I Hate Watching Wesley Clark on TV

[GiovanniC]

... without the words "President of the United States" on the on-screen caption.

I just saw his Chris Matthews appearance the other night and I literally grieved for this country in a way I really haven't done since Shrub* was first inaugurated. This brilliant, diplomatic, charismatic, kind man could have been our President.

But instead we get this:

[bahrbearian]

1. You had me going for a minute.

[El Fuego]

2. LOL! But let's hope he stays visible and vocal the next 4 years.

I think Clark would have beat Bush in a landslide. He would have gotten the all essential "bubba vote" which Kerry could not.

[politicasista]

3. Please stop that garbage of coulda, woulda, shoulda

It's nauseating. Even though I like Edwards, Kerry should have picked the General to fend off the SB liars and the southern "bubba" vote.

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. I try not to look back in frustration or anger

about the choices I wish had been made differently. Paying attention to what did and didn't work and why is useful to a point. Planning for the future is more useful still. I plan to stay active in general and I still very strongly support Wesley Clark so of course I hope he has an important role to play in our Party and our Nation's future. But there is always work to be done. Cleaning up elections is high on that list for me. When I can help advance Wesley Clark and what he stands for, I do that too.

Edited to say, though I "try not to", I fail often also lol.

[Adelante]

4. I was about to belt you

[Lefta Dissenter]

6. ohmigosh,

you were almost in trouble!!!

[Donna Zen]

7. More than just that:

No matter who we supported in the primary, we are now forced to watch the "A" team sitting on the sidelines and the "Fing Team" on the world stage, It makes no sense.

This gang of thugs, for that is who they are, continue to substitute lying for truth, thieving for honor, excuses for duty and oil for country.

Wes Clark is an amazing person, the president I was always promised, but as sad as it is to accept that bush is in the WH rather than Wes; it is overwhelming to comprehend the folly of America's image being mis-shapen by the junta representing our once great nation.

[knight_of_the_star]

8. I was ALMOST ready to go at it with you

Until I read the rest of the post. DON'T DO THAT!!! PLEASE!!!

[MasonJar]

9. The Rove cabal would have cheated Clark out of the win too. n/t

[GiovanniC]

10. I'm Sure They Would've Tried... Not Sure If It Would've Succeeded

Clark, I think, would have dealt with certain things differently than Kerry did. I'm not going to go into that because (1) I don't want to play the "What if Kerry had/hadn't done this?" game; and (2) It's relatively moot anyway.

It's more like, this brilliant, articulate man SHOULD BE our President irrespective of fraud/cheating/trickery/machinations by Rove.

[indie_voter]

11. Me too. n/t

[NurseLefty]

12. It breaks my heart to think of it.

As a Clark supporter, I remember how much disgust I felt when I attended my caucus.
Kerry supporters: He's the most electable.
Kucinich supporters: He voted against the war, and he's a vegan, even. (That is an actual quote)
Dean supporters: He's a REAL Democrat (they made some of the most compelling arguments. I asked if they thought average Americans would want to vote for him.)
Edwards: He's charismatic.
Clark: There was myself and one other - our argument went: He has a stellar background (Supreme Aliied Commander of NATO, Four-star general, Rhodes Scholar, top of his class at West Point, an educational background in economics), that he has an existing repoire w/ European leaders that could lead to them joining us in winding down the war in Iraq, and he's very socially progressive - pro gay marriage, even!
The Kucinich supporters said there was no way they could back a military man. Everyone else had little to say and went back to speaking of their candidates.
So, my precinct's support for Clark died that day. But it's been on my mind throughout how different things might have been had Dems and media paid more attention.

[Clarkie1]

13. Whew....you had my freeper alarm going off for a second there!

[Zenlitened]

14. Dean Democrat here...

... with a heck of a lot of respect for Clark. Does he have an organization comparable to Democracy For America? I'm trying to target my support to the people I feel are true stand-out leaders, and Wes Clark definitely makes the list.

[Tom Rinaldo]

15. He does have an organization

WesPac. Clark's own political base organization. He raised and gave away a lot of money for Democratic candidates through it in 2004. It also covered the bills for his campaigning for Democrats across the country. It's concept and focus is supposedly being updated. It is not on a scale of DFA, but it includes perhaps a greater emphasis on international matters. http://www.wespac2004.com/#home

[Zenlitened]

16. Way cool -- thanks! - n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

17. Thanks for asking

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to join DFA before Spring in a month when I have time to do so in more than name only. I am a Clark supporter who appreciates that Dean is a stand up guy.

[Been Fishing]

28. I'm sorry, but this website is sooooo out of date.

What are Wes Clark's stand on today's issues?

The world has moved on a bit.

I would be interested in knowing more about his position.

[Tom Rinaldo]

30. That's why I mentioned that it is being updated. However...

(I am sure of that part, just not the timing of when it will happen)

...If you want to see videos of almost all of Clark's recent media appearances, try this site:
http://www.u-wes-a.com/mediaclips-post.html

Here are some quotes from his Hardball appearance a few days ago (the video is at the above site):

"CLARK: How can the American people have confidence in a man like Gonzales after what he‘s written for the president of the United States? He‘s basically said the Geneva Convention was irrelevant. He basically said that torture is something that‘s very limited, that you could be in terrible pain and that you still wouldn‘t be being tortured.

MATTHEWS: Yes. He said we could have cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners.

CLARK: And not have it be torture.

MATTHEWS: Right.

CLARK: And Mr. Gonzales has basically said the power of the presidency is unlimited and he can do anything he wants.

How can we feel confident as Americans that we‘re living under the rule of law when the attorney general has violated what we believe to be the law?"

And a little later on that broadcast:

"CLARK: This is what we believe in.

We—look, we fought for the Geneva Convention. It was put in place to protect our soldiers, our values and our institutions.

MATTHEWS: Right.

CLARK: We can‘t win the war on terror if we give up what we stand for as the American people.

MATTHEWS: Would you testify against Gonzales on the Hill if they asked you?

CLARK: Well, I would testify against anybody who wrote those kinds of things. I don‘t know Gonzales personally. But how he could have written these documents is outrageous."

[senseandsensibility]

18. Although I suspect that Clark

is more conservative than me on most issues ( I AM a very liberal Democrat), I am almost blown away by him. He is impressive beyond belief on so many levels. And you're right, it is sad to see him now, although he continues to be his charming, kind, intelligent self. He is opposite of chimp, and that means he would make a GREAT PRESIDENT, and one we could be proud of. I don't know about you, but I held out hope that Kerry would pick him as VP until the end.

[Adelante]

21. He is way more liberal than you might think

But it is very nice of you to post as you have. Thank you.

[American Tragedy]

22. To be fair, ALL of them are probably more conservative than you or I

[Pithy Cherub]

19. Posting Dangerously!

Clark a man for all seasons and like the finest of wines will age exceptionally well to be prime for 2008!

In agreement with your sentiments - and oh so glad he will be speaking out and up for us!

[sendero]

20. Clark is the only..

.... person who has been mentioned for 2008 who excites me at all.

Clark just doesn't have any weaknesses IMHO. He's smart, he's articulate, he's poised and confident and he knows the issues, knows his stance on the issues and can articulate his position clearly, concisely and convincingly.

Really, this guy has the goods. If we could get Dean in the DNC chair and nominate Clark, 2008 is ours.

[Kilkenny5]

23. Wow!

Can I have a sip of the Kool-Aid you're drinking?

[RafterMan]

29. Oh Yeah!

Drink up.

[aeolian]

24. Clark was the recipient of my first ever political contribution. *sigh*

Instead we get the four-star idiot.

[roguevalley]

25. my sticker is still on my car for 2008. does it help that he's a babe too?

[Donna Zen]

26. Might I suggest

...We now have a lone-star idiot. or a no-star idiot.

[d_b]

27. Ditto