Reply #38: Wes Clark for VP

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Why General Clark is the best choice for VP:

Polls show Kerry ahead of W on domestic issues, behind on national security. Overall a dead heat. W may creep up domestically as economy improves, so Kerry needs to siphon away some of W's support on security. This election WILL be about national security and terrorism because W will make it that way, and look at the headlines from Iraq dominating the news. Bush has already put Kerry on the defensive
questioning Senate votes and the "ribbon-throwing" incident. All Bush has to do is neutralize Kerry on war/terror, and he keeps his lead.
Enter Wes Clark: Clark can stand up and say, "Vietnam was a disaster, but I stayed in the military afterwards to build the great all-volunteer Army we have today. Sen. Kerry said "Send me to Vietnam" and served with great courage and honor in that war. Sen Kerry criticized that war afterwards, and I consider that dissent an act of patriotism, for he had the nation's best interests at heart. Sen. Kerry backed up that service by serving his country for these many years in the Senate, including not forgetting Vietnam as he worked with
Sen.McCain for years to retrieve our POW's.
I am proud to stand with Sen. Kerry, a man I consider to be one of the great patriots of our time". (As he wraps himself in the flag and talks about winning the only war NATO ever fought, this man who is one of the most decorated military heroes in U.S. history). This man can bring in military and ex-military votes which NO other VP candidate can do,and he is"squeakyclean."
There are many other areas where Clark
complements Kerry:
1.Ability to step into the Presidency if necessary. Clark has a career of military and diplomatic leadership unparalled. Yet he was responsible for the everyday lives (schools, healthcare, safety, career advencement, etc.) of those under his command.
2. Agreement on issues: Kerry and Clark are very closely in agreement
on Foreign Affairs / Homeland Security issues as well as on Free
Trade, and most domestic issues.

3. Campaigning against Bush: Clark has demonstrated, both during his campaign and since endorsing Kerry, that he is both loyal to Kerry and is a tireless campaigner against Bush. Clark has "fire in his
belly" on defeating Bush. Clark can take on Bush on all issues, especially the issues
where Bush would like to think he is strongest.

4. Helping to win Electoral Votes - Clark should help to win all the Swing States that
Al Gore just missed winning and retain the Blue States that Bush would like to have. Most candidates are mentioned because they might win one state for Kerry, Clark could help in ALL of the above swing states. This is because he is an Arkansas Southerner who also proved to be popular in the Southwest and among Hispanics and
American Indians. In fact, with General Clark's military background and
"All American" image he has more popularity than most democrats such as
John Kerry in all parts of the country where Republicans tend to be popular. With his Military Supreme Commander status, if he could get just 10% of military families to vote Democratic (who would otherwise
vote Republican) this could change the outcome in a number of states. Although Wes is now a very progressive Democrat, his past background still makes people feel secure, like Republican candidates. His
comfort with Religion also helps. Both Kerry and Clark have a long history of using guns (despite being pro gun control. Taken together, Arkansas (and Tennessee) can be Democratic again, West Virginia (which lost in 2000 due to NRA campaign), New Mexico and Arizona should go for Kerry (with increase in Latinos) and Florida (with large conservative, military population
in Northern Florida). Also Ohio, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Hampshire and some Midwestern Red States should be in play. Pennsylvania should remain Democratic with Clark's appeal to Reagan Democrats. Clark has broad National appeal, which means that he could campaign with success wherever Kerry felt he was needed.

5. Taking on Dick Cheney: There will be a VP debate. Only Clark can face Cheney and cite Pentagon "inside information" about how Cheney decided from the beginning to go to war with Iraq. On all military related issues, Clark will be more believable than Chaney to millions of swing voters.

6. Raising funds for Kerry: This is very important to Kerry since Bush has raised so much money. It was Wes Clark who raised almost $9 million in January alone, pre-matching funds. This was about 2 million more than his closest rival. In the 5 months of his campaign, he raised about as much as Dean as well as with Internet
contributions. While Dean started the Internet dominance, Clark continued it with equal success and still has the best web site and Blog Community around. Since Dean isn't suitable as Kerry's VP, Clark is the best choice to attract the "outsider" type people who support Dean. Clark was often the 2nd choice among Dean supporters and their 1st choice for VP under Dean. In summary, with Clark as VP choice, there would be BY FAR the largest fundraising boost to the Kerry campaign as well as a likely union with Howard Dean and his supporters. Lets also remember that Clark was the most popular with the wealthy and powerful Hollywood crowd.

7. Mutual respect: Since Kerry and his VP choice will probably be together for months, getting along with mutual respect is very
important. They have to be able to share each other's secrets. As was demonstrated in Wisconsin, their mutual respect for each
other's careers is apparent.

8. The Superhero Ticket - Kerry and Clark already have a name for their ticket that no one else can claim. (Or "Two heroes, one mission.)" This alone will be worth millions in free advertising. Undecided voters are easily swayed by these powerful slogans.

9. Bringing Enthusiasm and full Clinton support: Whereas John Kerry is the Party's best choice for President, his supporters are
mostly there to defeat Bush. Wes Clark though, has the most loyal supporters, because of Wes, besides the desire to defeat Bush. Kerry could use that enthusiasm. Besides Hollywood support, a Wes Clark as VP pick would bring stronger enthusiastic support from President Bill
Clinton (as well as Hillary).

10. Appeal to the Church going Americans and Patriotism-Wes Clark has a background that includes several faiths. He is the "most comfortable" of all the major VP contenders with "God" and "American Patriotism". The Flag really means something to him. This is why he is a danger to Republicans in all parts of the country. He still is Karl Rove's worst Nightmare.

14. Is VP the best position for Clark? : Some would say that Clark should be saved for Secretary of State or National Security Adviser. However, if we waited, it is very possible that Kerry would lose a
close election. Additionally, as VP, as long as Kerry respects Clark, he could be used as a 2nd Secretary of State, Defense and Homeland Security. As shown by Cheney, a VP can be very powerful when they are
strong and respected in National Security issues.

Please, for the good of the country, select
Wes Clark.