Wesley Clark to start National Security PAC

[Adelante]

Wes Clark back in the hunt

Former Democratic presidential candidate Wes Clark is launching a political action committee called Wes PAC, our Suzi Parker learns. The purpose of the PAC is to discuss national security and make it a forefront issue of the Democratic Party in a way that only a former NATO and Army general can. Kathryn Grunden, his ex-campaign assistant, is heading it up. Associates say the effort is timely in light of new polling that Americans are turning their attention to terrorism and national security issues, apparently satisfied that the economic recovery is in full swing. We also hear that Clark is in the process of launching a new Web site. It's going to include info on his PAC and his business ventures with Leadership for America consulting.

Source: U.S. News & World Report 4/14/04

[wicket]

1. Woo hoo!

Great news! Go Wes Go! :D

[billybob537]

2. Look out *** Big PAC attack N/T

[BootinUp]

3. thanks Wes for staying involved

in politics. We need ya man. :bounce:

[Avalux]

4. YAY!!!!!

I was hoping he'd speak out about National Security - GO WES!!!!!:bounce:

[xultar]

5. U WES A!!! Safe to say he isn't going to be VeeP. I think it is GREAT

cuz WE don't deserve him. Especially because of the way the media whores treated him at the behest of the RW AND how we as Democrats allowed the RW to manipulate our Primaries.

[Adelante]

6. It is GREAT, xultar

I don't care if Wes is VP or not. I just want him to save the goddamned world!

[BootinUp]

8. he is so unappreciated by the

party though, makes me sad.

:cry:

[seabeyond]

10. hey jim let him grow on people

he hasnt been at it long. i am rootin for him to and think this is a terrific idea, really like and so important, and just needed now to help kerry along

so i will disagree the party doesnt appreciate him. i do

[Jai4WKC08]

24. I agree to an extent

There are too many left-wing Dems who will never really trust a military man. I run into all the time on the Kerry message board. Ironically, not from long-time Kerry supporters, but from those who have joined his campaign as their own candidates have dropped out.

It's funny that it is precisely the retired generals who stood up and said, this war is wrong. Clark, Shali, Zinni, Hoar, Kerrick, McPeak... the list is long.

But I think most "grown-up" Dems do realize that we need to be strong on defense if we're gonna take back this country. Some even remember from their "history" that the Democratic party used to be the one that led on defense and foreign affairs, that Repubs used to be the isolationists.

Wes Clark is leading the way, "walking point," to reclaim national security as a Democratic issue. He knows, and has said, that we have allowed the right-wing to control the debate for too long, to posture themselves as the owners of patriotism and values.

[cornfedyank]

55. if this party does not appreciate him

then in 08 we will show this country what a 3rd party with a real candidate can do. but 2008 may be too late if shrub gets 4 more.. the imminent threat to our country must be dealt with first.

[robbedvoter]

9. Safe nothing.

I don't want to open the subject - to keep some PR operatives out.

[Jai4WKC08]

14. Non sequitur alert

This has nothing to do with whether or not he'll be Kerry's running mate. But this does help Kerry, and all Democrats.

Whoohoo!! :bounce:

[robbedvoter]

16. Non-sequitur - thanks! I was looking for that!

Now my brain can work again! ;-)

[Adelante]

19. I agree, Jai

If anything, something like this reinforces Wes's qualifications for VP in these times.

[Bread and Circus]

40. I see it the same way as you, Xultar.

[robbedvoter]

7. Great idea!

It was his contribution to the dialog in the first place - good to see he's staying on it in spite of the RNC media + DNC running the other way.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. Clark is deeply and sincerely concerned --

he's doing all he can to save this country.

[LeahMira]

12. Great...

Also, it's encouraging that the men who didn't win the nomination are NOT going to disappear, but are willing to use their talents to support the Democratic nominee in the ways that they can do it best.

[TacticalPeek]

13. It's a mighty time.

And Clark's a mighty man.


:yourock:

[Avalux]

15. Wes Speaks about Iraq - listen

If you haven't already, check out this commentary Clark gave to NPR. A voice of reason!

http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1837704

[goclark]

17. Go General!

He is my hero!
So much class and he remains a team player!

Wake Up America...Wesley Clark is here to rescue us from this sorry Bush mess!

I still want him to be visible in this Administration!

[Avalux]

18. I think he will be visible in the admin - still possibly VP

He is my hero too. :loveya:

[maddezmom]

20. good news!!!

:bounce:

[Jai4WKC08]

21. Two key points

"The purpose of the PAC is to discuss national security and make it a forefront issue of the Democratic Party in a way that only a former NATO and Army general can."

I'll grant you that foreign affairs and national security have always been high among Clark's priorities, and the areas of his greatest professional experience, but he and Kerry both that know it's Kerry's biggest weakness in the eyes of the electorate. I think there's a good chance that this PAC is just an extension of all the media appearances Clark has been making at Kerry's request. It gives him a still bigger platform from which to show 1) that Democrats (and Kerry specifically) are NOT weak on defense, and 2) how BushCo has screwed everything up.

Associates say the effort is timely in light of new polling that Americans are turning their attention to terrorism and national security issues, apparently satisfied that the economic recovery is in full swing.

I don't know what polling this refers to, but I do believe Americans are VERY concerned about what's going on in Iraq right now. And it wouldn't take much for them to become concerned with terrorism real fast.

'Course, US Snooze is a pretty conservative rag, so I don't put much stock in their remark about an economic recovery "in full swing." But the truth is, none of us knows what will be going on with the economy in the next 6 months.

It's a long way to November, and there's lots of potential for an October surprise of any kind.

[Adelante]

23. I did hear last night

on one of the news talk shows that national security is currently the number one issue on the minds of the electorate and that Bush is in trouble here. Not that this is any surprise.

[Leilani]

33. I heard that too, Jersey!

This is wonderful news! Go Wes!!!

The Dems have had a perception problem on national security, military, etc, for so long. Thats why I always believed Wes could help the Dem ticket the most.

But aside from the Veep issue, this PAC should be enormously helpful to Dems, now, & especially in the future.

Wes ain t going away & that is terrific news!!!

[Avalux]

22. kick

:kick:

[bobbieinok]

25. is this the type of group the RNC and the FEC are trying to stop???

[BootinUp]

26. I don't think so...

I think you are referring to the issue over 527's, which are not called PAC's as far as I know. :)

[JI7]

27. this is great

it could help democrats with the "weak on defense" perception many have of them based on right wing lies. it can help to improve it long term and hopefully people wont immediately assume republicans as being strong on defense and democrats as weak without looking at actual positions.

[Jai4WKC08]

28. Dispelling the "weak on defense" myth

I think that's precisely what it's for. The whole point of Clark "on point" for Kerry has been to overcome this false perception. A PAC like this will give him a bigger platform, help him bring in like-minded people with solid security credentials, and raise some soft money to help further the cause.

I see good things from this PAC and the sooner it's up and running the better.

:kick:

[Avalux]

29. He may be the only Democrat

who can criticize shrub's war policy and get away with it. They can't say he's not supporting the troops; he was one for 34 years. I am very excited about this endeavor and ready to see WES PAC in action.

[BootinUp]

30. Well they (Faux News) tried it once

it resulted in the infamous smack down video. In more recent interviews Wes has been treated very well actually.

[maddezmom]

36. FAUX tried and was a miserable failure

:)

[robbedvoter]

31. Joe Conason did say it would be the biggest threat to BFEE because

of this very reason - so they are trying to manipulate him out, just like they did with the elections

[Jai4WKC08]

38. Huh? I don't understand...

What would be the biggest threat? This PAC? Reclaiming defense as a Democratic issue? I'm guessing you mean the latter, but I'm not sure.

I do agree that Clark still scares the begeesus out of the RNC.

He likes it that way, ya know? :smoke:

[renegade000]

32. kick

:kick:

[Renew Deal]

34. Bullshit. Clark is a repuke. This is just another neo-con, mind reading,

gynochomastea causing plan of the right wing. :P

[maddezmom]

37. LOL

;)

[Ilsa]

35. I love it! Great timing for a WesPac Attack! n/t

[KoKo]

39. WHAT! The Economic recovery is "in full swing?" What are they smoking?

"Americans are turning their attention to terrorism and national security issues, apparently satisfied that the economic recovery is in full swing."

I might have been very interested in this, if that sentence hadn't been there. And, that Wes is looking to make money out of this. Give me a break! I kinda liked the guy. But, this doesn't do anything for me.. it leaves me cold!

[Jai4WKC08]

41. WTF? What are you talking about?

US News & World Report is a very conservative magazine. THEY are the ones talking about economic recovery, not Wes Clark.

I do suspect this was purposely leaked to a conservative media source--for the same reason the Kerry folks have been pushing Clark on Fox and right-wing shows like Scarborough. They WANT him to reach out to moderate Repubs, and break 'em in easy to the idea that a Democrat as President isn't such a bad idea.

As for Clark making a buck out of this--how do ya figure? There's no money for him in this. It's purely to help Kerry and the party.

[BootinUp]

42. Making a buck...

Its way too early to comment on any financial arrangements regarding a pac that there is no info on. But I would assume he may draw some kind of salary, unless he has other ways of making a living at the same time.

[Jai4WKC08]

43. Well, I may be wrong about this but...

I've never done tax work for a PAC, but I have for private foundations and various non-profit organizations, and administrative fees the director can pay himself are pretty tightly controlled.

I notice the article said his new website would also include his private business ventures. I would suspect that's where any money to be made would come from.

[Adelante]

44. He might make a living?

Is that your worry? :eyes:

Too bad he spent his life in service instead of in personal injury law. He might have $50M to live on while he works to win John Kerry the presidency.

[Jai4WKC08]

45. I ain't buyin' it

There's no way Clark will "make a living" off a PAC that would come anywhere close to what he was making in civilian life before he accepted the draft. This is not a guy who has to "settle" for some paltry salary.

This PAC will exist to help the party (and Kerry) reclaim dominance in national security issues and win over moderate voters who may be concerned that the Dems can't handle the nation's defense and "keep America safe." Much as Clark's speaking on news shows, especially right-wing news shows, is doing. If it raises soft money that will contribute to Kerry and other Dems, that's good too.

[Adelante]

46. Not a salary

It probably has to do with his consulting work, which ties into national security. The server will likely hold a site that fosters the national interest and the party's interest; and also house his business site.

Not that we know anything, anyway. ;)

[Jai4WKC08]

47. Good point

All our speculation is pretty slim, based on a few rumors on the Clark boards and a single short blurb in on magazine.

Still, I do think KoKo is WAY off base, not to mention pretty insulting, on what is essentially his speculation as well. There's just NO reason to assume that this PAC is a money-making deal. Not money for Wes Clark, that is. I do think it will be a way to direct funds toward Kerry's (and other Dems') election, if not straight into the campaign coffers.

But the most important thing about it, and what we can be relatively sure of, is that the purpose of WesPac is to reclaim foreign affairs and national security as Democratic strengths. Even the Repubs recognize this. And frankly, I bet it scares 'em silly. They have GOT to be seeing how vulnerable BushCo is at this point. :bounce:

What scares me is how desparate they may become, if they aren't already. Something big is being orchestrated, of that I am sure. An Osama capture, or a fake thwarting of a terror attack, or maybe even a fake successful attack, God forbid. Something to scare the American people into falling back on their concerns about whether Kerry can handle the task of "keeping America safe." Distrust of liberals on defending the nation just runs too deep.

[Adelante]

51. Exactly, precisely, the most important thing

"But the most important thing about it, and what we can be relatively sure of, is that the purpose of WesPac is to reclaim foreign affairs and national security as Democratic strengths."

[BootinUp]

50. I should shut up about PACS

I don't know anything about them. But I realize Clark has other business ventures that would make any salary look puny. :)

[dogman]

48. They're smoking the B$$$it

The market has recovered and they had some good job numbers so B$$$co has the media blowing their horn. It's the same old line the Rethugs sell through their free media outlet. You can be left COLD but I'm WARM knowing that Clark is looking out for the country's national security. He can't control which direction the media steers us but he can be there with the right answers as he has been for so long. He predicted what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan over a year ago and provided answers. This country needs this higher level of leadership.

[Jai4WKC08]

52. Amen dogman!

I even heard the hosts of Air America's Morning Sedition were remarking this morning about how Wes Clark called it right two years ago.

There was an interview with Marine Corps 4-star and former CENTCOM commander Zinni this morning in the San Diego paper that basically said that Iraq sure smells like Vietnam to him (exact words "I've seen this movie before").
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20040416-9999-7m16zinni.html

Ted Kennedy says the same thing, and he's a traitor, right? Well, in fairness, Zinni said he's being treated like a traitor too. Lord knows Wes Clark has been, and far worse.

I think Zinni missed the point a bit--he says "heads should roll" for what's happening in Iraq, but falls short of placing the responsibility where it belongs--on the CinC.

Still, to get back to the thread topic, I think Clark's PAC could be a very effective instrument for focusing all the senior military and civilian strategists who are critical of Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld. It's getting to be a long list: Zinni, Shalikashvili, Hoar, McCaffrey, Shinseki, Kerrick... and those are just a few of the generals, the warriors. The people who have risked their lives for the nation and should NEVER be accused of anything but the utmost loyalty.

Seems to me that, with the exception of McCaffrey and Kerrick, most of these shied away from supporting Clark as a candidate. Oh, not that ever had a bad thing to say about him personally--some like Shali spoke in his favor. But for whatever reason, they didn't seem to want to get involved in partisan politics. Or maybe just Democratic politics. Some of these guys are pretty conservative in outlook, but they can tell how badly Bush and Rumsfeld are f***ing things up.

Anyway, seems to me WesPAC might provide a way they can "contribute to the discussion" (wink, nudge) without having to turn in their Republican cards, if that's what their problem has been.

[Adelante]

54. There was another general

I don't remember his name, an older man, though. He was on Fux and they were wanting him to dis Clark, but he stood right up and said he couldn't imagine what Shelton was talking about, that Clark was a true patriot and there was nothing whatsoever in his character or integrity that could possibly be in question. He was adamant about it and left not a millimeter of room for Fux to spin.

[Jai4WKC08]

56. Wish I knew who that was... Shali maybe?

Of course, since it was a good report, the tape was probably erased AND burned, just to make sure it never again saw the light of day.

I remember listening to a conservative talk radio show WAY back in September--right after Clark announced, but I think before the Shelton smear. They were interviewing a retired one-star who was running for Congress in Indiana, or maybe Illinois. A conservative Republican. But they asked him about what he thought of Clark, and he was very complimentary of Clark as a military officer (skills, experience, character, etc.) Said he disagreed with him about almost everything, but thought he is a good man. I wish I knew who this guy is too. Maybe I can find it on the net--how many retired generals are running for Congress?

[Adelante]

57. Definitely not Shali nt

[Adelante]

58. Scales, his name was

Just remembered. He had been in Kosovo with Wes.

[dogman]

59. Borling ran for Senate in Illinois.

He was a retired Air Force General. Fiscal conservative, so he was out of favor with the Global Oil Project. Social conservative, so not in agreement with Clark either.

[Jai4WKC08]

61. That was the guy!

Thanks dogman. I'm almost positive that Borling was the guy I heard talk about Clark and had nothing but good to say about his character and performance of duty, much to the interviewer's chagrin.

I take it from your use of the past tense, Borling did not win his primary? Good thing--from the rest of the conversation, he's pretty right-wing. Altho, I know that doesn't mean his opponent was any better. And probably dishonest to boot.

[robbedvoter]

53. That's OK - it warms up the rest of us - the invisible draft people

[Spazito]

49. I am not at all surprised that Wes Clark will continue to serve...

in this capacity or any other. He is a principled, honest man who believes that Bush and the neocons are very dangerous and had promised he would do everything he could to cause their defeat. I am looking forward to seeing what his PAC will accomplish.

[Kahuna]

60. That's my Wes....

What a man! :loveya:

[truebrit71]

62. I'm sorry but Wesley Clark belongs in the White House......

...we had our chance and we blew it....

In my humble opinion the only person that would have kicked the ever-loving shit out of Team Shrub was this highly decorated, highly intelligent, highly motivated and highly ethical political outsider.....Instead we got....someone else..

Bugger!!!!

[robbedvoter]

63. Yup. media decided. The only guy pounding on W's responsibility for 911

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Findings by the Sept. 11 commission show that President Bush did not do enough to keep Americans safe from terrorism, retired Gen. Wesley Clark asserted Saturday.

Clark, who dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in mid-February, was in Lincoln to speak at a Nebraska Democratic Party fund-raiser.

He told about 850 attending Democrats that Bush did not pay attention to intelligence reports about domestic terror threats before the Sept. 11 attacks.

"I believe it is the job of the president as chief executive to provide focus and direction," Clark said in a news conference prior to the Nebraska Democratic Party's Morrison-Exon Dinner. "President Bush did not do that with respect to 9/11."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-
04-18-clark-bush_x.htm