I officially endorse Wesley Clark for the Democratic Nomination

[Selwynn]

I have spent the last year trying to think about who would be the best Democratic nominee for president, both politically speaking and for my personal beliefs.

In thinking of these questions I consider several factors. The first and most important one is what I personally feel about the candidate, his beliefs, his policies, his platform, his leadership and so on. But I also consider how capable I believe the candidate is of getting the Democratic nomination, and I consider how capable I believe the candidate is of beating the Republican nominee.

I liked Dennis Kucinich for his progressive platform, which I agree with. However I never really felt completely happy with him, because I didn't particularly feel that he was my personal choice for a strong leader. So it felt like I had a bunch of ideals I believed in wrapped up and up into a man that I didn't believe was capable of effectively wielding them in office. In addition to this, I do not believe he can receive the Democratic nomination, and if he did I do not believe he could beat the Republican nominee.

I paid a lot of attention to Howard Dean at first. But despite so much fanatical support for him on these boards, I've never felt comfortable about him. For one thing, I really didn't appreciate his early campaign, running as a "real liberal" with slogans like "its time for liberals to start feeling good about being Democrats" when in reality is he an extremely centrist fellow. For another thing, I knew that I did not at all like some of the things Dean had done as governor, like how he chose to balance the budget by severely cutting state social programs. But in addition to these things, I really struggled, because I just didn't care for the man. I feel that Deans hothead and un-folksy attitude is a complete turn off. I don't personally like the way he chooses to express his message, and I think he has already demonstrated his propensity towards silly hotheaded mistakes.

In other words, I do have some concrete political reasons for not liking Dean - but I also simply do not like the guy. He doesn't make me feel good about supporting my choice for President. In terms of my other consideration, I do believe Dean could get the democratic nomination, though I don't think it is a shoe-in. But I do not believe Dean could beat the republican nominee, and the fact that he and all his followers are so absolutely certain he could only reinforces my belief.

When Wesley Clark came on the scene, I instantly liked the guy. He immediately seemed like the perfect foil to Bush. He had an attitude and demeanor about him that was strong and resolute, but not disenfrancishinly angry and bitter. He chose to focus on positive idealism, like restoring a spirit of true public dialogue and embracing a "new patriotism" - he presented himself as a man who might have said with Kennedy, "some men see things as they are and ask why - I dream things that never were and ask, why not?" His idealistic language, and choice to focus on a positive message was very appealing to me.

While Clark is of course a moderate, this progressive must confess that I feel extremely comfortable with the bulk of Clark's articulated positions, and his Ten points about the use of force, which are really about foreign policy in general left me with that warm wonderful feeling in my heart. I genuinely like Clark, and I much prefer a brilliant candidate who channels his gifts into being idealistic, speaking in hopeful, even romanticized ways about what the future could and should be like, rather than a candidate who channels his gifts into angry rants and lots of name calling. Clark more than any other candidate talks about the desire to restore a spirit of dialogue in America, to rebuild the structure of patriotic disagreement, open discussion, and honest consideration of different points of view. That is one thing that is very close to my own heart, and I love his campaign language on this.

In addition to liking everything I read from Clark so far, every time I see the guy, there is something about him that connects with me. The same way I felt about Al Gore is the same way I feel about Wesley Clark. Gore had that kind of idealism that inspired me, and it came through in his speeches. Clark makes me feel the same way.

I believe General Wesley Clark is an outstanding candidate for president, and I believe he is the best and most viable candidate for president of all the nominees based on the considerations I mentioned above. I want to have a president that I can really truly believe in and support whole-heartedly, not just because he is "better than Bush." And this why this progressive supports the moderate General Wesley Clark for President.

My name is Selwynn Goodspeed, and I approve this message.

[Justice]

1. Great Post

Thanks for articulating your reasons for supporting Wes Clark.

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. Well, Selwynn Goodspeed,

Welcome aboard and I must say, I couldn't agree more. I never thought I would ever find another candidate that could make me feel the way Bill Clinton did. Wesley Clark did that for me and MORE! He will be an extraordinary President.

[Hep]

3. Fight the good fight

Stay strong!

[Mz Pip]

4. Well said

You've articulated many of my same feelings. Clark's ability to focs on a positive message combined with his foreign policy experience won me over too.

MzPip
:dem:

[Bucky]

5. Welcome aboard! Clark needs you like you need Clark

[DancingBear]

6. Nicely stated

There is something about Clark that just makes you believe he can win. From a pure political landscape perspective, his ability to connect "across the map", especially in the south, is heartening. Factor in the ability to stare down and dismiss Bush's so-called stranglehold on national security issues is another feather in his cap, as is his ability to communicate, his staggering command of facts and the ability to recall them, well, you get the picture.

I am honestly excited about his chances, I am honored to be working for him, and I am sure that if he gets the nomination that we will be seeing a changing of the guard come January 2005.

Welcome aboard.

[FrenchieCat]

7. Welcome Aboard!

You will find a great bunch of supporters who's main priority and goal is to BEAT BUSH!

We are not about a movement to reform the democratic party...we are about a movement to reform America's failed policies.

We are not about a campaign, we are about a candidate.

We are not seeking to be empowered by words, we only seek to take the power away from Bush and see him out of the White House.

We are not looking for a message of anger, we are finding a message of hope and vision.

Wes Clark is not about backstabbing other candidates, he is about making all Democrats strong!

Wes Clark is not about saying one thing and doing another....Wes Clark is about doing the right thing for all Americans.

Wes Clark is a hero, a patriot and a man that will appeal beyond party lines.

Wes Clark is not about partisanship, he is about getting results.

Wes Clark is a leader......and that is what we need when voters have to contrast and compare the nominee to Bush in the General election.

Wes Clark is not a politician, he is a public servant.

Wes Clark has not just talked the talk, he has walked the walk.

WELCOME TO THE WES WING!

[Jerseycoa]

8. Wonderful Endorsement

Welcome.

:pals:

[xultar]

9. Welcome aboard, we're glad to have you as a supporter...

Now, get on over to Clarks site and sign up for CCN! It's a lot of fun! If you have any questions please PM me or any other Clarkie.

[Nite Owl]

10. I officially became

a 'Clarkie' after I heard his town hall meeting this week on C-span. He came right out and said his administration would not reinstate the draft. Since my sons are 21 and 18 this is very dear to my heart. That did it. I think his appeal will be to every sane person. If he gets the nomination the Clark/ Bushie debates should be real fun. (If Bushie doesn't weasel out of them!)

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Nite Owl!

Nice to have you aboard too! Welcome! :hi: :bounce:

[absyntheNsugar]

12. Good! I'm still on the fence

between Clark and Dean. Clark has a better chance of beating Bush, but Dean I think will make a better President. But Clark won't make a bad president - I think he'd be damn good too!

Kucinich I agree with and really like, but I don't think he would make a good pres simply because he can't negotiate. He has his views, God bless him, and he won't compromise. Politics is all about compromise.

Gephardt reminds me of Davis, and Kerry has just flip-flopped in the wrong direction too many times for my tastes.

Edwards - what ever happened to him? I like him, and I think he has the right mix but something about him tells me "20 more minutes of baking until ready."

[Ilsa]

13. Yes!

Wes Clark is the Man! All of out candidates are great people, but Clark can turn this mess around and beat Bush.

[Gloria]

14. Great post! I printed out my "bumper sticker" and sent in a donation

just a couple of weeks ago. Your post tracks my experience pretty well. I liked Dean for his fight, but since then I find Clark's fight and demeanor well balanced. On issues, he brings a wideranging view of how things all tie together. He's got Clinton's brains without the baggage.

When they use the term "quiet courage" in his ads, they strike a chord.
He's smart, well-rounded, real, modest, and experienced.
He is also sharp enough to be starting to separate himself from the pack on the war issue, that the GOP is trying to define for all the Dems...that they are knee jerk anti-war. Except for Kucinich, all the Dems were not "anti-war" at the start....but Clark's position that he's not against war when necessary, but this Iraq was was the WRONG war...is getting the debate back to the issue of the war itself....NOT about the
more generic labeling of "anti-war" which they want to use to paint all Dems as wimps.

Clark is no wimp--but, he's humane as well. He presents a remarkable contrast to Bush, the warrior, who is also basically hostile to the well-being of most people.

This combination is quite unique and we are lucky to have him in the field...And if there's any luck at all for us, he will be our nominee.
I'm really praying for this....and I don't pray that often...

[Nashyra]

16. Welcome

Thanks for the post. It relects on his widespread appeal, there is definetly a need for anger to motivate however then comes solutions
Clark/Dean=NMB (I feel dirty typing his name No More Bush)

[jokerman93]

15. Very Thoughtful Post

And well written. Thanks. I've been finding myself thinking along the same lines as many of your points. Guess I haven't decided yet though.

[Toucano]

17. Great Endorsement!

Thanks for sharing it.

[TheDonkey]

18. by looking at Clark's issues page...

he might even be more progressive than Dean!

He has quite a lot of liberal views, very pro-science and pro-education.

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. He's an AWESOME candidate

and will be an extraordinary President. :loveya:

[_NorCal_D_]

20. Welcome!

B-) :hi:

[jumptheshadow]

21. Thank you for the post

Thank you for your support. The race is far from over, we know how important our goal is, and it is wonderful to hear from you.

I've met some amazing people through the Clark campaign. And the more I talk to the "regular" people around me, the more hopeful I get. I think we're just now getting into the time when many Democrats are seriously starting to consider their choices. What I've been hearing in the past few days from the folks around me has been very encouraging.

[kodi]

22. both dean & clark have good positives, but dean hs higher negatives.

hate to say it, because i have a lot of respect for dr. dean, but there is a higher level of negatives that dean has provoked in people. it may be because he has been campaigning longer and has a more observable track record to nit-pick over, and has attacked bush longer than has clark, but clark does not provoke a lot of negatives, except for those on the left who consider him a republican in democrat clothing, or have a natural antipathy to anyone in a uniform.

actually, from what i have seen and heard directly from the mouths of each candidate, clark appears to be more liberal than dean. what makes people think dean is a liberal is his long-standing opposition to the iraq invasion, but when i examine each candidate's ideas, there's not too much difference, and clark articulates his positions a bit better by weaving them into a stronger national narrative then dean has done so far.

but as who would make a better president, i think gepthart would. he knows the washington culture best, would work with a republican congress better and knows damn well where the bodies are hidden in congress.

yet, in a perfect world, i would rather have al gore as the nominee

[PROGRESSIVE1]

23. Welcome aboard Selwynn!

:kick:

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

24. Congratulations

Clark is a great candidate, and he would certainly make a formidable opponent against Bush.

Picking a candidate at any time is a chore and a half, but to do it at a time when there are NINE fucking candidates to choose from, and when the fate of democracy seriously hangs in the balance is a real burden, emotionally, mentally, and otherwise. You certainly seem to have put a lot of thought into it. I wish more people would do the same, but as we all know most people make their choices based on really stupid superficial bullshit. Maybe if more people took the time to research and weigh the candidates the way you have we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today.

[Selwynn]

25. Thank you for the support - just watched clark in Flordia

He was fabulous! :)

[FrenchieCat]

27. Saw him too!

Those eyes say it all. He will beat George Bush. That's what we have to do...everything else is Bullsh*t!

[AmericanDem]

26. Welcome

and Thanks for your post!

[VOX]

28. Selwynn, I have reached the same conclusions you have stated so eloquently

I was going to start a thread similar to yours (and I still may), but you have outlined the case for Clark *brilliantly.*

I too am very progressive, and nevertheless find myself drawn to the confidence and optimism of Clark.

I also firmly believe that West Clark best represents our strongest hopes of turning back the right-wing that hijacked our country in November 2000.

Thanks so much for expressing your thoughts and feelings so eloquently -- your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.

Best to you -- :toast:

[Selwynn]

29. Shameless

:kick:

[Romberry]

30. I appreciate that. Now a question...

The question is simply this: Will you energetically support the eventual Democratic nominee for President of the United States of America even if that nominee is not Wesley Clark? Not passive support, not even just "enthusiastic" support, but energetic, get out and shout it in the streets and preach it to friends and family support! I pledge that kind of support regardless of the nominee. I ask you to do the same.