Clark And The Democratic Debates

[clar]

I heard General Clark say this morning that he may have a conflict with the next debate. Then I read, I think in the WaPo, that he may miss more than one. I think it's important that he be present at the debates, particularly the upcoming one, the first after his announcement. He should clear his schedule and attend.

[meegbear]

1. I agree ...

he shouldn't do an Ahh-nold.

[dfong63]

18. he's already done an "ahh-nold"

by going after a high office, with NO political experience; and by carrying on this months-long flirtation and rumor campaign. if he skips the first debate --- or ANY of the debates, imho --- it'll look like he and Arnie are calling their plays from the same book.

[janx]

2. Absolutely. I think this is part of what hurt Edwards early on.

He missed out on some debates, and those weren't even official ones.

If Clark misses even one it will hurt him.

[Demobrat]

3. A conflict?

What could possibly be more important than the debates? Doesn't he think the American people deserve a chance to compare all the candidates side by side? Or is he just scared? Not a good move.

[clar]

4. All he said was

that he had a "hard conflict"

[RevolutionStartsNow]

5. Are you sure?

This would be a big gaffe, in my opinion. Arnold did that out here, and it hurt him - it makes people think you are either unprepared or arrogant (Arnie is both).

I don't think Clark is either of those things, and I I definitely don't think his advisors want us to have that impression, so what gives?

[clar]

6. I'm sure

I heard him say it. It was either the Today Show or GMA. I know I read it and I have no idea what gives.

[Cappurr]

7. I absolutely agree

He had better show up. Everyone will be looking to see how he handles himself.

[CMT]

8. yes

it says this in ABC News the Note today too that he may miss more than one debate. That is kind of baffling.

[tsipple]

9. What Kind of Schedule Conflict(s)?

Does anyone know? I could cut him slack depending on the nature of the conflict. (If my daughter were getting married during the debate, for example.)

[LuminousX]

10. Next Debate

I wouldn't care if he mixed this next debate, just because of timing and preperation issues, but the following debate he'd better be there and be prepared to knock my socks off.

[clar]

11. Sorry, I don't agree

He's in. He should be there. Unless, of course he has a compelling reason not to be.

[renie408]

12. He can't make the debates

until he has policies to debate about. That's not being mean, that's being realistic. Being a four star general might work well for stumping and hand pumping, but something tells me it ain't gonna impress Howie, Dennis, Al, Carol, the Johns, Joe, Dick or Bob. Ok, it did impress Bob, but the others are going to go after him to get specific and he can't right now. He hasn't figured out what parts of everybody elses plans he wants to steal yet. And even THATS not being mean. He is going to have to borrow from the other campaigns to get some ideas on the ground ASAP.

[kang]

13. I don't think the others will go after Clark hard

since he benefits the whole party by beefing up their nat'l security credentials. Besides, to point out his domestic inexperience is going negative, while just talking about your own experiences is just as effective at getting the point across.

Also, nobody's going to risk looking like they're worried about Clark until he shows some real signs of being a threat. Otherwise, Clark will pick up press stories that the others are "worried" about him. He's just started and it would be smarter for the other campaigns to just wait and see if he makes a mistake on his own.

[renie408]

14. Maybe

I think they could be pretty smart about asking him questions about challenging his domestic policy and showing him up. These guys have a lot at stake and I think that if they smell trouble in Clark, they will go after him, even if it appears to be 'going after him in a nice way'.

[Demobrat]

15. It's not even a matter of anybody going after him.

He should have to answer the questions just like everybody else. Unless he really does expect people to vote for him just because he looks good in a uniform. I have to admit I don't like the guy because he drones on and bores me, so it would help me to keep an open mind if I could see him function in an environment where he has to be succinct.

[dfong63]

17. they (other candidates) won't have to "go after" him

... if Clark skips out on the debates, after months of flirting and teasing with the idea of running, then he will be rightly condemned by the media, commentators, pundits, etc, as well as by educated voters. the candidates themselves won't have to say a word against Clark.

gee... if nine other candidates managed to arrange their schedules so that they could be at the debates, but Clark couldn't... what does that say about his ability to manage his affairs? or about his priorities?

[dfong63]

16. inexcusable, if true

i'll be truly shocked if Clark skips out on the next debate... we waited months just to hear him say he was a democrat, then we waited again to hear him say he was definitely in the race, and now how long are we going to have to wait to see him go head-to-head with the competition?

enough already with the "stealth candidate" bs! if Clark thinks he can come in with NO political experience, then blow off the debates, then he's got a serious ego problem. even a general has to play by the rules, if he wants to win the dem nomination.

[deutsey]

19. General: These debates come with the territory

Clear your schedule unless there's some family emergency or something equivalent.

[eleny]

20. I support Clark and also agree with you

I want to see him debate the rest of the Dems.

Btw, I'm really proud of all our Dem candidates. I like each and every one. And I enjoy watching them pile it on the shrubbery.

[dean4america]

21. agree

i can kind of understand if he missed the one next week (maybe), but to miss MORE than one? He'll get slammed by the media, and likely the other candidates if he misses any beyond this one.

Also, "previous engagements"? - what's more important than a presidential debate other than family emergencies and the like? even Kucinich and Gephardt missed HOUSE votes (although, Kucinich did skip a forum for one vote, i believe).

I WANT to see him in the debates so I can get a feel for him... would be odd if he missed some of them.

[Mairead]

23. No, Kucinich has not 'missed House votes'

He has missed ONE vote. It was rescheduled at the last minute by the GOP to coincide with the Dem debate. That was after he missed ONE debate in order to make an important House vote. The GOP wanted to make sure he didn't do that again, apparently.

Except for those two, his voting and debate records are both perfect.

[clar]

22. I couldn't agree with you more

I too am proud of all of our candidates.

[burr]

24. I have a conflict with lackies...

primary candidates who jump into the race first, and decide that they will educate themselves on domestic issues later. Once you're running you have little time to "educate yourself" on the purpose of your campaign, and this becomes even more true once elected. Educating oneself on strategy and changing circumstances is one thing, but you already must be educated on your own agenda...in order to have the necessary fire in the belly to win!

[renie408]

27. OTJ??

Come on, man, you don't believe in candidate OTJ??

[Bread and Circus]

25. Though I disagree with some of the unyielding anti-Clarksters

here...

I do want to see Clark in all the debates. If he
misses any of them, it will not be helpful for him.

He should be in all the debates.

MY opinion won't hinge on this, but I just think
it is too important. Who knows, maybe he has something
even better up his sleeve.

Ah fuckit, I love the guy.....but I am trying to be
balanced.

[renie408]

28. This always baffles me

Those of us who are not breathless with admiration for Clark are 'unyielding anti-Clarksters"?? Look, HE has to prove himself to US, not the other way around. He's the one who thinks he can be President.

[Egnever]

26. Anyone have links for this?

I cant for a second believe its true.

If it is true Then clark looses any shot he has had with me.

People in this thread are saying they can forgive him for missing the first one :wtf: This guy has been planing this run for a long time now how the hell is he not aware of when the debates are? And why if he wants the job has he not planned acordingly? What exactly does he have to do?

Sry but missing a couple of debates doesnt work for me at all. I can understand it from members of congress due to votes but from no one else.

GAHHHHH! this guy just anounced and allready I have heard two things from him that disturb me greatly! In my heart of hearts i was hoping for Clark to loose to dean by a slim amount and slip into the VP spot for a great ticket. But I am starting to wonder if he would really enhance a dean ticket at all.

[DrFunkenstein]

29. I Heard He Wants To Go One-on-One With Kerry

Kind of odd, since Dean is the front-runner.;-)

[renie408]

30. Where'd you hear that??

That is weird.

[DrFunkenstein]

31. Just Joshing

Kerry would tear Clark to pieces - which would probably be bad for both of them. Better to embrace Clark, bring tested experience to the table as a litmus test. Clark's presence is a God-send for Kerry. Now he can leave the Vietnam schtick and concentrate on the depth of his resume - particularly as ranking Dem on the Small Business Committee and the Terrorism Subcommittee.

[renie408]

32. OK, I feel better

I really thought I was falling down the rabbit hole there for a minute!!

[DemDogs]

33. Bad move by Clark

He's supposed to be a smart guy. He cannot miss the economic debate and suggest that he has the domestic credentials. He cannot just say the whole race is about security.