General:

I had the pleasure of working with Stuart and John concerning your California campaign, and believe you have a genuine opportunity to again selflessly give yourself over to the nation in the wake of Katrina and Rita.

I post this here, understanding its public nature, yet not knowing otherwise how first to broach this to you.

1. DEFINE THE SPINE

In 1992, the core of the Clinton race was to win the five states on the western banks of the Mississippi River, namely Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, which he did.

For purposes of this memo, I will call these states "The Spine."

2. THE SPINE IS GOING RED

Without a centrist Democrat competing at the national level, these states are going red, and without their combined electoral votes, it is unlikely for a Dem to win nationally.

3. WES CLARK'S LOUISIANA MILITIA

My suggestion, sir, is that you announce your intention

(1) to mobilize one million Americans to serve over the coming year as a massive army of neighbors who will help in the rebuilding and beautification of the Great American City of New Orleans, and southern Louisiana. In every reference to N.O., use the phrase Great American City, for truly (a) it IS, (b) its historic relavance goes back to Mr. Jefferson's desire to purchase it from Napolean and the victory by Gen. Jackson in 1815, and (c) it removes race from the discussion while elevating the city's residents to an honored status.

(2) that you will travel the nation -- but particularly focus on The SPine -- to recruit volunteers and raise money for this 'good neighbor' effort (AVOID the word 'reconstruction'), so that this Great American City is not lost to the ages. You will find that delicate handling of this effort will generate far more in terms of goodwill than bashing the President, and will likely give to you the leadership role among primary contender with the African American community for having stepped up to the plate.

and that

(3) on Labor Day weekend 2007, you will throw a million-dollar-party welcoming this Great American City back into its proper place, at the center of the nation's heart. Hope springs eternal and your brigades will speed the day of the city and region's restoration.

-- Volunteers will be concentrated from the states on both the western and eastern waters of the Mississippi.

-- The money will come from your national travels and a direct-mail campaign.

-- ALL DOLLARS will be routed without administrative/fundraising costs to the good-neighbor-effort.

-- You will personally lead brigades of volunteer workers into southern Louisiana on a MONTHLY basis and your entire discussion will be focused ONLY on the good-neighbor effort. There will be NO mention at all of your own self. This is exclusively a good soldier serving as the commander of a vast goodwill army. You must strip away the perception of open opportunism.

-- I'd further recommend that you place as a top priority that there ALWAYS be musicians travelling with you on fundraising and work trips. I highly recommend that John Fogerty, of Creedance Clearwater Revival, and a Zydeco band be your personal escort. Later, you will want Mr. Fogerty travelling with his guitar on your own personal efforts in 2007/2008, as he is the man who will connect you to all sides of the Vietnam generation.

I would also suggest, sir, that you place a special emphasis on the donation of books and artifacts relating to Southern History, so that the Great American City of New Orleans can again be repopulated with treasures that replace those lost in the devastation.

With kindest regard, I am,

Bill Orton
political and communications consultant in California

In all honesty, with all due respect,
it is inappropriate for you to write
at length about leadership, imply
you were providing it, attack the
President for not providing it, on
the issue of homeland security and
port protection. As you know, I have
urged you repeatedly over several
years, as late as two weeks ago,
to speak aggressively and forcefully
about homeland security dangers,
about dangers involving border
security and port security. Only
days ago when I suggested directly
to you that ports were 95% unprotected
you disagreed and declined to speak
out. Now, you write of leadership
and claim everyone should have known
about dangers in New Orleans, yet
when I raised these issues with you,
directly and personally, you sure
didn't seem to know or care about
it then, and you certainly said
nothing until after the tragedy.
I remained silent until I saw your
posting tonite but please, if you
want to show leadership on the issue,
show it. I would applaud it. I
was one of the first people to
support you for President even in
advance of most of the draft Clark.
I believe you have a tremendous
amount to offer. I think you can
be a historic figure. But talking
about leadership is different than
providing it. And saying nothing,
declining to aggressively discuss
homeland and port and border security
only days before Katrina, then
attacking Bush for not providing the
leadership you yourself declined to
provide, even when directly asked,
that is just wrong. President Bush
and his entire administration were
disastrous and derelict and negligent
about Katrina and many other things.
But Congress, state, local officials
of both parties bear responsiblity
as well. As you know very well, I
believe with Senator Sam Nunn that
our country is in danger of being
attacked with chemical, nuclear or
biological weapons that could lead
to far more deaths than 9-11 and
Katrina combined. As you know very
well, I have urged you, and do so
again tonite, to speak out forcefully
and clearly and with conviction and
follow through about the negligence
from the President and Congress,
from Democrats and Republicans, who
fail to protect our ports, our borders
and a whole list of vulnerable areas
because they have been too busy with
pork barrel spending, partisan politics of smear, attack, demean
and the blaming and excuses that have
polluted our politics since 9-11.
Today I wrote a length letter to
the 9-11 Commission calling for
action, which perhaps I will post
on this blog. I urge you, yet again,
to do the same. To fight for what
is needed. To be clear for what is
needed. To lay out detailed plans
as I have tried to do in my letter.
Yes, the Army says "be all that you
can be". And you can be a great
American leader, and the way to do it
is speak out more clearly, and
more forcefully, and then you will
be on far stronger grounds than you
are today criticizing the president
for the same lack of leadership that
too many in both parties continue
to show today. Brent Budowsky

the greatest leaders are truly followers, they follow the vision of service toward their people's best interests, not the visions of their own personal prowess. i believe wes can be that leader. nonetheless, reading the blogs, this sometimes looks like a sycophant army, marching in collective lockstep with our leader's potential. the message should be clear if a presidential run is targeted for the next round: with wes we are not joining the new, uniform american army of a bright charismatic, we are not the bland new technocrats, we are in all our diversity, by virtue of our citizenry, already conscribed to this ship anyway and doing our jobs. its our leaders that need to stand, straight-up, but not on top of us anymore - we are all too busy standing already to carry the extra weight while they indulge deluded self-important visions of leadership. stand up to the side and let our man by, but keep him honest cause he's already used to getting his ass kissed by sycophants full-time. otherwise, be followers.

Below is a letter that I have posted on the DNC blog. I believe nationally the Democratic Party has lost its spine and has become the Republican-lite party.

I hope that in 2005 and 2006 we can turn this party around and provide a true opposition to the Republicans.

“Among the many local Democrats I have spoken with this last week - not the elected Democrats but everyday people – teachers, business owners, convenience store workers - a common theme has been raised and echoed on this (the DNC) blog: Where have all the Democrats gone?

Once upon a time it was clear what the Democratic Party stood for and who the Democratic Party represented. The worker on the factory line, the child living in poverty, the descendents of slaves and sharecroppers, the underpaid and overworked all had a home within the Democratic Party.

Once upon a time the Democratic Party had a social and economic vision that navigated the country through the great depression, World War II, the civil rights movement, and the struggle for women’s rights. A vision that took us beyond the moon and into the vastness of space.

Once upon a time the Democratic Party had leaders that inspired Americans to achieve greatness. Where have all the Democrats gone? Where is the leadership?

I believe that the phenomenon of Democratic silence began in the aftermath of the 2000 election. The Republicans were vocal, persistent, and organized. Many elected Democrats, apparently afraid of appearing like sore losers, seemed to forget that over fifty percent of the voters supported Al Gore. Democratic officials had a responsibility to the voters and the country to keep the pressure on the Bush administration. Instead, the Democrats went silent.

Republicans and Democrats rallied around our President after the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The President received almost unanimous support from Americans to bring down the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. But then came the debate over Iraq. Almost immediately the members of the administration began to choreograph a careful message to prepare America for the invasion of Iraq. While there were some dissenting voices in the Senate (Senators Byrd and Kucinich) many in our party were complicit in granting overarching authority to this President to begin a preemptive war.

Again in 2004, our party did not take a unified stand against the Radical Right-winged fear-based rhetoric. Democrats permitted the Pat Robertson Conservatives to frame the debate for the 2004 election. Instead of addressing real issues facing this country, the Democratic candidates were vacillating between whether they supported gay marriage or civil unions and attempting to prove that they had “family values”.

What Democrats need is true leadership not the rhetoric of leadership. The Bush administration and the Republican Party have been brilliant at using the rhetoric of leadership to convince Americans to ‘stay the course’. “Stay the course”, the foundation of Bush’s reelection campaign, was a promise of security against terrorism, a promise of economic stability and growth, and a promise to restore the values of faith and family. Democrats did not provide a compelling alternative to this message and lost the election and so much more.

True leadership is not silent but vocal. True leadership is dynamic not passive. It is time for the Democratic Party and its candidates to stand for what they believe in – to move out from behind poll numbers and rhetoric and bask in the light of our core values of equality, opportunity, and strength that have sustained and supported the Democratic Party.

Where have all the Democrats gone? Many democrats are asking this question and I have posted a summery from the DNC blog below. As Abraham Lincoln noted, “To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men”. If our candidates cannot muster up the courage to be a true opposition party, to create a vision of America that will inspire rather that instill fear then it is time to fund and elect candidates that are willing to stand up for our Democratic ideals and change the course.

54yoUpstateNYiNDEPENDENT - WHY are the democrats SILENT??? is the strategy just to 'LET THEM SHOW THE ADMISTRATION'S INCOMPETENCE and hang themselves'?

Crazed on September 2, 2005 at 11:07 PM - WHERE ARE OUR DEMOCRATIC LEADERS (other than the congressional black caucus)?!!!!

Posted by speakout on September 3, 2005 at 01:36 PM - I am ashame of my party right now. Where are the voices of condemation, where is the outrage? We see the death and destruction on the television for 5 days before… It appears that the republicans are right, democtats will only come to us in November.
Posted by winstonsmith on September 3, 2005 at 04:33 PM - Where is the outrage from our Democratic leadership?… It makes me wonder if we have a separate party or if they are merely paying lip service to us.

Posted by lynnxe on September 4, 2005 at 04:35 PM - Please don’t let us down yet again. We have been waiting for you to speak out, to help our voices and needs be heard. Instead, the democrats have played it safe, trying not to upset the apple-cart or frighten the swing voters. We were patient after the 2000 election when the Democrats “played nice”, even though it was later proven that had the votes been counted, Bush would not be in office. We were patient after the 2004 election, when evidence of widespread voter fraud was barely examined and yet another election was stolen under the cover of a news blackout. We’ve been patient while you supported an elective war waged under false pretenses and downright lies. WE’RE TIRED OF WAITING FOR YOU TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO FIGHT BACK. You’re losing your base, and in this time of crisis the last thing you should be thinking about is strategy.
SPEAK UP. Please. We’re begging you – WE WANT ANSWERS NOW! If you expect our support in future elections, start working to earn it NOW!

Junius on September 2, 2005 at 12:18 PM
Bush and his people have already started their pre-emptive strike, deploring the few Democrats who have criticized because they are "politicizing" the tragedy. “

Bush and his cronies in congress, have taken from this country, gave it to his big money guys and left us with nothing. Even taxpayer money for charities for things like the disaster in the gulf coast has been given to faith outfits like Pat Robinson and the religious right.This was their reward for being an ongoing political advertisement for him. The real Americans are suffering and the money guys are quiet.It is dispicable behavior from the Bush bunch and they surely will get their shovels in the next life. Our Washington party leaders have been a great disappoint also.Wes Clark is the only one that isn't afraid of them and who puts responsibliity where it belongs and I applaud him for that. That is called leadership, and if we have ever needed it, we need it now.We need someone that isn't playing some political game at the expense of hurting people. When this situation is better, I hope people will remember who was on their side and tried to help them. Bush has had his way with the South but when they needed him, you see what he really thinks of them.Just sheep. It is appalling to see his responce to his own people and only showed up down there becaused the mayor cussed him out for not doing so.

DETACHED, DISCONNECTED & UNBALANCED:

If you thought the nervous veneer of the tiresome bush humor hit a low with the "WMD" joke at the press dinner 2 years ago, on Friday, at the airport visit to New Orleans, Bush tried to actually make a joke, referring to his younger years and visits to the City.

This behavior shows just how uncaring, unfocused, out of touch and perhaps mentally unbalanced the President is. This is serious business and the Pres. is having a meltdown. Monumental lack of good judgement and honest leadership.

When you lack honesty and vision, where perceptions and spin prevail over reality, and you react with canned responses and platitudes instead of a dynamic, evolving response to an overwhelming natural and humanitarian crisis, THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP.

With all sincerity, for the good of the nation, Bush should resign.

BH, rhode island

I posted something at TPM, but it was a bit too off the cuff for my tastes, so I think this expresses my views better.

I will state that Bush is a leader, and that he has a vision. It is for these very reasons that he was elected over the likes of Al Gore and John Kerry, because they, like much of the Democratic Party, had no such vision, and many Americans felt this.

It is natural for people to feel that a bad vision, or a misguided leader is better than no leader at all. Rather than being seen for espousing his own view, John Kerry became the ‘I’m not Bush’ candidate. People, however, have a need to feel that they are going somewhere, and Kerry did not provide that feeling to many Americans.

We certainly could have gone somewhere. We received a lot of good will in the wake of the 911 attacks.

It was spent... poorly.

George Bush was handed an opportunity to lead the world into a new era. Instead, he, and his cabinet, have turned this nation against its own allies, and in many ways, against its own people.

Before Bush, America strove to maintain its relationships with the rest of the world. Now, we have John Bolton as our ambassador to the U.N. This man saw a need, after a year of discussion, to attempt to force last-minute changes into the September 2005 United Nations reform proposal. Removals include supporting respect for nature, and the maintenance of international peace and security.

Before Bush, America had far greater respect for scientific opinion. Now, thousands of scientists, including many Nobel Prize winners, have expressed their concerns about the Bush Administration's desire to suppress scientific findings of fact that disagree with the desires of industry.

Many people might claim that Clinton had a poor handling of America’s secrets. I have a hard time believing that the Bush Administration is doing any better.

Before Bush, American leaders were well aware of the threats that natural disasters posed. Now it would seem that our current president did not consider them a threat.

From my perspective, it appears that Bush, and Congress, reacted quicker, and with greater fervor, to Terri Schiavo's 'plight'. Their priorities are as clear as their grasp of the facts. Bush, and much of Congress, are not about leadership, they are about popularity. And now millions will pay the price, both directly and not, for the misguided vision of the ‘neo conservatives’.

Now we hear them backpedaling, Claiming that this could not have been predicted. Some of these same people claimed that the rampant looting and lawlessness in Iraq could not have been predicted either. In fact, even as Normandy was being stormed in World War II, preparations were already underway to ensure that justice would be established immediately as towns were liberated.

There are only two explanations for such claims. Either the claimant is misguided, or they are lying.

It is clear to me that respect for nature and other findings of scientific fact is important. We understand a lot more about natural occurrences than people may realize, but when we have a president who thinks Intelligent Design is valid science, it is easy to see how facts can be lost amidst a sea of speculation.

Supposedly, preparations for recovery and rebuilding began even before Katrina made landfall. Even now, nearly a week later, this effort remains to be seen.

This impotence is the price paid for following a misguided vision. It is understood, generally, that everyone makes mistakes. However, barking platitudes and covering the issue with lies will not change the truth. The 2005 cuts to the New Orleans levee budget were the largest in the cities’ history, coming after the worst hurricane season in recorded history. The funds went to the Iraq War, and others have mentioned that the city is its greatest casualty so far.
After all the lies and incompetence displayed by Bush and his allies, one thing is clear.

If the United States leads the world into the 22nd century as it did the 21st, it will be in spite of Bush and not because of him.

Personally, I believe that a new presidential election needs to be held in 2006. Impeaching Bush simply is not enough – I do not believe that Dick "deficits don't matter" Cheney would be any healthier for this nation. We need a real replacement.

----

Having read General Clark’s vision and plan, while I find it leagues ahead of Bush’s ‘vision’ or 'plan', I have a hard time believing that tweaking and adding yet more layers to an already convoluted system is the answer.

Energy is a simple topic, and it is easy to assign the proper priorities. There are facts and we apply them.

Education, economics, health care and the legal system are not such simple matters. Capitalism works by exploiting and expecting basic human traits, and I believe that that concept should be refined further, rather than continuing to patch leaks in a sinking ship.

This just in from the showdogs list:
FWD: URGENT Info from New Orleans

I will write a more detailed post tomorrow, actually today, but my
husband finally reached me. He is safe, well protected by our Police
force when they are fighting the fires, but I need to get this out
ASAP.
What he told me is so disturbing and urgent, if there is anyone out
there with the power to do something quickly, this has to get out.
I do have more inside info but I'm too drained to write more.
My husband said that a shoot to kill order with regards to animals
may begin soon. They believe it is the most humane way to handle
the multitude of animals that are starving and ill, or injured.
I cannot fathom this, and I can't bear to think that someone's family
pet will end like this. Please, please, please try to get this order
rescinded. I don't know who it came from. But someone will know
the right person to contact. Let them begin on the Westbank, it
isn't flooded, and there are secure back highways to come in. The
rescues are just waiting for the word to go, and the military is
coming in, and they will take care of the criminals that have better
weapons than our own police force.
I will post more, later after I've rested. Permission to crosspost.
I stand behind the validity of this information.
Siberianly,
Lynn Szymurski
Richlynn Siberians
New Orleans, LA
www.richlynn.com
The United Animal Nations is like the "Red Cross for animals". They are
gpoing to affected areas and setting up temporay shelter. They actuall get into
the boats and go out and rescue the animals...pets, wildlife,zoo animals...you
name it. They catalog and house the animals and if possible, reuinite them
with owners. If not reunited they transport and find them homes. web
site:www.uan.org
(ruth--these are two different groups)
Best _Friends.....hurricane@bestfriends.org...or_
(mailto:Friends.....hurricane@bestfriends.org...or) call
435-644-3965, ext. 4455 and leave the following information

name and current contact information
address where animal was left
name of pet
description(species,breed, distinguishing characteristics
photo if available.
Best friends will get this info to emergency command posts in the hope of
getting to these houses and getting animals out

there is a pattern of failed leadership by bush, principally because he is more concerned with perception than reality. this emerged clearly with the failed response to Katrina, but is characteristic of the Bush whitehouse.

for the good of the country he should resign, now.

he is a disgrace.

Bill in Prov., RI

Why aren't more Democrats upset with how this administration has handled Katrina?

I hope you have the oppertunity to tell the American people the truth about this failure of leadership through FOX and other outlets. People need to see how much of this tragedy good leadership could have prevented or at least minimized.

We are at your service! But, we need YOU in the leadership of this country before it collapses completely. Many Presidents have come and gone during my lifetime, but this is the most arrogant, unqualified, overbearing, dispicable, group of self-called administrators I have ever witnessed.

We turned in "tin" toothpaset tubes for new full ones, used ration coupons for coffee, etc, & bought War bonds in the '40's, and I would be willing to do it all over again because it was for the salvation of this democracy and our President asked us to do it. And, I would be willing to pay $3+ per gallon of gasoline if I knew it wouldn't be for the benefit of the "oilionnaires" and their cronies. I believe they are of minds to purposely profit on "Katrinagate", "Iraqgate:, petroleum products and prescription drugs, and have attempted to force flawed Soxial Security/Medicare mandates upon us.

The lies that have we have been fed- about everything, not just Iraq- are unfathonable and intollerable.

That's why we need YOU with your leadership, expertise, knowledge and truthfulness, not some politician with a lot of money who would again stretch the truths, or worse, just to get elected.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the service you have so generously given to this country, and that you are so willingly and selflessly still giving.

mpolley

We are at your service! But, we need YOU in the leadership of this country before it collapses completely. Many Presidents have come and gone during my lifetime, but this is the most arrogant, unqualified, overbearing, dispicable, group of self-called administrators I have ever witnessed.

We turned in "tin" toothpaste tubes for new full ones, used ration coupons for coffee, etc, & bought War bonds in the '40's, and I would be willing to do it all over again because it was for the salvation of this democracy and our President asked us to do it. And, I would be willing to pay $3+ per gallon of gasoline if I knew it wouldn't be for the benefit of the "oilionnaires" and their cronies. I believe they are of minds to purposely profit on "Katrinagate", "Iraqgate:, petroleum products and prescription drugs, and have attempted to force flawed Social Security/Medicare mandates upon us.

The lies that have we have been fed--about everything, not just Iraq-- are unfathonable and intollerable.

That's why we need YOU with your leadership, expertise, knowledge and truthfulness, not some politician with a lot of money who would again stretch the truths, or worse, just to get elected.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the service you have so generously given to this country, and that you are so willingly and selflessly still giving.

mpolley

No matter when, no matter what you are speaking about..you, and only you, General Clark, speak for me..I am so thankful someone does!!..
Thank You...
oceanbreeze

You are the only Democrat to stand up and hold our "president" accountable. We are a country with no leadership and we desperately need some. You have everything it takes to give us that leadership.

I hope and pray you decide to run in 2008, it would be an honor to support you sir.

I don't hear any other democrats doing it right now.

General,

When you are President in January of 2009, bring back smart people to public service. Bill Clinton was one of the smartest presidents ever, and had smart staff. Bush is an utter incompetent, and has cronies running important jobs like FEMA. Bring back James Lee Witt!. If Witt were still running FEMA today, N.O. would have been saved.

We need people like Witt at Homeland Security. People like Richard Clarke. People like Anthony Zinni. People like Gary Hart.

Leadership and intelligence go hand in hand.

This Bush Junta is the worst thing I've ever seen in history, and anger at them is reaching a boiling point. They destroyed Iraq for nothing, and now their ineptness has transfered to New Orleans. I fully expect Rummy to come on the air soon and tell us that the desparate people in N.O. aren't looting and are celebrating all that water. You know, stuff happens, as Rummy says.

This cabal of thugs in Washington D.C. are just a national embarassment. Enough is a enough.

The Democrats need someone to take charge, to show the connection between the human suffering in New Orleans and Iraq and the incompetence and callousness of this administration. As a man who knows something about large-scale operations, who can speak to the specifics (how bringing in the real Armed Forces in New Orleans earlier with equipment would have saved lives), you must tkae this opprtunity to expose the Bush administration for what it is. But you also must show direct leadership at this time. There must be something more that you can do, besides calling for donations, as important as that is. Please find a way to take a leadership position now - your country needs you.

Sir, not only are we a ship without a captain, we are ruderless and have been taken over by drunken pirates with no experience running a ship.

General Clark, The answer to your question is to look in the mirror. You are that leader. I sincerely hope that you decide to run once more for President so that we as Americans can finaly have the leadership we need. I look forward to working to elect a true Leader.