From Iowa: The Cedar Rapids Gazette
Submitted by Kat on October 8, 2006 - 12:16pm.
Iowa | Wesley Clark
The Cedar Rapids Gazette 10/08/2006, Page B02 (no link)
Clark urges focus on domestic issues
By James Q. Lynch
The Gazette
CEDAR RAPIDS — Wesley Clark says he is ''totally focused'' on 2006 and doesn't even have a process in place to consider a campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
However, the retired Army general's comments on the the lessons learned from his 2004 campaign and what he sees as the Bush administration's failures sound like the basis for a 2008 candidacy.
Clark, 62, who flew into Cedar Rapids on Saturday, is keeping busy these days campaigning for Democrats, including 1st District hopeful Bruce Braley on Saturday afternoon and 3rd District Rep. Leonard Boswell today in Des Moines.
''In some ways, it's a lot like being back in the Army,'' he said at The Eastern Iowa Airport. ''You fly in, give the troops a pep talk and fly on to the next place.''
The greatest gift, Clark said, ''is to have the opportunity to fight for what you believe in.'' He believes the balance of power in Washington has to change.
''It is essential for America,'' he said. ''We have to change it, and the time is now.''
And while he argues that the United States has ''to get our national security right,'' Clark says that shouldn't be the focus of the 2008 election. ''We need a new national strategy and it's not focused on the long war on terrorism,'' he said. ''It's focused on helping America lead and protect itself in a global economy.
''We have to work on education and health care and the environment and global warming and handle terrorists, which we can do,'' he said. ''All of that is possible if we focus on what we have to do.''
That optimism and insight are part of why Ruth Olive of Cedar Rapids planned to go to a Cedar Falls rally Saturday to hear Clark speak even though she had heard him a week earlier.
''I really think he would make a fantastic president,'' Olive said. ''A lot of people I know would like to see him run.''
She is encouraged by Clark's statement that he hasn't said he won't run, ''so I think he's looking at it very closely,'' Olive said.
''I get a lot of encouragement'' to run in 2008, Clark said, ''but I haven't really worked through the answer to that question.'
The reference to the pep talk for the troops gives me more insight into the approach he's taken recently talking about how the people who win wars are the troops. That has had me a bit confused, since on another level, he has usually said something quite different, involving diplomacy and people other than the troops for restructuring.
But best of all is how the war on terrorism is put into a larger framework, showing Clark isn't just the "foreign policy guy" but has a vision for America where security and foreign policy are just a piece, but not even actually the main focus, of what needs to be done for America.
Great job, Ruth. Congratulations and much appreciation from this quarter.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Really fine to tune in here
and get a report re General Wes'
in IOWA.
Complete with quotes from our
own Ruth.
Another bless for us on an
already up weekend for us here.
Thank you, KAT.
Thanks for helping Wes!
Wes sounds so optimistic, doesn't he?
IT IS TIME TO MOVE FORWARD. THE COUNTRY WE CARRY IN OUR HEARTS IS WAITING. – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Thanks Ruth!
What a great quote from you...and what a great man you support!
as always-
"The greatest gift is to have the opportunity to fight for what you believe in." ~ Wes Clark
And you go-- Ruth!!! Making that Iowa ink!
Thanks Kat--
Well said.
And a good article to be quoted in too.
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
is on her way back to C.R. after a great rally for Congressman Boswell. I am just arriving home after seeing Wes off at the airport. There was mostly TV coverage of Clark at the rally so it will be interesting to see if there is anything in the DSM Register tomorrow. He met nearly all the movers and shakers in the Democratic Party in the Des Moines area and some from outside the area. He worked the crowd and was very well received. It will be a while before Ruth can get the videos up since she has footage from the Spencer Brunch this morning in addition to footage from the rally and she has had a very long day.
In Friday's paper they reported Clark would be in Cedar Falls on Saturday. They listed him as 'General Wesley Clark of Arizona.'
Now I've seen several people confuse AR with AK but never AZ before.
All that will straighten itself out in time.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
Yup, I'm back. My day started at 5 am and hasn't let up. It's been great! I have one picture I want to get online faster than the rest. My daughter is using the computer I need in order to post it but will throw her butt off soon. ;)
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
Hi. I just got home from a wonderful day traveling Iowa in pursuit of our next president.
Good article we got here. James Lynch called me out of the blue Friday and started asking questions. I'm happy to report I was quoted accurately.
I've got a ton of pictures, video and a report to write. Stay tuned.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
Nice quote...And I'm also anxiously awaiting everything...especially this picture you're talking about. :)
We're all eating this stuff up Ruth! Great work on the part of you and all Clark's core supporters in Iowa...
...and of course the General himself!
[F]ocus of the 2008 election. ''We need a new national strategy and it's not focused on the long war on terrorism,'' he said. ''It's focused on helping America lead and protect itself in a global economy.'
Think we can focus on THAT, guys????
are now in print together. Ha! This is great. It sounds as if Iowa in October is turning into a very good month.
Z<---in occupied Ohio.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
Yes, I'm fine and visiting family...everyone seems to be a Democrat. Nevertheless, when in Ohio, it is best to remain in an undisclosed location. Hey, maybe Cheney's here somewhere. Out in the cold, cold, garage I hope.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
Hey Z- when are you headed home? Maybe you can time it so you can catch the Patrick Murphy / Bill Clinton rally on Thursday (a little north of Philly)...?
Donna Z, glad you're in a 'friendly' place; husband's family in OH, but haven't had opty to check them out on this!
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
Where's Sybil? LOL
And you beat the clock. CCN will be down for 5 mins at 11PM ET.
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
I decided against going for the gold shot where he actually ate the thing. LOL
OK, one more before I go write or collapse, cuz it was such a thrill for me to get to do this.
Did you watch General Clark on TV today? I did! Live from the studio!
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
Ruth!! You are a gem! Bravo!!
And thanks to daughter for letting you get on the 'puter! :D (Doesn't sound like she had much choice, but still.(
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
here knows how and once commented on it.. I took the notes and since then have not been able to find the notes... keep asking on new threads until it was MS LA or Ruth or Nom or Blank that gave the answer...
www.ptnine.com/Warren.wmv "Since this administration has been in office we've had nothing but security problems." WKC
I was asked to replace those photos with smaller versions. I didn't have time to work on them right then so I renamed the files on my side so they wouldn't show up. This morning I worked on the photos and made them smaller and upload those with the same file names. They should show up shortly, or not. I am not sure why they aren't showing up right now.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
Keep hope alive. Everybody just has to wait for Wes to stick his finger in the wind and decide if the conditions are right for him to run. He's the doctor of strategy.
I just saw the CBS affiliate interview with Clark. It was short but good. I would guess there was a little more footage on the 5 o'clock news but I was still at the event so missed it. They talked about Kerry being in the state today but didn't have any footage of him.
?????who.
"decent wages, education and health care for every American is "not just an opportunity, but a right."--Wes Clark
Eating a hot dog on a bun with mustard (and what appears to be chili), using a disposable paper plate and napkin.
How much more Americana can one get?
The blue table cloth, the lady with the blue turtle neck blouse, the lady with the blue jean jacket, the blue Boswell buttons, the blue wrapper on the bottles of water ---- and General Clark with a blue tie.
PERFECT!
Thank you Ruth! Unfortunately I was out of town this weekend and unable to show my support for Wes. I am glad the Gazette chose to cover his visit, although I wish it would have had more TV coverage! (Never enough I guess!).
Interestingly enough I was visiting a rather conservative-leaning area of Iowa and was told by a number of people that they admire what Clark stands for and what he's done so far. I think the base is starting to solidify, let's just hope its building to something great in 08!
And yes, it does sound like Wes is laying the ground work for a run.
please goddesses