At that point I was not really interested in meeting new people and chatting with the guests, I was most interested in hovering within earshot of Wes so that I could hear his stories and just take it all in. I was amazed at how he would just walk up and hug people he knew and how people who worked on his campaign had such personal, casual relationships with him. It was the strangest feeling in the world standing right next to Wes Clark. After seeing him on TV so much, reading and writing about him so much, and believing in him so much, he had become more of an idea to me that an actual person. Yet there he was, bumping into me as he kept reaching for the sandwiches, each time saying “Ooops! Sorry ‘bout that,” to which I would reply, “Dig in. They’re all yours.”

Although I wasn’t around him the entire time (I didn’t want to appear to be some kind of creepy stalker), I heard him tell stories about Wes Jr., about his grandchildren, and even about his swimming routine during the campaign. Laura brought E.J. (who is in college) and I over to Wes to tell him that we had done so much for him, and we got his full attention. E.J. said it was an honor to meet him, and Wes started telling a story about Israel. I can’t even remember what the story was because I was so distracted by the fact that General Clark was standing right there talking to me. I also noticed that I was taller than him! When he was done with his story, I told him one of my own. I mentioned how a kid in my dorm is a diehard Obama fan with an Obama sign in his window. I ordered some Clark08 sings off the internet and replaced his Obama sign with a Clark sign when he was out of the room. I closed the curtain, and he didn’t notice for days. When he finally did find the sign, he was going to come give me a “piece of his mind”, but he had just read that Clark wasn’t running, so he decided to come give me a hug instead and say, “Don’t worry. Everything will be ok!” Wes got a good laugh out of that.

Later, as several people were gathered around talking politics with Wes, we got to talking about Hillary. He was quick to defend her, saying, “You know, a lot of people think Hillary is this cold, hard woman. If you know her she can be the nicest, warmest, kindest person you’ll ever meet. But if you screw up…boy! She will cut you like a knife! And if you think that if Hillary wins, Bill Clinton will be the next president, you don’t know Hillary! She’s got the experience, spending her whole life learning what it takes to be in this office, and she’s ready.” I remember also how Wes was so proud of his book. He said “You know I really hope it just sells a ton of copies! I was talking to Bill Clinton today, who just finished it and he told me ‘Wes, it really is a great book, especially at the end just purely for the message’. So I want to sell a lot of copies, but it’s not about me. It’s not about money. It’s about the message.”

Later during a talk about policy, I asked Wes what he thought of the Kyl-Lieberman Iran Amendment that had made me so frustrated over the last several days. His initial reaction was to kind of lower his head in a gosh, this is a tough one kind of way. He said, “I’m uneasy about it. You know, I put a call into Hillary on this afterwards. I may have voted for it just because what the amendment says is true, the guard has been carrying out terrorist activities, in supporting Hezbollah and all that. I’m just so concerned though, because there’s no talk. There are just threats.”

Sometime during this I wanted to ask Wes for a picture, but I was much too nervous. So far the only other person who had done that was Darcy Burner. I didn’t want to say “Ok Wes, you’ve had your photo op with Darcy not it’s time for Chris Jordan.” I don’t think I’m quite in her league, so I couldn’t do it. I did eventually get one at the book signing, however (with Kelly’s help!). It was also amazing to me how down to earth and comfortable Wes was. He’s not the “baby kissing” type of politician who walks in with his big cheesy smile and shakes everyone’s hand and says the same thing to every single one. He’s just…a normal person. He doesn’t dominate people; he just comes in, shares stories, and enjoys the company of everyone around him. Clark is the real deal, he’s genuine.

So from there we went on to the book signing where a good crowd gathered. My guess is a couple hundred people. Let’s just say they had to bring out a couple more rows of chairs because there wasn’t enough. After the speech and question session I got my book signed, got my picture, said goodbye to everyone, and that was that. It was quite the experience for me. I never dreamed I would be able to meet Wes in person, let alone actually talk to him and have him thank me personally for my support. He really is a one of a kind person, and in so many ways.

Not many people in this world actually get to meet their heroes and hold a conversation with them. I will never forget meeting him and won’t forget how much I admire him and his vision. I don’t only admire General Clark; however, for his views, I admire him for his service. He decided that money was not important to him and that he would rather sacrifice his life in service to the country than go be a businessman or an engineer where he knew he would be safe. He has truly walked the walk and I am truly grateful that I got to shake his hand. I just wish I hadn’t forgotten to bring him cheetos.

From: Clark Community Network

* * * * *

Northwest Progressive Institute

Finally, a reminder of why Drinking Liberally is a can't miss social event: Those who were lucky to be at the Seattle chapter's weekly gathering at the Montlake Ale House tonight were treated to an unscheduled appearance by former presidential candidate General Wesley Clark, thanks to NPI's events coordinator, who attended a Clark book signing in Lake Forest Park and convinced the General to stop by for a quick chat with the local netroots.

Clark spoke passionately and forcefully about D.C. Democrats' inability to stand up to the right wing on national security issues, predicting Congress would not interfere to prevent the Bush administration from beginning a conflict in Iran.

And he has a point: way too many Democrats rolled over and voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq several years ago.

The Democratic Congress has made real strides in several areas, but it has not shown the resolve the American people expected when they empowered the party in last year's elections. Part of the problem is the narrow majority Democrats hold in the Senate, and another part of the problem is the group of Democrats in the House (the Bush Dogs, as Matt Stoller and others have described them) who are sadly unwilling to challenge the administration and its loyal Republican allies.

Democrats who roll over need to be held accountable, and Democrats who make it clear they won't roll over - like Darcy Burner - need to be sent to our nation's capitol next year. The more Republicans we replace, the more we will have a Congress that is responsive to our nation's needs and to the American people.