Ok I have officially changed my mind on the VP choice.

[sellitman]

This video below of General Wesley Clark is stunning. The man would bring immediate results as a VP choice. Vets would flock to the ticket and those voting McSame for his service to this country would have to think twice about it.

This man is unflappable, intelligent, and personable.

This interview alone made me switch from Richardson to Clark.

Wow!

The DU thread : http://tinyurl.com/4t37qn

[ErinBerin84]

1. yeah, I really do think that the RNC wants to take him out of the running by distorting his comments

[sellitman]

3. I don't thinkhe will let that happen.

Just like Obama this guy answers back forcefully.

If only Kerry had we would of been so much better off these past few years.

[anonymous171]

29. Yep. They can't have a liberal military man on the ticket.

It defeats their whole "Republicans are manly militarists" image they use. If we have military on our side, they can't play the fear card as successfully.

[mwb970]

2. Clark is an obvious choice.

If nothing else, the contrast between the two military men - Clark and mccain - will be telling. Clark was first in his graduating class, mccain was #894 out of 899. Clark was Supreme Commander of NATO, mccain was a hot-dogging flyboy who got shot down and captured (after crashing several planes all on his own). Clark supports the troops and policies that would benefit them, mccain has gone out of his way to vote against giving them any benefits (or to avoided voting on the issue at all).

The comparison is, there is no comparison! Just like there is no comparison between Obama and mccain in terms of judgment and consistency. Or eloquence. Or vision. Or youthful vigor. Or marital fidelity. Or....well, you get the idea.

[sellitman]

4. I have to admit that

the "Clarkies" on this site originally turned me off to Clark. My stupidity though. No one should let partisans effect their own judgement. I was terribly wrong not looking at this man with an open mind.

[flor de jasmim]

5. me, too - mea culpa, mea culpa

He is so calm and unflappable - if he is not VP, then Secretary of Defense. He definitely should be one of the public faces of the Obama administration.

[elocs]

7. As the law stands now, Clark could not be Sec. of Defense in 2009 since he retired in May, 2000.

According to Wikipedia:

By statute the secretary must be a civilian who has not served in the active component of the armed forces for at least 10 years (10 U.S.C. § 113 - Note that Congress had passed a law to allow George Marshall to be appointed in 1950 despite having only been a civilian since 1945).

Sure, Congress could pass a law again, but I think Marshall was a very big name after WWII, so that was the exception.

[roguevalley]

28. I have been a clarkie since he was my baby's commandant in

Bosnia. When I heard he was running for president in 2004, I nearly came apart at the seams with joy. In all my life, I have never put a sticker on my car but I updated my Clark 2004 to Clark 2008 the day after Kerry lost. SIGH! I trust him with my life. And more importantly, my baby's life.

[The Traveler]

6. Back in the day

I prefered to be called a "Clarkista" ... mostly as a way of distinguishing myself from the fan club. I like the guy, thought he'd make a great Chief Executive, admired the ballsey way he just stood up and said "Yeah, I'm a liberal." I joined his web community, donated to his campaign, etc. But the hero worship made me a little uneasy.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

8. Not my first choice, but a good one.

[Clark2008]

9. The media knows he's in the cat bird's seat and has already

started their swiftboating of the General.

However, it's hard to swiftboat an Army man who was shot in Vietnam, but still directed his troops out of harm's way and who, as a general years later, ended a just war after only 72 days.

Seriously, how DOES getting shot down and being held captive mean you're qualified to be a president?

[NatBurner]

11. it doesn't

[hokies4ever]

10. I jumped on the Clark bandwagon about a month ago

and haven't regretted it since. I really love his views on military and foreign policy, and those views mesh perfectly with Obama.

[democrattotheend]

12. I'm starting to lean toward Clark as well

Although I still worry that picking a military VP could backfire, as it seems to be an admission of a weakness and it puts focus on military issues where Republicans have the edge. On the other hand it could serve as reassurance.

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. The thing is, Clark is a huge advocate of diplomacy

That's why he spearheaded the StopIranWar.com movement last year. Clark is the best spokesperson we can possibly have to make the point that force must always be the last resort. He turns the military arguement around completely. He has often said that Bush has failed the fine men and women of America's military by failing to back them up with a strategic diplomatic strategy forcing them to bear the full brunt of the cost for America's security due to a failure in Presidential leadership.

If Clark weren't such an articulate advocate for alternatives to the use of force, I might agree with you. But no one is more credible than a Four Star Former Commander in Chief of NATO for pressing home the limitations of a military driven foreign policy. When Clark says it, no one thinks he is dissing the military or underestimating their ability. He takes the issue off the table for Republicans to use.

[sellitman]

26. Bingo!

Instant "terra" expertise.

A nightmare for the Warmongers on the right.

[Tom Rinaldo]

14. Wes Clark is in the finals of this online VP poll

Just 1% seperates him from Joe Biden (another good choice in my opinion) in this CQ contest that has been running for weeks. It started out with 32 contenders and now it is down to the final two. Wes Clark has my vote. Vote here if you have not voted yet:

http://innovation.cq.com/vpmadness

[barack the house]

15. I heard that Richardson may have SoS so he would be a perfect fit really. I like he brought all

troops home alive in the 90s. He knows his military and he seems a good soul.

[cbc5g]

16. The RW are very scared of him

That's why they have released their goons on him this morning saying that Clark was attacking his service. In reality, he actually said that John McCain isn't automatically qualified to be the foreign policy President just because of his military service.


The media had no problem with the attacks on Kerry's service, the vicious and vile attacks, but this non-attack riles them up.

[Tom Rinaldo]

20. Yes. we can't let them get away with it either

The media that tries to run with the lie that Clark attacked McCain's military service have to hear from us loud and clear that we see through their distortion and won't be quiet about it. Clark honored McCain's heroism, he simply pointed out that the the qualifications for being Commander in Chief are different than the qualifications for winning a medal, and that's the God honest truth.

They are going after Clark now with their knives, a man who also won a medal for bravery under fire. Clark knew they would, but he stepped forward anyway to say the things about McCain that no other Democrat has the courage or standing to say. He is taking a hit for Obama with this one.

This would be an excellent time for letters, calls and emails to the media backing Clark up on this and calling out the media for not reporting Clark's comments in an accurate context.

[jgraz]

17. How does one "officially" change their mind? Is there a certificate you can get?

Does it have to be notarized?

[Fire_brand]

21. you make a thread about it

[sellitman]

27. Making the desision public record is a way to "make it official".

Besides...... They are watching!

;)

[ElboRuum]

18. Clark would be the best choice...

If McCain's only "asset" is his military service and the Pavlovian way some people equate that with leadership potential, then Clark is the perfect countermove. Besides, Clark's pretty much on the same page when it comes to other issues as well. I'd seriously like to see this. I think he'd make a good Secretary of State, as well, so if he doesn't get the VP nod, he should be at least be offered some cabinet position.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

19. Watching him yesterday

certainly made me see him in a new light. I've never been a fan of Clark, but I have to admit I'm starting to come around. If that interview yesterday was part of some test to be VP, I'd have to say that he passed with flying colors.

[Lisa0825]

22. I've been pulling for Clark all along.

I think he'd be a great choice.

[merh]

23. I love Clark

Richardson should be SOS - he is one hell of a negotiator and we need his abilities if we are to restore diplomacy and respect.

[Seabiscuit]

24. Clark's service record and foreign policy experience dwarfs McCain's.

He is my choice for VP.

[SuperTrouper]

25. Me too! Clark is the obvious choice for VP

to shred McLettuce to pieces and to dwarf McShameless "accomplishments" as a War Hero.