Amy's "OMG I met Wesley Clark!" post
Submitted by aymlam79 on February 8, 2006 - 9:45pm.
Firsthand Accounts
It's 4 days after the fact, but I had to post this gushing report about my encounter with General Clark at the Dem rally in LA. If you're looking for an actual reportback about the rally, you'll have to read someone else's blog (ms in la has an accurate report), as I was too starstruck to remember much of anything.
------->begin gushing report<---------
I had flown down from SF to visit my bf Mark (who's a field rep. for Assm. Fran Pavley, although he wasn't officially 'on the clock' that weekend). I was already bummed about missing Wes' dinner event in SF, so when Mark told me about this rally, I kept bugging him to take me. After all, 1) Wes would be there, and 2) it was free!
At the United Methodist Church in Hollywood, several tables were set up for the various Congressional candidates and grassroots groups in SoCal. While browsing through the tables, Mark turned around and said, Look!
And there he was, like from TV, only, real...
Immediately I shoved my digital camera into Mark's hands and said, "Quick, take a picture of us!" After waiting a bit for Wes to finish greeting people, Mark called out to him and said, "General Clark, can we take a picture?"
And voila:
Mark also helped another fellow take a picture, but I was too excited to help Mark take one with the General. (Sorry hon!)
Afterwards we went off to mingle at the other tables, we didn't realize that Wes was going around all the tables greeting people. So I was a little embarassed when Wes reached out to shake my hand and said, "Oh Amy, we already took a picture together!" I mentioned something about being from SF, and he remarked that it was a long way to drive.
After I stopped hyperventilating, Mark and I made our way to the pews for the service to begin...
------->end gushing report<---------
On a more serious note, I was impressed with the Congressional candidates who spoke at the rally, especially Francine Busby. She is an amazing speaker. I have to say that she truly deserves our support, not just because of her strategic value, but because she is really dynamic and will be a force for change.
We spoke with Francine after the rally, she talked about how losing her race was not an option, that the whole country is focusing on her race as an indicator of Dem strength. I mentioned to her my NorCal Congressional candidate, Jerry McNerney (who's running along with 2 other Dems and Pete McCloskey against Richard Pombo). She said that she had met him and that she hopes that her campaign will be a positive example to those who are also challenging so-called "unwinnable" seats. To paraphrase what she said, you can't win if you don't even try.
That was very encouraging to hear, along with Wes' words of wisdom. Like Francine, Jerry's been campaigning since 2004 and hasn't stopped speaking out against what cronies like Pombo and Duke Cunningham represent.
I must admit to still being fatigued from 2004, but I'm resolving to try a little harder for Jerry (those of you in CA-11 watch for a new McNerney brochure designed by moi).
Hi Amy! What a fun report and a beautiful picture of you and Wes.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
I remember that "just like on TV only HERE" feeling.
And I definitely remember how to spell J-E-R-R-Y M-C-N-E-R-N-E-Y from making phone calls for the write-in campaign in 04!
ICB... You don't feel that anymore?? LOL!! I feel it EACH and every time I see Wes -- OMG it's like starstruck ROCK STAR type of thing -- I didn't even feel that when I say my favorite band Creed in concert like a billzon times -- well not a billzon times but quite a bit -- AND I did not have that feeling when I was front row center when I saw Rob Thomas/Matchbox 20.
Clark is DA MAN Clark2008
I remember after Wes dropped out of the pres. race, we needed somebody to support, when Jerry showed up. In a lot of ways, our work with Wes' campaign led us to Jerry's campaign.
I could feel your excitement and enthusiasm as I read your recount! Thank you for coming over and telling us about it and posting the beautiful photo!! WooHoo!! Gooooo Busby!! :D
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
((((((Amy))))) So fun reading your report and your photo is fantastic.
Just goes to show, it's not just a few of us that "hyperventilated" with the first (second, third, fourth...) encounters with Gen. Clark!
Come often, and thanks for making me feel so happy! LOL!
Much luck to Busby!
Unitary Executive Theory is NOT a theory anymore!
and thank you for coming over here and sharing. You can see by the comments that we all know how you felt!
As for Francine Busby, I've read quite a lot about her and have friends living in the district where she's running. From what I hear, she is very much expected to get the seat and I think she'll do us all proud.
Always make a Clark event whenever he's in the area. I freeze up everytime...I used to actually take his book to have it signed. But, like I said, I just freeze and so I carry a book around. I've given up on hoping I'll ever get past "Hello" and now leave the book at home.
This sounds like a very special day was had by all. I'm so glad that you got to be there.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
You need to attend a General Clark event with Ruth!! She literally pushed me towards him as I was hanging back, too nervous/shy to approach him after we saw him in Columbus last year! LOL!! He was so warm and welcoming when I arrived in front of him in my Clark '04 t-shirt, shook my hand and thanked me for wearing it and for coming. So warm and comfortable but I was still tongue-tied of course! LOL!!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
The beauty of being in NYC during the campaign was that even though we didn't get a primary there were a lot of opportunities to see Wes...fundraisers, speeches, breakfasts in Grand Central, Charlie Rangel endorsement announcements....There was an early morning walk in Queens when Wes took the subway out to Queens and then was walking to some Democratic Party meeting and the word went out to the draft people...who were now volunteering for Clark...to come if they could, the speech he gave in a beautiful little park on a cloudless September morning shortly after he announced where we got to stand behind the General with signs we'd made while he spoke...I was even on CSpan, standing right behind Wes for that one. I think the still shot even made the postcards on the Women 4 Clark site. :)
Anyway, I could never get more than "Thank you, General" out when I saw him...I was thanking him for running, because I was always conscious of the fact that he could have said no when we were trying to draft him. I hope he knew what I meant....
The first time I really spoke to him was at a fundraiser after he'd dropped out of the race and I only forced myself to do it becuase I'd promised my 4 year old nephew (who adores General Clark) that I would tell General Clark that he and his sister loved him and wanted him to come to PA. I knew my nephew would be asking me about it the next time I talked to him and he just melts my heart and I knew I wouldn't be able to bear to say I hadn't told him...So, I approached Wes, grabbed his shoulder , as he was getting ready to leave, (and immediately thought, "Oh...my...God! I just grabbed the shoulder of a 4 star General! What nerve! Eek!"), but it was too late now so I went ahead and addressed him, "General..." and he held onto my elbow and leaned in so he could hear what I had to say and I actually talked to him and he flashed that great smile and all of a sudden I felt like I'd known him forever and could tell him anything...I've spoken to him a few times since and he really is so approachable...if only you can get past that first hurdle...
ain't gonna happen! 
How great must our failure be until we turn in panic and disgrace to a Man of Honor? - Quigley
I wanted to get his book signed for Jersey last time I saw him. But that particular event was very... private party atmosphere. It seemed tacky or something, I don't know. Plus I was terribly shy. So I carried this heavy book all night in my bag, I felt like a fool. And it only got heavier with every drink. ;)
The last time I saw General Clark, before leaving for the event, I remembered about the book and ran back upstairs determined that this time was the time. Getting out of the car, I remembered the book. But hastily grabbing the book from the back seat was my undoing. The book caught on the seatbelt, and rrrrrip! the front page was torn. Oh! I've given up the quest, at least until I get a new copy...or something. (BTW, I own both books, but with all the dog-ears and highlighter from researching for battles on DU, Waging Modern War, looks like it's been through a war.)
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
half way around the world so I made sure I got it autographed -- although i felt like a total jerk pushing it in front of him.
Nearly lost it in the process though. It was too big for my handbag and I left it under a table in a plastic bag at the NCCM dinner. Late in the night when I went back to fetch it the table and the book were gone. Luckily the hotel staff had put it aside and I retrieved it. Whew.
Anyway, amy your report is so good to read and the photo is fantastic.
I got a pic of me with the General and I look so shocking in it I prefer not to show it to anyone. Which is shame. If it'd been even just half-decent I'd have had it blown up to billboard size and framed.
Thanks for the blog!
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
I'm a little new here, but I already am feeling part of the "Clark Family," especially hearing such a beautiful report from you, Amy! My friend was at the San Fran dinner the other night (so jealous!!) and I heard similar gushing reports and admiring words ... can't wait till I have my very own book to lug around! - Wes looks like he's having a great time in LA! 
IN WITH THE BLUE 2006
Welcome to the family! It's good to have you and Amy here.
And what a great photo of Gen Wes and Amy!
Great stuff!
he puts his pants on one leg at a time. (Or so I've been told) Just like the rest of us. I think it's hard to speak to anyone in crowded situations where there's only about 5 or 10 seconds to say anythingintelligent rather than just blustering hominihominihomini. I guess we're all afraid of being embarassed by saying something stupid. I remember one time I saw Bill Russell on the street in Chicago and called out, "Hi, ya, Wilt the Stilt." (For non-basketball fans, Wilt was Russell's arch-"enemy" and main competitor. Two of the best BB players ever.) Bill got a pretty good laugh out of that. And lucky for me, he was on the other side of the street.
Why?
Great post, Amy. Glad you got to go. I'm up to 20 events in seven cities.
The first time was in Denver, November 9, 2003. The original Colorado for Clark people (those who went to the first MeetUp on July 7, '03) were on stage. He shook hands with the people up there. That was it.
Then later that evening, I attended a smaller fundraiser, with "only" 125 people versus the 900 at the rally (the campaign was hoping for 500). I got a couple of quick "Hellos" and was able to present him with my gift (a framed layout of my bumper stickers, business cards, and flyer.)
That evening was the encounter of the first kind.
The second encounter was in Medford, NH, during the Draft Invasion Weekend. After the breakfast and speech (Sylvia/SultrySaturnLady, Dorothy/SadBlueEyes, and Kurt Derr and I almost missed it), I was able only to get a get-well card signed for a friend who was going but got the flu. (Dick Duggan's idea.)
The third encounter was in Little Rock on April 8, 2004. Clark was late for the small (about 50) fundraiser, so I stepped outside to take my "breathing exercises." As I was outside, Gert drove him up and he hopped out. Never assuming that he knows me from Adam, I stuck out my hand and said, "Good to see you again, General. Stan Davis from Denver."
He said, "Oh, my God!!"
Now, I never knew if it was a what-the-hell-are-you-doing-here kind of "Oh, my God!" or a holy-cow-you-came-all-the-way-just-to-see-me kind of "Oh, my God."
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
And count me amongst those who still haven't had their book signed either.....maybe NCCMII LOL
You cannot successfully run the world on comic book slogans and third rate biblical homilies.
And thanks for the personal account. That's what I call going above and beyond to see General Clark. You certainly must have made a good impression on him when you had your picture taken together. When he got to your table he remembered your name!
Please come back and keep us updated on those races in CA.
"COUNTRY before Party!" -- Wes Clark
And a great photo, too!! I've had the privilege of being in the room with Wes three times--at CCN Conference in LR, in VA Beach during the Kaine Camnpaign, and at the Battle of the Titans at Regent U. In all cases, he was warm, gracious and relaxed--he really puts people at ease. Nevertheless, I would get big butterflies again--I haven't had the nerve to ask him to sign a book, either!
The General gets it right. Competence--What a concept!
win with wes
we win, the country wins
And I'm thrilled you had the chance to meet him. Thanks for the report. It was so much fun to read.
Leadership means lifting people up. --Wes Clark
I'm glad you enjoyed my story. I know it's pretty dorky, but what can I say, I'm proud to be a Clarkie. My bf still makes fun of me about that day, but we had a lot of fun at the rally. I can't wait to crash another free Wes event someday!
...that was a fun read. Thanks for posting the other details about the candidates, didn't hear about that too much. Great job over there!