Reply #27: I wasn't part of the Draft Clark Movement

[tishaLA]

but I wish I had been. In fact, what I knew about myself was that I was a loyal, liberal Democrat but not much more. Going into the political "high season"--beginning around November or so--I would have voted for any Democratic candidate without many problems.

But Wesley Clark stood out for me for a number of reasons. I had never really liked Generals before, or the rest of the military for that matter, because they aroused suspicions about warmongering, hierarchies, and a dearth of intelligence. Silly prejudices, as I know now. But I had grown up with a fever for people like Jesse Jackson, Ted Kennedy, and Paul Simon--people who talked with complexity about issues like race, poverty, and the downtrodden with intelligence and passion. How could a General ever do that?

But then I listened to Clark, largely because of the Clark supporters on DU, and I started to see the importance of his message, its liberalism, and the character of the man delivering it. A few weeks before the NH primary, I was fully hooked. He spoke bluntly and he made mistakes. He "spoke truth to power," as I knew he had when he had been one of the powerful. He followed his moral compass as he tried to make his way through the political labyrinth. He is not a perfect man, but he is one of the good guys. One of the best guys.

I only now realize you asked to hear from his thoughtful supporters. I am not one of them, unfortunately. I am just one of his supporters, and a fairly mundane one.