For those who saw Clark last night, a question

[CornField]

I've been thinking about the part of his speech where he read "the memo." Remember that part? After thinking about it... thinking of the tone of his voice... thinking of his body language... Do you think that was a real memo?

He led into it like it was going to be a big joke. Admit it, you were expecting something funny, right? I know I was. But the more he read, the more serious it became. The air in the hall got a little thick. At one point he even half-heartedly admonished us for not laughing.

Has anyone else been thinking about that and how very odd it was?

[rurallib]

1. We talked about the same thing on the way home

From his lead in I was expecting some (not necessarily funny) pointed shots at the admin. It looked like he was searching for a vehicle to use to launch his main body. Instead it seemed to come off as a somewhat meandering laundry list with only a couple good jabs. I think he wanted to illustrate how predictable the white house is in their approach to any problem, yet it didn't quite "connect".
We all thought it lacked that real punch. He did finish well however.
Many thoughts went through my mind as I listened to him speak, not least of which was "if only THIS guy was president..."

[pstans]

2. How did Clark compare to Feingold?

or any other possible 2008 candidates you have heard recently?

[rurallib]

6. As I say later it would be a toss up.

Clark is extremely smart with a wealth of experience in the foreign policy area that Feingold does not. Feingold good in the domestic arena. As far as the speech went I'd give Feingold an edge, mostly due to the 'memo' that Clark read. Aside from that it's a tossup.

[IA_Seth]

7. "the memo"

We can only be thankful that this was a speech at a fundraiser for a regional labor organization, and not a stump speech at a campaign stop.

It wasn't the most engaging portion of his speech, was it?

[CornField]

8. I'm going to push this issue again... because it's driving me batty!

Does anyone else think it was a 'real' memo (or a recreation of a real memo)?

I cannot make any sense out of it otherwise.

[IA_Seth]

3. Where to begin....

I am not sure where to even start with this.

As some of you may know, I have been a huge supporter of Wesley Clark since the days he first announced his candidacy in fall 2003. I was registered as an independent at the time, didn't know what a caucus was, didn't know there was such a thing as a "Central Committee" and had only voted (to my recollection) in the 2000 race (for Gore of course). I was interested primarily in foreign policy and was a Democrat at heart but liked to think of myself as too independently minded to affiliate with one particular party. I hated Bush like any reasonable young man would, was against the war in Iraq, and could see that Bush was going to destroy any credibility we had left in the world.

I had listened to Clark speak on CNN a few times, and somehow or another I learned he was going to speak about foreign policy and US leadership in the world at the U of I campus and new immediately that I wanted to go. It was on a weekday and during the day, but I managed to get the time off and talked my girlfriend into coming along with me. It was a little bewildering at first for someone never before involved in politics. Clark had just announced 2 days prior that he was in the running for the nomination and CNN, FOX, and others were all there - along with what felt like all of IC. We waited through the lines (fortunately we were near the front of them!) and were able to get a good seat with a clear view and waited in anticipation to hear our first speech given by a Presidential hopeful.

Now I don't know if it was all in what he said, or how he said it, but whatever the case may be...I was inspired. He inspired me to change parties. He inspired me to get involved. He inspired me to give back to the community with some type of public service. He inspired me to work hard to get him elected as the next President of the United States.

Unfortunately (for all of us I believe), Clark wasn't able to overcome his late start and the poor decision-making his campaign staff made. After an impressive showing in a few states he dropped out of the race.

The story doesn't end there. I did get involved. I did become an official Democrat, I caucused, I joined the Central Committee, I joined the CC finance committee, I co-chaired a group that helped coordinate volunteer efforts for all of the Dems and brought new blood to our party. I served my community on the Fifteen in 5 community planning project, and continue to do so. To put it simply, his speech that day awakened the activist in me, and for that I will always appreciate Wesley Clark.

Still further, although Clark's campaign for the nomination was done, he wasn't finished. He campaigned long and hard for Kerry, and has since formed a pac and website (www.securingamerica.com) to keep his volunteers involved. He has campaigned all across the US on behalf of Democrats so that we can take back control of our country and finally set things right. He continues to be an inspiration to thousands of supporters.

Ok, so that brings me to this weekend.

On Saturday Clark was in Cedar Rapids to do his weekly "Clarkcast", a podcast he does for his website wherein he discusses issues of the week, etc. Saturday afternoon he was to do this broadcast from Brewed Awakenings, a local coffee shop (that kicks ass by the way, if you are ever in town, stop by www.brewedawakeningscr.com). A local Democrat, who served with me on the Fifteen in 5 committee and was involved in Iowa's Draft Clark movement, invited me to a private meeting with General Clark before his podcast began, to review his 2004 campaign and talk about strategies for getting the right people in place in 2006. It was amazing. I was able to talk to him on a personal level and was able to express my gratitude for all he has done for me, and for our party. He shared his personal feelings and stories about his campaign, and more over, really showed how passionate he was about getting Democrats elected this year.

After the meeting, he discussed the Middle East and touched on General Hayden's ability to lead the CIA during his podcast. That night his speech to the Hawkeye Labor Council was interrupted repeatedly by applause as he laid out each of Bush's failures and reinforced what we should be doing as Democrats in 06. Walking among the crowd I was able to overhear several people who had never heard Clark speak, and all of them seemed very impressed. I hope that at least one person who was hearing him speak for the first time is as moved as I was in 03.

Will he run in 08? I really do hope so, but I really think he could live without it. I think he truly cares more about the party, and about our country, than holding any elected office. 2006 is what seems to be on his mind and in his heart!

[rurallib]

5. I had first heard Clark on the radio in late 2003

Wow! I was blown away. If he gets real serious, right now I'd be hard pressed to decide between him= and Feingold.

[IA_Seth]

4. Oh, and to answer your question....

I thought "the memo" part of his speech could have been left out.

I think what he was trying to do was lay out the fact that the Republican scandal-machine is plugging along just fine, and that a lot of it could be by design as it takes the spotlight off what they are really doing. I think it was one of those kinds of things that makes you think...wow that could be funny it it weren't true.

I dunno. I think the rest of his speech as spectacular and got the crowd going. I know that the people in my section were very impressed with him are excited to see more of him in Iowa.

[trillian]

9. Many thanks for this first hand account.

I've seen Clark speak on an few occasions and have always found him inspiring. I haven't seen the "memo" but though. LOL

My personal feeling is, that if he doesn't run, we have a good chance of losing the WH again.

I love Feingold, but he'll be a tough sell in the GE with his two divorces and no First Lady in tow. I know, it shouldn't matter, but in this country it does.

Warner does nothing for me. No charisma.....and don't get me started on Hillary.

Congresscritters are at a natural disadvantage when they run for Prez ( which is why they seldom win) because they all have records than can be used against them.

My thought is that the country will be so disgusted by politics as usual by 2008, they will gravitate to an outsider. Also I think National Security will still be huge. Clark just makes the most sense.

[Pilgrim4Progress]

10. Heard him do "the memo" at smaller gathering

I heard him do the memo thing at a smaller, informal gathering in Houston a few weeks ago. There, it was pretty clear that it was a joke. And I can see that it might not have worked as well in a speech to a larger group.

But what I got from it was that he's been studying the Republicans, and is able to read and foresee their tactics. I think that's one thing he was able to do well in his career - to really learn how the other side thinks. I think he did that with Milosevic. When you understand the other side really well, you can be more effective in anticipating their moves and countering them.

[sybil]

11. the Wondrous Wit of Wes Clark - satire

I saw the debut of "the memo" at a fundraiser in S.F. in Feb., delivered to a sizable cluster of supporters in front of a huge stone fireplace, Wes was much more animated in that venue than was possible from behind the dais at Hawkeye.

It played really well to a smaller room. His delivery was pure wit, the message of course, was quite somber.

Clearly the General 'reads' the enemy well. Wes was four-star brilliant that night in February.

[CornField]

12. Okay.. I get it... my tin foil chappeau needs loosening

:D I'll be hushing now.

[sybil]

13. I swear to God,

the General could do stand-up comedy

...ifhe weren't so seriously bereft over the state of our nation, bless his heart.