The Smartest Guy In The Room - Wes Clark Delivers the REAL SOTU Speech
Submitted by reggiesmom on January 30, 2006 - 6:17pm.
From the diaries -- Larry
Well, WesPeople.....where do I begin? This couldn't have been a more wonderful day! Just to have the ability to attend a conference where there were so many brilliant individuals assembled on the speakers' panel was special unto itself. But the icing on the cake was being able to hear, in person, General Wesley Clark deliver a barn burner of a Real SOTU speech to a packed crowd of interested, engaged and truly patriotic Americans.
Did I mention that Wes was fantastic? Well, that doesn't begin to describe it for me. He was mesmerizing. His speech spoke to every American and his timing and delivery were impecable. (If this wasn't one of the best campaign speeches I've ever heard.....well, that's another matter!)
He began by saying early on that, "The State of the Union is not what it should be and not what it could be." How sad, but true.
I'm sure many of you watched it on the C-SPAN stream or at least read through the text that is now posted on the home page. One of the lines that stood out for me and drew his first round of applause was, "Since 9/11 we've made more enemies then friends in the world and that is no way to protect the American people."
He reiterated this point later in the speech when he commented on the way the neocons are currently painting the Dems as having a hopelessly pre-9/11 mindset as opposed to their more preferable post-9/11 mindset. Wes said, "Let me make one thing perfectly clear, those policies are not making us safer!" In other words, the idea that you are safer with the Bush administration in power couldn't be further from the truth. I saw lots of heads nodding (including Steve Clemons' who was standing just to my left) along with that remark.
This speech was so much more then your average keynote address and it was definitely heads and shoulders above anything that we have heard from our present Commander-in-Chief since he assumed the role of leader of the free world. Wes positively had command of the room! You could have heard a pin drop. I never realized that people could eat so quietly!
I was more than impressed by Wes Clark the very first time I heard him speak in public. But this was truly magical. He has transcended that level of magnetism and moved on to new heights!
If we don't have the opportunity to elect this man as our next president, America will have definitely missed out on a golden opportunity. Men like this don't come along every day. When people ask who is the strongest candidate the Dems can put up in 2008, Wes Clark should be the first name that rolls off of everyone's lips. God help America if our party doesn't recognize that fact before it's too late.
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Additional Observations of the Day
It's always preferable to actually see someone express themselves in real time, rather than watch them via TV or read their words in print. This was an excellent day for discovering what the people on the panel were all about. I have made far too many personal observatons to include them all here, but I would be happy to try to answer any questions that any of you might have. Suffice it to say, we were in heady company!
Each of these people was an expert in his or her particular field and I was amazed at the tremendous amount of "grey matter" that was on display in front of me! Every one of these speakers was exceptional in his or her own right and as a nation, we are extremely fortunate to have people of this caliber working toward a better tomorrow for all Americans.
That being said, the person who stood out the most was the lone female on the panel, the Honorable Wendy R. Sherman. I didn't know anything about her prior to attending this conference but I'll surely never forget her! What she had to say and the way that she said it really blew me away. She stood up there and didn't mince words when she described the abject failures that George W. Bush and his administration have been since they've assumed power.
She stated that the United States of America is currently in the "most abysmal position we've been in, in decades." She went on to say that, "The world's initial dislike of George Bush went on to become a dislike of Americans that has now turned in to a dislike of America. That cannot stand!"
She also said, "While our armed forces are doing a stupendous job, we are on the verge of a broken military and the cost to the next president is going to be staggering." I must say that this was frightening to hear as I have been entertaining this thought from time to time. To hear her say this gave credence to my worst fears. Our country is going to be so hopelessly screwed up by the time Bush leaves office that straightening it out may be more than any one man can hope to accomplish during the next presidential cycle. Aaaccckkk!!!
In her closing remarks she went on to say, "It is critical that Americans have humility when dealing with the rest of the world." I couldn't agree more. BushCo's arrogant "cowboy" attitude has not won us friends or influenced people. Just the opposite.
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On a personal note: It was wonderful to see some of my fellow Clarkies once again, Knightrider & icantbelieveimvotingforageneral. It was also a pleasure to finally meet Ellen after all the previous opportunities that never materialized. I also had the opportunity to meet Erick of WesPAc fame.
Well, as per usual, Wes was mobbed afterward and we were told that he had to catch a plane so I was limited to a single hand-hold opportunity. Hey, I'll take what I can get.....I feel more than fortunate to be included among the people who call themselves Clarkies. He's an individual that is truly worthy of every accolade that is bestowed upon him. Now if we can only get him elected.....
You, and the rest of you, I'm so glad you had a chance to be there. It had to be a magic time.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Thank you so much for the great account! We watched together on line and were equally mesmerized. Brilliant.
So glad you were there to soak it all up.
Single hand hold...that's good too!
I was so sad all day cuz I missed him and was to busy at work ....(Monday)!!! Your wonderful report helped heaps. I will be watching it tonight on CSpan..and also have the script. But its sure not like hearing him in person. So happy you were there. Dee
Thanks for this. I was able to stream it, but it means a lot to know that you all were able to be there!
The speech was mesmerizing while streaming CSPAN3. I can only imagine what it was like in person! Wow! I'm looking forward to watching it on the TV on CSPAN tonight. Hmmm, wonder if I have a blank tape....
Get your Clark Cards here! http://www.wildeyejames.com/WesCard.htm
No Doubt! Just take a look at this document - pretty much says it all.
Reggiesmom- I so appreciate the juxtaposition of your title- I can't tell you how much. :)
Not just the smartest guy, I think- the one with the most heart, the most vision, the most wisdom- and the most plain-speaking common sense!
I've just been able to stream the speech & need to absorb it again- water in the desert. So glad you were able to be there. I think my eyes have welled up- six or seven times? :) Been a long, long, long time since positive little tears have gathered in the corners of my eyes- I have cried though many times at the heartless incompetence & corruption currently loose in our land.
Water in the desert....
Believe it or not, I thought of you as I was typing the title line. ♥
Wes was definitely the guy with the most heart! There were a few times during the speech when I thought he might shed a tear.....he was that into it! His passion was palpable.....I'm telling you I was very moved. If you had tears in the corners of your eyes watching it on a C-SPAN stream, imagine what it was like to be sitting a few yards away from him as he delivered it.
It was utterly awesome!
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
I've always admired Hon. Wendy R. Sherman a lot. She must know Wes quite well as, of course, she works with Madeleine Allbright.
Love it...just love it.
I'm wondering about the ambiance between the General and the other speakers. Could you tell? Did they interact?
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
but as it turned out, Wes didn't arrive until just before he went on, so there was no way to observe him interacting with the other speakers. It seemed as though many of them left when they were finished presenting their portion of the program.
Steve Clemons gave him a wonderful introduction, however. I'm sure if you saw the C-SPAN stream you heard his remarks. Also, I think there were some "big wigs" in the audience that Wes probably knows fairly well. He shook the hand of an elderly gentleman (who was seated next to Knightrider) on his way to the podium. Wes seemed to know him and this man had been present for the entire program.
After the brief Q & A session Wes was standing outside the room and had the usual throng of people surrounding him. I really don't know the who's who of the D.C. players (except for the usual suspects), but I do know who Joe Wilson is (husband of Valerie Plame) and he was standing out there for quite a while waiting to talk to Wes. He made a point of acknowledging Wes, shaking his hand and said he'd talk to him later.
There definitely seemed to be a lot of respect for General Clark in the air.....if you get my drift. He received several rounds of applause and at least 2 standing ovations. And I believe this audience was comprised more so of people connected to the topics at hand then just regular members of society (like me).
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
That is sooooo kewl! Joe Wilson + talk to you later. Yeeehaaaah
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
Joe Wilson is definitely HOT! He had on jeans, a navy turtleneck, a camel's hair sports jacket and those horned-rimmed glasses I adore.....
Standing between him and Wes Clark was one of those moments that happen only once in a lifetime! Ahhh.....
If only I was a single woman.....
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
let's not allow this topic to take a turn for the worst.
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
Joe is..............
I'm looking over my shoulder for the blog police :p
You cannot successfully run the world on comic book slogans and third rate biblical homilies.
Sounds like a drool fest to me?
Isn't that strictly prohibited in Blog Behavior Law--Codicil #37G540??
Officer Westcott!!! Get over here now--
and bring the bus.
We were discussing that. There's a debate over whether ALL drooling is prohibited or only Wes-drooling is prohibited. The National Guard was here and declined to clarify the law. Of course, I believe the only rule the National Guard presented had to do with posting only pictures of General Clark wearing clothes.
Drooling to excess is an offense- regardless of the object of said drool.
However it's been pointed out to me that you all may be under some undue stress today, thereby causing deviant behavior in otherwise lawbiding citizens.
I'll leave this one up to Officer Westcott - who I understand can be bribed with relatively small gifts or favors.
Wes drooling is the ONLY drooling allowed here, I thought.
At least nobody resurrected "General Hottie."
Oh...I just did.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
I just hope these heady people spread the word, spread the word, spread the word.
Unitary Executive Theory is NOT a theory anymore!
outer loop, I noticed a VERY HANDSOME familiar face! So I said Hi! and he acknowledged me.
And then I realized that it was Joe Wilson! I'd never met him, tho he was so familiar I thought that I had! So I went up to him and apologized, introduced myself, and said 'Good luck to us all!'
He is MORE than merely HOT!!!
I am so truly happy you gave your report. I wanted to know how the audience reacted... it was hard to know from the streaming. I also wanted to know if he was approached after his speech. I am not surprised that so many tried to meet with him. Your report is wonderful. I hope you don't mind, I have sent your report to those I also sent his speech to.
You are right, being there in person is different than watching it on television. I pray many get their chance to hear him and meet him!
Prayers for our General! thanks!
Unitary Executive Theory is NOT a theory anymore!
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm happy to read that you liked my report.
I so wish you all could have been there to see him, too. He was out of this world! 
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
...for an outstanding account.
You cannot successfully run the world on comic book slogans and third rate biblical homilies.
I'm going to have to see Wes's speech again. I'm not sure how much of it I remember. It was so powerful, it was like I was hypnotized. All that kept running through my mind was, "He should be President."
Steve Clemmons talking
You cannot successfully run the world on comic book slogans and third rate biblical homilies.
you're the best!
YHM
Just back from some family events, so I can study events! Has anyone suggested that we thank Steve Clemons????
Because I did thank him and I wouldn't have thought of it. However, it may have been you that suggested it to me in the train station. LOL!
So sorry for not saying goodbye. Elizabeth & I realized that we were going to just be able to make the next train to Baltimore, if we hurried. You 2 were on the other side of the street with the traffic whizzing by. We needed to "bust a move" so we just did it. We attempted to wave goodbye but with all the traffic, I don't think you saw us. Please forgive the unintentional rudeness.
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
Train stations are like that!
24 hours ago we were there! And it looks as if C-Span is using the 'show' as their default 'filler!' How good is that!!!
reggiesmom, you really wrote up a beautiful account. yes, we saw the little stream online and as others have remarked, it's hard to imagine what it must have been like to be there in person. Thank you for taking us there! ;D
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
I'm gonna have to leave y'all shortly, but will be watching!!!
oh and damn you as well for being lucky enough to live close enough to get there for today's event :-)
I love the Joe Wilson anecdote.
You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003
to the females on this blog. 
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
reggiesmom.
I got to hear it by streaming the audio. I don't even try streaming video on my dial up, and it was fantastic. Your report helped put a "face" on what I heard.
Thank you so much.
to everybody, for you kind remarks. It's not hard to write a wonderful report when you have such an inspiring subject! I was never more moved by any one individual then I was by Wes Clark, today. He is one in a trillion.....
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
I just wrote a story about the Bush Energy policy, going back to Cheney's task force, and tied it to a couple of choice quotes from Wes's fantastic speech today. Check it out if you have a moment.
Also-much appreciative of the personal angle in this post. Thanks!
View my WesPAC posts, and check out my blog.
Sounds like you all had a wonderful day. Yes....quite the company you were keeping today. ;) I've read the transcript Larry provided and am getting ready to watch the replay on CSPAN soon. This speech from our General was sorely needed today. I'm so anxious to hear it. Thanks so much for this terrific color commentary. I loved it!!
A repost for this community thread;
These are the pics (that I salvaged ;). Hopefully these provide everyone with a sense of the historic event today with Clark :)
Wesley Clark - Real State of the Union (1.30.06)
Enjoy! But,... let me r'minds y'all, ... thar be no drooling!!! 
Enuf is a Enuf!!
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"Debate, Dialogue, Discussion, Disagreement - that's not wrong -that's not unpatriotic, that's one of the highest forms of patriotism and love of country, and we need to say it!" - Gen. Wesley Clark (US Ret.)
Thanks for posting these, buddy! As per usual, you were able to capture some of the flavor of the day's events. 
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
Thanks for the pics, KnightRider. Fantastic. A special thank your for the captions.
Good lookin' dog tag you're sporting there, ReggiesMom.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
I believe a very talented and clever Clarkie designed those and made them available at the 1st Annual NCCM.
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
the re-broadcast of Real State of the Union 1/30
replayed all of the speakers and cut away exactly at the introduction of Gen. Clark ..hummmm
Sidney Blumenthal had something niffy to say... ( he is good on Middle East isn't he ) that Bush paraphrasing here takes after Marks... Gruocho Marks
quote GM: 'who are you going to believe me or your lying eyes' = SELF CENSORING
I thought that was good because that twist has been around for a long time ie. when the other side calls your observations conspiracy theories ( old attack label ) and you turn around and say 'this is not a conspiracy theory but this is what I think' - YOU ARE SELF INHIBITING - SELF CENSORING.... they framed you and you continue to frame yourself - box yourself right in and seal with reinforced up to building code materials... when you say ' I am not a liberal but here is what I think' ( because they have slapped an attack label on it ) you are self inhibiting... and self reinforcing their frame.... Rove says lately that Dems are pre- 9/11 thinkers and GOP are post- 9/11 thinkers that alone is a powerful enough frame to win the 2006 elections for them; and you can bet your bottom dollar they have run it by more than one focus group. I did hear from somebody today ... of all the media I consumed I really can't remember the source.. so if it makes sense consider it but if it does not don't bother with this idea so here it is... nothing that Bush and the boys is says is credible to the public .... at this point most of the public knows now that nothing he says is for real.... so don't even once address a GOP label or you will be self inhibiting and ( this is very different from being swift boated that requires immediate hand to hand combat direct and indirect ) For the Dems to use up their 30 second sound bytes re-introducing & refuting a GOP label makes us appear weak it has a powerful effect; AND we rarely get a good 30 second sound bite that hasn't been re-written in Corporate media editing rooms... don't put yourself in a box... who are you going to believe Bush or your own (lying ) eyes
that is THE frame that boxes you in ... see how simple and powerful that twist is ... it was a fun dance but a lousy language trap so don't fall for it
I almost felt like I was there reading your report.
Beyond Wes' speech, I was truly stuck by listening to various speakers articulate this nation's economic woes. That was truly sobering - truly scary!!
Leadership means lifting people up. --Wes Clark
I almost felt like I was there reading your report.
Beyond Wes' speech, I was truly stuck by listening to various speakers articulate this nation's economic woes. That was truly sobering - truly scary!!
And, OH - Just got an e-mail from the man himself - have to reply and send a message to the White House. YES, GENERAL!!
Leadership means lifting people up. --Wes Clark
he had/has a cold!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your report. I'm sure sitting in there listening & watching Wes first-hand was electrifying!
There was a huge difference watching the program online compared to watching it on TV (CSPAN1). Multiply that by 100 and it probably is the difference of sitting right smack in front of him live! I'm thrilled there were some Clarkies there, strongly supporting Wes! I'm happy for you that you got to experience it. Of course, it is fantastic that you took the time to write about it here in the CCN!
Thanks so much!
So good to hear about all the positive energy in the room--generated by our General.
The General gets it right. Competence--What a concept!
After the program was over did you hear the people in the audience? I'm curious what they had to say about Wes.
I was very impressed with the audience when I watched the program on TV. The audience took it all so seriously - many writing notes. They were listening to every word.
I look back at the 2004 General Election's campaign stops by the candidates. Much of it was so rehearsed and the audiences would have cheered no matter what was said (I think back at bushjr's comment about how awful it is that the good Docs-OBGYNs can't give the love to their patients - something to that order). New America Foundation, their speakers, and those of you who attended the program need to be thanked and congratulated for taking an active part in what is an example of how our Democracy should work. True discussions of the issues and policies is vital to our Democracy.
I'm so proud of you all! Once again - thanks so much!
other then our own Clarkies, had to say after Wes delivered the speech to end all speeches. However, I saw plenty of heads nodding in unison as he spoke. I was half afraid the head of the gentlemen in front of me was going to roll right off his shoulders and down the aisle, he was nodding it so fervently.....LOL!
I was seated fairly close to the front of the room and didn't get a "read" on the entire audience but the tables around me seemed to be filled with people who were definitely on the same page. As I mentioned above, there were several separate rounds of applause and at least 2 standing ovations that I can recall.
It's been my experience that an audience doesn't participate like that if they aren't into what the speechmaker has to say. And the Clark bloggers were not initiating these moments of appreciation.....they seemed to begin from various locations around the room and everyone joined in.
One of the things that impressed me the most was that Wes was looking directly into the eyes and connecting with his audience throughout his speech. He looked squarely into mine several times and you could just feel the passion and the honesty that were behind his words.
I want to be perfectly clear that Wes wasn't just staring at some unidentified blip at the back of the room.....oh no. He saw how his audience was responding and he brought that speech home! I have chills right now, just thinking about it; it was that good.
Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption, Culture of Corruption.....
i just finished watching the General's speech ... i started to cry thinking that America would be in much better shape today if Gen Clark had been elected in 2004.
i truly appreciate the work he is doing today, working to get candidates elected in 2006. i see that Eric Massa is on the list of "Band of Brothers 2006" as well as the candidate of my congressional district.
i hope and pray that the General runs again in 2008...it would be so wonderful to see an INTELLIGENT person as president!
i would really like to have a link or dvd of the speech because it is so much more impressive to SEE/HEAR him give the speech than just reading it. it needs to be seen by as many people as we can send it, because the MSM doesn't cover "impressive General," ...just missing white women. it truly bothers me to read some comments on other blogs that say, "well, what has he been doing lately, we never see him mentioned anywhere." we, here, know what the General has been doing and how hard he has been working. it's just a shame that so few outside of the "clarkies" does.
his message/this speech is something to behold.
Clark 2008!
anywhere???
Life has been getting in the way and I'm missing all the good stuff!!!
then scroll thru the pages until you find:
New America Foundation on State of Foreign Policy
..SNIP...
1/30/2006: WASHINGTON, DC: 4 hr. 25 min.
I felt lucky to be able to see it streaming on C-Span, but it's not the same as being there.
You paint a fantastic picture of what it was like to be there in person.
Thanks so much!
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas