is a great American and has many years of distinguished public service ahead of her.
And what an inspiration Ted Kennedy was, as was Nancy Pelosi, our Speaker of the House. Brian Schweitzer, the history-making Governor of Montana and Mark Warner, a business executive, distinguished former Governor and soon-to-be a remarkable U.S. Senator.
Tonight, I'm looking forward to catching the speeches of our honored former President Bill Clinton and our vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden. We are so fortunate that these two outstanding men are Democrats.
And then there's tomorrow. Our Party is so fortunate at this time in history to be nominating Barack Obama. After Michelle's incredibly warm and personal speech on Monday, any American can see the strength of character in their family. It's clear that when the Obamas become first family, they'll definitely bring change to America.
I can't wait to hear Senator Obama's words in person. He's warned us not to expect that he can duplicate the electricity from his memorable speech in 2004, but I think he's just being wise to play down expectations. He has proven to be a remarkable human being with incredible judgment, an outstanding sense of direction, and unmatched communication skills. I fully expect to be inspired, as I was in 2004.
I'm proud to be a Democrat, and I'm proud to ask you to pull together with me. It's time to help elect our candidates to every office. From mayors to governors, from state legislators to Congress. And especially to come together behind Barack Obama.
Barack is going to be the leader of a great team of Democrats in this election campaign. And he's going to become a great American President.
I believe he has the skills and resolve to strengthen America's security, rebuild America's economy, and restore Americans' faith in the future.
Our challenge is clear. We must win in November.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
You are a wonderful person, Democrat and leader!
Your support of Hillary Clinton was fantastic and your support of Barack Obama and Joe Biden is also fantastic and much needed!
Thank you again for doing all that you do and have done!
Barack Obama and Joe Biden 08
I am so glad to know that you will be in Denver. We have our work cut out for us, restoring our nation isn't easy, but it's essential. I continue to count on you for leadership. You have never let us down.
I always love to hear from you. The convention has been very exciting. Hillary and Michelle both gave thrilling speeches. I was very proud as a woman and as a Democrat. I'm so glad you're able to be there tomorrow when Barack accepts the nomination.
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I am asking you to come together and make sure Barack Obama is our next president. This is a critical mission. - Wes Clark
I agree there's lots of talent, and you are one of our best, Wes. Wish there were many more like you.
I also agree that our support of Barack Obama and Joe Biden is much needed.
Many of us gave our wholehearted support to John Kerry and John Edwards in 2004. Still, they lost. I wonder what (if anything) makes an Obama/Biden ticket any more attractive than was the Kerry/Edwards ticket. I also wonder what makes a McCain/? ticket any less attractive than was a Bush/Cheney ticket. In other words, at this point, I don't see an Obama/Biden ticket easily defeating a McCain/? ticket even if everyone here works as hard as possible to that end.
I understand that we'll never know for certain unless we try. However, to be as frank as possible, if they want my whole-hearted support, Senators Obama and Biden still really need to show me that they have what it takes to win this election.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark could still secure America as a national security candidate.
McCain/? is not going to be easy to beat. I think Obama went a long way last night to proving that unlike Kerry he will fight and fight hard. Never the less it still won't be easy, but just speaking from my experience on the ground here in VA. Obama has really put together a stellar ground team, we've got lots of great enthusiastic volunteers he's spending money in places Kerry never dreamed of, and we are very competitive here in Virginia.
I don't know where we stand after our post convention boost. Obviously McCain is going to try to suck the air out of the post convention boost. But I really think after what 30 million Americans saw last night and the case Bill and Hillary made for Barack, I think we are going to pull ahead of McCain here in Virginia by between 2% and 5%. We were only behind by 1% before the convention so I think it is doable.
The next test for Obama is how well he can play defense during the GOP convention, and then perhaps more importantly the first debate. If McCain can make Obama look weak or unready that is a game changer, but if Obama can go head to head with McCain and come off as the senior statesman like Kennedy did to Nixon that could really take McCain's strong suite away from him.
It's a bold and risky strategy Obama is taking, he could really blow it, but the dividends for Obama, the party, and the country could be huge if he can pull it off. Taking on a Republican war hero who is the elder Republican statesman and winning that debate would be the first time since Kennedy that we have had a national security election and won.
I look forward to Wes's analysis of all this at 8:15 AM.
It's great to know you'll be there in Denver tomorrow!
"Our challenge is clear. We must win in November."
Yes we can!
for your steadfastness and dedication to securing a sustainable future for the people of this country.
Have a wonderful time in Denver. Let us know what you think when you get there.
Thank you for everything you do and will do to protect and defend our country.
watch Thursday coverage:
1. Gen. Wes Clark
2. Pres. Bill Clinton
3. Sen. Joe Biden
we are blessed!!!!!!!!!
Thank You again General Clark
all the best,
Bill (from RI)
...that you try to meet Boone Pickens and discuss wind energy while you're there - he's in Denver also this week trying to garner support for his plan and get feedback on it
pleasure it was opening up my e-mail after a long day at work and finding this message in my in-box!!! I hope you will get to talk to everyone AND get in some interviews with bloggers!!
Will be looking for you on the floor -- You DA MAN!!! :)
**Wes is STILL the Mountain**
Wes for anything he wants to do in the next administration -- that would be AWESOME!!!!
to hearing/seeing you speak tomorrow, General Clark. Any way you look at it, this is an historical moment in American history. I'm so thrilled that you will be a part of it.
Break a leg...... :)
for all you have done and continue to do for this great country.
"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism"
Clarkie since Summer, 2003
Thank you Gen. Clark. I look forward to seeing and reading your reports from the convention.
Thank you. The convention is short one key member of the Arkansas brain-trust.
It feels like everything I have worked my heart out for since 2003 has just been an exercise in futility. The game has changed, the old stuff isn't cool anymore, time to get with the new program.
Well, NO. I may vote for this ticket, but I'm not working to help anyone get elected this year. I'm going to be like the majority of Americans and just not give a shit.
My son is going to Iraq at the end of this year no matter which clown gets elected, and all the high flown rhetoric in the world isn't going to change that. I've always been a Democrat, but in 2003, I threw myself headfirst into desperately trying to change the course of events that is now about to impact my family like a roadside bomb.
I don't believe we're any closer to changing things now than we were five years ago, because these clowns love to hear themselves talk, but they'd never, ever DO anything to upset their corporate sponsors.
You, sir, are different, and some of us finally came to realize that is why you are not, and will never, advance as a politician. Because serving this country and caring about what happens to it are really important to you. Having your voice in the mix matters a great deal, and I know I speak for not only myself when I say we are grateful for all you have done and continue to do, against all odds.
I've been proud to be a member of the remarkable online (and real world) community that came into existence because so many recognized a leader worth following on principle. I feel truly blessed to have met some of the finest people to be found anywhere here in this community, proud to have worked together with them for common cause, proud to call them my friends.
Sadly, even this community has been ripped apart by hard times and diverging paths, and what once felt like a safe place to share our hopes and dreams has become a mine field.
Once again, I'm on my own.
Can't do it any more either.
When democracy comes back to the Democratic Party, I will too.
Thank you for all you do, Sir.
Why have Obama and the New Democratic Party chose to rehabilitate the Republican Party at a time when it and conservatism has proven to be such a failure? Answer: "Because that's where the money is."
I pray for your son's safety and well-being, and for you too. I am a teacher (3rd grade), and if you would like, or if your son would like, I and my students would be happy to write to him. If this sounds like something your son would want, please let me know. We have written to many soldiers over the years, including cards to Veterans' hospitals for various holidays, including Veteran's Day. Again, I send my most heartfelt prayers to you and your son.
Dinger
"Just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back, up front there ought to be a Man In Black."
-Johnny Cash
My kid brother left for basic 3 weeks ago and I fear that after he colmpletes AIT he will be off to Iraq or Afghanistan, or Iran if McCain is the next president. Of course a brother worried his kid brother and a mother worried about her boy are two different things, but I just wanted to say that I hope that your son stays safe.
Thanks for the update. I'll support the ticket, from top to bottom. We must win!
Come on down to New Mexico if you get a chance and let's grab a beer and some chile-smothered goodies.
role tomorrow night .. CNN said that there will be a military presence on stage with BO when he gives his speech.
**Wes is STILL the Mountain**
Wes for anything he wants to do in the next administration -- that would be AWESOME!!! :)
I understand that we have one Democratic nominee and that many respectable voices are coming out in support of Obama now. I understand we only have one choice between the two major parties and that choice must be Obama, but... it saddens my heart that great leaders and thinkers such as yourself have to "tow the party line" and attribute characteristics to the nominee that are not there or speculative at best. Obama is not a strong candidate for the general election and many people know it. It's going to take a lot of "selling" and "marketing" to get this guy in the White House.
Wes, I appreciate your dedication to the Democratic party, but please do not lose your integrity by elevating Obama to places he has not reached and characterizing him in ways that he has not demonstrated. It's not up you or Hillary or any other Dem leaders to win this election for Obama. Obama has to make the case for himself. He has to inspire a LOT more folks than he did in primary. Your endorsement is one thing, but he has to earn this job on his own.
I would only ask that you remain honest with us and not inflate Obama's characteristics, capabilities, and experience.
Maybe Gen. Clark (and both Sen. and President Clinton), are seeing characteristics in Sen. Obama you may not.
I seriously don't see ANY of the above inflating or elevating someone to a level they haven't reached.
And needed to do this:
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Thank you Cate.
Sorry, but this one is a bridge to far.
Perhaps I'll help some worthy down-ticket candidates.
Some of the others have already expressed how I feel, so I'll leave it at that.
The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.~Elizabeth Cady Stanton
generals on the stage at Invesco Field tonight and your name was called out that an especially loud cheer came up from the stadium, acknowledging your special contributions to the Democratic Party and the special feeling that Democrats have for your service and hard work on behalf of our democracy. Thank you for being there for all of us, General Clark.
It was indeed very heartening to see that so many of the people in that stadium know. The media won't give him the tip of the hat, the pundits and politcos won't, but I think far more people know about the strength of character of General Clark than the media would ever dare to give credit for.
Eve is absolutely right. I hope this means that you have been welcomed back into the Obama campaign as a valued and respected supporter. And so do many of my friends who recognize what great work you do on behalf of Democrats and understand how much you could help Barack Obama win. Thank you for representing all of us in Denver and elsewhere along the campaign trail!
times to chat with a staffer.
Each time I call I get a very warm welcome when I say I am a supporter of General Clark.
Your words of wisdom are always a pleasure, and sometimes the people who respect you most need to hear them repeated often. You always manage to keep the big picture in mind!