Wes Clark Group Updates

From local Clark Meetup leader Florence Upson: Based on feedback from my last e-mail and at the October meetup, here is what you can expect in terms of local Clark activities and correspondence from me:

Monthly Meetups: There is a core group that wants to continue the monthly meetups, so we will. One standing agenda item will be updates on General Clark's recent activities and upcoming plans. Since General Clark wants us volunteering on campaigns, the rest of the time we will talk about helping other campaigns in the area (federal, state, and local). I am willing to include any Democratic campaign that you are supporting, providing General Clark has not endorsed one of the candidate's opponents.

Other Updates: I will send e-mails when I find out that General Clark has an upcoming public appearance in this area, an article published, or an upcoming TV appearance of significant length (expected to last at least 10-15 minutes). For more information about the local Clark group contact: f.t.upson@comcast.net

Posted by awcd at 9:38 AM | Permalink

At Open Left, Matt Stoller has posted as a series parts of a wide-ranging interview he had recently with General Clark. Stoller was a supporter of the General's 2004 primary campaign. He tells Clark at the end of the final installment, "You make me proud of my country."

Part One: The Petraeus Ad

Matt Stoller: So how do the millions of people who feel lied to by General Petraeus express themselves? What's the appropriate way to express themselves?

Wes Clark: Send emails, write editorials, call Senators, write Op-Eds, letters to the editors, but make them substantive, serious letters. If you feel like he has lied to you say so, but don't make the pun on his name. Show it with facts and let people draw the conclusion. It's inflammatory rhetoric to hurl out accusations of lying, that's a conclusion that has to be drawn by a careful review and examination of the evidence and it has to be used with great circumspection. That kind of reckless language, especially the use of puns and so forth, people don't like it, it doesn't change peoples' minds, it alienates support, and this is a democracy. We've got to convince moderate middle of the road Americans to come our way. We won't do it with those kinds of ads.

Matt Stoller: Ok, thanks a..

Wes Clark: I'm sorry, you're asking my straight up opinion, I know there are a lot of people who will disagree, but I'm gonna tell it to you straight, that's what I feel.

Continue reading "Matt Stoller Interviews the General" »

Posted by awcd at 1:46 PM | Permalink

Before that, he attended a small reception with his supporters. Here is a young man's first meeting with General Clark:

This Tuesday I got out of class at 9:30 am. I had nothing to do until 3:15 pm, when I was to be picked up and brought to the private reception being put on for General Clark in Seattle. He was in town for a book singing at Third Place Books later that night. I was nervous after class and got absolutely nothing done at all from the time I was released from class to the time I got dressed and ready to go – I didn’t even eat lunch. It was that bad.

I had never been to any kind of “private reception” so I had no idea what to wear. Being a clueless male, I enlisted the help of my girlfriend Mara to decide on my wardrobe. Not only am I a male, but I am also a college student. That means that my only two choices are jeans and t-shirt, or “church clothes.” I decided I’d better go with the fancy stuff.

I was dropped off at the house and was very nervous. I was greeted by Laura, who told me to head inside and informed me that she would be looking better in a few minutes. A strapping young fellow opened the door and immediately asked “Are you Jordans11? I’m Stan Davis.” He was wearing a 4 star pin, a Draft Clark 04 Founder pin and also a Wes Clark Democrat pin. Later he handed out “Wes Clark: American Hero” chains and pins to the twenty or so people in attendance. It was clear who Stan had come to see.

My nervous feeling continued as I met a few more people, including Kelly, Allison, and E.J. I kept on glancing over to the door, wondering when Wes would walk in. Pretty soon somebody said “He’s here!” and several people made their way into the reception. I looked to my left and into the room came Wesley Clark. I was a bit frozen as he came right up to me, and shook my hand as I said, or at least intended to say, “I’m Chris, it’s great to meet you!” He replied, “Chris, thank you so much for your support.” It seemed like he didn’t know what to say to me except “Thanks” but I knew it was genuine. He didn’t go around the entire room greeting people and saying, “Thanks for your support,” to everyone. If I was him, what would I say to me? Probably “Thanks so much for your support.”

Continue reading "General Clark drops in on "Drinking Liberally" Seattle" »

Posted by awcd at 12:50 PM | Permalink

Oakland Rocked

By Tricia Keith Spiegel, A Wes Clark Democrat

Don't get me wrong--I am still in mourning because I won't be campaigning for who I would really want to see as President. But I am one of those people who is easily misunderstood when disappointed. I pick myself and go into hyper speed. So, the General said he likes Hillary Clinton, which means that at the very least that I should check her out. "Cold" and "polarizing" they told me. I didn't expect a lot.

But off I went. In the last two weeks I have become a trained HillStar in California, been on a conference call with Hillary and another today with her campaign chair and manager, and was a volunteer at her rally in Oakland on Sunday. My head spins, and yet I realize that I allowed myself to be swift boated by those who have called her names for 18 years now. Yep, if detractors repeat it often enough, it must be true. Bad trap.

Let me just illustrate using the Oakland Rally. Not counting security and staff, 150 volunteers (and we got expert training) managed 14,000 people! My job was to stand guard over one of 3 media risers to make sure only authorized people climbed up into it--but this also meant that I had a terrific view. The event was amazing--super entertainment, notable speakers, and finally Hillary herself.

After a gospel group set the crowd on fire, out came Hillary. She was shining, her voice was warm and modulated (NOT screechy), and she espoused the positions and values that Wes Clark people also value. She would be a powerhouse leader, no doubt about it. I surprised myself with how much I found myself admiring her and what she has done and what she has had to go through. She was WARM, not cold. She united us.

I am also impressed beyond words with the campaign, welcoming to Wes Clark supporters and there to help us and extremely appreciative of any efforts we have to offer.

OK--there is no perfect candidate. But now I am settling into my second choice with a much better understanding of why General Clark would endorse her. He is smart, we know that. And he has proven it to me once again.

Posted by awcd at 1:24 PM | Permalink

Marc Ambinder had an interesting post yesterday looking at members of Wes Clark's online community who are disgruntled by his support for Hillary Clinton. This, though, is precisely what makes his endorsement significant -- he's built up a political profile, especially among online political activists interested in national security issues, that's substantially different from Clinton's image in that universe. Thus, of course, some Clark fans are going to be upset at his actions. But by the same token, his words have some chance of changing people's thinking. People in the know realize that this wasn't a particularly surprising turn of events, since Clark's long been in Clintonish circles, but anything that reaffirms that status still helps her, blurring the idea that Team Clinton is composed of people who got Iraq wrong while Team Obama is full of people who got it right (there's also Sandy Berger who had an Yglesian too little, too late position but he presumably nobody would appoint him to a job in light of his legal issues).

Be that as it may, yesterday afternoon General Clark's book, A Time to Lead arrived at my house, and I have blurb envy. We've got Bill Clinton on the cover, and the back features Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Javier Solana, and Al Gore. Plus Walter Isaacson, Mario Cuomo, Douglas Brinkley, and Donna Brazile, which actually struck me as overkill.

Continue reading "Yglesias on "A Time to Lead"" »

Posted by awcd at 12:21 PM | Permalink

From The Political Brandwagon:

The funny thing is, Clark might be just sort of candidate that the Democrats need in order to throw down in a general election. ... But, if he's serious about becoming president, he needs to really live up to the powerful brand image of the 2004 Time photo shown above –– and get into the race QUICKLY. Clark can't afford to test the waters so long that either his toes get cold.

If Clark can show the same resolve as his enormous fan base, he might have a shot as "General Who Can Bring the Troops Home" and America back to sanity. But, like Gore, Clark needs to lay the groundwork -- FAST.

From the enormous fan base, dion_nizzi writes at Clark Community Network:

I'm waiting.

I thought it was patiently at first, but my opinion has changed.

I was doing a bit of late spring, now, early summer cleaning.

I came across an old copy of "American Son" and slapped it in the DVD player for old times sake.

It didn't take long before I realized that really, in the 4 years or so since it was produced...absolutely nothing has changed for me.

Watching the dog and pony show that is going on now with the '08 field of candidates has made me realize what a sorry situation we are truly facing. It made me realize how truly lacking we are in regard to leadership in this country.

People right now are looking at all the wrong people for all of the wrong reasons. We have a Senator from New York who is trying to be all things to all people without ever really being true to who she is. We have a Senator from Illinois who might be well intentioned, but is as personally caught up in the web of the cult of personality as those who are encouraging him to run are. There is not nearly the experience and fortitude there as is needed in this trying time, but the candidate is so impressed with his persona and charisma, true leadership is a second thought. We have another north eastern Senator who so is fond of his own voice and other peoples ideas that it is impossible for him to really create any new ideas of leadership, a South western governor who is filled with a wonderful resume built on the footwork of others, another Representative that is so far out of the mainstream that his ideas simply cannot take hold, no matter how brave and commonsense they are. Then there is the empty suit one trick pony who would have had a hard time being re-elected to the Senate if he chose to, as opposed to thinking he could be President or Vice President based on his well coiffed follicles and single minded two Americas rhetoric.

And all the while, sits our General, off on the sidelines. A clear case of true leadership. A brilliant mind made stronger by a true sense of patriotism and concern for country over self. A man who understands real life issues in a real life experience. A brilliant mind accompanied by a compassionate soul, compounded by a true understanding of the issues this country...and world face. And the infrastructure, if handled right, to mount an incredibly strong campaign and be in the top tier fund raising wise.

A true leader, the thing this country needs most right now, and has needed for the past six years.

Continue reading "General Clark, we are tired of waiting" »

Posted by awcd at 11:41 AM | Permalink

Free Stop Iran War Buttons

Posted by awcd at 10:41 AM | Permalink

Horse Race 2008 and Scarlett O'Hara

By Susan Meara, A Wes Clark Democrat

I'm convinced that most of the country is finally out of touch with reality. We've been overtaken by political insanity.

It seems we can't bear the boredom if we don't have something plopped in front of us to keep us entertained 24/7/365. And if it involves the thrill of competition, so much the better. So the 2006 winners had barely finished their victory laps before the excitement junkies were pounding on their seats demanding that the next batch of horses be let out of the starting gate. And they made it happen.

I understand how sick to death we are of the Bush wrecking crew that has sullied our sensibilities with what sometimes looks like bad remakes of "Dr. Strangelove" (without the humor) and the inconvenient armless and legless soldiers who keep creeping into the corners of our beautiful minds. I, too, want it all to end. But merely changing the channel and focusing on something else isn't going to make it go away. And maybe those of us with sons and daughters in the military feel this more deeply than those who don't have a dog in the fight and can therefore view the horror of world events from a more distant and detached vantage point.

But I'll tell you this, there's some powerful resentment building out here in Reality World. When soldiers come home from months of eating sand, smelling blood and gunfire, listening to explosions, watching human flesh being torn apart, and remaining hypervigilant because their lives depend on it, and they realize that the America they left behind was preoccupied with wondering who was the father of Anna Nicole's baby and what David Geffen said about Hillary--as if there was nothing SERIOUSLY important going on in the world--they get angry. They hear the astronomical figures being discussed as "necessary" funds for serious 2008 presidential contenders to raise, they compare with their own lousy compensation and benefits, they look at the fact that they themselves have been rendered nearly invisible by an American public with an insatiable appetite for things that are more "fun"--and they wonder, where do I fit in? It's as if the whole country is having a big party and military families were not invited to it. We're an inconvenient truth. Sweep us under the rug and don't let us ruin your good time, Scarlett.

Continue reading "There's some powerful resentment building out here in Reality World" »

Posted by awcd at 6:48 AM | Permalink

By Carol Kilyanek, A Wes Clark Democrat

I was fortunate enough to see Wes Clark interviewed by Amy Goodman at the 92nd St Y in NYC last night. He was, as usual, wonderful, knowledgeable and brutally honest.

He and his lovely wife Gert met with a small group of supporters before the event. Wes spoke to us and answered questions for about half an hour. He told us how much we all meant to him. He took questions, of course, about a potential ’08 run but said nothing committal, only that he’s trying to turn the conversation to a discussion of the issues and doesn’t know if it can be done. Running for President was too much about celebrity, he said.

Someone asked about his trip to Saudi Arabia and he said that there’s a lot of anger toward Americans, not just the Bush Administration as before but now toward Americans. He spoke of how he’d talked to people before the ‘04 election who said they did not hold all Americans accountable for what Bush was doing because we didn’t all elect him but things would be different if he put him back in office...and he won "an uncontested election", I think that’s the way he put it. Someone suggested he hadn’t won and Wes didn’t discount that but noted that, for whatever their reasons, the Democratic leadership chose not to contest the election at the time when it would have mattered....It was an interesting little exchange. Take from it what you will.

Continue reading "Wes Clark: "Trust Me"" »

Posted by awcd at 12:23 PM | Permalink

"Tonight he had the EYE OF THE TIGER"

RocketCityBev and Joyce11 returned from seeing Wes at an event in Huntsville and blew the roof off of CCN.

RocketCityBev:

-- Well actually 5 BIG WORDS

"When I run for President"

Wes North Alabama 1/15/2007

Oh yea, No doubt about it -- more to follow --

"I will decide soon"

Wes North Alabama 1/15/2007

RocketCityBev:

AND THIS WAS A CAMPAIGN SPEECH FOLKS -- no if ands or buts about it -- I was sooo excited I was jumping up and down and saying YES and dancing around people thought I was NUTS!!! WES IS GOING TO RUNNNN WES IS GOING TO RUUNNN!! YES SIR GENERAL!!!

Everyone LOVED what he had to say!! Good answers to immigration, war on drugs and the Katrina mess!! And Joyce can vouch with me -- He is running!! :) :) :)

Joyce11:

Wes is going to run -- no doubt about it. He looked great tonight, khaki pants, white shirt, red tie and grey V-neck sweater.

He started off immediately talking about his bio. Where he grew up, going to West Point, X amount of years in the Army, getting wounded in Nam, etc. etc. I got the impression that he was hurt when in 04' everyone was talking about Kerry's war service and barely mentioned his record of service. And he's right, that's what happened. He definitely sounded like a candidate to me. He was passionate, funny, and he did say that "IF I RUN THIS TIME, I'LL WIN!!!

The crowd was energetic, supportive, and there were no empty seats in the house. RUN WES RUN!

Continue reading "General Clark: "If I run again, I will win"" »

Posted by awcd at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Speaking in Code; Listening in Code

By Doris Lane, A Wes Clark Democrat

My fellow Wes Clark Democrat, Tom Rinaldo, on A Left Turn FOR CLARK has this to say today: "Wes Clark today is a lonely voice of reason in a rhetoric swamp of fear. While our President sends war ships steaming toward Iran, Clark says peace is still possible, and urges us to escalate the number of diplomats in the region."

Tom quotes Clark when he said on the campaign trail last year, "People will fight for what they believe in. So if we want a war with a billion Muslims, we can probably have one. I don't think we want one, we certainly don't need one, and we should do everything we can to prevent it."

Bush "moves beyond diplomacy," according to the New York Times, (this has to be code for something, since Bush hasn't been at diplomacy enough to move beyond it): "Moving beyond diplomacy" equals war with Iran, just like “surge” equals escalation of war. As General Clark also said, "We're being set up again, just like we were with Iraq, and what I've found in my life is, generally that if you want a war, you can have one."

The BBC reported yesterday that US troops raided the Iranian consulate in Northern Iraq. Der Spiegel: "As US President George W. Bush was promising to stem Iranian support for the Iraqi insurgency, US soldiers were raiding the Iranian consulate in Irbil, Iraq. The Iranians aren't happy." Is it war yet? Or are we still moving "beyond diplomacy"?

I was born and raised and spent almost all of my adult life in New York City, where "New York money people" is code for Wall Street WASP, not Jew, so when I posted about Arianna Huffington's run-in with a pissed off General Clark in DC, little did I expect the right wing blog spin machine would go into action and be making such a feast of it even days later. I imagine Clark's Jewish family, who proudly campaigned for him in 2004, must be surprised to learn that he is an anti-semite, if they are believing press reports, which I can't believe they would.

Not even Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League, although concerned over Clark's use of language, believes it: “While we know [Clark] is a good friend of Israel and is not an anti-semite, he still engaged in inappropriate language by talking about how Israel and Jewish money will move this country to war on Iran.”

Continue reading ""All Clark is saying, is give peace a chance."" »

Posted by awcd at 11:38 AM | Permalink

From Howard Park on MyDD

Wes Clark Supporters Meet Wednesday, Jan. 10 in Arlington, 7:00 PM

We don't know if he is running or not but supporters or those just interested in supporting Gen. Wes Clark for President will meet for drinks or dinner TONIGHT, starting at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, Jan. 10 at Whitlow's on Wilson, 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 just down the street from the Clarendon stop on Metro's Orange line. It's just a few minutes from DC. Pending a decision by Wes Clark, we will begin to have monthly or bi-monthly meetings throughout the year so if you can't make it on Wednesday, just come the next time when we will have groups meeting in both DC and Arlington.

This is just an informal gathering. Don't expect anything but speculation about Gen. Clark's intentions. Nobody at the meeting truly speaks for Gen. Clark or for his campaign which may or may not ever exist! We do know, however, that if Wes Clark is to have a chance at an effective campaign in DC, MD & VA, we must begin before he announces on outreach, supporting the campaign in early primary states, grassroots fundraising and a smooth delegate selection process. If you have any questions feel free to call me at 202-544-6262 or at hpark4@aol.com. This will be a joint Meetup with Florence Upson's (f.t.upson@comcast.net) Clark '08 group in VA. As the campaign proceeds (or not) please check www.washingtondcforclark.com.

Posted by awcd at 11:38 AM | Permalink

A Clark Community Network Book Club review by CarolNYC.

Warheads: Cable News And the Fog of War
Author: Kenneth Allard

I picked up this book by MSNBC military analyst Ken Allard at a NYC book sale because I expected that there would be some Wes references...and, of course, there were. I also thought it would be interesting to read Allard’s take on cable news and how it works. It’s a pretty interesting book overall. I really don’t know anything about Mr. Allard’s commentary not having seen him enough to even recognize him so I wondered how I’d react to him from his writing. Having now read the book, I think I actually sort of liked him.

I did find him to have a snarky tone toward Clinton throughout, writing things like “every time the president got in trouble, it seemed like he launched cruise missiles at places most Americans couldn’t find on the map.” But he throws some snark in there about Bush too so it kind of balances things out.

He talks about NPR as if the staff were a bunch of hippies “Beards and earth shoes were everywhere---and these were only the women”...but also gives them props for being one of few outlets doing a good job on dealing with news stories in great depth.

I found him pretty fair on the whole.

Continue reading "Warheads" »

Posted by awcd at 7:30 AM | Permalink

Maria Wells has a long and very detailed thread going on Daily Kos responding to some ongoing ignorance about Clark's Iraq War stand, past and present.

Posted by awcd at 1:28 PM | Permalink

George Sand at Arkansas Politics Blog is psyched about 2008 and Wes Clark.

-snip

The black and white of it is stunning; in fact there is no comparison. If George W. Bush had one-tenth of the leadership qualities, education and character found in General Clark, we would be living in a much different world today.

There is no other Presidential candidate in either the Republican or Democratic line-ups that compares to General Wesley Clark. If General Clark makes the decision to run for President, I stand by my words, “he wins”, more importantly, this nation, our children, and grandchildren win. General Clark is a proven nation builder and he’ll take those skills and re-build our country’s health, economy, national security and international respect, which has been so callously squandered. So, I implore each and every one of you “Clarkies” to email the General at www.securingamerica.com and encourage him to step up one more time, our nation needs him.

There is more and more interest on the blogs in a Clark candidacy and I for one couldn't be more pleased to see it. Run, Wes, Run!!

America Needs Wes Clark in 2008.

Posted by awcd at 12:49 PM | Permalink

I always think the Chris Lehanes of American politics have their place in the dirt. If not the old Lehane, we'll have to get a new one for 2008, if the General says yes to all this begging we're doing and runs. Oldenburg at The Third Avenue says off with Lehane's head.

Wes Clark 2008

That's right, I know it is a bit early, but I am fully behind the General. All signs point to Clark entering into the 2008 race soon. "I think it was clear that I got in too late last time," Clark told the Associated Press.

I do too, but what also hurt Clark was that a Senator for Massachusetts somehow claimed he was electable with foreign policy experience. Great work Iowa Caucus goers. He needed more money (although he did pretty well on that score), better staff (just say no to Gore 2000 staffers like Chris Lehane), and more experience with being in the public limelight of presidential politics.

-snip

I think Clark has a strong chance. Here is what I recommend: hire the veteran campaign staffers of Virginia, Montana, and Missouri, get on a plane to Las Vegas right now to protest along side those striking Nurses, do an interview with MyDD mid-2007 (not Josh Marshall), hire as many veteran IA and NH staffers as you can right now, speak out against the fetal pain bill in the lame duck, make a statement to the press that you don't like Democrats talking bad about straw men 'liberals,' have your son go on talk radio again and tell it like it is, poo-poo McCain's mythical 20k-more-troops-will-solve-everything plan.

If he does those things, he will shore up his weaknesses from 2004 (lack of support on Domestic Issues) and burnish his key strength (4 star general who WON a ethnic/religious based civil war involving Muslims with allies). Good luck, General.

Thank you, Oldenburg.

Posted by awcd at 1:04 PM | Permalink

Clark: "It's easier to start a war than to end it."

Young Clarkies In New York City...

And In Los Angeles...

Professor Clark

by JMora on Clark Community Network

On Tuesday, November 21, 2006 I had the great opportunity to see General Wesley Clark in a somewhat unfamiliar role, as of recently anyway. On Tuesday Gen. Clark was Prof. Clark, where he lectured to about 300 students at UCLA in a lower division Global Issues course. This was a great opportunity for the Generation “Whatever” students to get introduced to the General and see him in a non-political environment.

Continue reading "CCN Series Blog: "Generation Whatever"" »

Posted by awcd at 11:19 AM | Permalink

The media needs to wake up to what America is saying about Wes Clark. Here is a nice little personal report from South Carolina.

WantMyCountryBack on Clark Community Network

The buzz on Clark, fresh from a Red State Barnes and Noble.

I'm just in from my weekly jaunt to the large Barnes and Noble here in town (Yes, I do mean weekly - I'm a bookworm of the rabid hardcore variety), and thought I'd pass along a little anecdotal observation.

I had already grabbed two new books to buy, and was looking for General Clark's Waging Modern Wars, as I've read his second book but not the first. Unable to find it, I went to the help desk, where 7 or 8 people were milling about.

Continue reading "Listen to what America is saying about Wes Clark" »

Posted by awcd at 11:26 AM | Permalink

Nashua Telegraph/Concord Monitor, 11/10/06

Shea-Porter had a simple, thrifty plan

When Carol Shea-Porter decided to run for Congress a year ago, she called state Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan for advice.

“Right at the start, I told her, ‘You’ve got to raise money,’ ” Sullivan recalled yesterday. “ ‘You’ve got to have a million bucks to win a seat in Congress.’ Silly me.”

-snip

Tuesday’s victory was Shea-Porter’s first attempt at elected office. She worked on Gen. Wesley Clark’s presidential primary campaign in 2004, and much of her congressional campaign staff was made up of people she met then, including Mayer. Disappointed, but not deflated after Clark lost that primary, Mayer and Shea-Porter vowed to stay involved in politics. They kept in touch with dozens of activists they met on the campaign trail – and set their sights on Bradley, spending much of 2005 following him to town meetings and hounding him with tough questions about the Iraq war, the deficit and health care.

-snip

While Shaheen used his connections to establish ties between Shea-Porter’s supporters and the rest of the Democratic Party, the campaign still prided itself on its plucky, grassroots origins. Instead of slick fliers, volunteers penned personalized postcards to likely voters. The campaign went without printed letterhead or return envelopes for most of the race.

“A great deal of Carol’s success is from the intensity of her people,” said Dudley Dudley, a former Democratic congressional candidate from Durham who worked on the campaign. “To say they’d walk through fire – that’s an understatement. A whole team of unpaid volunteers – you can’t buy that kind of loyalty.”

-more

Posted by awcd at 11:59 AM | Permalink

By Donna Zen, A Wes Clark Democrat

Some days you just love what the dawn brings.

We pulled out of town before the morning light and into the dark roaring wind. Well, at least it had stopped raining! About twenty minutes later a tangle of tree and power lines forced us back to “go” without collecting $200, and onto another route. Considering my town only has three roads, we were lucky that fallen firs hung on the lines failing to bar our second choice. But now the car held a new passenger, anxiety: “Oh please don’t let us be too late!”

Once again, 95% of what we worry about doesn’t happen, we made it.

My fellow travelers to the Great State of New Hampshire have much to say about this visit. Tom, Janet, Gordon, and whoever chimes in of those who committed to the entire two days. My story can only relate what happen at the Hampton Falls “meet and greet,” the one event I managed to attend. And so, this is what the dawn brought:

The morning gathering took place in a well-lighted place with high ceilings, glass, and a room of familiar and not familiar kind and happy faces. Whoever was handling the advance work did a great job. The program was just beginning as MrZ and I slid into chairs behind Tom and Janet. After a moment of silence for the recently murdered policeman and others who have fallen in service, we all stood to recite the pledge. It was then that the General pointed, gave the room a fine smile and said “our flag.” I was sitting too far back to hear the very words, but if my lip-reading skills were working at all, that is close enough.

Continue reading "Next Stop: New Hampshire" »

Posted by awcd at 11:46 AM | Permalink

"The country's safer when one party doesn't have control of the Supreme Court, the White House and the Congress."

Radio Iowa, 10/9/06

On Sunday afternoon, retired General Wesley Clark headlined a rally in Des Moines for Democrat Congressman Leonard Boswell. Clark, a rival of Kerry's in 2004, said as he travels the country campaigning for Democrats, he senses that Iraq still seems to be the top issue for voters. "But I think there's a strong undertow on the Republican Party from Mark Foley and from really the disintegration of...what they claimed was their moral superiority," Clark said during an interview with Radio Iowa. Foley is the Florida congressman who resigned after lurid "instant messages" he sent to former House pages were made public.

Clark said he believes there'll be a "surge" of Democrats going to the polls this November. "The country's safer when one party doesn't have control of the Supreme Court, the White House and the Congress. It just promotes the abuse of power especially when the party is the Republican Party which tends to stamp out dissent within its own ranks," Clark said.

-more

Continue reading "Iowa, Hot Dog! - "This administration is driving us into a ditch."" »

Posted by awcd at 10:11 AM | Permalink

A fifteen-year-old in Ohio started this group on MySpace a few days ago. It has 120 members, so far. Oops, make that 124.

Republicans for Wesley Clark

Here he is. He calls himself "Wesley."

Maybe there's hope for the world.

Speaking of American youth, General Clark is joining the faculty of UCLA as a Senior Fellow. (Rock the Vote, Wes.) However, the LA Times reporter is mistaken. The Clarks have no intention of selling their home in Little Rock and moving to California, so says WesPac.

Posted by awcd at 10:10 AM | Permalink

by LSophia on Clark Community Network

Dinner with Darcy

Okay, it wasn’t dinner. It was appetizers – fruit, crackers and cheese, to be precise, plus free coffee and tea – but last night I attended a fundraiser for Darcy Burner, who is running for Washington’s Eighth Congressional District, against former sheriff, first-time congressman, Dave Reichert.

The fundraiser was at the Marriott Inn in Redmond, Washington, about fifteen miles from downtown Seattle. After signing in, we had our first surprise. The person who invited both of us is a member of the Democratic Women’s Leadership Forum, so we found ourselves seated directly in front of the podium - literally, the best seats in the house. A second, nice, surprise was that the room was just about full to capacity – 300 or so concerned Democrats from the Eighth or surrounding area tucked neatly into a hotel ballroom.

Darcy herself welcomed everyone to the event, thanked us for attending and introduced Governor Christine Gregoire, who opened her remarks with an emotional tribute to Governor Ann Richards. After a few remarks, she said, “For anyone else, we would have a moment of silence, but Ann would never stand for that. So, let’s send her rousing cheer!”

We gave Governor Richards a five minute standing ovation.

-more

Posted by awcd at 2:09 PM | Permalink

Wes Clark Countdown to Change (WC3)

A team of Wes Clark's grassroots supporters have set up shop on the Clark Community Network offering training materials in campaign operations and on-the-ground organizing. Intended for Clark supporters who are volunteers in 2006 Congressional campaigns, the series has covered topics such as tabling at public events, coordinating at-home fundraisers, calling in to talk radio, using your elevator minute wisely, and "How to Talk to Republicans." The current entry is "How (and How Not) to Talk About Your Candidate."

This valuable series is produced by the talented and hard-working Cheryl Poling, Tricia Spiegel, Debby Burroughs, and Stan Davis.

There are Clark supporters toiling away in campaign offices and pounding the streets for local candidates all over the country. We can do no less than Wes Clark is doing himself, after all, to change this country this year, this November.

Of course, 2007 is also around the corner and we're going to be so ready. Aren't we?

Posted by awcd at 12:50 PM | Permalink

By Gordon Suber, A Wes Clark Democrat

Founded in 1840, Bethany College, a four-year private liberal arts school affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has a long tradition of bringing people from the highest levels of American political discourse to their campus, Sam Vuchenich, the affable campus leader, and head of student activities, told me.

On September 11, 2006, General Wesley K. Clark delivered a lecture to more than 300 students, faculty, and townspeople in Bethany, West Virginia.

Vuchenich related that student organizations wanted to bring someone to campus who could put meaning into the fifth anniversary of 9/11.

It seemed appropriate that Clark, a presidential candidate in 2004, and a retired four-star Army general who served as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, come to Bethany.

After all, John F. Kennedy stood in the same Commencement Hall at Old Main on campus where Clark spoke, as did Richard M. Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford, and James Garfield, before they became President of the United States.

Continue reading "General Clark at Bethany College" »

Posted by awcd at 4:38 PM | Permalink

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Hoping we can do it again....

Posted by awcd at 1:02 PM | Permalink

I've been feeling pretty down on Democratic Underground since July 2. The rush to judgment on the Mexican election and willingness to believe anything, provided it comes from someone perceived as "left," the willingness to sacrifice one of the most democratic election systems on the planet for the sake of having another stolen election, whether it has been proven or not, the widespread absence of critical thinking, when it won't push the agenda, well, it first infuriated and then depressed me. I wondered if the place I'd called home online for three years was lost.

But then came this post from OKNancy, a Clark supporter, by the way, and long time moderator at DU. It tells me: DU is okay and I've been doing a little rush to judgment myself.

I just had one of those moments. I thank DU

-snip

My mind says.. Cedars. Worried. They are Lebanese!

I paid for my groceries and my once weekly flower bouquet. I buy one per week because it is my gift I give myself. They make me happy.

I kept thinking to myself that I wished I had offered my best wishes to the couple. I feared bothering them.

As I went out to load my van, their car was parked in the front. The woman was sitting in the passenger seat, but her husband was still in the store. I went up to her car, motioned for her to roll down her window. I said, " Are you from Lebanon?" She said yes. I said that I offered my best wishes and that I would be thinking of her and her family. I gave her my flowers.

She got tears in her eyes and said, "My brother's funeral is today in Lebanon. He died of natural causes, but I can't go. She smiled and thanked me for the flowers.

I went on to my van. I saw in the corner of my eye the husband walking toward me. I stopped and he grabbed my hands and said, "We need more people like you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. She is having a hard time." Then he hugged me. A big long open hug out in the parking lot. I've never had such an experience with a hug. He was the same height as me, so it was a very comfortable feeling and I could just feel the warmth. I got tears and he got tears, and then we went on our separate ways.

Thanks, OKNancy. I needed that.

Posted by awcd at 1:27 PM | Permalink

Texas Democratic State Convention, Ft. Worth TX

Clark made the opening remarks at the Texas Democratic State Convention this weekend. He drew something like 18 standing ovations in a half hour of speaking truth to Democratic power. I understand this year's convention had far greater numbers than in recent years. Texas Dems seem awfully ready to me to kick the bastards out this year.

I encourage you to watch the whole speech. It shows Clark's uncanny ability to discuss large issues in plain language. He is introduced by Texas State Rep. Richard Raymond who beat back a primary challenge in District 42 this past March.

Watch it here.

On a personal note, Texas Dems, the incredibly warm reception for Wes in your state really touched me in the heart. Thank you.

Continue reading "Clark brings red state Dems to their feet, again and again" »

Posted by awcd at 1:06 PM | Permalink

From Clark Community Network: Real Science

Are we prepared for the consequences of global warming?

Last week, NOAA announced its predictions for the 2006 hurricane season, warning of another active season with up to 6 major hurricanes that will attain a Cat 3 or higher status. One of the biggest concerns raised by this report is, “Are we prepared... this time?”

The catastrophic devastation in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina – its real costs in lives, resources and security – is a reminder that there are tragic consequences for being ill-prepared. Yet, even as our scientists continue to develop and report some of the most accurate climate modeling predictions, it's clear that our government is not responsibly preparing for the consequences of global warming. Our nation may pride itself on its scientific and technological achievements, but this is a global problem -- indiscriminate of national borders.

Next year in January 2007, the IPCC will present its 4th Climate Assessment Report, conclusively detailing its findings from the consensus of the scientific community that global warming by human-caused fossil fuel combustion will lead to a global crisis within this century. Based on the IPCC 2001 Report alone, global warming has been shown to have profound consequences on climate and the global community already. But as we struggle to adapt to and prevent potential adverse environmental and ecological events, the impacts on our social, economic and cultural foundations will certainly be challenging as we face a century that could be hallmarked by human-caused climate crisis.

-read more

Posted by awcd at 7:04 AM | Permalink

From ms in la's diary on dkos

Give up your Latte for Liberty—(California looks bad in RED)

Some Simple Mathematics

Magic numbers:

270 = Number of Electoral votes needed to win the Presidency
55 = Number of Electoral votes in the state of California
20 ½ = Percentage of required Electoral votes California represents
55 = Number or Electoral votes of Wisconsin, Virginia, Kansas, Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico and Colorado--all combined
21 = Number of days until California Primary elections
1 = Number of Secretary of State candidates who will fiercely protect CA's 55 Electoral votes--Senator Debra Bowen

5 = Number of dollars for your basic Latte...
2.6 = Number of millions of dollars Diebold paid out in the California settlement
8 = Number of members on California's Voting Systems and Procedures Panel who voted in '04 to cease usage of Diebold systems in the state and requested the Attorney General to consider criminal charges against Diebold
0 = Number of members on California's Voting Systems and Procedures Panel who voted in '04 to retain Diebold systems in California

Do the math.
. . . . . . . .

Whether you're from Iowa, Texas, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, California or anywhere in the US—the California Primary vote on June 6th directly affects YOU and your family... and the entire country.

I am not being melodramatic.

(Well... maybe just a little. Indulge me. I live for election reform. I miss my vote.)

-more

Posted by awcd at 8:10 AM | Permalink

From the Clark Community Network Series Blog: Troops & Vets

No one gets left behind

I am disabled by my service to my nation.

To contemplate losing part of my family's budget, with no option to go to work and replace it, is just plain wrong. How could this happen?

On Thursday, May 18, the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission (VDBC) will meet to decide whether to combine my disability payments with social security -- thus reducing the amount me and my family have to live on to bare subsistence levels. The veterans community is up in arms, as they feel the VDBC is out to off set VA compensation against Social Security Disability benefits, which are granted and earned in two entirely different ways.

Before I became disabled, I was a letter carrier for the US Postal Service making $70,000.00 a year, working a lot of overtime. Then I became ill and had to go on SSD. From $70,000 to $14,000 a year was a drastic change. The next four years were spent fighting with the VA before they awarded my service-connected disability. I am just now back to middle class status. I learned where all the food kitchens were, which was not an education I wanted. If the proposed changes become law, I may very well have to learn where they are all over again, We don't over-live our budget, unlike the Republican party, and to lose even 1/3 of our income, would probably force us to lose our home and file bankruptcy -- again.

My Social Security Disability (SSD) check was earned by my paying my SS taxes every payday for 37 years, SSD is insurance, not welfare. All Americans pay into it, and all Americans that become totally disabled get it, even if they can collect large lump sum payments from their jobs, or from auto accidents that caused their disability.

These are options, however, that no military service member has.

-more

Posted by awcd at 8:25 AM | Permalink

by Catherine McClendon, A Wes Clark Democrat

Margaret Edds has an interesting article on the Virginian-Pilot website, which clearly conveys the two candidates' strength and weaknesses in the upcoming senatorial Democratic primary race in Virginia.

The only sentence that I must correct is one in which she uses Wes Clark as an inaccurate, untimely example. She wrote: "From Adm. James Stockdale to Gen. Wesley Clark, American politics is rife with examples of strong military men who never successfully made the transition to political candidate."

To cite General Clark as one who has never been successful as a candidate in politics is an overstatement. Wes Clark came into the Democratic 2004 primary race one year (if not more) later than the other candidates running. He raised the most money in the crucial month of January. He shifted the debate to one on Foreign Policy experience during the primaries, which quickly highlighted the hole that Howard Dean had in his resume. Had it not been for Wes Clark's decision not to contest Iowa, it is very possible that the primary race would have turned out differently, but at least with the focus redirected toward Foreign Policy experience, Kerry came out of Iowa the victor.

Keep in mind that Wes Clark, without any "free" coming-out-of-Iowa publicity, still managed to come in 3rd in New Hampshire (ahead of 2nd place Iowa winner Edwards), placed 2nd in Arizona, North Dakota, and New Mexico; and won Oklahoma. In fact, he was the only candidate apart from John Kerry to actually win a state that was not his own (so to that degree, he was more successful than the experienced politicians in the race).

By the time Tennessee and Virginia came around, the newspapers were solely mentioning John Kerry and John Edwards, apart from a speeding ticket story on Clark's caravan. By the time he wisely threw in the towel to endorse John Kerry, Clark was still polling 2nd in Wisconsin.

Continue reading "Clark 2004: It depends on how one measures success" »

Posted by awcd at 2:21 PM | Permalink

America loves a GI

by Donna Zen, A Wes Clark Democrat

When the DLC cranks on the netroots, they slip into the same delusional thinking that swirls in the brains of the average voter. They label us in an effort to define us and shut us in a box. But I've been online since Dec. 12, 2000, and I have a very different take on the netroots. We are living breathing people from all over the country who live varied lives and do varied jobs. We are activists to one degree or another, and probably the same people the Democrats call repeatedly for money and phone banking. Many of us in our embodied lives vs our cyber world, actually belong to and participate in Democratic organizations. How far "left" we are is also varied, although I've found that most netrooters just want a better form of government—like the one outlined in the Constitution. Oh, and how about a few policies aimed at us and our kids?

The greatest difference between the netroots and the average voter is: WE READ. We read constantly and from world-wide sources. We dismiss more tainted information by noon than most people read in a year. That is probably why we fight about our candidates with such vigor, because we do know what we like. It's good unless it's bad. We need to cool it.

Many people who support Hillary Clinton believe she voted against the IWR. 72% of the people who voted for Bush thought that he was in favor of cheap drugs from Canada. Plenty of idiots still think that Saddam was connected to 911 including Frank Gaffney, and including my classes. (I know, I ask them.) Even the people who are involved in politics often know little...take my local Democratic committee...please. My Dem. group thinks that Blitzer is a liberal. It is not that people aren't concerned, but the information highway is riddled with pot holes like going to work, picking up the kids, finding the cat, paying the bills, and just slogging along in America. And of course, faux news.

Every janitor in my building was for Clark and their number one reason was that he wasn't a politician. When he dropped out, they told me that they couldn't vote for Kerry because he'd take their guns. I told them that Clark's position was identical to Kerry's. "Nope," they said, "Clark is a general and a general would never take your guns." I'm telling you, I tried.

Continue reading "Netroots 'factinistas' and Wes Clark 2008" »

Posted by awcd at 10:32 AM | Permalink

Wes Clark Democrats think very highly of Russ Warner, who had the good sense to be a Clark supporter in the General's run for the Democratic nomination in 2004, and now wants, as we do, a second run for Clark in 2008. But we would like Russ Warner for Congress from CA-26 even without that. He is determined to rid the United States House of Representatives of David Drier and turn the United States of America off the path of destruction it's been on since January 2001. He's a great guy, a great American, a man of tremendous decency and leadership ability. It's refreshing, it's clean, it's like a bottle of Clorox applied to a germ-ridden sink, to have a man of Russ Warner's character and competence step up for the Democrats against Drier.

Russ is no politician, he's running because his son, an Army sergeant now at West Point, came home from his war service, told his father all about what's happening in Iraq and dared him to do something about it. Russ Warner is a businessman, an up by the bootstraps type, who is a great champion of American small business. We need some of them in public office, people who know how to get it done instead of just talk about it. When we as a nation can finally get back to the basics, education and health care and Social Security and the environment, for a few examples, we will need people like Russ Warner to rebuild what George W. Bush and his agents, such as David Drier, have torn down.

Continue reading "California Democrats endorse Warner for race against Drier" »

Posted by awcd at 9:15 AM | Permalink

From LSophia on Clark Community Network:

Darfur Protests update

The Seattle Darfur protest went very well yesterday. The most impressive thing is that it was almost entirely youth-run, mainly high school students, although one poised sixth-grader spoke as well. I hope she runs for public office some day. It was a pleasure to hear so many passionate, caring, well-spoken teenagers. Sadly, no public officials attended - we had both a rabbi and a minister from the Seattle Church Council, both of whom were very eloquent. The most moving speaker was a young man from Darfur itself, who thanked "Americans" for caring and getting involved. We're been getting such a black eye on the world stage lately, it was wonderful to hear some praise for a change.

The march itself was fairly quiet. Darfur needs a slogan or a song, because the chants didn't really work very well. Once we got to the federal building, the students participated in a symbolic "die-in" to represent the thousands of the dead, culminating in a ten-second scream meant to indicate the "breaking of the world silence." It was very effective.

They handed out "Action Plans" - See below. Attendance was estimated around 500. Here are some links for more information:

Media accounts
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002963874_darfurmarch01m.html
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/268577_darfur01.html

About the Darfur Genocide:
• www.unsudanig.org
• www.hrw.org
• www.doctorswithoutborders.org
• www.savedarfurwa.org
• www.millionvoicesfordarfur.org

Continue reading "Speaking out on Darfur in Seattle" »

Posted by awcd at 10:24 AM | Permalink

A first person report

By Carol Kilyanek, A Wes Clark Democrat

Just returned from the cocktail reception WesPAC fundraiser at George Soros’ place. First of all, Mr. Soros is a most gracious host, a really lovely man and he’s really concerned with the future of this country. I loved him. And he has a very nice place.

Melange was there so I got to see her again. Also saw some of the folks I know from the ‘04 Clark campaign in NYC and that was nice. Lewis Cohen from Democracy for NYC was there. I’d met him at the January NYC Eric Massa fundraiser and again at the Democracy for NYC Spring Gala and it was nice to see him again.

So, when I got there, just after 6:30, Wes was already there and talking to a small group of men. When I came down the stairs, he broke away and greeted me with that wonderful smile, a handshake and a “thank you for coming, Carol” as he read my name tag. I let him get back to his conversation and moved along.

I met a nice couple there who were Wes supporters from ‘04. The woman told me she’d heard Eric Massa on Al Franken this afternoon and, although she liked him before, she was really surprised with how good he was, how much he knows, what a good grasp he has on the issues. I hadn’t heard the interview so it was nice to hear Eric kicked butt. Go Eric! Oh, and there was a woman there who is organizing another NYC fundraiser for Eric...I think next week.

Continue reading "Wes and George (Soros, that is) in Manhattan" »

Posted by awcd at 9:38 AM | Permalink

by Larry Huynh, A Wes Clark Democrat

From CCN:

I will always be so proud of what the Draft Clark movement did in 2003. It really was a formative experience for me in politics. Many thanks to Brent Blackaby and Jason McIntosh for dragging me in.

Chris Bowers has a post on DailyKos about Gore 08. He basically bitches about the Gore supporters being all talk and no action. He directly contrasts this with Draft Clark:

Draft Gore in 2008, but only do it if you mean it. Back up you words with real action. Don't whine to me about how I or some other leadership element is keeping you down or preventing this from happening. Give over your persecution and get to it. The Draft Clark movement wasn't damaged in the slightest because Markos didn't include Clark in his Cattle Calls until a week after Clark officially announced. Instead, the people behind that movement, who included my brilliant comrade Matt Stoller, did something. Hell, they did a lot of something. They were the white-hot burning core of a new wave of progressive activists who shook the very throne of power in DC. They were a perfect example of why people pay attention to blogs now, and why what we do here does in fact matter. Actions like those are why it is now possible for Ned Lamont to make a serious run at Joe Lieberman. They were netroots activists. Are you?

And I think that's what I've been so impressed with regarding so many in the Draft Clark movement. Folks have moved forward since the 2004 campaign to get involved locally. They haven't stopped doing good because General Clark is no longer running for president. They have continued to build politics locally and online. But Bowers also makes a good point for everyone here hoping General Clark jumps back into the presidential mix. Don't wait. Continue laying the groundwork as we did during the Draft Clark days. And if he jumps back in, General Clark will have an even bigger, stronger base of support to start off with than last time.

Posted by awcd at 11:08 AM | Permalink

The "Take Back the House" event for Francine Busby, who is running for Congress in CA-50, sponsored by SoCal Grassroots, with Stephanie Miller as MC. After missing the San Francisco bash, this Clarkie hopped a plane for Hollywood.

Amy's "OMG I Met Wes Clark" pic

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Ehmer attended an evening reception for General Clark given by the 4 Star Democratic Club in West LA:

Now for my impressions of the rest of the evening: I didn't track how long the General spoke, but it wasn't nearly long enough. I didn't try to take notes but tried to pay attention to the manner in which he answered questions. I was looking for honesty, sincerity and real answers to the questions. I loved Jack Kennedy, but I marveled at how great his answers sounded without saying anything. Bill Clinton was also good at that.

Every single question that the General was asked (spying, Iran, wounded vets, it was obvious that he had given the subject a lot of thought and his answers were very comprehensive and very well structured (point- by- point-by-point). He also has a way of bringing in his personal involvement without making it sound contrived or self-serving. This was particularly true when he talked about visiting wounded vets whose situation was quite bleak and how important the support of their families was. He said that some of the families just can't handle the situation and opt out. He emphasized how important it is for all of us to support all of the returning troops, particularly those who have suffered debilitating wounds.

When asked about Iran, he spoke about the so-called, "axis of evil" and the relative threat of Korea, Iran and Iraq. GWB chose to attack Iraq (which the General described as a "two-foot rattlesnake in a box" as compared to the genuine threats of the other two to our national security). He stated that militarily, we could probably go in and knock out their nuclear capability, but that would leave us in pretty much the same situation as when GWB declared, "Mission Accomplished". Again, he stressed the need to exhaust all diplomatic avenues before taking military action.

Bottom line, I heard and saw what I was hoping to. As many people have said, "He is the real deal". While he didn't discourage talk about him running in 2008, he made it clear that everyone's priority right now should be on 2006.

Posted by awcd at 4:31 PM | Permalink

General Clark is spending all his money running around the country to help elect Democrats in 2006. We're glad to do our part. Here are some happy Clarkies who attended a posh evening with General Clark at San Francisco's Hotel Monaco to bank some bucks for WesPac. Tricia Keith-Spiegel's "Mother Spiegel's Report" is a great read, and so is Sybil Liberty's "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." Joe Rubio gives a gracious thank you to the Clark supporters who organized the event.

It was Bridget's birthday: Happy Birthday, Bridget!

I see Frenchie has a classy new haircut.

Wes Clark with Frenchie, proud Wes Clark Democrat
(note WCD pin above nametag)

A trio of Bay Area Clarkies

Word is... Wes read a satirical "Memo from Karl Rove" addressed to George W. Bush, the text of which we won't make public, since Democrats don't Swiftboat anybody with satire. Joe Rubio called it "a very entertaining and chillingly realistic 'strategy paper' for Bushian and Republican success in '06 and beyond."

Touché, Wes. A small shot across the bow. We know what they're about and we're ready for them.

These extremists have gotten away with killing far too much for far too long: Our Kids, Our Honor, Our Treasure, Our Government, Our Constitution.

Enough is Enough!

Posted by awcd at 7:09 PM | Permalink