Information for ignorance... about being a 'REGISTERED' Democrat

[ShaneGR]

I love these people, a lot of the them professed Greens, complaining about Clark not being a 'registered' Dem.

Earth to this ridiculous talking point meme, Arkansas has a semi-open primary. This means that when a person votes in a particular party primary, they choose to vote for a particular candidate. This makes them a 'registered' member of whatever party they chose.

There is no outside procedure to register. There is no way to register yourself as a Democrat through the national party either. It is all up to that State's system.

So General Clark would like to apologize for not voting in those primaries. He was busy working overseas. He was busy with things like becoming the Supreme Allied Commander of Nato. He was busy getting rid of villanous genocidal maniacs like Milosevic. Yeah, he did that with ZERO American casualties too. Did I mention his hectic schedule as an economic guru? It must be really easy to teach economics.

[boxster]

1. I think it's easier to focus on these non-issues than to contrast

and compare his stance on "real" issues - health care, education, economy, and other causes near and dear to us Democrats - to the stances of their "preferred" candidates.

I also find it funny that posters continue to bash him for not taking stances on all of the issues. Then, when he does take a stand, he's either pandering or not being specific enough. With a few exceptions, I haven't seen the other candidates providing a heck of a lot of specifics either, especially in the last debate.

Or, when provided with documentation on issues, such as issues2000.org, they jump back into "Clark is a Republican" mode. The fact that he is a Republican means he's apparently lying about every issue on which he appears to be taking a liberal stance, so sites like that become irrelevant.

[juajen]

24. I have not changed my party affiliation since I worked as an

impassioned Goldwaterite in the sixties. I have voted democratic since, but have never changed parties officially. Got a call today from the pugs wanting my vote for one on Saturday. We also have open primaries. Have never had a problem and I enjoy knowing what the pugs are up to. Have gotten several fundraising letters from georgie.

[HFishbine]

28. Would Gladly Discuss the Issues

Sure, how about it?

There are some things I like about Clark, but I have some serious questions. I'll be patient, I'm not demanding answers NOW. But, before I'd seriously consider voting for Clark, I need to hear him comment on:

1) Whether, as president, he would continue to view the establishment of government dosiers on U.S. citizens (CAPPS II) as legitimate and constituionally acceptable.

2) His role in the National Endowment for Democracy.

That's all for now. Get around to it when you can, General Clark.

[mhr]

2. I Have Studied Both

Microeconomics and Macroeconomics at the graduate level, it's not that tough.

I think it is telling that this man wants to be a political leader yet he could not find time to vote absentee.

[ShaneGR]

4. LOL!!!

So you're saying that you're not a smart person because economics is easy? Eh?

How about #1 at Westpoint? Rhodes scholar? Easy?

[Dookus]

5. who said...

he didn't vote?

I've never seen that assertion.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

6. Oh. My. God.

This man was busy serving his country, often in foreign countries. I and most other Americans are certainly going to cut him some slack on this.

Your axe is showing again, and the grindstone's thataway.

DTH

[WilliamPitt]

16. Rhodes scholar = 'not that tough'

Right.

:eyes:

[boxster]

27. He has been voting - voted for Clinton twice and Gore in 2000.

Not registering does not equal not voting.

[Cheswick2.0]

3. sorry

I am not buying that at all.

[noiretextatique]

7. isn't he retired now?

one would think he would take the time to register for the party he's aspiring to lead. i bet he's doing it NOW. and the "green meme" is really a tired clark website talking point. perhaps we need a poll to resolve the matter.

[Forkboy]

8. "a lot of the them professed Greens"

what...all five of them? :eyes:

[noiretextatique]

10. greens, greens...they're everywhere

they're in your water
they're in your air
pesky greens all over place
they're in your face
they f*** your date
greens, greens, i hate them so
i see them here
i see them fro
greens, greens: just go away
and let our savior
lead the way
from websites here and websites there
we know the green meme
raises hair!
:eyes:

[Forkboy]

12. LMFAO

I love you :D

[noiretextatique]

13. does mrs. forkboy know about this?

LMAO :loveya: right back you :hi:

[Forkboy]

19. as a matter of fact

yes she does :)

[noiretextatique]

20. a big kiss to you both

and tell her: she's a lucky woman :hi:

[Forkboy]

22. thanks

but I am definately the lucky one...she's awesome :)

[Fenris]

9. I'm not a registered Democrat either

And I cannot say that I plan on registering anytime soon. I'm far too skeptical to align myself with any political party. However, I am a very liberal person. I'm just not a registered Democrat.

That said, however, I have never voted for a Republican. Ever. But I figure that my father is a pragmatic liberal and he voted for Nixon (he worked on his campaign). General Clark's voting record is suspicious, and until I know more, I can't say whether or not he is what he says he is. Although, from what I have heard from him, he seems to be a very liberal person. But then again, George Bush sounded like a centrist.

[kiahzero]

11. Maybe I'm just partisan

But I never thought W. sounded like a centrist. For crying out loud, he sided against U.S. soldiers in Fort Hood, just because their religion wasn't Abrahamic enough for him.

[Fenris]

14. Well, compared with the current George Bush

"campaign" George Bush sounded moderate.

[RichM]

15. "Economic guru" my ass.

What utter hogwash. Even having a Ph.D. in economics - which Clark doesn't have - hardly makes you a "guru." For example, Phil Gramm had a Ph.D. So does Larry Lindsay & Larry Kudlow. Are they "gurus?"

And the point about "Yeah, he did that with ZERO American casualties" -- what it actually means, is that he was fighting people who were so completely helpless & defenseless, that they could offer no resistance at all. Very brave, bombing helpless unarmed people from 30,000 feet. I'm impressed.

[WilliamPitt]

18. What would you have done in Kosovo?

[juajen]

25. I believe that he taught economics

As Mr. Pitt asked, what would you have done in Kosovo? We are looking a gifthorse in the mouth here. We are very fortunate to have General Clark among our candidates. This continuous bashing is petty, since most of it is jealousy in one form or another. Highly educated people get this a lot; a form of "Goring" for the General. I say wait and see how his candidacy goes, but bashing is self-destructive, IMHO.

[dfong63]

17. nice - he was too busy to register, since 1992 (11 years)?

[ShaneGR]

21. This is what I'm talking about

Look up the date Clark left the military. Compare it to your date.

[dfong63]

26. your argument doesn't add up

there's no law against military people declaring a party affiliation. if Clark did not declare, it was only because he didn't want to. even after retiring from the military, Clark had plenty of time to lobby for military contractors; but Clark apologists want us to believe he didn't have time to register as a member of the party he now wants to lead.

i say baloney.

Clark had plenty of time to deliver rambling, unfocused fundraising speeches for the GOP, while warmly praising George W Bush and the PNAC crowd; yet Clark apologists would have us believe that he didn't have time to register.

baloney.

during the 6 months prior to his announcement, Clark had plenty of time to appear on talk shows and tease the public with non-declarations of his candidacy and of his party affiliation; yet Clark apologists want us to believe he didn't have time to register.

baloney.

not enough time is the universal Clark excuse. yet Clark apparently wasted the last 6 months admiring his navel, while the real dem candidates were out there working, campaigning, recruiting, raising money, debating, developing position papers. now Clark apologists want us to believe he didn't have time to register. he hasn't had time yet, to put up an "issues" section on his web site. he hasn't had time to file his statement of candidacy with the FEC. give him more time, he only announced 2 weeks ago. great: the guy deliberately delays his entry for 6 months, then uses his late entry as an excuse for repeated foulups. that's just a little bit too much like the boy who murdered his parents and then begged the court for mercy because he was an orphan.

you can spin doctor this thing to your heart's content, you can make all the excuses you want, you can insult the people who raise the issue all you want, but the bottom line is, that you Rhodes Scholar-Genius-who-thinks-at-mach-3 is a 4-star fuckup.

[woofless]

23. You have a good point.

I have voted the Democratic ticket for 33 years. Tho only time I was "registered" as a Democrat was in FL. where one had to declare party affiliation preference (at that long ago time, at least). Here we just register to vote.

[bitchkitty]

29. I disagree. It's ridiculous not to question

his party affiliation, regardless of which state he votes in. Any thinking human would. Combined with his glowing support of chimp inc, it would give anyone pause.

As far as not voting in primaries, there's no excuse for a Presidential candidate to skip voting. I mean, really.

[Larkspur]

30. I'm a registered Democrat and a member of my town's Dem Committee

and I have major problems with an Independent who helps Republicans raise money becoming my Party's Prez nominee and standard bearer.

If Clark wants to convince me that he is a Democrat with the Party's interests in mind, he'd drop out of the 2004 race for the Dem Prez nomination and start running for dog catcher in his town. After rising up the ranks and earning a record as an elected Democrat, then he can toss his hat in the Prez nomination ring and I'll consider him fairly.