DNC Meeting: Clark and Obama impressed me today

[rhombus]

Simple reason - I think they both have a very strong, empathetic understanding of what America faces, structurally and politically. Lets face it - whoever succeeds Bush has one hell lot of work to do to clean up the huge mess he's created.


Obama and Clark did not deliver sound bites type speechs, like throwing red meat to the audience. They really spoke from the heart. And you could tell that they weren't there to score applauses or make a pitch for themselves, but to get folks thinking about the direction this country ought to be taking right now.


Sober speeches that left a mark on me.


Edited- Nothing against Hillary Clinton, but when she starts her message with "I'm in to win", I think she belittles the whole political process. Instead of empowering others, her campaign message seems to be focused on her. A self-centered campaign. That's not a right strategy to win over supporters.

[Adelante]

1. They didn't truck in their audiences, either

Or so I heard.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. True, Neither had people planted like the others did.

[CarolNYC]

14. This comment on the Clark blog....

from another Clarkie who attended:
"Edwards, especially, had a huge organizational effort, Clinton too. Obama's support is more organic. So is ours."

[Inspired]

22. It is called organization.

Since Obama hasn't officially announced his candidacy, as well as Clark, you didn't see 'trucked' in supporters. I wonder how you will feel about this when they do make the announcement and 'trucked' in supporters are in the audience.

Oh wait...that did happen. When I attended the Harkin steak fry last September Obama was the keynote speaker. He came with a bus load of supporters. I guess they weren't literally trucked in since they came by bus.

[JNelson6563]

25. Yeah, Clarkies have been spreading this

I've been asking the leader of your gang to post evidence of this but that has been disregared as far as I know. I see you all have decided to keep running with that meme. Shameful.

Unless of course you have evidence to post...?

Julie

[Texas_Kat]

33. Clarkies who attended

who noted who was organized and where they were.

Of course the Edwards t-shirt brigade was a bit of a dead give-away.

[SaveElmer]

2. Well I think Dodd gave the best...as to Hillary...

This was a speech to the DNC...it was designed to rouse the faithful, and typically they are political speeches focused on the goal of winning the Presidency...

As such they tend to have a more red meat rah rah quality to them...

[Captain Hilts]

6. I think Dodd would make a terrific president. I really like him. Glad to hear he did well. nt

[SaveElmer]

7. I actually think he would too...

Very smart guy...I'm a rock-solid Hillary supporter, but we could do worse than Dodd...

[illinoisprogressive]

3. Agreed. I felt most were interchangable and those were the only ones

that were interesting. I found I could almost say what the candidates were going to ahead of them. clark's was very interesting in it's theme. I felt sorry he followed Obama and thought it may have thrown him off.
Obama's had alot to ponder and it stuck with you.
The others had my mind wandering.

[CarolNYC]

10. Wes following Obama....

Hey illinois, you should go over to Clark's blog and read this account from a Clarkie who was there:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/10889

She says that Obama was fabulous and that the crowd was really into him and it was hard for them to quiet down afterwards for Wes' speech even. She also said that watching Obama just tires you out because the energy level is so high and so it was a tough state the crowd was in when Wes took the stage. She also said the comments she heard afterward made her realize how well received Wes was even if the crowd didn't seem particularly enhusiastic during it...They were just really tuckered out after listening to Obama.

[Captain Hilts]

5. I like 'em both. I lean Clark. We have a slew of good choices this cycle. nt

[FrenchieCat]

8. I agree...because democracy is supposed to be organic....and this one is artificial,

And yes, I agree that "I'm in it to win" doesn't mean diddle squat to me. It's like....OK, and what in it for us? "I'm in it so that we can win" would be a slight improvement at least.

And the others apart from Barak and Wes were typical politicians......delivering the goods in words only. I'll have to relisten to Dodd....cause he just seem mad, but I only caught the last few minutes, so I'll reserve judgement.

Y'all "Stand up" said 25 times earned Edwards enough standing to where that's how the press is now judging who gave the best speech; Figures! :eyes: Courage to stand up and do what's right once out of office! yeah, ok!

I'll give the General kudos for tenacity! Considering the media silence, folks are still trying to figure out who he is. But he's such a fine figure of statesmanship no matter how much they try to ignore him. I know most of the press are scratching their asses trying to figure out how the General does it without nary their help? And so I take my hat off to the General for sheer courage and determination. With a little media attention, this man could go all the way....which is why they ain't about to give him none!

[CarolNYC]

9. NBC

Hey, Brian Williams said this about Wes' speech on the 6PM NBC News....

"Wesley Clark, who has not yet announced he would be running, brought the room to a standstill when he spoke about the sacrifices our country is making."

[Tom Rinaldo]

24. Wow. Someone in the media really got it

It wasn't a pep rally, it's a crisis. The crowd got that Clark gets that and Brian Willims read it right. I am surprised, positively surprised. Good for Williams.

[MadMaddie]

11. A Clark/Obama ticket could be a formidable force.

[Adelante]

12. You know, it would

I've only just started thinking about it. I need to learn more about Obama, but I see there is a deep similarity in the themes they present.

[MadMaddie]

13. I have always like Wes Clark....and I think Obama could be

very good Vice President....he is not quite ready for President.

[rocktivity]

15. That's good to know.

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[jen4clark]

16. I agree

with you, rhombus! Clark was right, imho to focus on our troops, as uncomfortable as that may make those whos lives are not effected by the war. That's one of the things I love about him. He doesn't pander.

As far as Obama for VP, I will have to read up on him -- know nothing about his stand on the issues. I do worry that our slim majority in the Senate will be weakened by his absense while he runs.

[Crunchy Frog]

17. A Clark/Obama ticket works for me. n/t

[snowbear]

18. Yeah, baby....

I could handle that one too..

[Crunchy Frog]

19. A great team to dig America out of its current mess...

and not too hard on the eyes either.

[Eurobabe]

31. They are the ONLY two I like at this juncture

I like Kucinich too, but he hasn't got a shot in hell.

[Patiod]

32. Absolutely perfect

Youth and experience, both great Progressive thinkers. Charisma and gravitas.

[Auntie Bush]

35. Now that was well stated. "Charisma and gravitas" That's a winner.

[earthlover]

40. this ticket would get 400-500 electoral votes!

Couldn't agree more! Not only youth plus experience...you have a South and Midwest geographical combination, you have someone with foreign policy experience and domestic as a combination. Both are progressives and both are perceived as moderates. Both are perceived as earnest. Both, as witnessed by their appearances at the convention, can deliver rousing speeches. Clark and Obama would each reach out to indepenent voters, and even Republicans.

This ticket gets nominated, and we will see a landslide of historic proportions.

[Clarkie1]

20. I appreciated Obama's speech as well.

He strikes me as a man of real sincerity, decency and hope. It's some of the same traits I see in Clark...a belief that we can talk with our enemies, find ways to prevent war, rise above petty partisanship for the greater good, etc.

One is clearly more experienced, the other perhaps a better orator, but they both have a lot in common.

[Leilani]

21. Haven't watched the speeches yet

But I'm not surprised to hear the reactions for Wes & Obama.

I'm a Clarkie, but I've been watching Obama for a while now; the fact that he's from Hawaii caught my interest, so I did some research on him.

His speech at the convention was one of the most inspiring I've ever heard. But what impresses me more is how he is so quick on his feet. And he doesn't use "talking points." How refreshing! He listens to the question, & you can see his wheels spinning. The man is brilliant.

Having been raised in Hawaii & Indonesia, I think he looks at the world in a more sophisticated way than your run-of-the-mill candidate.

Anyway, I'm convinced he is a very sincere & honest guy, unlike most pols. And the qualities I see in him are the same I see in Wes Clark. Clark/Obama would be my dream ticket. And if Wes doesn't run, I'll support Obama.

[jefferson_dem]

23. Hi Leilani. Obama's speech yesterday was really terrific! I encourage

you (and everyone for that matter) to dial it up at cspan.org. He goes on at about 55 minute mark. Clark follows him.

[FrenchieCat]

28. Which I think shows incredible balls from Wes Clark.....

having been sandwiched between Obama and Edwards, both who's oratory powers are almost legendary....

My General went in there without batting an eyeslash and gave a somber and well done speech. And hell, he ain't even a politician....

Considering the press had gifted him with the meme of not being a good speech giver, Clark showed them that this is a lie.

Loved it!

[Apollo11]

26. Watch all the speeches at dnc.org

So far I watched Clark and Edwards. Some of Edwards speech you can't actually see because of his supporters holding up their signs.

Clark was OK. Very strong military flavor. He says "I am a soldier" - what happened to having a civilian President of the US? And that quote from General MacArthur was patriotic bordering on the militaristic. Some "red meat" for the "red states" - but is it really so glorious to fight and die in Iraq?

Edwards was - sorry to say - slick. He used a lot of trial lawyer tricks of the trade. You can see how he got so many jury members to go with his side of the case. I can't help thinking that this is a salesman selling a product. For someone who co-sponsored the IWR in 2002, his current position on Iraq is a "new flavor". I am afraid he is telling us what he thinks we want to hear. "You didn't like the old flavor? -- here try this one!"

Don't get me wrong. I am confident that both men can make a major contribution to the success of the next Democratic administration.

I still need to watch Hillary and Obama's speeches before I rush to judgement on their candidacies ... ;)

To be honest - if we are talking about who would make the best President over a full 8 years, I am still hoping that Al Gore enters the race at some point before the end of this year (preferably by November 4th).

Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :)

Read Rolling Stone magazine: WHY GORE SHOULD RUN -- AND HOW HE CAN WIN
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13248532/why_gore_should_run__and_how_he_can_win

Get ready for Al Gore's next book - The Assault on Reason - out in May!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/16/AR2006091600877.html

Visit the following pro-Gore websites:
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com - Sign the petition! :)
www.draftgore2008.org
www.patriotsforgore.com

:kick:

[capi888]

27. BECAUSE OF IRAQ!!!!! WES CLARK

Its evident, what Wes Clark wanted to do in his speech, was to express to the people of the DNC, the importance of foriegn policy, loss of lives of our soldiers, and the fact the war was unnessary. He has not declared a run, and as we all know he is working for the American People, to stop aggression against IRAN. He decided to not do the rah-rah routine, to be informative, of what the REAL needs of the American people are. WAR,Healthcare, jobs, etc...but cannot resolve any of those issues...BECAUSE OF IRAQ!!!!
He was somber, yes, but as i watched the crowd while he was speaking (several times) I saw INTENSE LISTENING! I saw a people focused on everyword he said. No, they didn't whoop it up, as his speech wasn't supposed to do that...he wanted a REALITY SPEECH....AND THEY WERE LISTENING!
This was a very unique speech for him, but wanted the attention brought to the true issues, the next President has to deal with. We also need someone in the WH who has the cajones, and experience to deal with the mess this WH has brought to all of us.

So you are right, that he didn't bring down the barn...but what he did do, was paint a picture of reality. I know his room was filled with people, after the speeches, just as many or more then others, with questions...to him.
I certainly am NOT about FLUFF, or how many people you can bus in.and rha rha.or impressing people with water bottles...I want someone who has experience that can LEAD and end this nightmare we are in....our AMERICA is a risk....I want someone who has been there, and knows how best to resolve the ME issues which is at bottom of ALL our woes...2 billion a week...what we could do with that for the American People..
THINK, THINK

[Texas_Kat]

37. Wes knew the AIPAC meeting was Thursday night

He was trying to instill a sense of what casual 'war talk' really means to those who have to fight and die for America.

It was never going to be a rah-rah speech. He had more serious things to talk about.

[PresidentObama]

29. Both were very good.

I liked Obama and Clarks the most...

Clark did a lot of talking about his experience with war, and about the change we need in the war. It was a very interesting speech, and he delievered it quite well. If this is a preview of things to come, then I look forward to the general joining the Presidential political scene!!

Obama was simply the rockstar. He knows how to energize our base, and breathes freshness. I know we need a leader with more then just glitz and glamour and maybe he's that leader. I simply don't know until I hear him speak some more as candidate for President. But after his speech I was excited.

Obama and Clark were the two stand outs. I tried hardly to get into Hillary's speech, and couldn't. Not to say it was a bad speech, because it wasn't. She just isn't my candidate at this point, even though I've tried to give her my fair mind.

By the way, Clark better announce soon :patriot:

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

30. I saw Edwards speech and thought I was in church

I was impressed with Dodd, HRC was OK, didn't see much of Obama - CSPAN cut it off during his speech this AM

[earthlover]

34. I'm in it to win--the singularly most irrelevant campaign slogan in history!

Has any candidate been in it to lose?

So what is Hillary about--herself? Give me a candidate who is running to better America any day than someone who is all about winning. Nixon won....he was in it to win.....UGH.....

[Imagevision]

36. I agree, Both Clark and Obama are very good....

[Clarkie1]

38. Those two impressed me the most as well

and for the very reasons you cite in the OP.

[Dinger]

39. Gee, A Pro-Clark (& Obama Thread)? Where's You-Know-Who?

Just asking. They must just look for MY Clark threads. Sorry mods, but enough is enough.