Inside Politics: Gert Clark does not want Wes to run for VP

[BootinUp]

:cry:

doesn't surprise me if its true. The guest on the show said this was the scuttlebutt didn't catch his name.

[TomSeaver]

1. Huh?

[BootinUp]

2. What wasn't clear? -eom-

[TomSeaver]

3. you left out a word

But now I see what you are trying to say

[BootinUp]

4. *slaps forehead*

fixed now. :)

[ShaneGR]

5. Folks, Clark is not going to be VP

He's too green for the spot. Besides, we already have the foreign policy experience with Kerry anyways. It will either be a governor, maybe Warner from VA or Rendell from Penn., or Edwards.

Clark will end up with Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense.

[BootinUp]

6. thanks for your input

we all have opinions. Why do you think that story is coming out unless he was under serious consideration?

[ShaneGR]

40. Well, I'm not saying he isn't being considered

But we differ on our opinions on a Clark VP chance. Personally I believe that we need a VP who can talk the talk on domestic issues. Although I would prefer to see Edwards in the spot, particularly because he's polished and plays well in rural areas, I do understand that it might not be the best choice. If I was Kerry, I'd pick Warner. He's a star in Virginia. He'll play well in the south. And as a Governor he can point to real governing experience.

I like Clark. I think Clark adds a lot to our party. But he did struggle on the stump, and I'm not sure we catapult a guy who wasn't a Democrat until last year up to the Vice Presidential position. Besides, it's mostly a figurehead position.... wouldn't Clark be better served in a position with real power?

[BootinUp]

41. The only reason I would

like to see Clark on the ticket, is because contrary to the opinion of some, I actually believe its the strongest ticket in combo with Kerry in this time of National Security and War being front page stories, and I want a big win not a squeeker.

Clark is better on the stump than you might think. Some forget how well he did for a newcomer entering late. He should get a wee bit more credit.

Clark would make an excellent Sec of State IMHO.

[roguevalley]

49. I suppose having a degree in Economics and teaching experience

as well as 34+ years running army bases which are towns
doesn't count. Interesting. Anyone going to school should
drop out now.

[Sparkly]

10. Clark is green?

But Edwards isn't? Oh Lordy.

Anyway, as has been pointed out many times, Clark cannot be Secretary of Defense -- his military experience is too recent.

[Kahuna]

32. Right? Rolls eyes>>

What good old SGR2 doesn't realize is that our guy Kerry is slightly vulnerable on the national security issues. I won't go into details here.

[dogman]

57. Very!

He had some of the strongest environmental endorsements possible. Probably better than if not at least equal to Kerry. I don't recall any such record for Edwards. Oh, you had small g green and I'm thinking big G Green.

[Bread and Circus]

14. sgr2, I think you are right. And frankly, I hope he does....

I have grown weary of the smears against Clark and for some
darn reason the American Press is all too eager to go after him.

I think Clark would make and excellent SOS or National Security
Advisor.

[Donna Zen]

45. Holbrooke

not Clark. IMHO, Clark is better, but Holbrooke has waited and the greatest Rolodex in the world. $$$$ and good press.

[roguevalley]

48. I could throw up when names are bandied about of suits that have done

nothing to earn the post of VP. Their voting records
make he hurl. I don't want any of them.

[looking glass]

54. Not eligible for SecDef

He hasn't been out of uniform long enough to be eligible for SecDef.

[democratreformed]

7. I surely can understand Gert's opinion.

She's a great lady.

[BootinUp]

11. Yes me too

It would probably mean a lot of years of service, and the frustations of being Veep which are well known.

[democratreformed]

13. And as long as he's not a threat to some other "politician", maybe he

can actually be shown a little bit of the respect he deserves.

[Leilani]

18. I can understand it too

After the smears & ugliness of the primaries, she probably does not relish a general election run.

And it's going to be dirty. I think she's being protective of her husband & family.

[MoonRiver]

43. I can too. She was reluctant to do the presidential race thing, but rose

to the occasion like a professional (:loveya: Gert), but why should she want to put her family through more grief. Even if, as I predict, Kerry wins, we're looking at 4+ years of Repuke attacks and harrassment against the incumbents. WHO in their right mind would want to deal with that???????

[Leilani]

8. Heard this also, Jim

The guest also said that Edwards financial people based their support on Edwards being on the ticket.

Two interesting developments!

[Toucano]

24. What?

Edwards is buying a spot on the ticket? With someone else's money, no less?

That's got to be a nasty rumour.

[BootinUp]

25. Well its probably Edwards big money

supporters saying it. I don't think you can fault Edwards.

[Leilani]

28. Jim, I didn't mean to blame Edwards

I was repeating the news this guy reported.

[BootinUp]

30. Sorry

I didn't mean to insinuate that Leilani.

I just mentioned it because you can look at it as Edwards should bring his supporters along, but as we all know supporters don't always follow. And I wanted to avoid this becoming a flame fest. :)

[Leilani]

Oh no, I didn't mean you were blaming me

I realized MY post made it look like I was blaming Edwards.

Sometimes I post too quickly, & later realize it didn't come out as I intended.

And you're right about not wanting flame fests. However some people can't resist.

[Toucano]

35. I'm sure Edwards was as suprised as I am.

LOL!

Seriously, I don't blame Edwards because I don't think it's true.

If it is true, his Big Money supporters are major shits. There are plenty of good, legitimate reasons why Kerry could choose Edwards without a pack of ABA members buying influence. They should be supporting Kerry because he's the nominee.

Isn't this a scene from one of the "Godfather" movies? It all sounds familiar.

[Leilani]

26. Well, it has been discussed on several threads

that Edwards supporters were conditional.

I hadn't heard this until today. The pundit on Inside Politics said Edward's financial supporters made it clear that their backing was dependent on Edwards being on the ticket.

[Kahuna]

34. The end of that bit said, Kerry was very unhappy with that

demand. Can't say that I blame him.

[Toucano]

37. Good for Kerry!

The last thing I need is some fat cats sinking their claws into him.

Buying access is one thing. Buying influence is another.

Kerry On!

[Auntie Bush]

9. I can't believe it! Hope it isn't true!

God help us! He is my true hope for this nation and exposing what the Republicans are really up to and what they have done. He must really have the goods on them and she is afraid of a Republican retaliation.

But, I don't blame Gert for not wanting to go through all that trashing and lying again. It must have been awful for her. She loves her man and wants to spend the rest of her life with him in private. She must have really worried about him! But, I hope she changes her mind or that it isn't true. My heart sank when I saw this post.

[BootinUp]

12. I know, but

he doesn't have to be Veep to help our country, or to help dethrone the boy king.

[democratreformed]

15. As a matter of fact, Jim4, he is not veep now and he IS helping our

country. It is so sad that some people continue to attack him b/c he is doing the right thing and fighting as hard as he can to get * out. I was gone from here for a few days and came back to the three crap threads where the other people continue their slime over and over.

You know what? I hope Edwards does get chosen for veep. I can't wait until our guy works just as hard for Edwards as he is now for Kerry. Then I will tell them to stick their vile comments where the sun don't shine.

[Spazito]

16. If true, I can sure understand it given the treatment he received...

during his campaign. Given that it was on CNN, I will wait for a more credible news organization or, preferably someone directly connected to the Clark organization before I totally believe it. One thing that IS for sure is that, no matter what role Clark may or may not play in the Kerry administration, he will be out there busting his butt to help Kerry get elected because he is a man of integrity!

[democratreformed]

17. Amen! He has shown what he is made of and where his heart is.

I am so proud of him.

[JI7]

19. i always said Clark wasn't trying to get anything

when clark endorsed kerry some said things like he only did so because he wanted to be vp, and some said even more stupid things like clark endorsed kerry to cover up for his leak of the kerry intern story (which never had any proof and more proof now that it was false). i always said clark's only goal was to beat gwbush. i still do say that if kerry asks clark to be vp and says he thinks he can only win or has the best chance with clark as vp that clark will accept it. but clark isn't in it for himself, it's more about the country. he isn't a politician. when he dropped out he went right back to work by supporting another candidate to get rid of bush.

[TomSeaver]

20. Seriously

I can't see anyone getting serious play for the spot but Clark or Edwards. I don't think it will be anyone from the midwest. It will be someone from the South. I just don't believe Graham will be the guy. I think the darkhorse guy is John Breux.

[BootinUp]

23. There was an interesting bit

in a washington post article today, where a republican strategist was saying they would win LA cause Kerry's policies won't play well to the oil industry. So if they plan to attack Kerry on energy policy I wonder if Breaux would still be able to deliver Louisiana.

[juajen]

52. Maybe Landrieu could deliver LA, but I am not sure what Breaux

would bring to the ticket. He was too close to the administration for a lot of Louisianians. Wes Clark could, in my opinion, deliver as many votes to Kerry from LA as either Landrieu or Breaux. I, frankly, can't see a pick of Landrieu because we would be losing both our Senators. Because Breaux is going, Landrieu needs to stay. I think Chris John has a good chance of becoming the senator to replace Breaux, but he is not a shoo-in.

All in all, Wes is the better candidate to win LA.

[democratreformed]

21. Thank you for your comments.

I really feel the need to express my gratitude to those who did not support Clark in the primaries but can say good things about him now. It takes away some of the sting of those that have nothing but bad to say about him.

And, that's always the way I felt about him as well. His actions have made me even more proud to have been one of his early supporters.

[Leilani]

22. I agree, J

Wes Clark entered the race & then endorsed John Kerry, because he is truly worried about our country.

Wes's entire life has been about service. I also think if Kerry said I need you to win, Wes & Gert would do their duty.

[tameszu]

47. Actually, I buy that Lehane was leaking that story

And that the timing of Clark's endorsement was to help kill that story.

Politics is a rough business, and I think Clark got some bad advice in taking on a (not even always completely competent) smear guy like Lehane.

This isn't inconsistent with Clark's notion of responsibility--someone in his camp made the mess, and Clark wanted to help clean it up. I have no problem with that--that's how it's supposed to work in both the military and government (although it usually doesn't).. Nor is it inconsistent with a sincere desire by Wes to want to help out--he has definitely been the hardest working ex-candidate, and I think now that he's stepped into the political arena and taken some hits, he might as well pitch and do what he can to help us get rid of *.

I also think that Wes would make a better Secy of State than VP--why waste his talents on a position that is so weighted toward the symbolic, when we can get him to work hard issues...

[Adelante]

58. You're right about the timing

But it was not Lehane. It was either the Dean or the Edwards campaign who was likely doing Drudge and the RW the favor, but I don't know which one.

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. This came from a guest on the show?

Was it a RW guest? Or a human one...a Democrat? :) Do you know?

[BootinUp]

29. I didn't recognize him, and

missed the name. But when the transcript comes out I'll post it. I don't think it was RWinger. More like a political journalist.

[KittyWampus]

39. Sounds Like A Rumor To Me... Spread By Someone With An Agenda

I have no idea if Clark is in serious consideration for VP and am not personally attached to the idea.

But this sounds like a rumor.

There has always been an undercurrent in the media that tries to minimize and discredit Wesley Clark.

I don't buy this.

:)
\
As for Edwards biggest donors... weren't they all Republican Lawyers who had their employees believing they'd get rteimburesed for donating to Edwards?

[Kahuna]

31. Too bad, Mrs. C. Looks like Wes is ALREADY running.

I really do think he wants the job.

[BootinUp]

33. that was funny

We want Gert to be happy too. :)

[Kahuna]

36. I get the feeling that Clark feels that he would be the best..

candidate at the bottom of the ticket to beat bush. I don't believe it's an ego thing. I think he just really wants bushco out, whatever it takes on his part.

[incapsulated]

38. I don't know if I believe this

This sounds like the regurgitated version of "Gert didn't want Wes to run for Pres", which might have been true, then. But to have the same exact story now for VP, sounds like recycling.

Although, God knows, I wouldn't blame her.

 

[Auntie Bush]

42. I hope you're right!

According to Clark's letters...he wants to stay in politics...so I find it hard to believe he wouldn't want to be Veep. I wouild think he wouldn't want to be SoS because he would have to do so much traveling and not be home with his family. He's traveled all his life and I would think he would love to settle down in the Veep's house. But who knows... :shrug: I just want him to be happy! If he does what he wants to do then I'll be happy too.

[Donna Zen]

44. Gert and Wes Clark

are in love in a rare and wondrous way. I believe more than anything the Shelton smear which came with no merit and no defense from the one person who could have put the entire thing to rest, Bill Clinton, struck at Gert Clark's soul.

If there is anyone else who can do it, then Clark will not take on this burden. As he said: "I've already served this country for 34 years."

He is staying in public life at the moment because he wants bush out...that is the mission, mission, mission.

The Clark bashers here really have never understood Wesley Clark and probably never will. It does require one to put aside all preconceived notions of what drives people. Actually, it required me to adjust my thinking as I learned more and more about this man. What is wonderful for those of us who took the time to find out more, it causes one to examine one's own life and motivations. Clark lifts you up. And no he is not a saint, but he is a person with deep moral convictions who always walks the walk. And he never lies.

As some of you posting on this thread know, I never thought that Clark would "get" anything out of a Kerry win, and Wesley Clark doesn't give a damn. He is doing what he is doing because it is the right thing to do.

For those of you who still meme the CNN-Faux meme "bad on stump" I'm so sorry you missed him. I've seen many including Clinton, and Clark has the goods.

[RandomUser]

51. I suspect you're right

I don't envision Wes playing a role in the future administration, unfortunately. There's no place for him.

[jumptheshadow]

53. Why didn't Clinton defend him?

I hadn't thought of it in that way before. Why didn't it happen? And did any reporters ask him?

Clark inspires and affirms me. I know it's selfish, but I want him serving his country for several years to come.

[Donna Zen]

55. Why didn't Clinton defend Wesley Clark?

Clinton, love him or hate him, spend his own political capital very sparingly and mostly for himself. He left Clark hanging several times. Clinton, basking in the glow in Kosovo last year, ran around saying "I never fired Wesley Clark" because the Kosovars love Clark, have named their main street after Clark, and were unhappy with the move. So Clinton, protecting himself more than Clark, was quick to remove doubt.

Would he do the same in the US? Well,.....I'm still waiting. (Note: not holding breath.)

[cosmokramer]

46. I will be with Gen. & Mrs. Clark tomorrow, and I will ask her.

Though I seem to recall an appearance she made where she specifically stated that if he was asked, he would not turn it down.

[RandomUser]

50. Would Gert run?

Draft Gert?

I think she's phenomenal in her own right. Do you think she would run for office in her own name? Ever since I saw her at the General's concession speech, I've thought that she would make a great candidate in her own right. She has that special presence and ability to connect.

[DoYouEverWonder]

56. This one doesn't pass the smell test

Sorry.

[in_cog_ni_to]

59. John Mercurio was the talking head. Do we know anything about him?

Here's the relevant portion of the transcript.....

CROWLEY: When it comes to choosing the Democratic presidential nominee, the guessing game has long since ended but the selection of a running mate for John Kerry is another matter. CNN political editor John Mercurio has been reading the tea leaves, the goat entrails, whatever we want to call this. You've come to tell us what you've learned. First of all, what process is this? All I really know about it is Jim Johnson.

JOHN MERCURIO, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: It's Jim Johnson, Mary Beth Cahill, Bob Shrum, and obviously it's John Kerry, probably two or three other aides at most. We're not getting a lot of official information from these people so unfortunately it kind of remains one of Washington's favorite parlor games. I think it's probably going to remain that way for at least another month. That's by design for the Kerry campaign. I think what they're looking for or trying to do is keep this thing as tight as possible. They don't want any leaks. They don't want any of their possible VP candidates worrying about what they're telling them getting out to the "New York Times" or to CNN.

I think it's going to remain tight. I'm hearing from some people who may or may not know what they're talking about that May is sort of the target date for an announcement. One of the major reasons being that they need to start getting surrogates helping them on the fund- raising circuit.

CROWLEY: So, is Johnson -- is he who heads the VP team, is he at the point where he's talking to actual candidates or who is he talking to at this point?

MERCURIO: No, at this point he's going around Washington, Capitol Hill, talking to Democrats. I think they're at the consulting stage. He's talking to Tom Daschle, Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leaders of the house and Senate. People like John Sweeney, the head of the AFL-CIO who endorsed Kerry. Fritz Hollings, one of the biggest Democrats in the south to endorse Kerry. They're in a point where they want to consult, give the appearance that they're bringing everybody in. That they're listening to everybody, getting everybody's input. I think this week Johnson was supposed to meet with some governors around the country and leaders of the business community.

CROWLEY: That whole unity thing.

MERCURIO: They just want everybody to feel like they've had a part in the process. But he hasn't started interviewing potential candidates at least from what I'm hearing.

CROWLEY: So this is always sort of a quiet race. You know, people always say who wants to be vice president. But plenty of people do. Who's out there kind of auditioning or positioning themselves?

MERCURIO: Lots of people. Lots of people, and to different extents. You've got Bob Graham saying basically last week that he would -- what did he say? He would sacrifice anything except his grandchildren to be a vice president.

CROWLEY: Whew.

MERCURIO: Last week John Edwards the former candidate held a meeting with John Kerry, joining him were a lot of trial attorneys and other big donors to the Edwards campaign. A lot of Edwards' donors stood up and quite implicitly or explicitly linked their financial support for Kerry to their desire to have Edwards as the VP running mate. And made that very clear. Some of the Kerry campaign people weren't that pleased by that.

But you also have Tom Vilsack who's got the powerful, you know a sort of PR machine working behind him called the Democratic Governor's Association. They've been sending out e-mails keeping everybody abreast about what Vilsack is doing. He's the governor of Iowa. Endorsed Kerry after the Iowa primary. We're keeping an eye on him and we're being -- kept an eye on him.

Howard Dean on "Meet the Press" yesterday didn't say he wouldn't accept the nomination. Wes Clark is going to be in Ohio tomorrow. It's his third sort of surrogate visit on Kerry's behalf. He did a fund raiding letter for Kerry. What I'm hearing, though, is that Wes Clark's wife Gert who was very supportive of his presidential campaign has reversed course, has no desire for him to run for VP.

And the last name I want to mention is not a candidate for VP, but Bob Shrum. I mentioned him a couple minutes ago. He's very powerful, well-known consultant in Washington. Very close with Kerry and is very influential in this process and has been known to support his prior clients. Which is why I think we're hearing the name Bill Nelson, senator from Florida, one of his clients.

CROWLEY: We've given them something to chew up and we'll come up with some more names for tomorrow. How is that? CNN's political editor John Mercurio, thanks a lot.

[Spazito]

60. He's a CNN hack, no connection with the Kerry campaign...

except to be covering it. When I hear someone say "What I'm hearing though" I don't give it much credence, it is spreading a rumour that someone else is spreading, same old crap from CNN, imo.