I think Kucinich will have to back Clark

[TioDiego]

Remember how he bashed Dean with his "Vermont doesn't have an Army! Hello!" remark. So maybe he could be Clark's VP. Just based on that remark. Amd nothing else.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

1. If Clark was smart he'd pick Kucinich as VP

If Clark isn't as smart as we thought he'll pick another neo-liberal like Dean. I'm a little disappointed today because Clark is veering neo-lib as we speak. And there is very little difference between a neo-lib and a neo-con.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

4. How Is He Veering Neo-Lib?

I haven't seen any of his appearances today, except his web message to the draft movement.

Also, what does "neo-lib" mean? I've never really heard the term.

Thanks!

DTH

[IrateCitizen]

7. Neoliberal is a term primarily applied to economic matters

It is commonly used to describe the economic policies of the IMF and World Bank -- along with the "free trade" model pushed by the industrialized nations through the WTO.

It basically involves privatizing as many services as possible while curbing government spending to the maximum amount through "austerity". And it is disastrous, to the extreme.

With respect to foreign policy, it can still be described as aggressively interventionalist, but having a little more respect for international institutions than neocons do. But with regards to expanding American power throughout the globe and using military force to influence foreign nations, there isn't a whole lot of difference -- it's just a matter of degrees.

Based on his comments on NAFTA/WTO, I'd say that he's pretty much a neoliberal. He says things to address some of the concerns that have been repeatedly voiced by protestors over the past decade, but he doesn't offer up any real solutions that get to the heart of the problem with the current approach.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

9. But He's Opposed to the Current Austerity Measures

He supports lifting worldwide labor and environmental conditions. He supports greatly increased governmental spending on various forms of programs to help workers. He thinks job outsourcing is problematic. He is interested in revisiting NAFTA.

I don't see how that jibes with your definition.

On foreign policy, he definitely doesn't fit your description. He supports humanitarian interventions (e.g. Rwanda), and thinks that the American military should be used incredibly sparingly.

So I guess I don't see how he fits that definition, either.

DTH

[IrateCitizen]

17. With regards to foreign policy matters, you're right...

But I'll take a "wait and see" approach on economic matters. What he proposes in the other thread you started doesn't really say a whole lot of specifics to me. And I say this as someone quite active on this issue, I have volunteered plenty of time as an organizer and also in lobbying US Reps on it. Not to mention the amount of stuff I've read on "globalization" and "free trade".

What Clark is doing is really little more than responding to the concerns of critics of the current system. While I won't say that it is worth nothing, I'm also hedging myself by waiting to see if he comes out with concrete proposals to reform the current system, because it is in need of a MAJOR overhaul. The proposals he's given so far are highly general, and don't really say HOW we can address these problems.

Will he be his own man on this issue? Will he have the political courage (and perhaps more important, political CAPITAL) to do something bold on it? Or will he defer to the wishes of Wall Street and speculative finance, much in the way that Bill Clinton did in listening to Robert Rubin?

Only time will tell....

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

19. It's not a question of specific policy, it's a question of power

If Clark in principle supports corporate rule and international corporate institutions that can trump democratic governments, than it doesn't matter how nice he expects them to play - he is on their side and against democracy.

I expected a military man to be a little more independent than a typical politican or business executive. We'll see. Clark needs to hit the ground running on a progressive populist platform, and soon.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

12. Neo-liberal, "New Democrat", "Corporate Whore"

okay "Corporate Whore" is obviously a little biased :)

Clark's (non-)statement on NAFTA was very disappointing, and he said he doesn't support Universal Health Care, but hasn't said a word about insurance corporations and their profit-taking. That's typical of a neo-liberal.

If Clark can't name names - if he can't say "this corporations X is giving us a raw deal" or he can't say "why should these CEOs get profits from our taxes" than what good is he?

I really really want to vote for Clark because his military background is just what the Democratic party needs. But if he is too chicken to take on the multinationals than I have no use for him. I'm not voting for Dean with medals.

[diamondsoul]

5. "I'm a little disappointed today because Clark is veering neo-lib"

What? What's he said or done to make you think that??

Seriously, if there's a flaw in my evaluation of Clark, I want to know and know NOW!

[Upfront]

20. Clark Is Smart

So he won't pick Dennis.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

22. Yet Kucinich's economic platform is the most popular

point by point, Americans support a very progressive economy. Kucinich may have his faults as a public speaker, but he represents the heart and soul of the Democratic party and it would be wise for all the candidates to get someone with his platform on their side.

Don't like Kucinich personally? How about another member of the Progressive Caucus?

[cosmicdot]

23. can't believe you posted that comment

[IrateCitizen]

2. Kucinich will back whoever the nominee is

But right now, he's still running his own campaign. And while he is struggling to find traction, he's not going to drop out for at least another several months.

[liberalnurse]

3. I agree.....

Kucinich is a party man. Strong on his issues but a party man all the way.

[CWebster]

6. this will be an intersting test for Kucinich

Lets see if he stands on his.... principles.

[TioDiego]

11. Nurse! How's your rash? Getting better, I hope.

[cosmicdot]

8. the comment had nothing to do with the "military", it had to do w/budget

so, in a way, your post is out of context by tying in Clark support

the quote was: "You can talk about balancing the budget in Vermont, but Vermont doesn't have a military," Kucinich said. "Hello?"

I don't think this is being "bashed" as much as the point that the Federal budget is more complex. It seems appropriate for use in a debate.

"At another point, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich suggested that Dean's success balancing Vermont's tiny state budget does not prepare him for the kinds of choices that will confront him if he becomes president."

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E11676%257E1612082,00.html

perhaps the thread is a low level bashing already suggesting that Dennis Kucinich is out of the running - it's a bit pre-season and a bit presumptuous - to presuggest that this will be a 'test' for Dennis "principles" is absurd at this point -- of course, if one takes his political career and studies it ... integrity is a major theme.

[TioDiego]

14. What about the Green Mountain Boys, weren't they from Vermont?

[cosmicdot]

16. if it has something to do with the price of eggs

does it?

[cjbuchanan]

10. I don't follow your logic

How does the "Hello!" remark equal an endorsement of Clark?

Kucinich said this in response to Dean's statement concerning the economy of Vermont.

[zbdent]

13. Uh, wasn't I yelled at a lot for suggesting

Kucinich as a VP candidate?

I've said that DK has to overcome a huge hurdle when it comes to Ohio Democrats! A large number of them don't think he is a good choice for Pres.

[TioDiego]

15. Kucinich would be good for something. He is good liberal.

[Terwilliger]

18. maybe not

I dont think Kucinich will endorse Clark. He may but I seriously doubt it.

[no name no slogan]

26. You're right-- Clark is NOT anti-war

http://www.fair.org/press-releases/clark-antiwar.html

IMHO, Clark is the new DLC candidate. Liebermann is all but toast, and although Dean's platform is right up the DLC's alley (and Dean was the DLC's choice as Gov of VT), there's no way in hell they'd back him now.

Clark is perfect for the DLC: A military man, from Arkansas, telegenic, a social moderate yet an economic conservative. A DLC dream candidate if there ever was one.

Kucinich will probably be in this race to the convention, as will Al Sharpton, regardless of how many delegates they get. They have something to say, and they'll make damn sure the Democractic National Convention gets to hear it.

[Skwmom]

21. I really like Kucinich and Clark.

I think he will back the candidate he feels most comfortable with. I hope there is a place for Kucinich in the winner's administration because our government could really use more people like him. My mom is from Ohio and really sings his praises and from what I've read and heard he seems like a great guy and an awesome public servant.

[diamondsoul]

24. Well, selective editing kind of defeats the point.

the actual quote is "You can talk about balancing the budget in Vermont, but Vermont doesn't have a military, and if you're not going to cut the military budget then how are you going to fund social spending? HELLOOO!"

The comment was on the mark, if a bit testy in tone. What makes me livid is the ignorance that seems to abound about US DoD spending. A freaking TRILLION, folks! A TRILLION dollars they can't or won't account for, and I for one want to know WHY!

[TioDiego]

25. Well, I just hope he doesn't do the "Hello" bit with Clark.

Lame City Bingo!

[Tinoire]

27. Kucinich has already ruled that out... In his own words

And what would the congressman say about a potential split ticket with Wesley Clark? “General Clark has served his country well, but I’m not looking to confirm the primacy of the Pentagon,” Kucinich said. “I have a fundamentally different view.”

http://www.msnbc.com/news/952444.asp

Kucinich was a fierce critic of the war against Yugoslavia and I don't think this would sit very well with many of his supporters because many of us protested that war and the way in which it was waged.