Meeting the General in Rochester

General Clark and Eric Massa arrived at Mario's Via Abruzzi only a few minutes late, after having had a press conference at the Rochester Veteran's Outreach. There were about 200 of us waiting for the stars, while we munched on $100 buffet salads and exchanged Bush insults (read: slurs and profanities). As soon as they came in, Wes started to work the room until Eric called him to stand "in a reception line" (of two). For those of you who haven't met Eric in person, he has an extremely strong--one might even say "commanding" personality. On their way to a corner to form the two-man reception line, Eric, passing by, spotted me and said "Miriam, get on over here." I was startled that he remembered my name after one meeting, but then recalled that I'd given him one of my books. And I wasn't so startled that I didn't "get on over" very fast, while everyone else was sort of milling around. Thus, friends, I finally met the General.

While others were still clueing into what was happening we had a chat about books! It's an odd thing, but I've seen so many clips and live TV appearances of Clark, that I felt rather as if I were meeting/talking with an old friend. He looked tired--which no doubt he was--but the eyes were ultra-alert. And I suppose you all want to know that he was wearing a light gray suit (in 90+ degree outdoor heat.) I think he had on a blue tie but won't swear to it--to tell the truth, I wasn't very interested in his tie . I won't give you a word-for-word account of what he said (spoke over half an hour) because CarolNYC did that so well in her blogged NJ Paul Aronsohn account and Clark's talk today was very similar. And much of what he said we are all familiar with. His audience was responsive and enthusiastic and I could see the moment his fatigue fell away and he went off on a roll. It was right after the cheering he got when he called the administration "strategic dunces!" (And keep in mind that Rochesterians aren't ordinarily very a "cheering" sort of people.) Much more unsettling was when he used the word "danger" three times regarding America: i.e. "America is in danger." "It is a dangerous time for America." He retold the Paul Wolfowitz 1991 plan for the Middle East horror story related in Carol's blog. I think most people there, or certainly the ones near me, were pretty well shocked. And angry. Eric was his high-energy, passionate, straightforward self, his short talk delivered in that attractive baritone voice of his. Really had the audience enthused and...I guess the only word for it is "relieved" that they had a really good candidate there. Afterward, the majority of people flocked around him, asking what they could do to help his campaign, etc. General Clark was standing at a window with a few around him requesting pictures. When he gestured for me to come over, I told him my Paul Wolfowitz story.

I may have posted it for you long ago, but if not: I went to school in Ithaca with Paul Wolfowitz and his older sister Laura, who is my age. Laura and I were little more than nodding acquaintances, but we were both fairly serious students (at that stage of life at least.) We were both honor speakers at our graduation and one day we were rehearsing our speeches together at her house when Paul, maybe three years younger as I recall, was being his relentlessly obnoxious, weird, nosy little self (I've often wondered if his personality is twisted against humanity because his ears were positively elephantine. He got teased about them, but he was too arrogant to respond gracefully and consequently he got teased more). Finally Laura said to me in exasperation, "Let's take him into the bathroom, fill up the tub, and drown him." (Talk about missed opportunities!) Clark threw back his head and laughed. Hard. And we talked a bit about what-might-have-been(s). And then they whisked him off to the airport. It's my impression that he will run in '08 if he thinks he can win. But that caveat covers a multitude of things. Let's all hope, because I believe he is our hope.

The tie was light blue with yellowish diamonds. It's one of his usual ties--which is probably another reason why you didn't notice it.

Here's my blog (on Eric's site) on the press conference that Wes and Eric did before the fundraiser. Please stop by.

I also need a favor. We have a nut over there and we need some backup. Please comment on The Commander's Table.

Hey ((((shortie!!!!!!!!!!!))))

Meeting the General AND sharing your Wolfowitz story, priceless. (yes, I do remember your story - hilarious)

Job well done mgm!

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

Thank you so much for sticking with it and making this blog work! It's so appreciated, as you know, and I especially the little story you got to tell General! LOL!! Love it!

Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia

I Love the Wolfowitz story!

Thanks for blogging this M! A great read.

I've gotta join in that particular laughter....!!!!!!!!!!

I'll let you know when I get back up off the floor.

"Talk about missed opportunities..."

BWHAAAA- eternally. Thank you. I needed that.

I bet Wes did too.

And I, too, am laughing at your Wolfowitz story....

"The mark of leadership is not to standup when everybody is standing, but rather to actually stand up when no one else is standing" - Pulitzer Prize winning author Samantha Power, introducing Gen Clark

Wesley Clark stumps here for Dem, scolds Bush

Joseph Spector
Staff writer

(August 2, 2006) — Retired Gen. Wesley Clark campaigned for Democratic congressional candidate Eric Massa in Rochester this morning and blasted the Bush administration for neglecting veterans and for its failing foreign policies.

Clark, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, said the White House hadn't put in place the diplomatic and political strategies necessary to win the war in Iraq and establish peace in the Middle East.

"It has been over three years of fumbles and mistakes by the White House," Clark said during a news conference across the street from the Veterans Outreach Center on South Avenue.

The White House defended Bush’s policies and said that he has increased spending for veterans’ health care by 69 percent since 2001.

“The president is aware of the challenges in Iraq, but is also committed to achieving success,” said White House spokesman Peter Watkins.

Massa was a former Clark aide and is running against Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, Steuben County.

Personally, I think that every single neocon had seriously trouble youths, which is why they hate humanity. Ok, I know, ...not constructive dialogue; but truthfully, it's hard for me not to dream of an opportunity to someday pull Wolfo-ditz's ears apart. Besides it's wasted on him. Could be karmic; I suspect that in his next life, he'll be an asian elephant.

Just curious, which book did you give Eric? Is there any reason for that particular book? And, ...did you also give Clark a book? ;)

Thanks again for this wonderful account -- a very enjoyable read.

Looking forward to reading many more chapters from you in the months ahead.

I gave Eric my Sisters of Cain which involves the Civil War Navy during the 1862 Virginia Peninsula Campaign. That means it also covers the Monitor vs Merrimac (or Virginian) ironsides battle. So yes, there was a reason for giving a Navy man that book. When Eric told Clark about it, the general was interested because, he said, the Peninsula Campaign is rarely written about. To which I answered, "Yes, sir, that's exactly why I did it." And no, I didn't give Clark a book. I thought with all the traveling he had ahead of him it would be a burden---besides, I've noticed that we writers don't often foist our own books on other writers. Professional curtesy? :-)

Being a pro, you do write a story very well. I wish you'd tell us more stories sometime. My impression about Wes running in 08 is as his son has said, it's about being able to raise the money to compete with Hillary and the uberwealthy like Mark Warner. It's so sad that we are in the shape we are in as a nation, because we have such a flawed system in how we pick our leaders. The one who raises the most money pretty much gets to win, unless the do something like make an "I have a scream" speech in Iowa. Speaking of which, I'm really pulling for Howard and his 50 state strategy being successful. Glad Eric got all that support in Rochester. BTW, what a pretty lady you and your kitty are in that picture.

wonderful account. That's right! I remember your story about Wolfowitz. Too funny!

"strategic dunces"? That is LOL funny......even if it is used in such a serious way. Haven't heard Wes use that one before. Strategic dunces making strategic blunders. Heh.

I finally got around to writing my account of the fundraiser.

mgm, I must say, if this was your first time meeting Wes, YOU PICKED A REAL WINNER! This fundraiser was just electric.

those who haven't, should take a little walk over to Eric's blog and check this out.....well worth the hike. Loved it!

By a writer of course.

Is it too late to take him into the bathroom and drown him?

Well, probably, the damage is done. Let karma take care of it. An obnoxious Dumbo in the next life. Lol!

The book sounds interesting but I get hung up on you spending a half hour talking to Wes. Now that is something seemingly impossible. What a great opportunity. It can be the stuff of another story years from now when you reminesce about the time you spent half an hour chatting with former president WES CLARK. "No, you didn"t. Do you mean THE Wes Clark, the greatest president we have ever had?"

Thank you very much, Miriam.

Noel

I didn't get a half hour with Clark. Guess it was confusing (no time to carefully edit these posts when you expect to get bounced off site any second). What I meant was that Clark gave about a half hour speech to the people there. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.

I always love to wake up to first hand accounts of a blogger's meeting with the General. No matter how many times I've read them, there is always something special that is remembered in each and every one. Thanks for sharing this with us mgm. And I had to chuckle, again, at the second telling of the Wolfowitz story. This time, what appealed to me was the way Wes reacted to it. I can just hear his hearty laughter!

Work hard for Eric. He so deserves to win this election!

"COUNTRY before Party!" -- Wes Clark

Your acount of the fundraiser was better than being there. I got to wear my PJs.

I wish my memory was better on this one but somewhere I read that Paul W. was actually one of the nicer neocons. Scary stuff.

Thank you for the great report.

I'm so glad that you finally got to meet our General and were able to share your Wolfowitz story with him! Too funny!

Hi mgm,

Thanks for that great account.

I got a chance to look up your book (and then books) on Amazon. They sound incredibly interesting. I'm especially intrigued by the feminist slant. I wish more of your books were still in print, especially since it sounds like you've singlehandedly created a new genre (historical mystery social justice romances?). I plan on ordering one. What great story premises you have!!

I used to live in Rochester too - I worked at what was then Lawyers' Cooperative Publishing, but it later became West Publishing. I hope that the town stays afloat, and downtown keeps its head above water, what with Kodak's problems and a generally icky economy.