What's with all the Clark = VP posts?

[Unsane]

Can anyone given me real, concrete evidence that he has more than a snowball's chance in hell at actually being the running mate? Seems like a lot of wishful thinking by DUers. Never in my life have I seen such a netroots-driven politician as Wes Clark. Don't misread me, I think the man's great and has given his life to public service, but I hardly hear or read about him outside of this website. Based on what I read here, one would think he's the next coming of Dwight Eisenhower.

[Captain Hilts]

1. He was really the most liberal candidate we had.

Other than Kucinich. The others are middle of the road fakers.

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

2. I think a lot of it has to do with the "theme" of Wednesday (Veep day) at the convention.

"Securing America's Future" - which happens to be the first words you see at Clark's website oddly enough named securingamerica.com

Not exactly a solid piece of evidence, but interesting none the less.

[DJ13]

3. Its a process of elimination

Every other name often associated with being a potential VP for Obama has been assigned convention speaking times.

The only two serious contenders not already scheduled to speak are Clark and Richardson as far as I know.

[book_worm]

7. that doesn't mean squat except that the Obama camp are really good at confounding

the media. They jump to conclusions like that and think just because somebody has been "assigned" a speaking spot means they won't be VP. Look at Wed night Biden and Bayh speak, but it could easily be changed to have one or the other speak instead as the VP candidate. If it's Clark I'll be very pleased, but it doesn't mean anything these speaking slots.

[DJ13]

9. Of course it doesnt mean squat

That doesnt mean it isnt fun speculating.

[Clark2008]

18. Why is Bayh speaking on Securing America's Future night?

He's a DLC wimp: hardly anyone I see qualified to secure America's future militarily, politically, economically or in any way.

If you look up milquetoast in the dictionary, you'd see Bayh's picture.

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

17. Richardson will be speaking Wednesday, apparently.

but in what capacity?

I think it's one of the two (Richardson or Clark) myself, and I'd be fine with either.

[bunnies]

4. Clark kicks ass.

We like him. Deal with it.

[Phoonzang]

5. Wishful thinking

It's like me and others hoping Obama picks Brian Schweitzer. It's not going to happen but it's nice to hold on to a slim hope.

[gateley]

12. Schweitzer will be speaking - did you know that?

I'm thrilled. He was my fave, too, when I thought he still had a chance.

I'm so happy many more people will get to "know" him (and Jag) as a result of his appearance there.

[Phoonzang]

24. I didn't know that....that's really exciting.

I'm glad he's going to get exposure on a national stage. Maybe next time... :)

[Alexander]

6. You claimed Hillary would be VP. Do you have evidence for that?

No, of course you don't.

[democrank]

8. You forgot to mention a few things about Clark....

Clark is a Rhodes scholar, speaks several languages, is a decorated combat veteran, has superb diplomatic skills, has a touching rags-to-riches biography, was against the Iraq War from the beginning, has populist leanings and is very, very, very popular with veterans` groups. Oh, yeah...Clark knows international affairs inside-out.

[DCBob]

10. Gen Clark is nearly the perfect VP for Obama

military, really knows how to win wars, clean cut, smart, psuedo-conservative, white guy, southerner, former Clinton supporter -- best of all he outranks McCain!

[Unsane]

11. the first response claims he was the most liberal candidate we had

which is it?

[Alexander]

14. Yes, yes, we get it, you want to trash Clark in favor of Hillary.

When he's nominated, I'm sure you'll be crying in your beer.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tom Rinaldo]

15. Clark's not conservative, but he is a real patriot...

...and that appeals to many conservatives who respect the sacrifice Clark's made for his nation by dedicating himself to a long military career.

[DCBob]

16. Not a true "conservative" but not a flaming liberal either

He looks and feels conservative especially with the strong military background.

[rebel with a cause]

23. In 2004 he was the only presidential candidate to

have the courage to say he was a liberal and explain why he was one. I don't remember him being a candidate this time, although there were many that wanted him to be.

I wish he was going to be the VP choice, but I don't think he will be. Like Shakespeare said. "If wishes were horses, we'd all be kings." (or something like that)

[gateley]

13. Agree -- he would be an outstanding choice. nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

19. Clark makes sense in so many ways that is is easy to assume

that someone as intelligent as Obama is would at least be seriously considering him. Clark shores up most of Obama's relative weaknesses without undercutting his change message. It would reassure a lot of voters worried about Obama's thin national security resume to have Clark close at hand.

[salonghorn70]

21. Flavor of the Day

On another post a few days ago, Clark's son was quoted as saying that Clark hasn't been vetted.

[DCBob]

22. Clark doesn't need to be vetted

He has been throughly vetted already from past position in Clinton admin and his run for Prez.

[TwilightGardener]

27. No--that's not vetting. "Past positions" mean nothing. We're talking

his personal finances, his associations, whether or not he'd ever had an affair, whether or not there is anything harmful in his military record. You are vetted until somebody investigates all that--Edwards ran for Prez and wasn't himself sufficiently vetted.

[Alexander]

29. I'm sure if Obama considered him, his team vetted the hell out of Clark.

[TwilightGardener]

30. I imagine so. They'd be stupid not to.

[DCBob]

31. One way or another he's been vetted..

I predict he will be the VP nominee.

[jumptheshadow]

25. Clark would underscore the return of competence

Voters are tired of incompetence and nepotism. He and Obama share similar biographies, in that both of them hailed from modest roots and excelled at their careers through a combination of dedication, work and brains. He complements Obama perfectly that way, along with his strong international and military credentials.

Both men are inspirational.

While I respect McCain's service, he is a textbook example of an incompetent guy who got a leg up through family connections.

What a contrast Clark would make to McCain. Picture the commercials they could make on the theme of competence if Clark is on the ticket.

He also is a guy who could connect to World War II generation voters. Don't underestimate the importance of the older vote in this election. Pry a few percentage points of that vote away from McCain and you've got some swing states, and the election.

[PurityOfEssence]

26. No corner of the earth is as supportive of Clark than this board, he was #1 her in '04

He won poll after poll here, had the most energetic supporters and was by all indications the most supported candidate here, more than Dean, more than Kerry, more than anyone.

I can think of nowhere else where this was the case, other than a literal Clark board, but it was pretty damned resounding.

[TwilightGardener]

28. Big fan club here and on DKos, rest of America couldn't pick him out of a lineup.

[jumptheshadow]

32. Lineups

How many Americans could pick Evan Bayh or Tim Kaine out of a lineup?

[TwilightGardener]

34. Maybe Bayh, just because he's been around a while politically, but doubtful--

Kaine, no. Sebelius and Scwheitzer, no. Biden, yes. Reed, no.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Douglas Carpenter]

35. Gen. Clark has moved up to number 2 on Intrade and number 3 on Rasmussen Markets

Of course this does not prove anything except there has been a significant recent increase in buzz and rumor leading to increased speculation about a credible plausibility about Gen. Clark as a conceivable V.P. nominee.

On Intrade Prediction Markets:

1. Bayh now speculating at 32.2% chance he will be the V.P. nominee

2. Clark now speculating at a 17.9% chance he will be the V.P. nominee

3. Biden now speculating at a 17.2% chance he will be the V.P. nominee

4. Kaine now speculating at a 13.3% chance he will be the V.P. nominee

5. Sebelius now speculating at 12.3% chance he will be the V.P. nominee

http://www.intrade.com/jsp/intrade/contractSearch/

On Rasmussen Markets

1. Bayh now speculating at a 29.4% chance he will be the V.P. nominee

2. Biden now speculating at a 16.9% chance he will be the V.P. nominee

3. Clark now speculating at a 16.5% chance he will be the V.P. nominee

http://markets.rasmussenreports.com/aav2/trading/tradingHTML.jsp?selConID=68205#