The General in San Francisco "Mother Spiegel's Report"
Submitted by Tricia Keith Spiegel on February 4, 2006 - 6:33pm.
From the diaries -- Larry
The General in San Francisco (or, “Mother Spiegel’s Report”)
February 2nd, 2006. It was a memorable evening. The Hotel Monaco in San Francisco provided a stunning setting for the approximately 90 people in attendance. There was a roaring fire in a huge fireplace in the fancy foyer/party area. Vegetarian egg rolls with orange and honey sauce, chicken satay, and mushroom caps stuffed with something yummy, were among the delicious appetizers. We were all blissfully ignorant of an explosion scare less than a block away, only noticing the TV news trucks that showed up later. (No boom, so we assume all was well.)
General Clark arrived at the reception about 6 p.m. and, after graciously greeting people in the crowd for a while, he spoke to all of us from in front of that massive fireplace. He looked terrific, although fighting a little cold. He started by reading from an amusing script, portraying it as a spin created by Karl Rove to turn the current governmental disasters into positive outcomes. He claimed that these words just came to him in the middle of the night, and he wrote it all down because it “just flowed,” but it wasn't really him, of course, who was behind it. Then he took serious questions. Many were what we have already heard him speak about, but his answers to two questions (one he asked himself) stood out for me. He was asked how his patriotism was formed. He relayed stories from his childhood, and his warm sincerity and commitment to loving our country was truly touching. One could see so clearly the seeds back then of who he would eventually become.
Before being asked, he said he knew we were wondering if he was running for President again. He gave the most open and detailed response I have yet heard reported. Would he like to be President? Yes, he would. (That was reinforced several times during the evening. And, earlier during the reception, someone told him how great his “real” state of the union was last Monday, and another said, “So when will you be President so you can give the REAL one”, and he replied that he would like to give the REAL one someday. That had everyone within earshot very excited.) However, expressing an interest is very different from declaring that he is going to run. He noted several factors that would determine the answer to that question. Examples: Can his family be financially secure enough to get through it? (He noted that he didn't have the advantages of many other candidates.) Next, what will the country be like when the right timing to declare (or not) occurs? Will his skills and expertise be what the country needs? (And, as an aside, he does not fear running against John McCain.) So far, you and I don't have much of a role here (although I cannot imagine that the country will not desperately require his skills in 2008). The next items on his list of unknowns DO involve all of us. He needs funding (although he is trapped in a Catch 22 here--if he said more definitely that he was running WesPAC would probably attract more donations). And, he needs a widespread grassroots organization set up much earlier. He said "Check out my web page," so I hope the grassroots tools that I know have been created get posted right away. I also think that what he means has to happen is that we, as VISIBLE Clark supporters, get organized and in contact with each other and then become very actively involved in our state and local political organizations and elections. (At least ONE house of Congress needs to turn blue.)
He was very funny last night (don't know how he does it--getting off a plane, driving to the hotel, and being "on" for 5 hours--but he does it, and he does it very well.) One amusing example was his interpretation of how people saw him in 2003, and how so many said he couldn't be President because he had never run for any office. He said is was like if somebody read that the Los Angeles Police Department needed help because it was having problems and then walked into the Police Deaprtament off the street and said, "I want to be Chief of Police." (But, of course, he hopefully assumed we all knew the truth—that his leadership experience in action far exceeds that of virtually all living politicians.)
After a short break, about 28 of us went to a smaller room for dinner. I was at his table at his left side—great view! Because I knew that is where I would be seated in advance, my earlier mulling over what to talk about (e.g., the Patton book in his edited series coming out next week, what he thought of the new President of Chile, how he would deal with China if he were President) proved to be an unnecessary rumination because the room was small enough for him to talk to the whole group the whole time (taking questions mostly). He spoke on a variety of subjects, and the questions were more direct than at the reception. Again, he spoke of wanting to be President, but also needing to be very realistic. He also noted that he thought that anyone "running" now was providing a disservice to Democrats because we needed to focus all of our resources on turning at least one House blue. (I had not yet fully considered this angle.)
At dinner he spoke more about domestic policies, especially health care (moving towards a single payer system, maintaining options for those who could afford more). He is a realist. He noted that there are people with money who will always be able to purchase better health care, and that is just the way it is. He told a story about a wealthy man who just paid for a one million dollar cancer treatment that most all of us in the room would simply not be able to get under any program or under any other conditions. He is as good and sensible about domestic policies as he is about military strategy (which, of course he also spoke about). I wish there was a good venue for getting domestic policy ideas out. You can sense his military strategy models in his domestic policy planning—organized, efficient, effective, looking beyond immediate gains or consequences, and best bang for the buck. We spoke a bit about the VA as an example of a single payer system that has worked well for the most part. But now funds are being cut, making the VA difficult to shine (perhaps because the current administration would like to see it privatized, so the VA has to appear to be less functional?)
At the reception (and more so at dinner) he covered a sensitive subject—an enormous elephant in the room that the Democrats fail to acknowledge. Someone had to do it. He said that Democrats are seen as the party that takes care of the poor and disadvantaged (noting overwhelming Democratic support of families making under $27,000 a year), BUT that this has lost many in the middle class, especially white middle class men. The middle class is now also vulnerable, and they don’t want to see ONLY a bunch of programs for the disadvantaged as “the Democratic message.” He noted how the Democrats are making mistakes here, and that they must also forcefully tackle issues that the middle class can relate to and appreciate. Some of these were discussed. Then somehow we got onto guns and duck hunting that had us all in stitches (how some duck hunters don’t care about ducks, they just want to be with guys and drink and watch porno afterwards.) Speaking of guys with guys, he reported that Brokeback Mountain was a wonderful film and wanted us all to see it if we hadn’t already.
The most profound story of the evening was what he billed as “the worst day of my life”—one he thought was going to turn out to be a relaxing day of golf. It was that standoff with the Brit General Jackson (the incident involving the Russian helicopters and the airfield at Pristina where Clark’s critics claim he almost started WW III). The true story was harrowing. The pressure and stresses from the Americans (Pentagon v. State Department), the Brits (some of whom were disorganized) and the Kosovar leadership going round and round, trying to push one way and the other, and the decisions he had to make under such stress led him to understand better than any politician ever could what it means to be in that kind of crisis. The story was so exciting (I could never give it its due—he told it in great detail), and I hope that there is a way to tell it more widely. He said that stress has colors, and the most intense color is red—where you can see all of the red corpuscles in your face. This was red stress. I still like the idea of a BIG movie (Stephen Spielberg, are you listening?) called “Kosovo” where this and other stories about General Clark’s experiences with this whole conflict can be told ACCURATELY. It would be an exciting movie—a real winner.
He discussed Iran and how the military option could be used, of course, but the after-effects might be horrendous. How would the Middle East and the rest of the world see us then? Who would come to Iran’s aid? He noted that what kept him involved in politics (and not closing off the Presidential option) is because we are making so many mistakes. It is clear that he loves our country above all and wants to be part of making it strong and highly respected again.
Now comes the Mother Spiegel story, as an aside. We were all finishing dessert (it is now 10 p.m.), and because he was talking constantly from the minute we sat down at the table he ate only two bites of his steak and a tiny piece of bread. (Remember, his plate is 8 inches away from mine, so I could see everything left on it.) He was looking tired, and I was sincerely worried about him and trying to figure out how to allow him to eat something—like maybe taking a break for a few minutes. So, when he called on me I said, “There is only one thing more powerful than a Four-Star General and that is a Jewish Mother, and General Clark hasn’t touched his vegetables and only two bites are taken out of his steak and he needs protein.” Everyone laughed, including him (thankfully). Alas, he explained that he doesn’t eat much and he would rather “eat ideas”—and, in fact, he did not eat any more food and was never even served the delicious desserts. I REALLY don’t know how he does it! (Lewis Cohen, who was sitting on the other side of him at dinner, came up afterwards to dutifully report to me that he had eaten all of his vegetables. LOL!)
It is so hard to remember everything that was said in the almost 4 hours he spoke during the evening. What stands out most is the clear statement that he wants to be President (again, noting that is different from saying he will run), an even stronger conviction on everyone’s part that he SHOULD be President, and the clear understanding that we grassroots folks have a big role to play (and that we need to move faster!) to get his name out there and get some organizations set up with things for people to do. Again, we need to be highly visible Clark Supporters working for House and Senate candidates and also attracting funds into WesPAC. I truly believe that the world may depend on it!
Tricia (aka Mother Spiegel)
How I would love to hear him tell the Pristina story.
...now, how to get the General to eat his veggies?
How great must our failure be until we turn in panic and disgrace to a Man of Honor? - Quigley
Thanks for posting. I would have loved to be there.
nicely told. Pass the potatoes, please.
Why not?
Thanks so much Patricia, especially for sharing your account of his comments during the dinner. Outstanding! Thanks for looking out for the General's health, too!
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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.)
Thank you soooooooo much!
You cannot successfully run the world on comic book slogans and third rate biblical homilies.
Thank you dear friend for this thorough, beautifully written account!!
I met you in Santa Cruz when we went to the caucaus together in Salinas! I moved to OH Spring '04 and now I'm sorta stuck!! Hoping my house here sells this Spring and I'll be heading back out to CA! And IF I can find a place I can afford to live in SC would love to be back there!
Thank you so much for this beautiful piece Tricia! I get all goosebumpy reading it!
Hug a redwood for me! ;(
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
Tricia,
Yours was an outstanding report. Thanks for taking the time to write this and let all of us, that were not able to attend, feel like we were there.
I love reading your story, especially with all the detail.
"up close and personal" than that! On the one hand, I am elated that he wants to be president, but on the other hand I am sooooooo frustrated because no one who can truly advance his candidacy seems to give a hoot, at least not at this stage of the game.
Bill Clinton was not an independently wealthy man and somehow he made it to the White House. What Wes needs is a Pamela Harriman in his corner. She was a key figure.....playing a significant behind the scenes roll.....in getting Clinton elected. Not only did she help him financially but she had connections both in Washington, D.C. and around the world.
You and I can support him all we want. Unless or until he's got the explicit backing of some powerful players it's not going to happen, imho.
I didn't mean to go off on such a tangent, but when you spoke of his presidential ambitions, it had my mind going a mile a minute!
Anyway, thank you Mother Spiegel, for such an in depth accounting of the evening. I'm sure all the mothers on this blog appreciated hearing these anecdotes!
You know something I think about sometimes? And it gives me a nasty little snicker? All that money Wes is making from his FAUX appearances could be used for a presidential campaign. 
Teeheehee.
This has got to be the most wonderful account I have ever read. I felt like I was sitting to your left. ;) Thank you for sharing all the things General Wes spoke about. They are so important. This blog post is one for bookmarking and sending on to as many others as possible. The duck hunting story is a hoot. Perhaps we should have you "on his left" a bit more often. All these wonderful details.......and you make him eat his veggies. hahaha. Thanks again, Tricia.
His duck hunting story was absolutely hilarious. But I don't think I'll go into any more detail in this public forum.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
And is why it struck me so funny. You see.....I live with a duck, pheasant, geese, er........waterfowl hunter. He has taken to hunting by himself just because of the types of things our General was discussing. Very serious and particular about his hunting. Strickly by the book and none of that other nonsense allowed.
Kind of a funny story.....I went along with him once.......when we first got married. When a flight of ducks came over. I crouched down and was saying "fly little ducks, fly little ducks". They veered away. I was so thankful and there was no more hunting for me. I didn't want to see them get killed and he didn't want any one there who was going to be rooting for the ducks. Haha. And when the hunter comes home and I look at him.....if he shakes his head no, I say 
.
I don't even step on spiders.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Thank-you, Tricia!
Such a wonderful report of an incredible evening!
And thank-you for trying to take care of Wes :-)
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
From a historical context -- We won the Cold War, ie. WWIII. General Jackson pronoucement against Clark was patently baseless. Therefore, with respect to the Balkan Wars, I think history will show that Clark may have actually prevented WW-IV !!
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Well, thanks a million, Tricia, for sparing me the time and trouble of writing my own account, which would have been woefully inadequate.
Why, you ask? My new camera kept telling me to change batteries and shut down. I put in the spares, same thing. I came to the conclusion that my old camera was fine, that it was the batteries all along since both use the same kind.
Anyway, during the "fireside chat," I mainly futzed with the camera and batteries and missed the whole Karl Rove memo.
It was great to meet so many veterans of the Draft and campaign for the first time: Sybil, Gail Slocum, Joe, Joanna Larson, Robin Galer, Grant McKinney among others. Grant in particular was already going strong when I got involved in the summer of '03.
Special kudos to Kelly for pulling it off so exquisitely, to Robin and Joe for their recruiting efforts, and to Ruth Benedict (Pennsylvania) and Lewis Cohen (NY -- a buddy of Gordon Suber's) for traveling all the way across the country just for this. Hell, compared to them, Colorado was practically next door.
My personal epiphany: This was the first time that I had the feeling that Wes really WANTS to be President. Regarding his REAL State of the Union address, he said that he wanted to give the actual one sometime. But he understands the obstacles in terms of staff, money, and financial security for his family. Right now, that's not his concern. He desperately wants to turn at least one house of Congress blue in 2006.
So there's your charge, mes amis. Aux armes, citoyens! Marchons! Marchons! March forth! Take the bull by the horns. Don't wait. JUST DO IT!
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Your descriptions and reports of conversations were so good, one would ALMOST feel as though he were there. What a wonderful evening and opportunity to see and listen to General Wes in an intimate setting. He must have felt the love from his supporters too, to have been so candid and open.
As reggiesmom said, he needs a financial bigdog firmly behind him, maybe a couple! Is George Soros in Wes' corner, or does that name lend itself to major swiftboating? I know WesPAC is not building anywhere near as fast or as much as other potential presidential PACs, but until Wes comes out and makes even a hint of a statement that he is strongly considering a run, we aren't going to excite the types of donors he'll need.
Tricia, did you get a sense that there's a fire in his belly about running, or is it more that he knows its a duty to his country? Surely he knows that it will only be a bigger problem and mess after another 3 years under this maniac who has control now. I can't see how it will improve at all. Very glad to hear he's not concerned about taking on McCain, but wonder what his thoughts are on the various Democrats considering a run? Since he has a policy about talking about other Democrats, that's probably something he'll never reveal, but I certainly hope he's doing some mental jockeying about the others and their stances, skills, and weaknesses.
Sorry to ramble on...your great report just triggered some thoughts. I'll look forward to seeing your report along with the LA events in "On The Road With Wes" section, coloring in the state of CA.
Debby in Va
Yes.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Thank you for the wonderfully detailed report! And thank you for trying to get him to eat, lol. At least you tried.
:)
thanks Tricia for the report .... taking the time to keep us in the picture ..appreciate it ... if anyone can fill in the details of the Rove memo that would be fun :-)
Truly spectacular!
this message anybody handy at finding their stuff on internet?.. Saturday night live is doing Bush giving State Of Union Speech 2145 it is a riot ...finally passed the social security bill no one over fifty need ever worry about retirement again... they will be jettisoned into deep recesses of space... and Bush 2145 assures us that he is getting close to catching Bin Laden... Jupiter vowed to eliminate Earth in a year ... the war of terror continues
Wow! And thanks!!
(There are those in Taiwan who would call me Grampa Noel, but they don't dare!)
Almost as good at being there. A beautiful account!
The General gets it right. Competence--What a concept!
...that I'm going to make another donation immediately!!
Leadership means lifting people up. --Wes Clark
Thank you for the WONDERFUL post! This is an outstanding 'up close and personal' account, from which we'll all take much for a LONG time!
I have thought, since Monday in DC, that he really feels that his participation is necessary. He said:
'These are the choices before us.
I welcome the opportunity to participate in this great American adventure as we seek our destiny.
America's Beacon of Hope must shine brightly once more, lighting our beloved country and illuminating the whole world.
And if we choose wisely, it will.'
So those of us who haven't had $$$ on our minds too much WILL, henceforth. And those of us who just can't afford to contribute will really feel ;-(.
A suggestion: Wear Clark 2008 buttons! I've worn lovely WesPAC dove button for ages, and yesterday I also wore Wes Clark 2008. For the first time (I think), cashier at Starbucks said 'Its too bad he didn't win last time!' I stuttered (didn't know what he was talking about, first!) and finally said, 'Well, we're working on it.' So I'd like a few more of the buttons, meow, and could use some of donjo's cards now!
And now! As I noticed on Monday that he had a cold, please let me know how its doing! Could you tell? Ending? Worsening? None of the above?
Thanks again!
He seemed fine to me. He did kind of lose his voice toward the end, but give him a break -- he'd been talking for four hours, loudly, to hear over the background noise.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
so came into this room full of cheering and it is no wonder! Tricia, what a fabulous account! I have sent your story off to my contact list. I agree with many below that your story alone incites a lot of enthusiasm, and I'm overjoyed that you came here to share the details of that night! Let's hope your account causes more to give to WesPAC!!! We all need to keep informing our friends about what Wes is doing, and encourage them to spread the word as well.
He's such an extraordinary man!
Thank you Tricia! Thanks Clarksters for making so much noise! LOL!
(((((((((((Clark Family)))))))))))
Unitary Executive Theory is NOT a theory anymore!
I'm (as usual) late to the party, but what an utter delight to read your account of the evening!
Oh you are too kind to see to the General's protein intake and vegetable quota! I too worry about his health with a pace that would fatigue most 20 year olds...I truly can't figure out how he does it.
Great reporting and thank you so much!
Tircia that was really well done! I have a comment to make regarding 2008 and your comments re: his unanswered questions about running. First of all, I have just come from a very disheartening election here in Canada wherein the best man was continually attacked, personally and politically until he lost, because of a small scandal from ten years ago in which he was the one who set in motion the means to expose it and clean it up. Then he resigned. His four potential successors have all declined, citing the 24/7 stress of life in a fish bowl leading a party and a country. Then, watching '24', followed by 'Murder at 1600' followed by 'The American President', with real life events in mind and I 'saw' the enormous burden we put on our leaders, the way we expect them to be heroes and carry it all while we passively benefit and then blame the politicians when things go wrong. (Not Bush) When Clark talks about grassroots and bloggers getting organized, he always has a 'show me the money' sort of attitude and I think that in his way, he is trying to tell people something very valuable. I think the draft Clark movement inspired him most because of the sight of all those ordinary people taking democracy in their own hands. This is what he wants. Not to lead for his own sake, but to lead alongside alot of very likewise motivated people, coming together and forging the direction of the country in a multilateral way. This is what makes him so different from all the wannabees. He wants it to be a partnership, not a hierarchy. Last time, there was a very strong state by state organization that grew because people wanted it to and I think he wants to see that happening again before he committs. I don't think he wants to be in the 'its lonely at the top' mode; he is a team player and wants to see a genuine team forming.
I wasn't at this event but I have been reading and following the political campaign of Gen. Clark since 2003 when he considered then entered politics... I agree with you - I won't restate what you have said you said it so well :-) but I agree with your perspective and points all of them.
Wow, what a fantastic story!
Either General Clark thinks we're all nuts or he loves that so many of us really care about him personally like you do Momma Spiegel! Or both. :)
Thanks
I look at the fascinating things others post, but this was my first attempt to start something on my own on CCN. THANKS for the encouraging feedback.
"Mother Spiegel"
YES, WES!!!
Tricia, this is definitely a most excellent first CCN blog! Thanks so much for sharring it with us....
But what a treat it was to read this. This was the intimate glimps that gives balance to some of the others I read here today, and it is just as important to see as Clark's passion on public display. Thank you for recording and sharing those moments with us.
As it turned out...the bomb scare at the event turned out to be true. A pipe bomb was detonated about a block and a half from the venue.
Rocket
more when my heart stops racing