Hillary Clinton getting Wes Clark's endorsement -- Are those two camps compatible here at DU?

[bigtree]

Is this surprising to anyone? I'm asking because I really don't know. I haven't bothered to wrap my thinking around either individual's positions or those of their supporters.

I am surprised by his early endorsement, though, because he had staked out his own turf in 2004. I guess I was expecting him to be more independent.

[Olney Blue]

1. Who cares? THEY are compatible. I think Wes will be her running mate.

[bigtree]

4. I had the same thought

but I did wonder if the announcement caught either of their supporters here off guard or seemed out of place.

[helderheid]

6. AH. Yes.

[bigtree]

10. is that an endorsement?

from helderheid?

[helderheid]

29. Goodness no!

Just didn't occur to me until it was brought up.

[bigtree]

33. I thought the universe had shifted

lol

[MrCoffee]

18. That's a strong ticket

It's not one i'm enthusiastic about, but it's strong nonetheless.

[helderheid]

30. agreed all the way around

[Why Syzygy]

2. The Clintons

sponsored Clark when he ran. He hardly staked out his own turf. Your expectations were unrealistic.

[bigtree]

5. that's right. NATO commander for Bill Clinton's intervention in Bosnia

I didn't think too deeply before I asked.

[Avalux]

3. Doesn't surprise me; possible VP?

I know he's close to the Clintons and I didn't expect him to run himself because of Hillary. I think the possibility of Clark as Hillary's VP is feasible - it would be a good ticket.

[emilyg]

7. It would be a very good ticket.

[ausarauset]

8. Clinton & Clark

I think it is more likely that he is positioning himself to be Secretary of Defense, which would help Hillary design the best strategy for exiting Iraq and would be a good career move for him.

[Olney Blue]

42. Perhaps- and he would also make an excellent Nat. Security Advisor.

Welcome to DU, ausarauset!

:hi:

[book_worm]

9. He would be a very strong asset on the ticket as VP and probably we would pick up Arkansas

his homestate and Hillary spent years there as first lady to Gov. Clinton.

[bigtree]

11. that's right. he's from Arkansas.

duh. brain block.

[Avalux]

13. Not just Arkansas, but a lot of the South.

The more I think about it, a Clinton/Clark ticket would be really good.

[bunkerbuster1]

17. unbeatable.

Although, frankly, a Clinton/Dirty-pair-of-tube-socks is probably unbeatable.

[CTyankee]

41. Unless the polls tell us something different, I think we have to give up on the South.

We've tried with white Southern males and it hasn't worked in the South (did Gore win ANY Southern state in 2000?). We can win without the South and there is just such a strategy that has been floated in a recent book.

However, with white males and white male vets in particular, everywhere else in the country, Clark has some traction and cannot be easily dismissed.

After all, Clark himself was once a white Southern male who voted Republican!

[Olney Blue]

45. And the other factor to consider in the South is who the GOP picks.

Rudy the liberal and Romney the Mormon will likely not play well in the Bible belt.

[liberalpragmatist]

14. Hillary would probably win Arkansas anyway

Polls there show her beating ANY Republican by upwards of 20 points (incl. Huckabee and Thompson).

But Clark would be an excellent pick for her as part of a nationwide strategy, helping her shore among white men, Southerners. Yes, the running mate often adds fairly little to the ticket, but it would be a smart pick and might provide a slight boost nationwide in a tight race.

[jobycom]

12. I don't think there are two candidates wwith a wider variety of opinions.

Hillary's supporters think she's a liberal leaning moderate to appeal to independent voters, with strong experience and qualifications. Her opponents think she's a moderate to right-winger with no real convictions and no real accomplishments of her own. Clark's supporters think (or thought) he was an anti-war progressive with a distinguished resume, and his detractors think he's a Republican who switched parties for opportunistic reasons, who plays both sides for his own gain.

So between the two candidates, you've got four extremes of opinions, and how they combine with this endorsement is probably dependant on the individual DUer. Both candidates ignite strong passions on either side.

[bigtree]

20. that's my gut

you fleshed that out well

[jcrew2001]

15. Most Clark supporters' heads just exploded

Clark has completely different policies than Hillary.

But he's endorsing her because of their 25 year friendship and he owes his career and the 2004 candidacy to Bill.

Loyalty beats politics every time.

[Cha]

16. Ergo..

harriet miers..alberto gonazales..ad infinitum.

[jobycom]

22. He's endorsing her because they have similar positions and experiences.

They both supported the IWR (to the point where her speech mirrored his), they both disliked the war--Clark could be more outspoken against it since he wasn't a politician, but even he made comments supporting it and praising Bush. They have similar positions on most issues, even though Clark was to the right of her in general.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jobycom]

27. I'm an undecided tired of the ignorance. nt

[KittyWampus]

53. #1. Clark did NOT support the IWR. #2. Clark NEVER made any comment supporting the Iraq War

as foreign policy.

#3. Clark was the MOST progressive candidate last election except for Dennis.

Those are all facts.

I'm afraid you're misinformed regarding Clark's record.

[Avalux]

35. I'm a Clark supporter and my head did not explode.

They don't have completely different policies. How much time have you spent comparing them?

[jcrew2001]

50. Clark had an image as a reformer with integrity

at least he tried to push hard for liberal policies during his 2004 run. Even with some of her liberal policies, I don't view Hillary as someone with any integrity. I think thats the major difference between the two in my opinion.

I thought that Clark would at least hold out, since it seems like he thought positively of Obama and many of his supporters have migrated to Obama.

I think the timing is more about Clark trying to remain relevant this fall. But Hillary may have used this timing to fend off dropping in the fall season. Now that summer is over, the media will gear up and put the pressure on Hillary and she's seeking support to build up her defenses.

In addition, the 9/11 and Petraous testimony gives Clark more Media coverage than any other time.

[Raine]

46. I know mine did!

I've been a Clark supporter since I first heard him speak and I cannot tolerate Hillary! :grr:

[BlooInBloo]

19. I think it's hilarious for sanctimonious DUers. But then again, I don't hate Clinton.

[calteacherguy]

21. Long time Clark supporter here.

I think Clark is a realist. He's examined the field, and made his calculation of what he can do most effectively to ensure a Democratic win in 08'. I like Obma, but I would be absolutely delighted with a Clinton/Clark ticket, because it would be UNBEATABLE!

[bigtree]

23. Clark does seem to approach things pragmatically. This must be good for you to hear him involved

keep the Clark info coming then . . .

[ShortnFiery]

24. Yes, because in essence both of them TELL US that our vote don't matter ...

HRC has already been anointed as our ruler. :eyes:

[calteacherguy]

25. Ya know, it gets a little old.

If Clinton gets the nomination, it will be because the people support her. We don't have rulers in America, we have elections.

And the people will decide...whether you or I like their decision or not.

[ShortnFiery]

32. No, I regret

that if Clinton gets the vote, we'll have to deal with the DLC trashing liberal democrats up to the general election.

No worries though, if Obama and Edwards are able to snag the nomination, the corporations who comprise The Military Industrial Complex will still win. This travesty of international justice will be dragged out into the absurd. Thousands more of our beloved youth and hundred of billions of our tax dollars will be sacrificed to The War Machine. :(

I will vote for Democratic Candidates locally as I always have. However, with regard to National Elections (Congress and The Presidency), I refuse to vote for any candidates who are NOT for withdrawing our troops a.s.a.p. I hate it, but unless Mark Warner comes out against this illegal occupation, that includes him.

I'm sticking with Dennis Kucinich all the way through the General Election. Yes, even if I have to write him in. For the first time in my voting life (I'm 48 y.o.) I'm going to place Country (ending the Iraqi Occupation) over Party. I surmise that a number of liberal democrats may do the same. But what should you other democrats care ... you never claimed us in any meaningful way. :shrug:

[leftchick]

40. I along with many liberals I know

will be writing Dennis in if hillary gets the nomination. I have had ENOUGH of the DLC/AIPAC/Corporatists!

[joe_sixpack]

44. The candidate with the most money

will get the nomination. I wish that wasn't true but it is....whether any of us like it or not.

[jobycom]

28. So how would you propose that candidates campaign?

Say nothing, turn down endorsements, and have you vote only based on still photos?

WTF?

[jcrew2001]

52. Its a 2-way street, Clark wants to endorse so he can get

something in return. And the candidate wants all of Clark's supporters to jump on his/her bandwagon.

Classic quid-pro-quo politics. Did you get the new Wes Clark E-mail solicitation for Hillary's campaign?

Maybe next week. I know I'm going to donate money to her just because Wes told me to, haha.

I think most Clarkies have already migrated to Obama. But undecided vets may give her a favorable look.

[alfredo]

31. Yes, and he will probably be her Veep or Sec of Defense.

Remember he is from Arkansas.

[kimmerspixelated]

34. Maybe I don't know as much about Clark as I thought,

but my first impression of him is that he is a really good guy,and a lot of other positive things, not this professional political machine that will stop at nothing to win!

[Vidar]

36. My respect for Clark just took a dive.

[Raine]

47. So did mine...

I'm completely DISGUSTED! x(

[Blue_In_AK]

37. Somebody asked here a few weeks ago

if Clark and/or Gore ended up endorsing Mrs. Clinton would that change their opinion of her. I believe the majority of responders answered no. That goes for me. I'm not surprised that Clark would endorse Hillary -- after all, he essentially worked for her husband when he was head of NATO or whatever it was.

I'm still not a Hillary fan. (But I will vote for her if I have to.)

[killbotfactory]

38. It's good to be (married to) the king

This is the power of a political dynasty. You can make a vocal anti-war general back the candidate who was one of the strongest supporters of the Iraq war (until it became too politically unpopular).

[Disturbed]

39. . DUers better get used to the fact that Hillary will be the Nominee.

I don't quite understand why so many are against her. After all, how different are her political stands than Bill's? Bill still seems to be popular among most DUers. If Wes Clark would be VP, I don't see why there would still be heavy opposition towards Hillary.

[jcrew2001]

51. I think only DU newbies are Hillary supporters

I just doubt that any internet blogger would be enthused about supporting Hillary. She's just been so divisive and supportive of IWR, that most web posters are sick of her.

Also, many people don't want a 3rd Bill Clinton term - too un-American/Constitutional. But it did work for FDR.

[bigtree]

54. I love the denial here

Check the recommends next time a positive Hillary Clinton post comes up. Then check the anti-Clinton venom which clogs the length and breadth of the thread. It's clear that there are many more Clinton supporters on the internet than are willing or interested in parrying with the negativista.

[ElizabethDC]

55. Nope, I've been on DU since '04, and I'm for Hillary. n/t

[H2O Man]

43. Several months ago

I had posted my opinion that Senator Clinton will name General Wesley Clark for VP if she wins the nomination.

[robcon]

48. Why is it import tant the two "camps" on DU get along?

As long as Hillary and Wes get along - that's all that matters.

I think it means a cabinet position for Wes.

[Gloria]

49. I was a Clark supporter, but my head exploded months ago about

various things....

[AtomicKitten]

56. An endorsement doesn't mean anyone is obligated to agree and acquiesce.

I have the greatest respect for General Clark, but his decision to endorse HRC doesn't affect me or my support of Obama in the slightest.

[Bluebear]

57. Yes! Like gasoline and a match!

;)

[wisteria]

58. It is a surprise to me. I respect Gen. Clark and find it hard to believe he would

consider Senator Clinton qualified and worthy of being President. Oh well, they do say, "politics make strange bedfellows".