Clark stated he won't be Dean's running mate

[RandomUser]

From Sunday's CNN interview. Asked if he would consider being Dean's running mate, Clark stated no.

So much for a Dean/Clark ticket. But he did say he is considering Dean for a running mate, so there might be some chance of a Clark/Dean ticket.

[leetrisck]

1. I think any candidate would say that

right now. I am running for President not Vice President.

[JNelson6563]

3. exactly

It's the right thing to say at this time.

So is "Any one of the Dem candidates would be better than Bush" but I reckon one needs a certain amount of confidence to be able to say that. Maybe even a little "it's not all about me" attitude too.

Julie

[Skwmom]

37. Are you referring to Dean's statement "This isn't about making

Howard Dean president this is about making us president." Yeah right.

[RetroLounge]

45. You got a link to that quote?

Didn't think so.

Move along now...

[JNelson6563]

47. Do they even sound remotely the same to you?

The quote I am referring to goes something like:

Any one of us up here would be better than what we have now.

Mind you that is paraphrased but I suspect it is very close. But apparently the quote that has stuck with you is something about putting the people back in power?

So is this a foreign concept to you?

Oh, wait, you're a Clarkie, right? Not just any run-of-the-mill Clarkie but a Clarkie with a dual membership to the Dean-Haterz club. VIP status even.

Nevermind.

Julie

[KittyWampus]

58. Dean Makes The Absurd Comment- "This Isn't About Electing Me"

HE said something very close to this at the close of the last Iowa debate.

My first thought upon hearing this from Dean:

Yeah, it certainly isn't about electing YOU cause if Lefties looked at your record up until a year ago you wouldn't have a chance of getting the nomination.

My second thought:

This Democracy is a REPUBLIC- our representatives forge the laws that govern us and ensure those laws are adherred to. We are NOT a direct Democracy.... so this election is DEFINATELY about WHO we are electing.

[Pastiche423]

59. Yeah, it certainly isn't about electing CLARK

cause if Lefties looked at his record up until a year ago he wouldn't have a chance of getting the nomination.

[creativelcro]

57. C'mon, when Brown thinks and says she's gonna win

it tells you how much weight to put on what the candidates are saying at this stage...

[RandomUser]

10. Not quite the same

Many candidates when asked, would say they're running for president, not VP. But they've never said point blank that they'd refuse it.

Clark was not asked if he would consider it, but whether he would agree to it if offered by Dean. He said no.

Previously, when asked if he would rule out being vice-president, Clark said he would not. But now, asked if he would agree to be Dean's running mate -- he said no. I guess they got to know each other on the campaign trail. There was that picture much speculated about when the two of them seemed to be angrily pointing fingers at each other during a commercial break at a debate.

[AnnitaR]

2. I actually think Clark has decided not to be anyone's VP.

Not just Dean. That's just the feeling I got from the interview. I think he's running for President and that's the job he wants. If he doesn't win the nomination I don't think he has any desire to be anyone's VP. I hope Deanies don't take it personally, because I think he would answer the same way if he was asked about being ANY of the Dems running mates.

Of course all this is JMHO.

[salinen]

4. To say that you would not be his

V.P. but then say that he might be yours, is a flattering gesture and very gentlemanly in my opinion. Good manners.

[RandomUser]

6. He was specifically asked

Not like he volunteered this information.

The first question: "Would you agree to serve as Howard Dean's running mate?"

Clark answered no.

The second question: "Would you consider Howard Dean for your running mate?"

Clark said he would.

[politicat]

44. No, it's condescending and rude. Flattering and generous and gentlemanly

would be reciprocity.

It's a nasty dig. Hope Dean wasn't considering him too hard and has someone better lined up.....

Politicat (who is somewhat relieved to know that the man is as not a possibility.)

[Clark Can WIN]

75. It's not condecending or rude if Clark has decided not to accept

the VP slot from anyone at all. Which is possible. Could be how he feels right now BUT if someone else gets the nomination I personally hope he reconsiders. He is needed on our ticket, preferably at the top but thats the voters decision.

[LoneStarLiberal]

8. I Don't Think Clark is VP Material

I really don't think Clark would be VP material on a Dean ticket or any other ticket. I'm an ardent Clark backer, but I simply can't see him as VP.

I think it's either President then either State or Defense is anything.

[RandomUser]

12. I agree

If he doesn't make it as Pres, I'd rather see him as Secretary of State or Defense. He would have more autonomy that way. His skills will be put to better use. And he'd have more power to implement his changes.

I think Clark sees this too. And that's why he would refuse to be VP. I have no doubt he will campaign on behalf on the nominee, if he doesn't get the nod. But he'd be better off refusing the VP slot and waiting to get into the cabinet. After his conflicts as SACEUR and CinC, I think he might personally prefer that, too.

He would make a terrible VP.

[LoneStarLiberal]

5. I Wouldn't Expect Him to Say Anything Else

Saying you'd be someone's running mate at this point in the race is tantamount to mailing it in no matter how many hypotheticals and disclaimers you couch such an announcement in for release.

As much as our resident DU Deaniacs and the Dean campaign would love that as an early Christmas present, the race isn't over yet.

[bearfartinthewoods]

7. was it an absolute NO or a political no?

[OKNancy]

16. He said, " It wasn't in the cards" n/t

[Forkboy]

95. that would a "political no" then

:)

[Kolesar]

9. "Spike Trees announces he will not be Wes Clark's running mate"

Well, I guess I should admire Clark's bombast.

[retyred]

11. It would be a disappointment to see either part of that ticket!

retyred in fla
“good night paul, wherever you are”
So I read the book

[quaker bill]

13. I have heard this before

not just in regard to Dean, but in general. I believe he is not interested in the VP job.

[RandomUser]

14. I think so too

He's interested in either being President -- or failing that -- Secretary of State or Defense. Although he would refuse VP, he'll still go out there and campaign for whoever gets the nod, I think.

[RandomUser]

17. This would depend on Gert, though

He had to wait a long time for her to sign on to his presidential bid. And only at the very end, when his son lobbied her also. They've spent so many years in the service of our country, that she really wanted to have the rest of their lives to themselves. I don't think she's given her consent to anything other than the presidential bid.

[CWebster]

15. The more I find out about Clark, the less appeal he has

even as part of a Dean-Clark team. He is a liability for Dean, and the only reason he would consider Dean is because Dean has a hugh base of non-tranferrable support. That is just the political reality.

[AnnitaR]

19. Clark is a liability for Dean?!?! BAWAHAHAHA!

You're kidding right?

[CWebster]

25. Of course not

Considering Clark's relationship with the SOA and his pro-corporate position against re-regulation, specifically of media and energy, there is no way that is going to fly with anyone who pays attention to the world around them.

[politicat]

46. No... Clark is a liability. Not a huge one, necessarily, but a liability.

He's alienated a large portion of his best supporters - the socially liberal, libertarian, former military computer professionals set. Advice to the former general: Don't tell people you're planning on shipping their jobs overseas. It pisses them off. Especially when those people are a) still employed, b) making enough money to donate and c) likely to do so!

He's got a Repug voting record. That's going to limit his accessability to Yaller Dawg Dems. Raygun was no prize.

With a military background, he's a limit on the pacifist vote. It's not big, but it's active these days and they're big supporters - they knock on doors and stuff envelopes.

AFAIK, he's quiet about "women's" issues - child care, flex schedules, parenthood leave. Pro-choice isn't enough.

He's good for attracting the moderate, gotta appease the Repugs vote. Otherwise.... meh.

He needs to run for school board. Senate. Local Power Co-op governing board. Something to put on his resume other than "career military, gave lots of orders, expected no debate when I said frog, they jumped." He's shown no proof that he can negotiate, work with committees and factions, do the crap that is necessary for politics. Espeically if he's saying nuthin but the best, baby, even though I'm underqualified. And getting in "discussions" of a heated nature with the guy he's trailing.

Politicat.

[SahaleArm]

56. Quit demagoguing.

He's alienated a large portion of his best supporters - the socially liberal, libertarian, former military computer professionals set. Advice to the former general: Don't tell people you're planning on shipping their jobs overseas. It pisses them off. Especially when those people are a) still employed, b) making enough money to donate and c) likely to do so!

You took his statement out of context and decided to speak for software engineers across America. He never said that he would willingly ship jobs overseas, just that new technology will drive the next set of high paying jobs; as the internet has over the past decade.

Show me a major candidate with a plan to specifically stop outsourcing of software jobs? Unless you propose outright protectionism you can't stop the outflow of private-sector software jobs.

Libertarians are against trade and outsourcing? :eyes:

[RandomUser]

21. Considering you were an ardent Clark basher from day one

That doesn't mean much.

And there does seem to be a contradiction here. On the one hand, we've got you saying Dean's support is non-transferable -- meaning Dean supporters won't support anyone else who gets the nomination. And on the other hand, we've got Dean people saying of course Dean supporters will support whoever gets the nomination to kick Bush out. You can't have it both ways.

[OKNancy]

22. I wrote a BWHAHAHAHA post too

but then deleted it. That is just too funny. Like we haven't read her posts about Clark for the last two months.

[CWebster]

26. Clark basher?

You mean I committed the cardinal sin of critically asking questions about a General who spent a lifetime entrenched in the military-industrial complex? Like I am going to turn a blind eye to that?

There were occasions were I complimented Clark's performance and even mused about a Dean-Clark combo, but I suppose you miss the shades of gray in your black and white view. I make no secret, however, that I don't care for his supporters and their infatuation with Clark's military illusion as image of strength; in fact, it disgusts me.

[RandomUser]

Ask any non-Dean or -Clark supporter

You'll note that I refrain from bashing Dean or showing up in pro-Dean threads to make anti-dean remarks.

And yes, there is a distinction between asking critical questions and bashing. You've clearly not read anything else that we've posted that relates to anything outside your image of Clark supporters being infatuated with the uniform. As a matter of fact, I remember writing a post a few days ago outlining all the reasons I support Clark and that his uniform is hardly the only or even prime reason I'm voting for him.

Believe it or not, saying Clark supporters are blinded by four stars is as stupid as saying Dean supporters are drunk on kool-aid.

Of course, if you opened your mind or bothered to read, you'd learn that.

[CWebster]

29. Too bad Clark using military references constantly

It's all he knows, for crying out loud--it isn't as if he has experience at ANYTHING ELSE. Everything else he has to say is poll-tested Democratic campaign trail boiler plate---and non-to specific, at that.

[RandomUser]

33. So all things military is evil?

Let's see.

As a base manager, and later CinC he dealt with Domestic programs:
-spousal abuse programs
-Education programs
-Daycare
-race relations
-healthcare for soldiers, civilians, families, children, refugees
-dealt with budgets and funding allocations

As SACEUR, he was Head of State, the equal of a president or prime minister.
-foreign policy
-negotiating treaties
-forging consensus with world leaders around the globe
-knowing Chirac, Blair, and others on a personal basis
-met with Senators and congressional delegations in the US as well as in Europe
-dealing with the wording of treaties and haggling with ambassadors
-deciding on what type of diplomatic pressures to apply to hostile governments


He's had to use considerable political and diplomatic skills, as well as crucial decisionmaking and management skills.

He has a Masters in Economics, Foreign Policy, and International Relations. Taught as a professor.

I don't suppose your image of Clark as a soldier grunt fits well with his proven efforts in creating affordable daycare programs, eh?

[lumpy]

64. Thanks for posting this

maybe this will shut up the Clark bashers and those who apparently desire to splinter the Democrat party. We should be holding together and supporting all the candidates instead of bashing. May the best man or woman win.

[Clark Can WIN]

76. Unlike some other candidates (mostly just one really)

Clark is not trying to run on something he really isn't.

[roguevalley]

82. Growing up in the Viet Nam debacle, I had to make adjustments to

getting around my military blind spot brought about by
that war. But blindly stating that a military person
cannot be a civilian elected official is disgusting. I
don't care that he was in the military life all his
working days. He's kept his soul. To say you can't be
military and have a mind and soul is crap.

I am so tired of people discounting him for being a
military man. Its crap. You can discount every single
one of the candidates for something given this sort
of logic.

Frankly, we need both. We have idiots in now who THINK
they know military and look what its gotten us? They are
MORONS. We need military and we need civilian and if we
can get it in one person, GOOD ON US.

Remember the next time you have a flood and the guard
comes, or an earthquake up here and the military comes,
that they came because they love America and want to
take care of her too. Being in the military DOESN'T
MAKE YOU THE ENEMY!

For god sake, grow up.

[FrenchieCat]

110. CWebster hates Clark...

and have never had anything positive to say about him, ever. You only bring up his six degrees of separation to satan according to your lousy documentation that you paste all over the place.

Why deny it. It seems like you should be proud as unabashed as you are when posting.

You even are the one that has tried to discourage Clarkies from coming onto DU altogether. If I was DU management, I would be watching you very carefully.....as you may have discouraged quite a few (Possible money donating Clark supporters)from even wanting to participate.

Yea, if I were you and thought like you, I would be proud of my handiwork.

[JNelson6563]

27. I think it is both ways

Just as there are folks in all camps who will do a write-in or whatever if their candidate doesn't win the nom, I'm sure the same holds true in the Dean camp.

Many Deanies, like myself, prefer Dean to win the nom but, as Dean himself said, any one of the Dems would be better than what we have now. If Dean doesn't win the nom I'm behind who does and all the Deanies I know in RL feel the same. Maybe less enthusiastically but they will back the candidate.

Julie

[CWebster]

28. Neither can you

No matter how hard you try. It is obvious to all that your main ambition and hope is to dissuade Dean's activist base. Many of us were first attracted to Dean because of his consistant and bold position against invading Iraq - the last thing that would appeal to us is a general talking about "success" in Iraq as VietNam redux.

[RandomUser]

30. Quite frankly

You may choose whoever you want for your candidate. I've said this before and I'll say this again -- you are free to choose whoever you want.

And by corollary, so am I and other Clark supporters. If anything, your tone that all Clark supporters are stupid because they don't support Dean smacks more of the militarism and intolerance that you accuse us of. What gall -- to say that we've not put just as much effort into analyzing and researching our candidate as you have in yours. That we must be stupid and not able to think right just because we don't support Dean!

Further, you've not addressed the contradiction I mentioned in the post you responded to. Instead, you seem to be projecting.

[CWebster]

34. Dean-shmeme

Nothing personal. I don't like it when Clark supporters don't return the coutesy or deliberately try to skew polls or try to create illusions of Clark's domination. in fact, I wouldn't care so much if it was true--it is the deception which provokes me. The lie.

[RandomUser]

36. And that's suppose to be better?

We're not stupid because we don't support Dean, but we're stupid because we support Clark? Much better. :eyes:

And your vitriol has been present from the very start, even when Clark just began and his support here was low -- you still had the same vitriol. So there goes that rationalization that it's because of Clark's strenght or appearance thereof recently.

And I suppose the fact that the Clark blog gets more internet traffic than the Dean blog is a deception too?

[CWebster]

38. "Vitriol" to y'all is not getting with your program

and sorry, I won't.

Lol, and there you go again, not even conscious that it is the mission that drives you:

"And I suppose the fact that the Clark blog gets more internet traffic than the Dean blog is a deception too?"

More than anything, above and beyond all things, is to steal Dean's perceived thunder.

[RandomUser]

39. You do realize

that I've made posts where I even encourage supporters of other candidates? That kind of puts the lie to your statement that I consider not supporting Clark to be "vitriol." But thanks for playing.

[BootinUp]

41. Cheers

That was well done...I was going to say give up, been there done that, but now I want to nominate you for the monthly smackdown award or something.

B-)

[CWebster]

43. Smackdown?

more of the same.

Shocked, I am shocked I tell you. Not.

[BootinUp]

49. CWebster

Just my opinion....

but seems that many have attempted discussions with you, discussions that all start with the same kind of attacks from you. I tire of the argument frankly.

Random called you on the inaccuracy of some of your statements. I noted it.

:think:

[CWebster]

55. too bad, jim4wes

lol.

[BootinUp]

60. For who?

You lost the little debate, that was the whole point.

[Sterling]

100. I don't think so

I am undecided and I think he made some very valid points about Clark.

[BootinUp]

104. Ok tell me which valid points you referred to

I'll play...your deal.

If you have an open mind on Clark I don't mind spending some time in a real discussion of the facts.

[lumpy]

65. Recalcitrant statements are doing nothing to further the

unification of the Democrat party. Because a donkey is the symbol of the Dem party doesn't mean one should lay back his/her ears.

[Clark Can WIN]

77. Clarkies are the ONLY supporters

who try to "skew" polls then right? :eyes:

[Skwmom]

40. Non-transferrable support?

I love how Dean and his supporters continuously try to blackmail the rest of the Democratic party. Who cares about Dean's non-transferrable support. Enough disenchanted Republicans will cross over and vote for a capable Democratic candidate who they view as strong on defense (which leaves Dean out).

[JNelson6563]

48. Dean has said any one of the nominees

would do better than the boy king. From what I have read here about his interview with Wolfie-the-Whore the General would not say such a thing.

What was that you were saying again?

Julie

[unfrigginreal]

66. There's been more Clark supporters claiming

that they would never vote for Dean than the other way around. BTW, can Dean count on your support if he wins the nomination?

[unfrigginreal]

68. I'm coming to the same conclusions about Clark

His criticizing of Dean's re-regulation comments really pushed me away from him. I don't agree that Dean's support base is non-transferable.

[mitchum]

97. Non-tranferable support"...you do know how that sounds, don't you?

Of course you do

[Sterling]

102. Sounds like reality

Dean is a compromise candidate between the left and the right wings of the party. I think many people including myself view Dean and Clark as potential “meet you half way” possibilities that can appeal to the people against the war and those not smart enough to know better.

Over time it seems more like that is being narrowed down to just Dean. If we do not have a candidate who is was and will be firmly against the PNAC agenda you can count out about 40 percent of the party. A sad reality but true non the less.

[jsw_81]

18. In 1991 Gore told CNN he wasn't interested in VP

But he sure was when he got the call from Clinton. Trust me, Clark will definitely accept the second slot if he doesn't get to be the presidential nominee. He'd be foolish to say no.

[RandomUser]

24. the language is different

Do you have the exact quote from Gore?

Here, they're not asking if he would be interested or would consider being VP.

They're asking if he would agree if Dean offered. He said no. They didn't ask if he would be interested or would consider it -- in which case he could say he's not interested or considering it now, but since he didn't say outright he would refuse it, he'd have wiggle room later. They asked him whether he would agree to it if offered by Dean, and he said no.

You can say no to "interested" or "consider" and have wiggle room. That wasn't the question asked him here.

[JCMach1]

20. He HAS to say that

Standard operating procedure.

[Zynx]

23. That's typical. Any guy running will say that. Dean will say the same.

[bowens43]

31. Great news.

Dean doesn't need him.

[seventhson]

32. Dean would get Wellstoned

if Clark was a heartbeat away.

Clark, IMHO, is BFEE through and through.

[Nashyra]

101. Dean would do well to have Clark

and Clark would do well have Dean. They both bring a large and for the most part an intelligent constituency, some of the posters here for both candidates might want to re think their personal post, and Clark will most definetly NOT hurt Dean, if he were to accept a bid for the VP under Dean it would solve alot of the national security and foreign policy critics of Deans. I hope both do well, I just think that Clark has a better chance of avoiding a re-instatement of the draft of all the candidates. I think the combination of either Clark/Dean Dean/Clark or Clark/Edwards or Clark/Kerry would smoke the *, I like my first two choices best.

[seventhson]

103. You obviously are unfamiliar with Clark's ties to Bush financiers and

political allies the Stephens group and Security specialists Axciom.

I suggest you ggogle them.

Stephens arranged Saudi financing for shrub's oil ventures, gave him $100,000 in 2001 around the same time they hired Clark.

Clark is a Bush set up IMHO.

Dean will be ahses to ashes and dust to dust if Clark is his VP.

It's probably THE PLAN. That is what I believe.

YOU support Clark.

NOT me.

I want a Democrat to win.

[BootinUp]

107. Unreal

is this like the 6 degrees of separation thing? Are you saying Clark did something unethical? Are you saying he had a job and that makes him bad? Are you a conspiracy nut?

Maybe if you provide some links that made your case in stead of a slime and run type of tactic.

[Justice]

35. It is Natural for Any Candidate

To say that at this point.

[politicat]

42. Remember Kennedy's Line: "I'm against all kinds of vice."

Of course, looking at his behavior, that was kind of an overstatement, but he was a good president, regardless.

They're not willing to do the VP thing until all options are gone for the top job.

But that ticket would only get my ABB vote. No work, no money, no activism for them in that configuration. Clark has lost our vote and our support with his callous giving away of our livelihood (programming and software development.)

Politicat (holds a grudge? Oh, yeah.)

[Donna Zen]

52. I thought programmers needed to be smart?

Anyway, any programmer who can read and think beyond blinding hatred would know that Clark never said that he would "give away" jobs. He is telling you the truth, if companies move these jobs because of $$$$ then there is little, less nothing that the Federal Government can do. Aside from tightening and strengthening corporate governence laws, which Clark will do, to change the current climate. Any candidate who is telling you anything else is LYING to you. You like to be lied to? That's is your choice.

When the venom that eats away at one's moral fiber causes a constant and relentless spewing of false accussations, character assassination, and an imitation of rightwing tactics, then the view through that person's lens on the world allows no sunshine and is void of reason. If that is what you have become, may you someday have the courage to examine your personal motivations and emerge to join the movement to take this country back. Personal vengence is no substitute for rational discussion.

HOWEVER! since Clark is talking about moving money into R & D to create jobs for programmers--repeat for programmers--that would remain in this country, it compounds the lie. Hatred is a blinding force.

Clark is on record as committing to reinstating the Fairness Doctrine, and he understands the need to end hate radio's dominance in the national conversation.

Fomenting falsehoods to undermine your opposition, may make you enemies as you turn away people of good will, but it will do nothing to augment the reputation of those you support.

[Tom Rinaldo]

54. Let me take this chance to say

That I love the way you write Donna. Strength and sincerity is an unbeatable combination, which has a lot to do with why I back Clark come to think of it.

[TorchTheWitch]

99. ditto

That I love the way you write Donna. Strength and sincerity is an unbeatable combination, which has a lot to do with why I back Clark come to think of it.

Motion seconded

[AmericanDem]

50. he said, "not in the cards"

For good reason. He is setting the campaign based on what the main issue of the general election will be. Its about leadership, World Leadership. As the ads are already running by the RNC this shows to be the case.

Dean was hoping to "USE" Clark as his ace in the whole to beat back what everyone will be saying very soon. He has lil if any world affairs experience.

Clark in a masterful way just took that away from him. If folks want to elect someone like Dean during a time of war they best think thru what the full responsibility is to the job.

Like it or not we are a country at war and will be for some time. We have brave men and women dieing everyday because of the band of criminals in our White House. Clark is the ONLY man in this race that has such experience. With degrees and in economics,politics, philosophy plus the endless years governing over the welfare of the troops and family,( living situations, health care, schooling etc. ), Clark is also very strong on domestic issues.

[Stuckinthebush]

51. Why can't Dean be a president in a time of war?

I don't get that. That sounds like a very Republican-esque position. I asked an old friend of mine who is an ex-Navy pilot about Clark. He said, "I get nervous when I see Generals running for president. I don't know if that is a good idea." He is going to vote Democratic, and will support Clark if he gets the nomination. He has seen combat and has experience in the military. He says that many times, you want someone who is from the civilian sector to oversee the military.

Dean can certainly do that well.

As for being in a time of war - I think we need to remind people that the war was declared over and we are now in a time of occupation.

[GalleryGod]

69. Depends Upon the General! Haig vs. Max Taylor?

Who would you choose?
Well...the world's different now. Bush saw to that,so,therefore,

I like my candidates in '04 to "have a little fruit salad on his chest".

Strange cat,your Navy flier, "nervous"? When did Tomcat Jocks become "nervous". Sorry,Pal. Veracity is suspect.

[Donna Zen]

80. Tell your friend.

We've had 8-11 Generals as president, who basically kept us out of war. Generals hate to fight wars.

We've had one AWOL who has involved us in a forever war.

I was considering last night as I tossed and turned, what is it about bush....what is it about bush...? The thought came suddenly, one of those flashes which illuminate and inspire, and beg to be held up and examined for flaws. But no such flaws appeared,

Bush wants everyone to be responsible to him, to care about him and ultimately to support him beyond question while he only cares about himself.

A leader expects responsibility, caring and support from those around him/her; but--and here's the distinction---a leader extends responsibility , caring and support to those around him/her.

Bush's "Big Day in Baghdad" may place him in the midst of the applauding troops, but the troops will never be in bush's heart. He uses them.

Clark is well aware of the importance of each human life. The people who worked with him have a spot in the soul of the campaign's blog. The writing brings tears to the most hardened. The story of Massa who was diagnosed with cancer. The story of Common man who wife just had a baby. The flight attendent on the NATO plane. So if your friend fails to see General Clark's commitment to those around him, I can assure you that those who were there, and not just making unfounded generalizations, are certainly the more convincing.

[AmericanDem]

87. Really?

"Republican-esque" huh? Well since i'm a life long Democrat that should be of news to you. BTW, I guess this is the first time you are speaking with someone from "Middle America " huh?

Well get use to it, there is a whole lot of us. Hence, why Clark will shine in the general election and Dean won't.

[Pastiche423]

53. Such beautiful, beautiful words!

Please let them be true!

[Hawkeye-X]

61. Well I'll support a Dean/Graham ticket

instead. If Clark doesn't want to be a VP candidate, then Dean can cross him off from his 'short' list.

Hawkeye-X

[ModerateMiddle]

62. I never thought he would consider it

I've thought those two men to be incompatible from the outset. Every time I read one of the Dean folks dreaming about a Dean/Clark ticket I thought they were wet dreaming, because they recognized that should Dean get the Democratic nod, he'd HAVE to have a running mate strong on defense.

Considering that we don't nominate a pair of running mates, I think it's essential that we nominate a complete package for the top of the ticket.

[lumpy]

63. I have never believed that either candidate

would be content to playing 2nd fiddle. Seems to me that Graham would be a valuable pick for VP or someone else who appears to be low key.

[GalleryGod]

67. Good Sense Reigns Supreme!

Thanks,General!:yourock:

[burr]

70. primary candidates always state this, later they change their tune...

when someone else wins the nomination. Saying you will consider being a running-mate for someone else, is like saying to your opponent.."I'll be your lapdog!"

[Gringo]

71. Too Bad. But I guess he makes too much money in the private sector.

I guess the money is more important to him than affecting change for this country in a subordinate way. Or maybe it's ego.

I don't know if Dean would want to be a VP candidate, but I've never heard him rule it out.

Graham would make a fine running mate for future president Dean.

[ringmastery]

74. Graham is perfect

He has foreign policy experience being head of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He has 18 years senate experience and 8 years governorning experience. He helps him in THE southern state, Florida. If Graham can't get you Florida and its 27 electoral votes, nobody can. He makes up for Dean's weaknessess in so many ways.

The arguments against him that he's boring and has heart problems is just BS.

Just look at Cheney. He never lit up a room and he's had more heart attacks than you can count.

[MissMillie]

72. funny tidbit

Here at the college I work at, our Dean's name is Kim Clark.

Kind of funny that when we refer to him, he's Dean Clark.

[SEAburb]

73. This whole Clark VP crap was started by the Dean campaign

in a cheap sleazy attempt to undercut Clark's run for the presidency.

[Barbara917]

78. Agreed

For some reason there is a certain number of Dean supporters who think Dean needs Clark. On the other hand I don't believe Clark needs Dean.

[Gringo]

83. Disagree.

Although it came from Dean supporters, it was not from the campaign itself. At many Dean meetups, we've talked about how Clark would be an asset to the campaign. Then again, we've also talked about Graham and Edwards in the same vein...

Clark would be well-suited to a subservient VP role since he came up through the military ranks, where unquestioning obedience and perseverance help one get ahead. I was raised with the mantra "question authority". I tend to be suspicious of those who have been conditioned to never do so.

[BootinUp]

84. Thats an honest concern and opinion

And I am not trying to change your mind, but Clark does not fit in that category of not questioning authority. He has spoken about this, about his differences with the Pentagon when he was SACEUR NATO. And how the situation in the Balkans called for him to report these differences and lobby for the right strategy despite political risks, because "When you can do good, you should."

cheers

[Pastiche423]

94. That is not true

It was started by the media.

[seventhson]

105. I think it was started by Karl Rove so ...

that their BFEE republican plant will be a heartbeat away from the Dean presidency.

I DO believe that they would set Dean up for the big sleep by floating a Manchurian candidate from Waco.

[WilliamPitt]

79. Why on earth would he say that he would be?

He's still running for the top spot. It's early, folks. I'm sure George H.W. Bush said the same thing about Reagan.

[gasperc]

81. you can't say that you'll settle for second best

any candidate to say right now, yeah I'd considered being so and so's running mate is predicting they'll lose.

you never say something like that till say June

[wiley]

85. Running Frantic

Calm Down! They are all currently running separate campaigns. No one says who they would have as a VP at this point.

Well, actually, the Shrub has.


:cry:
Kindly cough up your Kucinich hairballs in private. It's so unseemly.

[HFishbine]

86. Absolutley Ludicrous -- Here's how to tell.

Does anybody really think for one minute that Clark wouldn't run on the democratic ticket as VP? There's a simply way to see that he would indeed, simply ask "Why wouldn't he?"

Would he turn it down because he can only serve his country if he's at the top of the ticket? That doesn't sound like Clark.

Would he turn it down so that he could run against the democratic incumbent in 2008?

Would he turn it down so he could run against Hillary in 2008?

[Pastiche423]

88. Please don't spoil my moment!

I don't want him anywhere near Dean.

TIA!

[Bread and Circus]

89. Thank god. Clark has class, Dean is just a political hack.

[WhosNext]

90. riiiiiight

We're so united!!! <sarcasm>

[Kazak]

91. He'll change his tune...

if he loses in the primaries...hide and watch. =D

[mlawson]

92. IF JFK and LBJ coud be on the same ticket, anything's possible!

Don't pay much attention to remarks like Clark's now. ;)

[WhosNext]

96. LBJ = murderer of JFK

[seventhson]

109. The right analogy: LBJ is to JFK what Clark could be to Dean

That is what I believe.

And I have been in this business my whole life.

My father worked with the antiNazi underground in Europe.

So sue me.

[Ksec]

93. saw the interveiw and No he didnt say that

Stop spreading lies. He didnt say he wouldnt be his vice. He said he is running for Pres when asked.

[mitchum]

98. ATTN: Dean supporters...it's back to hating Clark this week

Everybody got that?

[MoonRiver]

106. Good!

After the flaming I've seen on this board my feelings toward Dean are lukewarm at best.

[seventhson]

108. Dean would be Dead Meat just like JFK, RFK and Wellstone If

he let's Clark, Kerry OR lieberman on his ticket.

No matter how you cut it, ANY of these three will push the same PNAC agenda as the Bushes.

Dean is an independent thinker and those bastards will be happy to show him the pearly gates.

I believe that Edwards is the only viable alternative for VP who is NOT already totally sold out to the corporo-fascist military complex.

Dean/Edwards

sure i have some issues with both of them -- but I think they are closest to representing the mainstream democrats and the interests of the people of this country and the world.

They can be elected.

Screw Clark and the military jet he flew in on.