Right Now I think these are the best candidates in '08.

[KoKo]

Poll question: Right Now I think these are the best candidates in '08.

I'm not sure just yet, but right NOW these are the candidates I would support in '08.

[Greyhound]

1. Where's Clark?

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. Except for "unknown"....

<shuddering>

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. None of the above.

With the exception of Dean, who has already said he wouldn't run, they are Republican-appeasing sellouts.

Added:

That's better. Clark, absolutely; Hillary, Biden, Bayh, never!

[clarknyc]

6. Gore is not a Republican-appeasing sellout.

Period.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. My bad. But I still don't think he's a viable candidate.

[clarknyc]

16. I disagree with you about Gore not being viable.

But that's what these places are for. By the way, I do agree with you about Clark. Aside from Gore, he's my top choice at this point...if we can't have Dean.

[wyldwolf]

4. Mark Warner

[fujiyama]

26. Warner seems like an interesting prospect

BTW, has he ever made his views known on foreign policy? I know he's somewhat moderate on domestic issues, but I've heard he's an effective and popular governor.

[KoKo]

5. My vote is for "Someone New Will Emerge." But there's some glitch

that won't let me post it. Maybe when I added "Wes Clark" it erased the "Someone New?" There were some posts there before I added Clark.

Anyway...the poster of this thread is voting for "Someone New Will Emerge."

It's too early...and none of the above right now seem to have a chance...to me at THIS POINT..anyway...sorry. :-(

[election_2004]

7. None of the above

I don't think any of them are necessarily the strongest, but out of the list you made, Clark is probably the most electable.

And WHY did you include Dean on the list...do you honestly think he'll run for the nomination as DNC Chair?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

9. Wes Clark

They can't pull the Swift Boat-type crap on him. He was BADLY wounded.

And how about in Bosnia? As the NATO Supreme Commander, he was in a convoy when a UN vehicle rolled down a steep hillside. There were mines in the area, and he was warned of the danger, but he RAPPELLED DOWN THE HILLSIDE! The vehicle caught fire and ammuntion was inside, but he stayed down there until rescuers could arrive. Damn. THAT'S a hero.

[emulatorloo]

27. They will "swift-boat" anybody -- google will show you crap they did on

Wes Clark last time around. . .

[election_2004]

33. But it won't work on just anybody...

Clark is one of several Democratic possibilities who can withstand and confront it (and persevere in the end) better than Gore and Kerry were able to.

[AAARRRGGGHHH]

10. Not a secret to the DU crowd, but

the world at large has no idea about Wes Clark right now. They will find out.

The cool thing (in a Nirvana 1991 sort of way) is the inevitability of "them" seeing.

We(s) will win.

[Montauk6]

11. I picked Clark but I'd love to have the opportunity to pull a lever for

Scott Ritter.

[chill_wind]

12. Clark!

God, the thought of someone clean, decent and *intelligent* in the WH and the blinding contrast of him to what hulks in there now makes me want to get down on my knees and weep!

[Montauk6]

15. I still get faint over people who prefer the * WH over Clinton's!

[Cascadian]

13. At this point, it's either Boxer or Kucinich.

Other than that, none of them are worthy of a vote except Dean but he is not running! Al Gore? Maybe! If he fights this time around and not bring on a sellout like Lieberman as a running mate!


John

[flaminbats]

14. Is Russ Feingold someone new?

perhaps he isn't running yet..but he would certainly be a nationally known contender in the primaries and in November.

[deutsey]

30. I like Feingold

[wallwriter]

17. Clark is appealing as a war hero Democrat. He better

be sure to be up to speed on political, economic and foreign policy issues. Can this guy debate?

[FrenchieCat]

19. Clark would not do the "hero"....as that is not his calling card....

It's his "Will to fight for what's right" General persona that would make him a winner.

We tried the "War Hero" routine in '04, and that is not the way Clark would play a general election. Sure, he's a Vietnam hero, seriously shot 4 times in an attack, during which time he continued to command his troops to safety......but that's not what he offers (thank goodness)....although one could see it as a background bonus.

Clark can debate very well (was captain of his debate team at West Point) but this was hard to detect in '04 based on the 9 candidates on crowded stage, and a penchant by the Corporate media questioners to limit their questions posed to him based on attacks and smears.(he was asked if he was a real Democrat at least 5 times in two debates)

Clark's strength lies in the fact that he as the goods on National Security and has done Foreign policy well. He is more than prescient when it comes to calling things as they will be before they are. He planned, led and won the last noble war that America was involved in. He did so at his own peril, and put his career on the line in calling for what was right. Washington didn't much appreciate it, but he never regretted it. http://wesleyclark.h1.ru/departure.htm

In reference to his background, his Rhodes Scholar Oxford Master degree was in Economics, Philosophy and politics. He taught all of these subjects as a professor, and is currently an investment banker since his retirement in the year 2000.
http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2004/02/18/opinion/myers.html
He was also a White House Fellow in the Budget office, earlier in his career. http://clark04.com/about/

For his 34 years on the Armed Forces, Clark earned a very modest living, and did not start earning over $50,000 until he became a General. Clark does know a thing or two about business, and did increase his earnings once he retired in 2000. However, money has never been the focus of his career or his life. Clark, as an Oxford Masters graduate could have earned much more, had he gone into the private sector years ago.


Wes Clark could be a lot of things to a lot of voters....because he brings a lot to the table.....

He's southern
He's intelligent
He's telegenic
He's honest
He's totally self made
He's an Alpha Male
He's done Commander in Chief (as SUACER)
He's perceived as moderate due to his service, but he's reasonably liberal (on social and economic issues).
He's not poll driven
He's strong and determined
He's a leader...not a follower
He's articulate
He's intense and focused
He's been married to the same woman for 35 years
His son served
He's not anybody's tool or suffers fools
He likes to rumble
He's gives a killer smile while he does the "slow screw" to the enemies
He's got grassroots and he listens to them
He's not a "politico"
He's willing and able to cut the pork out of the pentagon budget
He's diplomatic
He is internationally respected
He's a quick study
He's an adult
Country before self is his motto.
He's not motivated by greed.

Drawbacks?
He's honest
He was a general (for those on the left predisposed to hating the military)
He can get pissed....
He's never held elected office
He doesn't kiss ass
He not highly partisan
He's not a Washington Insider
He's not the RNC's Democratic Dream Candidate
He doesn't pander

[Goldeneye]

18. Lets just see how many polls Clark can win....

There's a poll like this every day.

*There's nothing wrong with Clark. I'm just saying...

[FrenchieCat]

20. Clark's got grassroots....as evidenced in on line polls...time and time

again.

What Clark doesn't have is DLC, DNC, RNC, or Corporate media backing.

So when one talks of scientific polls, Clark's doesn't get up there....because Hillary, Warner, and even Biden get much more "pundit head talk" time.

As we all know, the pundit discussion drives name recognition, which in turns affects scientific poll results.

So the facts are....Clark is a grassroot candidate, but not an establishment candidate.

Is that a bad thing? :shrug:

For me personally, I don't think so.

[haypops]

21. Sadly so

I think that you are exactly right. How will we take back the party and the general election from the fascist media?

By the way I think it would be fun if someone one would post a poll of first and second choices.

[PurityOfEssence]

23. Only here and places like this

Among websites friendly to Democrats, many Clark supporters aren't just organized they're obsessed.

In society at large, the cult isn't a fait accompli.

Fine. Gush and hammer in the hinterland, but in broad society, his appeal is nowhere near what you'd like to believe.

[FrenchieCat]

24. What-Ever...

Oh more insightful one than most :sarcasm:

[bvar22]

22. a Messiah will emerge

A Messiah will emerge from the South West. He will be a populist who looks exactly like the Marlboro Man. He will be plain spoken with an "Aw shucks, Mam" colloquial style.

*He will show up at some appearances comfortably riding a horse. His official campaign poster will have him on horseback.

*He will speak in short, declarative, 1st Person sentences that will fit on a bumper sticker.

*He will advocate policies that benefit the regular folks (Working Class), and all campaign rallies will have minimum wage earners on the stage with him.

*Free BBQ and Chili will be available for everyone. His campaign speeches will be SHORT, and he will end by throwing down the papers of his prepared speech in disgust, and INVITING everyone to join him on the lawn to Eat some BBQ and talk things over! (there will be an actual camp fire BBQ going, and he will be the first to cut off a slab of meat and hand it to a regular American.

*He will AVOID long winded, nuanced explanations, and will defend his policies with the simple statement ,"Because its the right thing to do." (Period FULL STOP) and he will do so with a charisma that absolutely prevents ANYONE from criticizing him.

*None would DARE calling him SOFT on anything.

*His strong, suntanned, square jawed force of persona would force opponents to agree with him that (helping the poor, taking care of the Environment, making the RICH pay their Fair Share, or ANYTHING ELSE he says)is INDEED the Right Thing to Do.

*In fact, this simple statement will become the campaign slogan for 2008.

VOTE FOR ________,
because its the right thing to do!

We could make this happen. All the Left has to do is find a sorta vacant minded Marlboro Man, and program him for this ridiculously easy campaign.
This guy wouldn't even have to be as smart as bush*

[KoKo]

25. Oh My....that's a good one. Cynical...but good...if one is feeling

the way some of us are this weekend. :D thanks..

[kevsand]

28. Sounds like Reagan before he sold out. /nt

[Cocoa]

29. Russ Feingold

:bounce:

[bluedog]

31. I say NO senators

they have too much baggage.......look what they did to Kerry.....we need some who does not have a record miles long.remember the GOP digs back to 50 years to discredit someone.

[Montauk6]

34. 50? Is THAT all???

I can just imagine the goops commissioning a team of genealogists.

[tibbir]

32. Wes Clark from the list of known possibilities.

But I'm really hoping for someone to step out from the shadows.