Wes Clark Rocks the House in Las Vegas and Texas

[CarolNYC]

Wow! Wes Clark had some 24 hours! Appearing at YearlyKos and throwing a party there Thursday night, speaking on the Science Panel there early Friday morning and then firing up the crowd at the Texas State Democratic Convention Friday night...and, by all accounts, wowing them everywhere he went.

Some of my favorite comments...

From a Kos poster who attended the Thursday night party and was obviously impressed:

“Clark had to stand on a barstool to be seen over the huge crowd, he was damn riveting and all the more impressive in person.....I love that he jumped off of the stool at the end too. the guy just exudes "hero" in every pore of his body.....the crowd was INSANE size wise...and hanging on his every word. That man can speak and is totally down to earth as well....having finally met the dude in person, I will tell you he is as warm and personable as his followers make him out to be.......Clark and Dean are both amazing, and after meeting him last night, I truly do hope that he runs again......I'm still in the Feingold camp... but Clark is great.....And to tell you the truth, Wes looked like he had the balance of a ninja. I'm not sure his age, but he is in pretty damn good shape."

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/9/113617/3557
.....

From a Clark supporter on CCN....

"The General had such a big crowd to speak to, extemporaneously-- he decided, in order to see the room and address everyone, he jumped up on stool to talk to the crowd.  He was not miked and able to speak out in his booming voice and fired everyone up with that good old town square off the cuff passion he delivers so very well.

He talked about our vote.  A lot.  About who really won the last election (add question mark to sentence)  About Kenneth Blackwell and Wes's conversation with the Mayor of Columbus Ohio -- who expressed to Wes his concern for the integrity of the Dem vote there.  Telling him 80% of all the newly registered voters were Dems, but Blackwell didn't want to count their votes.  He got enormous cheers on all of it."

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/6379#comment-107450
....

"I have always been impressed with Clark and supported him for the short time he was a candidate.  Seeing him up close is awe-inspiring.  In addition to being incredibly smart and personable and funny, he gets the bloggers and the importance of what we do in promoting democracy and in trying to turn this country around.  He also challenges us to take it to the grassroots."

http://www.evergreenpolitics.com/ep/2006/06/day_one_of_year.html
....

Video from the party is here....
“ General Wesley Clark speaking at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas at the yearlyKos 2006 conference Thursday night. Poor lighting (interesting effects with flashes), but he's got a commanding voice that carries well. Definitely nonexclusive, lots of video folks around.”

http://blip.tv/file/40102

***********

Then, from the Science Panel Friday AM....

From Northwest Progressive Institute:

"General Clark just finished speaking. I like that he's not only very intelligent, but also very witty. He has a lot of sensible ideas for improving our education system and bringing the federal government's focus back to actual science.

UPDATE: Just shook hands with General Clark, who was greeting convention attendees on his way out of the room. A very impressive Democrat. I remember he did a lot of traveling with John Kerry in 2004, joining him on the stump throughout the campaign. There's loyalty for you."

http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2006/06/live-from-las-vegas-day-two-underway.html
....

From Chris Mooney’s Intersection blog:

"Wow. The Yearly Kos science panel this morning was awesome, really a tour de force. Facing a full room, Wesley Clark got up there and riffed for at least twenty minutes, with impressive eloquence, about the importance of science to the American future. I wish I'd been taking notes. Here's a guy whose past--unbeknownst to me--had a lot of science in it; he's a kid of the Sputnik era, and really grasps how far we've fallen from the days when scientific innovation was at the center of America's image of itself. I was very, very impressed. (And I can't complain that at one point, Clark actually uttered the phrase "Republican War on Science.")"

http://scienceblogs.com/intersection/2006/06/wes_clark_really_gets_it.php
....

From Darksyde at Kos....

"Gen Clark talked for about 25 minutes, then answered several question at length, and he did it all, as far as I could tell, talking off the top of his head. The only notes I saw in his hand had a short bio of Chris Mooney. Everything else was extemperaneous. Freaking amazing. It took me half an hour to make sure I had three sentences wired."

And from another Kos poster who watched the panel:

"Thanks for the fantastic gift of the science panel this morning.  All of your speakers were HOT and I learned so much.  Having Clark was a great coup - I never knew of his interest in this and he's looking like a candidate I could believe in.

I will try to introduce myself this evening."

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/9/163458/9289
....

Wes also took time out to be interviewed by The Young Turks....very cool interview video is linked here:

"The Young Turks are broadcasting live from The Yearly Kos convention in Las Vegas. We interviewed General Wesley Clark this morning. He spoke very frankly (must run in the family) about the failures of the Bush administration in Iraq. He also talked about the neo-conservative plan to invade Iraq going back to more than a decade.

Finally, he discussed the failures that led up to 9/11, which was refreshing because the neglect the Bush administration showed to addressing Al Qaeda before 9/11 is almost never mentioned.

Here's the General Wes Clark interview on The Young Turks."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/general-wesley-clark-take_b_22672.html

*****************

Then on to the Texas Dem Convention.....

A Daily Kos blogger was impressed:

"dude, i am smitten with clark. after tonight, i can totally see why so many people were inspired by him.  i never had the chance to catch him during the 04 race.  my main impression: he's presidential.  without a doubt."

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/9/194313/4176
....

From The Kendallian Voice:

"General Clark just left the stage after a rousing speech which left us here in the auditorium with sore hands from clapping, and sore leg muscles from standing up and sitting down with ovation after ovation.

He was critical of the Bush administration on a very deep level. His distrust--his anger--at how they've misled this country was clear, and was felt by everyone here.

His charge to Texas Democrats was that we've got to take back control of this country, and the time is now. In his speech the recurring theme was Enough is Enough! and the crowd chanted right along with him. It sure made a lot of us wonder if the 2004 election might have gone differently if he had been our nominee."

http://kendallian.blogspot.com/2006/06/wesley-clark-rocks-house.html
....

From a Clark supporter on CCN:

"We've all heard a number of points that Wes brings up in his speeches, but there were still a number of people there who had not heard him before and I was paying particular attention to some of their reactions. Always good to hear comments like 'this guy really should be President' from these people. Towards the end of the speech there was a rising chant of 'run Wes, run' reverberating around the arena and bouncing off the roof (something that sent a chill down my spine)."

And, regarding a Meet and Greet Wes held after the Convention speech:

"The Meet and Greet that was to be held before his giving his speech was scheduled for just after his speech.  As he left the stage, many in the audience left also, including my husband and I and a few others in our section.  We made it down to the caucus room ahead of Wes.  What had started out earlier in the day as one small conference room was opened up to include at least three other rooms.  By the time Wes got there, it was standing room only within the room and outside in the hallway.  We were seated at the back of the room and I could see when Wes came down the hall.  He looked like a Pied Piper. He was trailing people!"

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/6386
....

Video of the Texas Convention speech here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JpMV2G3TajA&search=wesley%20clark


Wow! He’s had an eventful couple of days....and left a bunch of impressed and smitten people in his wake...

Not surprising....That’s my General. :)

[Bobbieo]

1. That an can rock my house any time!!!!

[snowbear]

3. yeah.. really.

Rock on General !!! ~~~

[Gregorian]

2. That's a high note to end this day on.

As I sit here, I think of how intelligent and heroic some of our representatives are. And how I believe Democrats have actually won every election since 1992. And yet how through cheating and criminal action, we sit here in agony as we watch the world burning. As we go to work on Monday and realize that two out of eight of our hours will be taken from us to fund things that are against our wishes.


Clark is a man who breaths life and optimism. With the short amount of time we have in order to set our new path, I just hope he and the others will work together. I cannot count on Hillary to do much more than something selfish. I hate to say that. But there are a few like Clark who I can count on. We thank them. We depend on them to get us through the sandtrap.

[nealmhughes]

4. To me Clark resembles FDR:

now politically I would have been in the Henry A. Wallace camp, FDR was a voice when people needed to hear it. He was a massive speaker who inspired all who heard him and he had a grip on the issues that was pragmatic. So, as a realist, I have to say I'll let Wes be my Dennis.
Dennis I loves ya, but we gotta get a Democrat elected President and Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader.

[Sooner75]

24. interesting comment

Clark like FDR. Never thought about it 'til now.

Having read the Roosevelt/Churchill book on their relationship I came to like Churchill a bit more and FDR a bit less. Roosevelt and Bill Clinton seem to be cut from the same cloth in my assessment. Both knew how to play all sides against the middle. Consummate political players.

I think I see some of that in Wes Clark, but I think he's more of a straight-shooter than FDR and more of a political novice. As a strategic thinker, I think he's stronger on that count than FDR.

FDR was also focused on "The Common Good" -- a concept that is long overdue to come back into the forefront of American politics. Wes Clark is going to look at the greatest good for the greatest number of our people and for the people of the world.

With Wes Clark, I think we have a chance to re-capture the best of FDR with a proven leader who's been influenced by West Point, Oxford, Vietnam, NATO and Kosovo.

I've been a huge Clark fan since the fall of 2003. However, I think all DUers regardless of our various favored candidates need to lock on to the mantra of "270". THINK 270. In 2008, we gotta get a strong nominee with a strong running mate, and we've GOT to get them to 270 electoral votes. We've got to get a Democrat drivin' the bus from 2009 forward!

[CarolNYC]

29. Dennis

Hey nealmhughes, I love Dennis too...He was actually my guy before Wes jumped in last time.....I think they could make some good things happen working together in our government...Let's hope we get to see it happen.

[CarolNYC]

28. Yep, time is short....

and we've got to do whatever it takes to save this country from the path it's currently on.

Clark is one who realizes this and takes it seriously. Thank goodness for him and men and women like him who are willing to put it on the line to fight for us and this country and our future.

[roguevalley]

5. I love this man. Run, Wes, run.

[Gloria]

6. Thanks for putting all this in one spot, a true labor of love...

It's been incredible reading and seeing the reactions to Wes. He's got a real passion about saving this country from Bushco et al and this is what needs to be injected into this party and the country at large. I think he is the ONLY one who can do it....

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Great post. Thanks. The General must be on the ticket in '08!

[TacticalPeek]

8. K&R

:patriot:

[robinlynne]

9. sounds great! like someone I would love to vote for. (if our real pres,

Al Gore, doesn't run. I especially like to hear candidates talking about ohio 2004. That is the kind of talk dems need to be talking.

[oasis]

10. Thanks for posting. k&r

[FrenchieCat]

11. That's my General!

Working it!

Yo go, Wes! :patriot:

(thanks for posting this.....Now I'll watch the Tx Convention speech and the other items posted for viewing!)

[Clarkie1]

12. Thanks so much for this post.

I'm watching the Texas Convention speech now...he sounds and looks very presidential.

[WA98296]

13. Always been my favorite. Thanks for a great post.

[lyonn]

14. Wes won the primary here in Oklahoma

He might be able to get lots of votes from red states since he is ex military.

[Donna Zen]

15. Wes Clark speaks for me

First, thanks Carol. Really.

I wish every Democrat would watch these videos and join me in shouting at the pundits when they rattle on about what the Democrats need. You know the drill: someone outside of Washington, someone who opposed the war but is strong on defense, someone who can appeal to the spectrum of the party, someone who can bring back the white males, and still represent the Democratic ideal. They shake their heads in feigned sadness about how bereft the party is leadership.

He's here. Right now.

But it goes deeper than that for me. I believe that what our country needs is someone who knows the international stage without over-hyped advisers. Our domestic policy and our foreign policy is now intertwined. I want someone who understands how to move us from the crazy notion of "Long War" and instead takes on the economic challenges of the 21st century. Listening to Young Turks interview, I wish that those who rightly praise the peace makers would take a moment to hear from someone who could actually take us there. He's here.

I'll stop. But I know exactly why I support Wes Clark and I don't need for him to throw lavish parties or buy me tee-shirts. I just want my country turned around.

[CarolNYC]

31. Amen, Donna!

He's right here in front of everyone...yet so many refuse to see. :shrug:

[Divine Discontent]

16. As you can see, I'm a Clarkie!

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<<--- Check it out! TOP PRO-DEM 06 & 08 STICKERS & ANTI-BUSH

[Ghost Dog]

25. Clark-Gore 2008?

(Since Al says he won't run for President/CiC and can do more vital work further in the background)...

[Apollo11]

64. Gore as VP? I don't think so!

Right now it is too soon to say if Al Gore might think about making a bid to win the Democratic nomination in 2008. If he is ready to run again, then he would be the best qualified candidate.

But if Gore and Clark both enter the Dem primaries (which I would just love!) then it's a case of - may the best candidate win. The same with Hillary, Kerry, Edwards or anyone else who wants the job. The primary process is there so that democrats can decide for themselves who should be the nominee.

Gore would be my first choice, but of course I will support any anti-BU$H candidate. By anti-BU$H I mean someone with a record of standing up and speaking out against the BU$H Administration. Not someone who does photo-ops about how they are "above partisan politics" and are ready to work with Republicans.

In Gore We Trust
www.algore.org :)

[Ghost Dog]

71. Yeah, me too (not that I have a vote, as a European):

Gore-Clark, in that order (or at least Clark as Secretary of Defense or State) would definitely be a winning combination, IMHO, (at least as viewed from over here!!!)

:hi:

[democrank]

17. Thanks so much for posting this.

Wes Clark is the one. I supported him last time around and am hoping to do the same in `08.

[trillian]

18. Carol, this post is amazing.

Wes Clark has always done it for me but that speech at the TX convention is a barn burner.

I see it as the start of something big.....way big!!!!

Clark 08

Accept no substitute!

[robbedvoter]

19. Hate to say: We told you so!

I remember trying to make the case here that the draft was real, the enthusiasm genuine...

[Totally Committed]

20. I'm beaming with pride as I read this....

:7

just beaming. WTG, General!

TC

[elleng]

56. TOTALLY!!!!

(((((TC)))))

[Clark2008]

21. Why don't more Democrats get on television and say this stuff?

When Clark went on his rant about going to Iraq to cover up for the pre-9/11 incompetence, the house nearly rocked off the foundation.

I think if we had more forcefulness to our convictions, more people would follow our leaders.

P.S. OMG!!! He just called Republicans "Un-American." :wow: He was speaking to the spying program and the gutting of our civil liberties. What a way to turn the Republican meme back around!

[Clark2008]

22. LOL!!! I just watched the speech and noticed that at the end

of the speech, they played Journey's, "Don't Stop Believin'."

:rofl:

Anyone who's spent any time with the General knows that he's a huge Journey fan and this is probably one of his favorite songs. Whoever produced the Texas Democratic Dinner did a fantastic job in their research!

:applause:

[IndyOp]

23. Could he be a modern day General Smedley Butler?

Major General Smedley Butler - United States Marine Corps - Lectured throughout the United States in the 1930's.

Had we heeded General Butler's message millions of lives would have been saved.

I've not heard Clark speak on military and war - will he speak as honestly and bravely as Butler?

War is a Racket

WAR is a racket. It always has been.

It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.

A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.

In the World War a mere handful garnered the profits of the conflict. At least 21,000 new millionaires and billionaires were made in the United States during the World War. That many admitted their huge blood gains in their income tax returns. How many other war millionaires falsified their tax returns no one knows.

How many of these war millionaires shouldered a rifle? How many of them dug a trench? How many of them knew what it meant to go hungry in a rat-infested dug-out? How many of them spent sleepless, frightened nights, ducking shells and shrapnel and machine gun bullets? How many of them parried a bayonet thrust of an enemy? How many of them were wounded or killed in battle?

Out of war nations acquire additional territory, if they are victorious. They just take it. This newly acquired territory promptly is exploited by the few – the selfsame few who wrung dollars out of blood in the war. The general public shoulders the bill.

And what is this bill?

This bill renders a horrible accounting. Newly placed gravestones. Mangled bodies. Shattered minds. Broken hearts and homes. Economic instability. Depression and all its attendant miseries. Back-breaking taxation for generations and generations.

For a great many years, as a soldier, I had a suspicion that war was a racket; not until I retired to civil life did I fully realize it. Now that I see the international war clouds gathering, as they are today, I must face it and speak out.

[Donna Zen]

26. I thought of Gen. Smedley Butler

...when I listen to Clark's interview with the Young Turks, and he said: I hate war. He kept going on about it. No, he didn't comment on the MIC, although I've heard him talk about it in the past. He did talk about the broken hearts and homes.

On the back of Chris Hedges' book there is a quote by Clark. He condemns those who would unleash the horror of war for political gain.

[Adelante]

34. On the MIC

The whole interview is great. It can give you an idea.

New Hampshire Public Radio, Laura Knoy, 11/5/03

I think General Eisenhower was exactly right. I think we should be concerned about the military industrial complex. I think if you look at where the country is today, you've consolidated all these defense firms into a few large firms, like Halliburton, with contacts and contracts at the highest level of government. You've got most of the retired Generals, are one way or another, associated with the defense firms. That's the reason that you'll find very few of them speaking out in any public way. I'm not. When I got out I determined I wasn't going to sell arms, I was going to do as little as possible with the Defense Department, because I just figured it was time to make a new start.

"But I think that the military industrial complex does wield a lot of influence. I'd like to see us create a different complex, and I'm going to be talking about foreign policy in a major speech tomorrow, but we need to create an agency that is not about waging war, but about creating the conditions for Peace around the world. We need some people who will be advocates for Peace, advocates for economic development not just advocates for better weapons systems. So we need to create countervailing power to the military industrial complex."

[CarolNYC]

27. 18 standing o's in 30 minutes

Here's another comment from a Clarkie who was in attendance at the Texas Convention:

"I was there to see Gen. Clark speak. Gen. Clark got 18 standing ovations in less than 30 minutes and about 150 people left the convention speeches and went right to the Clark Caucus room to see Gen. Clark in person right after he spoke! Gen. Clark also answered some people's questions and he was absolutely fantastic at this event!!!"

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/6398#comment-108016

18 standing o's in less than 30 minutes....He really does rock the house, doesn't he?

:woohoo:

[Auntie Bush]

30. Thanks Carol

If only more people could see and hear Wes Clark. Most everyone or everyone with an open mind and brain would recognize his genius and understand what a treasure he is for the American people and Democrats and help put him in the WH...even if he didn't run...which I'm sure he will! Go Wes Go! and Go Clarkies Go!

[butterfly77]

42. He was on c-span a lot through the primaries...

I voted for him in the primaries and I was angry about how they treated him in New hamshire and he didn't get a chance to be heard by many because of the media. The media always tries to pick our candidate.

I am so tired of them trying to throw hillary in our faces. We don't know what will happen between now and 2008. The republicons are pumping this up and the closer it get they will try to knock down Wes they threw out Bob Dole.

Last time I knew they were afraid of Clark when all of the old Reagan repubicans started showing up on every show trying to debunk Clark and I knew then they were afraid the was going to win and be heard and the media helped them to do it.

[goclark]

32. Goclark met Wes Clark and it was thrilling ~ Wes for President!

He is simply amazing in person.

His command of information about ALL subjects is fantastic to view.

He is friendly and sincere.


I will never forget the day I met him at a fund raiser.


Wes CLARK ~ :yourock:

[Auntie Bush]

33. Well said. "His command of information about ALL subjects is

is fantastic to view" HE IS JUST THE OPPOSITE OF G.BUSH*!!!!!!!!!!

[FrenchieCat]

35. If any supporters of Warner and Edwards and Clinton and Feingold

here at DU Would be so bold as to actually Watch all of Wes Clark's speech to the Texas Democratic Convention....they would understand better what Clark supporters see in their guy that is not found in the others.

The question is, will they bother?

[goclark]

36. Wes Clark is a MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

for President and I see all the others as possibly VP choices.

Wesley Clark is a "MAN FOR ALL SEASONS."

[Clark2008]

38. They're too busy yammering on about Edwards winning

an Iowa straw poll.

I swear, I just don't get rank and file Democrats. I'm new to the party - was an Independent until Bush got in office - and I don't see why so many want to live in the past.

Do they really think we can win with a former senator or a governor with no foreign policy/national security experience given the Democrats deficits on these issues? Yes, Bush sucks at FP/NS, but the Republicans have the built-in media perception of being strong on these issues - the Dems have to work twice as hard to overcome that.

And, since 9/11, our failures in Iraq and Afghanistan and our loss of respect worldwide, you'd think Democrats would WANT to support someone - Clark or Gore, for example - who actually HAS some experience in international diplomacy.

What is the problem with these people?

[Jai4WKC08]

40. That Iowa poll was actually most excellent news

It showed that neither Clinton nor Vilsack has a lock on the Iowa caucus, should they decide to run.

Polls this early are mostly about name recognition. You gotta figure Clinton and Vilsack (and Kerry, for that matter) have essentially 100% in Iowa. That none of the three won the poll shows that people don't want them to win the nomination, not that the rest are particularly wanted. I took it as a very good sign that Feingold, Daschle (from neighboring states) and Bayh (one state over), almost certainly better known, were all within a percentage point of Clark.

Fwiw, the poll had a fairly high margin of error (just under 5%), but only queried likely caucus participants, which gives it a bit more credibility.

[Clark2008]

41. Well, I knew H. Clinton was more of a media creation than

honestly popular within the party, so that part didn't surprise me.

What surprised me was that Edwards would do so well, considering his complete lack of FP/NS experience (and while we're in two wars and threatening a third).

Just bums me out that so many are living in 1992 and not in 2006/2008.

:(

[Jai4WKC08]

46. It's a blind spot for Democrats

No doubt about it.

Remember how polls of Democrats only, back during the pre-primary debate time frame, overwhelmingly said jobs, healthcare and education were their top priorities. It's still that way, I guess. Altho you would think that the 2004 general election would have told them that those priorities are NOT shared by the electorate at large. But people just don't think that way. If they did, a Massachusetts senator would NEVER have gotten the nomination because he was most electable.

But honestly, I don't think this poll shows that Edwards is all that popular. He's just the best well-known who hasn't given people enough reason to be against him. I'm far more concerned about Wes Clark's "unfavorable" ratings. But I think they're almost completely because he "dissed" Iowa last time. People will come around when they get to know him better.

[FrenchieCat]

55. A blind spot that keeps us out of power......

While the Republicans rape and plunder the country!

That blind spot is mighty expensive!

[femrap]

37. So glad to see Clark is making an impression....

Of course, I knew he would. IMHO, he makes the DLC folks look like day-old white bread...which of course the Greedy Corporations are trying to sell at full price.

Go Wesley!

And no notes! He's smart, eloquent, and truly cares about America and its working folks. YES!

[IndianaGreen]

39. Clark: Bush went to war in Iraq to cover up the command negligence

Clark: "We went to war in Iraq to cover up the command negligence that led to 9/11"

Beautiful, just beautiful!

[Donna Zen]

43. Beautiful: It's his latest

Notice the line brought the crowd, in Texas, in a red-red state, to its feet.

I don't know if you stopped to view all of the videos, but personal favorite is when he's talking about Iran. "...blue jeans and rock music." Driving home one night, I caught a portion of an story about Iranian DJs. Clubbing is against the law in Iran, but with half of the population under 25, it is a major underground movement. DJs can get 8 years if caught spinning, but they do it anyway even after doing time. Clark is right, we didn't have to be here.

He is a like a dog with a bone about the lies that have been told to America. Someone up-thread wondered why all Democrats aren't saying these things. While it may be unfortunate that in America everyone can't challenge bush and the republicans on what they've doing to trash our country, most politicos without credentials cannot. Clark is totally unafraid of them. He said it is a matter of how much pain you can take.

[Tom Rinaldo]

44. That really is beautiful to hear spoken out loud

Iraq was a massive criminal blunder used to cover up another massive criminal blunder; failing to take seriously (as in "let's go golfing in Texas, there's nothing to worry about") a known and legitimate threat to America; Al Quada's plans to attack the U.S.

Why on earth more Democrats weren't willing to say this in 2003 and 2004, and not even NOW, I can't for the life of me understand.

[blm]

45. If he believes in voting machine fraud, then that makes TWO - they need to

get together and convince the rest of the Dem party.

[Donna Zen]

49. Voting fraud?

Clark has made statements in the past about this. He said that what he is seeing in the North has been going on in the South for a long time. He also said that while watching the Gore-Bush long count (he was in Europe) he was dismayed. That if this was happening in another country, the US would have never recognized the results.

[Texas_Kat]

47. I was at the TX Convention

General Wes brought the House down. He was funny... he was engaged.. he was .... amazing.

We expected >50 at the Wes Clark Caucus (yes, Texas has a Wes Clark Caucus), but almost 200 showed up. Standing room only, and flowing out into the hall.

Pay close attention to State Representative Richard Raymond's introduction in the video from Texas. Rep. Raymond is one of the leaders of the Hispanic caucus in Texas and is one of the rising stars of the Texas Democratic party. Do we want to win in Red states? It has to be Wes Clark.

[WestHoustonDem]

48. I wish I'd gotten to meet you Texas_Kat!

Wes was awesome. The convention was awesome! I'm so pumped up! I seem to have left my voice in Ft. Worth though. A little too much :rant: and :party:

[Texas_Kat]

53. There were some disappointments in Ft Worth

but a lot of positive energy!

"We concede nothing. This is a fight for America's future, and it begins here in Texas.

2006 is not local; it's national. The misgovernment has local roots, because the men and women elected to the majority party have failed in their duties to the Constitution, and our basic liberties"

Wes Clark, Texas State Democratic Convention
june 10, 2006

[FrenchieCat]

50. Hey Texas_Kat......hope you are gonna write something up

for us!

[Texas_Kat]

52. Trying to catch up from the weekend

posting duties.... new project to launch... I will best I can, but later.

[RandomUser]

51. The sheer skill and emotional fluidity in his Texas video amazes me

Clark had the crowd eating out of his hands. He transitioned seamlessly from emotional peak to peak, like a master musician. And it wasn't just the skill, but the emotional range he evoked in the crowd.

He went from righteous outrage at Bush to pride in Texas Dems, from love of the troops to sorrow for their misuse. He moved from partisan red-meat to calls for uniting across partisan divides and back again. From rabble rousing to contemplative analysis to witty jokes and back again.

Even if you disagree with Clark, you can still see from a technical standpoint the finesse and skill he used, the sheer range and control he held over his every word and pause -- wow.

Freaking Amazing. I'm still in awe from watching the perfomance on video.

I dare anyone who thinks Clark is a poor speaker to watch this video.

[CarolNYC]

63. Hey RU,

reading the following post at CCN reminded me of this post of yours....Looks like you pegged it.

"It was the best speech I've ever heard him give. He talked straight to us, a real speech written only for Texans. I'm a new Texan, not really a Texan at all in fact, but he got us so energized, electrified, eager to get out and blockwalk and do anything to get our Democrats from Texas to D.C. He was serious and then playful; aching and then amused; stern and then oh so human. He led us through his own emotions, and they climbed higher and higher and then soared as his did. We kept absolutely silent and still just as he wanted us to, and we burst out with joy and lept to our feet in thunderous applause when he was ready. He played to our feelings and told us where he was going, and asked us to come with him. And all five thousand or more of us were ready to go wherever he wanted us to."

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/6398#comment-108204

[RandomUser]

74. Hiya Carol

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. And judging from the reaction of the crowd in the video, I daresay a good number of people felt the same. The enthusiasm from those Texas Dems is incredible.

[imlost]

54. Great Post. Nice to hear the General is out speaking for us. n/t

[xkenx]

57. NOT SINCE BOBBY KENNEDY

have I been so inspired by a public figure as I have been inspired by Wes Clark. If you remember RFK, that says it all.

[CarolNYC]

58. Gotta love this post....

from the live blogging Texan anna from Kos....

WES CLARK IS THE ONE!

folks, i gotta tell you... i am not only smitten, i am absolutely convinced that this man MUST run for president again. he can and WILL WIN.

i had the opportunity to meet with wes before he gave his convention speech. we bloggers were credentialled for the convention as press so we got hooked up. i got to speak with him one on one and let me tell you - the man is the REAL DEAL!

during the press availability, he was asked about security, iran, the energy crisis, and immigration. he nailed every issue.

i will say this. i am a hardcore deaniac. i never got the chance to hear/meet clark during the 04 race. honestly, i didn't "get" him. but after this weekend you may consider me a convert. and let me tell you, he also converted MANY of the texas delegates. he was the talk of the town all weekend.

when we had our one on one, what really struck me is how REAL he is. he listens, he looks you in the eye, and he takes you seriously. i honestly can't say enough about him. i "get it" now. and he is on the right side of ALL of our issues.

wes MUST RUN. he is the right man at the right time and we need him.

i'm sorry, but forget warner, forget biden, forget even fiengold. CLARK IS IT!

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/6/11/155958/184/24#c24

Sounds like she "gets" Wes now. :)

[CarolNYC]

59. Oh, and very cool that Wes ends the weekend

with an appearance on C-Span's Road to the White House tonight.....It's been some couple of days for my guy. :)

[bobbieinok]

60. saw him in person when he spoke in Tulsa during the primary season

He made sense when talking about a great many different topics.

What I remember best (not sure how accurate this is): he said he'd spent most of his life in the military where there was much less racial discrimination than in much of civilian society. He also mentioned the military's system of schools (and education for everyone to be the best s/he can be) and health care for serving military and their families.....and asked why this system, which works pretty well, can't be duplicated in civilian life. He said he'd seen it and lived it and it WORKS ...... so let's start having the same sort of success in all of US society.

[capi888]

61. Thank You, this is fabulous!!!

What a weekend for Wes...he brought Vegas and Texas to their feet. WOW, I am proud to be a Draft Clark originator. He is a REAL LEADER!!!!

[capi888]

62. Hope theVideo of the Science Panel is availible Soon!!

I would love to see the video....anyone know???

[RandomUser]

75. According to the diary on Daily Kos that Wes Clark started

I also really enjoyed participating on the "Championing Science" panel with Chris Mooney, Dr. PZ Myers, Wendy Northcutt, and Darksyde. It's so important that we continue to fight against right-wing efforts to hijack and distort science for their own partisan purposes. (For those of you who didn't see the panel, we hope to post audio via our podcast feed and/or video at www.securingamerica.com in the coming days. Stay tuned.)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/12/135417/204

[CarolNYC]

65. I quite liked this reaction to the Texas speech also...

posted at Kos...

Wes had the crowd jumping at the Texas Democratic Party Convention. We kept trying to sit down but had to jump back up every few seconds. At one point, he had to ask us to let him continue because he had more that he wanted to say. He was relaxed and smiling during his speech. The best speech I have heard since Kennedy's Inagural. Awesome! Stupendous! He set the room on fire! By the way, David Van Os also gave a great speech. If anyone can find a video, David's speech is well worth seeing.

I say Clark in 08, I was beginning to lean toward Feingold, but Clark's Texas speech has set the standard that another candidate will have to beat to get my attention.

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/6/11/155958/184/190#c190

[Tom Rinaldo]

67. This reaction to Clark's kos Science Panel speech got to me

"He brought tears to my eyes!

I sat in on the science panel at YearlyKos and heard Clark's speech, and I have to say it blew me away. I was very moved by his passion for America's traditional role as a world leader in the sciences - his enthusiasm was palpable and contagious. His grasp of the very serious ramafications of our failing education system and our neutered/gagged national science programs and institutes (thanks to this admimistration and the extreme right wing) was profound and and exciting. I have always respected Clark, but never been really worked up over him, but I'm here to tell you that this man was truly presidential. Rarely have I felt so inspired and so moved by a politician. I will never forget that speech!"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/11/155958/184

edited to leave link

[Adelante]

I just watched David Van Os - he was great!

There's a thread today with the video link.

[CarolNYC]

66. Young Turks video

Video and transcript of Wes' Young Turks interview are up at Securing America:

http://securingamerica.com/node/1080

"You know, I don't think wars are something that anyone should be bragging about. A war is something ugly. You do it only as a last resort. It's not like a football championship. When you've been in it, and I've been in it, it's real bad. I-in war, every single issue become a matter of life and death. People who could normally compromise suddenly won't compromise. Questions of fact become matters of honor and integrity. Tempers flare. People stay up all night. There's total exhaustion. Everything is, every problem is magnified, and the consequences are, are, are permanent. When those bombs fall, people die.

......

This is a very serious matter when a nation goes to war. It's never to be done lightly. It's not bombastic. It's with deep regret, because human life is going to be lost, and the fortunes and honor of nations are at stake. So, it's just very different, and there's been- because the United States hasn't had a war in its own territory, some states ever, even in the South for 150 years, people forget how ugly and awful war is. It's awful, and that's why it can only be taken, undertaken as an absolute last resort." - Gen. Wesley Clark

[MoonRiver]

68. I just love this guy!

Sure hope he opts for another run in '08! :loveya:

[paparush]

69. Compare and contrast Clark's Hero-ness to Kerry's Hero-ness

In 2004,Kerry's Hero-ness got gutted.

How will Clark's Hero Status stand up to the Karl Rove Attack Machine of Lies and Disinformation.

[FrenchieCat]

70. Well, as far as Wes is concerned, they have to "see" him first!

His reply to your question....straight from Wes' mouth in this short audio....
http://www.dunckleystreet.com/clark/shit.mp3

[Pithy Cherub]

72. Live on C-SPAN in 2004, Wes said

he would kick the living shit out of anyone who tried it. And Wes won't back down from the statement either. That's my General - he absolutely walks the talk of his beliefs and values. :woohoo:

[phylla]

73. Wes Clark has what it takes- I knew it in 2003 and I know it now.

I will stick with him "until the last dog dies".
He is my hero.
Restored my hope for America.
Renewed my love for our military.
He inspired me to join our local political scene.
I am now a office holder in my Democratic State Party
I owe him a lot already.
I will repay him with my efforts from 2003 multiplied 100 times.
(And I did more than I ever dreamed to for a candidate in 2003)

[CarolNYC]

76. photos

from Hard Rock party here:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=611365

from Science Panel here:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=611366