Dems challenge Clark to participate in debate next week

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (AP)

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark's day-old presidential bid is already drawing criticism from Democratic rivals who say he should not skip a party-sponsored debate next week.

Clark is scheduled to give a paid speech next Thursday, the day the nine other candidates are scheduled to participate in a debate on economic issues in New York City that will be broadcast live on CNBC. Clark has not yet said which event he will miss. ---

"The economy is going to be arguably the most important topic that will be discussed this entire political season," said Lieberman spokesman Jano Cabrera. "Surely the general can change his schedule to discuss this issue with the American people."

Jim Jordan, campaign manager for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, said, "I think all Democrats will be disappointed if General Clark passes on an opportunity on national television to lay out his policies for making the American economy stronger and fairer." ---


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[zekeson]

1. I'm leaning towards supporting Clark

and unless he can offer a compelling reason why he can't, it would seem he should be there.

[cjbuchanan]

2. For Clark's sake

I hope he is there. If not, he just might be called the Arnold of the race.

Missing the debate would be a bad idea.

[hang a left]

3. I would put money on it.

He will not miss it. Just because he has been laying low all this time doesn't mean he has not been "busy"

[sham]

5. my thoughts exactly

I like Clark. I will continue my support for Dean, but I want to hear what Clark has to say. He will be a powerful force for us in this election. I really don't want comparisons to Arnold, which is exactly what will happen if he misses this debate. The Liberal Media (TM) will jump on the chance to compare one of our Dems to Arnold.

[Demobrat]

4. Last night I saw a speech he gave

where he was talking about how once he was elected he would figure out what to do about the deficit, etc. Until then, why should he pass up a chance to make some money?

[ima_sinnic]

8. "once he is elected"--??!!

that doesn't sound too promising. the voters aren't going to vote for someone without some ideas that he has laid out for them to approve/disapprove. sorry, I don't need any surprises come Jan. 2005 about how our problems are going to be solved.

[Demobrat]

10. That's what he said.

He also flat out refused to answer a question about partial birth abortion on Dobbs, even when Dobbs said "so you're not going to answer the question?" I guess when you're goodlooking you get to play by different rules.

[Mechatanketra]

18. Jeebus crikey!

Didn't we get into this mess because the GOP gave us someone who promised to tell us his plans after he was elected? Yeesh.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

What's the "paid event'? Anyone know?

Clark's people MUST be telling him this is a mistake. Someone please shed some light on this.

[Neutrino]

6. Hey, he can hang. No problem with debating.

He's intelligent, articulate, abreast of the issues---and
not bad looking for a geez. He looks presidential too--has
that "gravitas" thing going. Give Fieldmarshall Rumsfeld
a run too. I like him--so far.

[Neutrino]

7. oops, that's

Fieldmarshal--one L

[ima_sinnic]

9. personally I find him creepy-looking

I don't know why everyone thinks the women will go for him. I'm a woman 1 year younger than he is and I don't find him appealing at all, physically--that does not influence my choice of candidate but I wish people would stop saying how "not bad looking" he is. Nor does he "look presidential" (whatever that means)

[Demobrat]

13. He is creepy looking, at least on TV.

In stills he's not bad, but on TV he looks like an anorectic gecko. I fact I have to get past his looks in order to listen to him. I think it's the men, the ones who loved W in the flight suit who are his audience. He has an excellent chance at taking some of the stupid white male vote from away from W.

[DemNoir]

15. Well well

And I thought that I was the only person to think he is really strange looking... Whoever does those stills could make anyone look good.

[Pastiche423]

17. Count me in this bunch too

I am still searching for the words, but hard and cold will do for now.

[KoKo]

23. Yes, I find him physically unappealing, too. It must be the macho male

thing that turns some here on. Although, I don't find him macho either. He looks like a Business CEO....a little to well-combed and dressed. And, if he won't jump in and join the debate....I wonder why he's set himself apart....

[Jackhammer Jesus]

11. Will he be ready for it?

In yesterday's speech, he said "In the coming weeks I’ll deliver a major speech that will outline my vision for the economy and the vision for our national security." I hope he isn't planning on passing up the debate in order to make this speech.

Better to show up without any definitive plans than not show up at all, methinks. He can handle himself pretty well in that sort of enviroment, from what I've seen of him on cable news.

[study_war_no_more]

14. If hes not ready for the debate he should pass

I hear Lieberman was the main force behind criticism because Clark will rob him of his support hands down. If he does pass he should promptly get a speech out ASAP. Going into a debate unprepared would do him more damage than good at this point. But he would have to follow up very quickly.

[greyl]

16. sounds like "if bush isn't ready for a press conference he should pass"

eh?
Just a little bit?


moley, moley, moley

[dfong63]

19. considering the months of stalling, his speech should be ready now

[ChangeMan]

24. If He Doesn't Know By Now

what good will a few more weeks do for him?

After taking so long to decide to decide to decide, I would think that he should ALREADY have a "vision" for the economy and national security. And what about a "vision" for education, health care and the rest?

We don't need any more "visions", we need plans that can work!

If he cannot talk to these issues after all this time perhaps his greatest benefit, as a Dem, would be to occupy the second chair and use his knowledge to aid and complement President Dean.

[Jackhammer Jesus]

25. Depends on how you interpret what he said

about announcing his plans in the coming weeks (in my post above). It may be that he's not ready, it may be that he wants to wait until the "right" time.

Having been a follower of the Draft Clark movement, I assumed one of his main reasons for waiting so long to declare was so that he could develop his plans and policies and "come out swinging," so to speak, as soon as his candidacy was announced. Wishful thinking, I guess.

Spacing out announcements of things like economic and health care plans might serve to keep the media spotlight on him longer than it would otherwise be (then again, candidates who already have these plans don't get much coverage for them). He's definitely a media-savvy guy, and this may be his very goal. Only he knows for sure, but for everyone wondering what this guy's going to do for us as president, his "apparent" lack of planning can't do much but hurt him.

[RobertSeattle]

12. I got an idea - invite a Adminstration Rep to be part of the debate

[dfong63]

20. the last debate was hosted by FAUX - does that count?

[dfong63]

21. good grief, does Clark have to be "challenged"?

he should be chomping at the bit to get in the debates. like all the real dems.

and after months of stalling, which his supporters were saying was so that he could hit the ground running --- he should be ready for the debate now. not in a few more weeks, not in a few more months, not by christmas --- NOW. if he's not ready now, then he really is coming in too late. the other candidates have been out there campaigning, shaking hands, holding townhall meetings, LISTENING, and EDUCATING THEMSELVES. supposedly Clark had been laying the groundwork for months before his big announcement. what evidence is there of that preparation, if he's not ready for the debates yet? if he wasn't preparing to debate, then what WAS he doing? staring at his navel?

[ursacorwin]

22. i'm not a supporter of clark, BUT

geez folks, give the guy a break!

one doesn't just hop on the stage and start yammering about the issues. debates are anything but, rahter they are a recitation of facts and opinions carefully scripted together before the debate, which focus upon those points the candidate wants to be associated with most strongly.

sure, there are 'flare-ups' where candidates will respond to what others have said, but the fact is the staffers, media folks, and candidates themselves usually prepare for these days and weeks in advance.

plus, think about it- if you were running, would you skip out on fundraising right at the start of your race? hell no! you take the money and plan a limited number of debating appearances which are timed to correspond to other 'announcements' highlighting your pet issues.

believe me, i'm really dying to see/hear Clark in a debate. but i'd rather he be prepared, and on-target with his key issues, than watch him get bloodied and made to look like an amature right when his star is highest.

and if he says he will- i'll be impressed. for his bravery, that is.

you all may want to see him NOW, but in the long run it's smarter to spread his themes/memes & ideas slowly, carefully, and prepared against Rovian attacks as well as those from fellow dems.

[Wendec]

27. Did I miss something?

Has Clark said he wouldn't participate in the debate? I thought the comment was they were not certain. At least temper the vitriol until he says no.

[Wendec]

28. Well, now it's when, not if

Clark WILL be at the debate

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/16/politics/main573562.shtml

[ima_sinnic]

29. why do I get the feeling

that Clark is a "manufactured" candidate?
Somebody (DLC?) said, hey, we need a general (or some such), let's dress up Wesley Clark in candidate clothes, wind him up and let him loose. I don't want a puppet.

[Coyul]

26. If he attends the debate:

This will be the headline in the "Liberal" Media (TM):

Clark Fails to Honor Committment to give speech!

Honoring responsibility is at least one thing I look for in a candidate...anyone else?