"To the Reagan Democrats: Welcome Home!" (Wesley Clark for Prez)

[IndianaGreen]

"To the Reagan Democrats: Welcome Home!"
By Josh Margulies
New York, NY

Reagan Democrats were those who had the courage to vote their consciences over their political affiliations, and as a result, our country roused itself from the self-pity of its post-Vietnam depression. We elected a man who, with American fighter planes, brought down escaping Achille Lauro hijackers…who, through force of will, ensured the razing of a wall which had divided a nation and a globe…who shored up a faltering space exploration program – and then showed the courage and strength which steeled us to continue forward even after a heartbreaking disaster.

The world owes a debt to America, and America owes a debt to its citizens for having restored the pride necessary to allow us to look beyond our borders and create liberty for people we have never met. In 1980 and 1984, the relatively small group of voters who tipped the scales in order to allow the election of the man who would make those changes were known as “Reagan Democrats.” They left their political homes in order to take a chance on a man with a different label, and they’ve stayed out there, on the front lines of that political battlefield, still ready to fight the good fight.

But it’s time that we brought them back. And the man who can do that best is named Wesley Clark.

http://www.georgiaforwesleyclark.com/gfwc_republicans3....

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Gee that's nice...what more do we have to give up to welcome this

crowd home? Women's rights? Labor issues? Perhaps fewer social services?

This doesn't make me pee with joy.

[WillyBrandt]

9. We don't have to give up anything

We just have to project a "strong, tough American" IMAGE while pushing forth progressive issues. Reagan was seemed like a tough, but kindly guy, who was a right-winger. Clark could be the opposite--as tough as you can get, but our ticket to progressive power.

Hell, nevermind. Remember: turn away votes. Purity over power.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

29. It isn't a question of PURITY.....nothing is given freely

Read Kevin Phillip's book WEALTH AND DEMOCRACY. This is more catering to what Phillips describes as the "radical middle."

I am not anti-Clark but he hasn't exactly REELED me in yet either.

[WillyBrandt]

30. OK, fair enough

Sorry for my enthusiasm. Watch the next two Dem debates. If he has progressive views, then let us milk the "centrist" image for all we can. Give him a listen as he fleshes out his positions.

[jonnyblitz]

34. I think I need to read that book.

"catering to the radical middle" caught my interest....

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

39. A group far more likely to decide and vote on emotional

barometers rather than policy issues.

[JVS]

62. Wow, I'm going to have to read that!

I once cracked a joke that DU was being overrun by centrist extremists, maybe i wasn't that far off the mark. Thanks for the reading suggestion.

[FDRrocks]

38. Einsenhower was a tough, but kindly guy.

Reagan was a wrinkled prune. Corrupt, murderous, internationalist-imperialist. Reagan Democrats... well, thats like saying a right wing liberal, which does not seem feesible in American politics nowadays.

[roughsatori]

2. That made me nauseous

[IndianaGreen]

3. The author, Josh Margulies, was behind the Draft Clark internet drive

You can read his bio in the Draft Clark website:

http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/who_we_are.htm

[roughsatori]

14. Thanks I'm off to read it now

I think many Clark supporters think what you posted is a good thing. Some seem to have a knee jerk reaction to progressive positions-- they would like to jettison the Democrats who are "lunatic left" in favor of moderate Republicans.

[salin]

27. I have never figured out what the dividing line is

for the "lunatic left", or the "left fringe". Terms get thrown around so easily it is never clear who gets thrown out with that term. Civil rights folks? Womens rights folks? Keynesian economics folks?

[jonnyblitz]

35. anybody to the right of Al From is radical left to some. n/t

[roughsatori]

42. And then there is the "hysterical left"

I have read that 3 times in the last week. An aside, on a related linguistic note.: I once had a therapist say to me: "You need to be careful, sometimes when you think you are a member of the cutting edge, you are really part of the lunatic fringe." LOL(We were talking art, how an artist lives ideals.)

[Terwilliger]

51. pot-smoking hippie leftists

[KittyWampus]

67. As A Progrssive Potential Clark Supporter

The fact is, I am sick of the "You are with us or against us" bullshit I hear coming mainly from some DU'ers- many of whom seem to be Dean supporters.

The Progressive in this race is Dennis K. whom I support but who is NOT going to get nominated. Thank goodness he is in the debates though!

I have said it innumberable times and will say it again.

WE NEED A CANDIDATE WHO CAN PROJECT A MODERATE IMAGE!

Sort of the opposite of how Junior ran as a Moderate but was actually a radical....

[IndianaGreen]

72. We are choosing a President of the USA, not an underarm deodorant

If you think Dennis Kucinich would make the better President, by all means stick by him and vote for him. Don't sell yourself or the country short, and don't let the media tell you who to vote for!

[retyred]

4. Thank You For The Warm Welcome

CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
Retyred IN FLA.

[Terwilliger]

7. Who did you vote for in 2000?

for the presidential race?

[retyred]

11. Lieberman

CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
Retyred IN FLA.

[Terwilliger]

16. funny, he wasn't running for president

Gore or Bush? Were you one of those Floida Democrats who voted for Bush?

[retyred]

26. Is this Republican Underground?

CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
Retyred IN FLA.

[Pastiche423]

31. No why, are you looking for it?

[Terwilliger]

33. you are very straight-forward about your endorsement of Clark

who did you vote for in 2000? The presidential race. You may remember it...it made the papers.

[retyred]

41. Follow the link

below Clark for President and then ask me again!


CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
Retyred IN FLA.

[Terwilliger]

45. you could have answered the first time

without the rigamarole

Just checking...there were over 100,000 Democrats in Florida who voted for Bush

[retyred]

48. That's true

but I seriously doubt any were here on DU since it was decided to install bush as leader of America.

On Edit: Besides, my vote 3 years ago should not be an issue of concern to anyone......I'm not running for office.




CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
Retyred IN FLA.

[Terwilliger]

50. you're wearing your choice of candidate all over your posts

why should who you voted for in 2K be a problem to ask about?

[retyred]

52. I have no problem

with people asking! As long as they don't have a problem with me not telling them.




CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
Retyred IN FLA.

[Terwilliger]

53. then you should remove your Clark for President sig

since you dont want anybody to know

[retyred]

68. I'm sorry

I must have skimmed over the rule here that states "You must agree to interrogation by any member that feels the need to pry into your past, present or future voting practices in order to determine your loyalty to the advancement of the cause"

Guilt by accusation seems to be the accepted norm these days, a far cry from the days of inception of DU when a question left unanswered was a sign that it wasn't any of your business.....Proof that some things left unchanged are indeed better than the "New and Improved"

And as far as my Clark sig. goes, Until I recieve official notice on John Ashcroft stationary requesting it's removal......It stays.

Thank you for playing the game.



CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
Retyred IN FLA.

[roughsatori]

44. Didn't you just post that you would vote Republican if Rove called?

Here's the link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Maybe that is why you are being asked that question.

[retyred]

46. SWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISH

That's the sound of my reply to the post you just posted going over your head.



CLARK FOR PRESIDENT
Retyred IN FLA.

[roughsatori]

49. The truth escapes in jest NT

[WillyBrandt]

5. Labels, labels

Not many Americans call themselves liberal, but most still agree with (most) liberal positions. If we could get these voters to overcome the issues of image that keep them from backing a Democratic candidate, we have a strong shot as solidifying a new Democratic majority over the next decade.

WE WILL NOT DO THIS THROUGH HAVING MODERATE POSITIONS!

I wish the liberal label--not the issues themselves--weren't denigrated in most people's minds, but there it is.

And that is the reason for the limit of the Dean appeal--he is a centrist, and would make a good President--but as much as he claims otherwise, he will be seen as a Northeast liberal. We know better, but most will not.

The appeal of Clark is that he has an image that lets him embrace Liberal Positions--and even the Liberal Label--but not come across as an alien Progressive. We can have a New Dem majority, to make up for the loss of the new Deal majority.

ONE QUESTION: Would you rather have a centrist who is perceievd as a liberal (Dean) or a liberal who is perceived as a centrist (Clark)?

(By the way, those supposed votes in favor of Reagan by Clark will help us. Only Nixon could go to China!)

[IndianaGreen]

8. Anyone that voted for Nixon, and for Reagan (twice), and for Bush I

should be automatically be disqualified from the Democratic nomination for President.

Clark is the GOP's Trojan Horse!

[WillyBrandt]

17. Balderdash

What nonsense. Let me follow this through (I'm piecing together various things I've read):

The Republicans hate Clinton like the devil.

Clinton likes Clark, and is supposedly pushing him.

The Republicans are placing a Republican in the Democratic party, and somehow Clinton is helping them out. He has Democratic beliefs, but has voted Republican, therefore he is a Republican. (Unlike Reagan, who was a devoted Democrat, but somehow was a Republican.)

Wait, stay with me. You need to fill in the gaps.

Clark has an excellent chance of demolishing Bush in the election, therefore the GOP is pushing him to consolidate Republican dominance through a Democratic victory.

What did I miss?

[IndianaGreen]

20. What you missed is that Kerry is a real Democrat, despite his war vote

and Clark is the flavor of the day.

Clark's votes for the reactionary Ronald Reagan are very troubling too. What is even more troubling is that Clark has yet to denounce Reagan's policies!

What kind of Democratic candidate for President would say that Nixon is okay, Reagan was great, and blah, blah, blah, love the GOP, except now that I am running as a Democrat.

You know if a DUer were to post a thread saying that Reagan was the greatest President since George Washington, he would not last long in DU. Why the double standard with Clark?

[WillyBrandt]

28. Small Tents Lose Elections

I know you're on a jihad against common sense and political power for progressive forces, but let be clue you in:

It is GOOD that we have Republicans for Clark, just like it is GOOD that there are Republicans for Dean.

Most Republicans do not know that their party is that of radicalism in America. They are attracted less to issues than to the macho strong-guy appeal of the GOP.

If we could seize that "macho appeal," and take their voters, while pushing forth a PROGRESSIVE AGENDA, then that is fantastic!

Would you rather have a candidate without that macho appeal--Dean--that has centrist positions, or a candidate WITH that macho appeal--Clark--who can take progressive positions, like cutting the Pentagon budget. (Something Dean would NEVER do.)

-- We don't need Purity Tests. We need Progressive Power.

P.S. Where, exactly, did Clark say Reagan was the greatest President ever? I tell you, my father, who is as liberal as you can get, voted for Reagan. He knows now it was a terrible vote, and is a totally devoted Democrat.

[IndianaGreen]

36. Macho appeal? I don't mythologize the male sex organ!

If we could seize that "macho appeal," and take their voters, while pushing forth a PROGRESSIVE AGENDA, then that is fantastic!

Macho appeal? I don't mythologize the male sex organ!

I tell you, my father, who is as liberal as you can get, voted for Reagan. He knows now it was a terrible vote, and is a totally devoted Democrat.

Good for your Dad! Where is Clark's denunciation of Reagan and his policies? Where is Clark on Reagan's firing of PATCO workers? Where is Clark on Iran Contra, and the subverting of the democratic government of Nicaragua? So on, as so forth...

[WillyBrandt]

40. makes no sense

"Macho appeal? I don't mythologize the male sex organ!"

Good God. Are you a wall?

It's not a matter of getting your vote, it's a matter of getting millions of votes from folks who don't care much about politics. That macho appeal resonantes with a lot of them.

"I don't mythologize the male sex organ!" Jesus. You'd make an awful political consultant.

[whirlygigspin]

60. since "macho" should be our litmus test for a candidate

perhaps you should consider Jeff Stryker for President.

-->this is what happens when PR takes over from reality.

[roughsatori]

47. "I know you're on a JIHAD against common sense" (emphasis mine)

Another Clark supporter trafficking in right-wing code words and insults to the left. No wonder you men and women like a man who was the keynote speaker at a Republican fundraiser in 2001, at which time he spoke highly of Reagan, not Clinton.

[_Wayne_]

71. Clark denounces Reagan policies= POLITICAL SUICIDE

.

[IndianaGreen]

73. If Clark does not denounce Reagan and his policies, he is no Democrat

At least, he is no Democrat I would ever vote for. One can forgive Kerry for his one shitty vote for the war, but at least we know Kerry, and we know his long voting record. Kerry, even when wrong, is more of a Democrat than the Generalissimo some people are trying to shove down our throats.

[GeronimoSkull]

37. Clark compares Bush to Nixon...

..but he voted for Nixon!

WTF!?

[Terwilliger]

13. so IOW

the right-wing media machine has DEFINED acceptable Democrats as conservative Democrats who shy away from any social liberalism

and that's acceptable to you

[WillyBrandt]

22. NO! NO! NO!

Jesus, what shallow political thinkers we've got at DU.

The whole point is that Clark is the candidate who can recapture liberalism and place it in the center of American political discourse.

The right wing media has warped enough minds so that liberal is a dirty word. We have an uphill battle in reclaiming both the liberal title, as well as placing liberal ideas into practice.

How do we win that battle?

Simple: by presenting liberalism with a candidate who is NOT the false stereotype of liberalism, but who can speak progressively as though it were common sense. DEAN KNOWS THIS: His campaign manager sent out a fax denying that he was a liberal. Clark came out and embraced the liberal label--because he can!

There are a huge number of voters who if, say, Dean were talking about universal health care would tune out, even though the idea is popular with both regular (not elite) Dems AND Repubs. But if Clark is talking about it, we get a listen, and a nod, and we get to build the 21st century version of FDR's New Deal coalition.

Hasn't anybody learned anything? You portray a centrist "feel" to reassure voters, tie that "feeling" (which often has nothing to do with issues) with your own political views (to make liberalism seem like common sense, which it is), and then govern from your point of view.

Bush has done that with resounding political success for the right. Will the ever-so-dainty, ever-so-pure DUers be willing to do that for the left?

(Edited last sentence)

[gottaB]

61. Does Clark speak progressively?

The only time I heard him (Diane Rehm show interview) he seemed to hem and haw an awful lot.

Or was that just centrist feel? Well color me shallow me then. I was mistaking that centrist feel for an unwillingness to align with liberals and clearly articulate a progressive policy agenda.

[RandomUser]

66. You're absolutely right

Bush did the exact same thing with "compassionate conservatism" to overcome the objections many had to conservatives.

[bluestateguy]

6. Uh...Reagan Democrats?

Now that's a label from the past! Perhaps because it does not exist anymore. If these folks still believe "Reagan Democrats" are around I suppose they also believe that "Cheers" is still on the air, Donald and Ivana Trump are still together and Coleco computers are the hot thing to have. So-called Reagan Democrats split apart in the early 1990's. In the South they outright became Republicans. They're gone and they ain't comin' back. Goodbye. White working class Reagan Democrats in northern cities and suburbs have generally moved back into the Democratic camp, with only the occasional Republican deviation in state and congressional elections. In California, so called Reagan Democrats--mostly, white middle aged folks--are moving inland to Rocky Mountain states and are generally a Republican constituency, making California more Democratic and the Rocky states more Republican.

[Pastiche423]

10. Welp

Those Reagan Democrats can have Wesley "Already the scent of victory is in the air" Clark!

Idiots!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

15. Was that in the voice of Ren?

[Pastiche423]

24. Who is Ren?

[carpetbagger]

32. Ren is a sarcastic cartoon Chihuahua.

[jonnyblitz]

12. yikes.

[WilliamPitt]

18. If this garbage helps us win Georgia

it'll be worth it.

[Donna Zen]

19. Pro-gay moderate

http://glbt.nyforclark.com /

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force deemed General Clark "another pro-gay moderate"


General Clark is 'another pro-gay moderate,' Task Force says

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force deemed General Wesley Clark  "another pro-gay moderate" joining the most pro-gay field of presidential candidates in history."

[Tinoire]

21. Damn IG

Was just going to bed and had to see that. Gee, thanks... I guess

I already knew this but eeeeck, seeing it in black and white is really distasteful.

At which point do we admit that

......nnnnnnnnnnn....nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.....The center cannot hold;

?

[FDRrocks]

43. I think the majority is liberal.

They just need a spark. The only thing I have to support this is my talks with various peoples, some of which say they are conservative, but if you ask certain questions, you see where thier heart is and what they are about.

The DLC pander-to-the-center method has obviously failed. From Carter to Clinton, the more centrist Democrats do not seem to fare well. Clinton was a bit right of center, in my opinion, and the right wing ripped him open for the same shit they do all the time.

Left wing. Humanity.

edit: Just for conjecture. I had a 400 lb man today tell me that smokers shouldn't be able to get insurance due to the health risk. I pointed out the obvious irony, but he did not seem to get it. People like him (read: inherently dumb) are the base of the right nowadays.

[Tinoire]

54. I would agree that the majority is Liberal

because I think the majority of America is Liberal.

What I resent are the ones who have are bringing all their right-wing talking points with them.

I am more than ready to welcome them all home as long as I don't have to re-arrange all the furniture.

I've already converted 3 Republicans to Kucinich so I know it can be done... but I expect the return to be sincere with no desire to dilute the Party. We're already right of center as it is. Any more to the right and I don't know how much more I can take! Lol

[FDRrocks]

55. I very much like Kucinich...

He will get my primary vote.

[Tinoire]

56. Now that is really cool! Welcome aboard ;)

FDRrocks rocks!

Peace

[Dr Fate]

23. GASP! Clark will attract some republican votes- the HORROR!!!!

We must do EVERYTHING we can to make sure all Georgians who "vote for the man, not the party" keep on voting for "patriotic" REPUBLICANS!

Guys, Clark is certainly deserving of some heavy criticism in more areas than one- but the ability of a candidate to draw votes from the "I'm patriotic" crowd is not one of them...please..

Trust me- no hard-core Pugs are going to vote against their Media Messiah- Mr. Bush...this cite seems geared towards the "fence-sitters", or those who, for better or for worse "vote for the man"...

...hell- it would not suprise me if this whole cite is PROPAGANDA put up by hard-core DEMS who are trying to get these votes BACK from the Pukes...-that makes more sense than somone still claiming to be a "Reagan Democrat"

[jonnyblitz]

25. good points. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

64. Why don't we endorse the Right-to-Life Contitutional Amendment?

That will get even more Republican and Reagan Democrats into the Democratic Party, but it would no longer be the Democratic Party.

[disgruntella]

65. Agreed

But this has nothing to do with why Republicans are interested in Clark.

[DemPopulist]

57. Just one response....

[bowens43]

58. F*ck the 'Reagan Democrats'.

We could bring them 'home' by running zell miller or having trent lott declare himself a democrat, but why would we do that? If the so called 'reagan democrats' didn't vote for Clinton or Gore but will vote for Clark, that speaks volumes about Clark and none of it good.

[disgruntella]

59. oh no... don't tell me...

Some folks might vote for the RIGHT PARTY for the WRONG REASONS????

All coalition building in the Democratic party should cease immediately for the good of the party faithful.

OK, sarcasm aside - I hope that folks will judge Clark by his statements in the upcoming debates, interviews, campaign speeches, etc. etc. - not by labels supporters give to themselves.

[KoKo]

63. The Reagan Democrats came home with Clinton! So, this article is a little

off the mark....but whatever.

[Cat Atomic]

69. There is no need to appeal to conservatives.

Next year's presidential race will be run against one of the most hated presidents ever. He's vulnerable on every issue. Stealing elections, starting wars for his friends to profit from, screwing up the environment, wrecking the economy... the list goes on and on.

If there's ever been a chance to get a real progressive into office, this is it.

[Cheswick2.0]

70. Is Josh on Drugs?

What a nut

[Skittles]

74. WTF?????????????????

REAGAN WAS F***ING GARBAGE.

[sweetheart]

75. if he is nominated, i'll support him

Kucinich is better qualified to run a civilian democracy. Best to hire in fancy generals and samurai (ronin) not appoint the general shogun. The largest threat is militarization of america from the top down... Oh, i am not sure clark has the goodwill in him to heal the wounds america has experienced at the bush-ripoff.

I admire Mr. Clark. I'm sure he is impeccable and i find that quality noble and healthy in leadership. I see this next president like a gemstone through which all of american goodwill is going to have to shine as a gemstone to massively re-wire the tragic failure in current neoconism. If clark has one flake of egotism to be a kruschev after stalin, i am not impressed. He has to be as pure as snow to recover the truly criminal motivations exhibited by *. It concerns me that he not lose his impeccability if empowered. That said, i'm sure he's a great bloke... an outstanding VP for a democtratic contender. Militarism should not ever be the basis of the government ever.ever.ever. That bush saw fit to wear a uniform as a civilian leader stinks of those old evil farts in the cold war... and i need mr clark to stand down unilaterally across the planet in the american war on poor people. There are no excuses any longer. America needs to be civil or get nuked. The danger is truly that level i believe in a global context. It may take china and america shooting out and losing 100 million people each, just to show how much testosterone has bloodied the minds of stupid washington fools.

If clark wins, i endorse him.