Draft Wes Clark for Vice President
Submitted by andym on February 13, 2008 - 1:55pm.
Democratic politics
I would like to help promote the idea of "drafting" Wes Clark for Vice President. Clearly he should have been the Presidential candidate this year, but since that is now impossible, I would like to see him get serious consideration as VP. Of course this is ultimately the decision of the nominee, but I feel that if the logic and support for Clark become well known that it will help favor him over the political dealing that may eventually dominate the discussions. Btw,at a minimum, we need on the ticket to insure that the ticket is seen as super competent against terrorism and knowledgeable about Iraq and other trouble spots throughout the world.
Of course, as a modest man, Clark cannot himself start this battle.
So it is up to his supporters. My question is timing. We are still in the midst of the primary season, and at the moment there is a dead heat. Should we wait until after it is clear who will win the nomination? I'm not sure. The partisan nature of the primary season is dominant right now and it may be wise to wait. Passions run high. I don't want to lose his focus on this site of helping Hillary. My best guess, is at a minimum that this idea should be floated out there on the internet, and wait for a little more clarity on the nomination. In that vein, I will try to get this idea out there on the democratic sites in the coming weeks, and I hope some of you join me. I've already floated the idea on DU once a few days ago.
Of course, it will be easier if Hillary Clinton wins, since Wes is supporting her, but I want to make sure that Clark receives the consideration he deserves. Wes loves America first and foremost and will help the eventual nominee no matter what. And both need his help, that is for sure.
Waiting is fine and probably prudent. I just don't want to wait too long, and get an outcome like we had in 2004.
With a friend in Oklahoma that supported Wes in 04 but supported Obama this time around. And somehow he is under the impression that Obama was going to tap Clark for VP. I said it was highly unlikely. But he would more then likely get offered a spot in a Clinton administration if not the VP spot.
I told him politely what I thought about Mr Hope and Change and I thought we needed more because of all the damage that Bushco has done. And he seemed like he agreed with me to a point. But you know he can't have his vote back. I think he got sucked in by all the corporate media. He even agreed with me that the media goes off and doesn't tell the truth or they omit the truth where it is necessary.
Secretary of State...but that's just me.
with on the ticket with them for their own reasons. It's not up to Wes and it's not up to us.
Nominees choose who they think will help them the most, both during the election and afterwards. Comfort does play a role, but I think it is a secondary factor, at least based on history of other nominees and their VP choices (Kennedy/LBJ being the best example).
I do agree with you that ultimately it is the nominee's choice who to pick, BUT this is very often influenced by
1) the recommendations of other, knowledgeable, political leaders
2) Buzz and name recognition. I am pretty sure that's why Edwards got the nod last time-- he was in the news and being touted as VP after Clark dropped out.
I think it is possible that generating "buzz" for Clark might help him. If it resonates with others it might catch on. Also, after the nomination is set, we might contact party leaders on his behalf with strong arguments.
because he went after it with a take no prisoners zeal I've never seen before. He had the trial lawyers to donate money to clinch the deal. Kerry was not comfortable with Edwards. I have no idea who Obama might pick, but Hillary would select someone very similar to the choice Bill made in Al Gore. Obama would need a Dick Cheney. That's what Kerry is angling for IMHO.
Dean has made noises like he or someone will have to step in if the nomination process doesn't wind up real soon. I don't think that is going to happen. The best solution is for Obama and Clinton to step out of the way and agree on Clark.
He has probably been bombarded with mail over the invisible voters in Florida and Michigan. I imagine he is taking flak from both sides over this one. I know that he doesn't want a brokered convention. And yet he doesn't want to piss off Florida and Michigan. And even the other states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina when they broke the rules and didn't get punished. He's probably hoping it won't come down to the convention. But as time goes on it is looking more and more like it might. I don't think I would want to be in his shoes right now.
Maybe Dean should show up at an Obama rally and let out one of his famous Dean screams. Arggggggghhhhhhh. Now that should scare some of the Obama voters.
I will circulate to all my Clark contacts
Bill (from RI)
I'm glad someone is interested in helping Clark to be VP! The plan may be quixotic, but who knows it might just help.
I've started a "Draft Clark for VP!" blog on the Barack Obama web site. The biggest argument I get is that Wes Clark is a Clinton supporter. I like to turn this argument on its head by saying that Clark for Vice President could be a way to unify the two factions of the Democratic Party. Besides I have been monitoring Clark's comments to the press, and he hasn't been critical of Obama. He has just been supportive of Clinton.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/WesleyClarkVP/gGgNsZ
Wes should not be put in a position where he has to prop up an arrogant, lying, empty suit who has a messiah complex.
And it would do him no good to be part of what could well turn out to be the biggest rout by a Republican since Reagan
My opinion only, of course
"A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood of ideas in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people." JFK
This is not the time for anyone to be suggesting specifics on the VP slot. Even knowing who the nominee for President is going to be is in the far distance. I think General Clark would not see this as advantageous to the democratic process.
regardless of who the DEM prez candidate is, i think we need the compassion, smarts and experience
of Wes Clark as VP of America
to guide us sensibly out of Iraq and towards a more secure future!
Bill (from RI)
But we sure as hell don't need the inexperienced, untested and ethically challenged Obama.
For the good of the Democratic Party, Obama must drop out - NOW! He is no longer a viable national candidate.
RE: Clearly he should have been the Presidential candidate this year, but since that is now impossible
Are you sure it is impossible? Neither Hillary or Obama can get the number of required votes to lock it up. Is it not still possible to nominate wes at the convention?
but I definitely support the idea!!!
Obama and Clark obviously don't have the friendship that Hillary and Clark have. And since Clark has not stayed neutral in the primaries, I personally don't see Obama/Clark happening... but I could certainly be wrong.
Right now, the primaries are much too close to talk about veeps. McCain can do that now, but it would be very presumptuous for Obama or Clinton to talk about veeps at this point. If Clinton gets through Texas/Ohio/Pennsylvania OK, then I think it's time for her to say Clark's the guy.