I love Wes Clark.

[MoonRiver]

Here's his message to supporters:

Today, we end the campaign for the presidency. But the campaign for America's future
-- for the future of all our families -- continues on.

You have proven what a General can do when he has the greatest troops in the
world. I can't tell you enough how honored and humbled I am by your
commitment, your spirit, and your sacrifice. Because of all of you, this has
been a cause, as much as it's been a campaign.

Together, five months ago, we began our journey for the presidency. We had no
money, no office, and no staff. All we had was hope and a vision for a better
America.

Today, after traveling the country, after visiting with the American people, we end
that journey even more full of hope and even more committed to building a better
America.

I will support our Party's nominee, to continue this campaign until we take back the
White House next November. This soldier stands ready for duty. It's not
going to be easy. So I've got one bit of advice for our nominee: give 'em hell
and never retreat.

As a general who spent thirty-four years fighting for my country, here is my pledge:
I will do everything I can -- everything -- to make sure George W. Bush doesn't play
politics with national security.

For me, this race has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life.
I've been able to talk about what I believe in and fight for it. You've
given me the greatest gift a person can receive: the support to make that fight
real.

I'd like to thank all the foot soldiers in this battle: our terrific staff, our
dedicated volunteers, our thousands of loyal supporters. Most of all, those
who believed in me long before anyone even knew who I was: the people who drafted me
into this race.

I want to thank my family for always standing by my side, especially my wife of 36
years, my best friend, and my partner, Gert Clark. She is the general's
general, and I wouldn't be here today without her.I'd like to thank my son,
Wes, Jr., and my daughter-in-law, Astrid. I am so proud of them and so proud
of all they have done for this campaign.

I'm going to fight on, and I hope you will join me, until we win the campaign to
create a new vision for America in the twenty-first century. Because I believe
America's best days lie ahead. Today, I end my campaign for the presidency --
but our Party's campaign to change America is just beginning. This old soldier
will not fade away. I'll be in the field and out in front, working the issues,
supporting our candidates, and doing all I can to contribute to building a new and
better America.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.



Wes Clark

[Jack_Dawson]

1. Back to sports I guess...

I'm gonna miss The General. He was the first person in politics I've EVER been excited about.

Well it was fun being a political junkie for six months. I met some incredible people online, and I hope we can all keep in touch. Unfortunately my take on this process has been soured a bit, but I hope we Clarkies can keep in touch.

:nopity:

I still want to meet The General someday. He is still so The Man as far as I'm concerned.

[Adelante]

3. Stick around, Jack

:beer:

[maddezmom]

4. we need a yahoo group or something

Know what ya mean, guess I'll be back at the gym. In 17 days I'll be at the beach for a couple months, wasn't looking forward to it at first. But, I sure am now. :)

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. Wes was the first candidate that I truely believed in their message.

Wes Clark has a strong attachment to America as he served honorably for 34 years in the military. He was our shining hope.

[maddezmom]

7. Our shining "Star"

[Adelante]

2. Ah, Wes

"For me, this race has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I've been able to talk about what I believe in and fight for it. You've given me the greatest gift a person can receive: the support to make that fight real."

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[maddezmom]

6. WesDem

Want you to know, that I always look forward to seeing your posts. You've been an inspiration to me and I'm sure a lot of folks here. We gotta give Wes a bit of time, but I'm sure he'll be back and fighting for us all.

[democratreformed]

11. Read the parting interview below

It is very optimistic and hopeful. He will NOT stop fighting for us.
He just has to decide on the next best way.

[MoonRiver]

8. Since the day JFK was killed when I was an idealistic pre-teen

I never thought I'd feel such sorrow again. Thank god Clark is alive and well (and that IS a blessing), but still my pain is palpable. We have to move on though to defeat *. That's what Wes wants us to do.

[cmd]

15. Yep, that was the line that got me

Like Wes, I reached a liberating moment during the last year. I understand just what he was saying and was deeply touched. He will continue to fight for us. Once you are liberated, you have no reason to go back.

[Auntie Bush]

9. And God Bless Wes Clark!

[democratreformed]

10. Here's a parting interview:

Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3158350/

An interview with Clark
Immediately following his announcement, Clark agreed to an interview. The following is the transcript of that interview:

Where do you fit in now?
"Well I’m gonna do everything I can to promote the same causes and values that I’ve been promoting. So I believe we need a strong national security but I believe we need a president the levels with the American people."
SNIP

What about an endorsement?
"Well you know we’ll consider all of that in time."

So you will endorse someone?
"It's possible. I want to do everything I can to get George W. Bush and that administration out. And get the American people back in charge. I think you know we’re in a terribly difficult time in this country both economically and with respect to our military. It’s been a government that hasn’t solved problems its created them."
SNIP

What do you give the chances of the party unseating the president?
"100 percent absolutely."

So its over essentially?
"I think its over. I mean I know they’ll be a lot of.. If you look at what the issues are facing the country. Between Iraq and the economy this administration doesn’t have any solutions. They’ve never had a vision for America. They’ve looked backwards. They refought the war with Saddam Hussein, put in Reagan’s tax cuts and ah, even talked about Jack Kennedy’s moon program as way of--- it’s a backwards program. Its no vision for our country. We have to look forward not backwards."

Go read it. There's more. And it's typical Wes - absoutely great.

[maddezmom]

13. thanks

gotta keep the faith and give him (and Gert) some breathing room.

[MoonRiver]

14. Yeah. They've been through the wringer. Something Gert didn't want,

but agreed to for the sake of our country. Gert is just as wonderful a patriot as Wes! Let's let them rediscover each other as well as that darling little grandson! :loveya:

[jpgpenn]

12. Clark is the Man!

[Nashyra]

16. Go to the other Clark post

There is an MSN group that is being started "Wes Clarks Army" go sign up if your still interested in the cause.

[MoonRiver]

17. What post is it? Can you post the link?

[truebrit71]

18. Go here...

..http://groups.msn.com/WesClarksArmy