Wes Clark Is A National Treasure
Submitted by LJM on June 30, 2008 - 12:55pm.
Wes Clark | Wesley Clark
I have been a part of the Clark Community since it started in 2003, precisely, because I have observed what a national treasure Wes Clark is. Yesterday, Wes Clark walked point for Barack Obama in taking on the experience question on Face The Nation. When Wes walked point in Vietnam, he was shot 4 times. He didn't say anything on Face The Nation that demeaned John McCain's military service. On the contrary, he called him a hero. Wes Clark knows something about heroism first hand having taken those bullets and still seeing to the safety of the troops under his command that day. Gert Clark told me in Little Rock, they almost lost Wes when he was shot.
Obama denounced what Wes Clark said yesterday when he talked about how John McCain's military service, as heroic as it was, wasn't a qualification as experience to be president. He said it just as he knows having been shot 4 times in Vietnam isn't a qualification of experience to be president.
I didn't support Barack Obama in the primary. I watched what Bill Clinton said in response to a question in South Carolina be taken totally out of context, claiming what Clinton said was racist. The thing I was most afraid of happened today. Barack Obama has thrown Wes Clark under the bus for having walked point for him yesterday on Face The Nation and taking the bullets for him from the media spin machine that's been churning ever since.
I wish General Clark and his family all the best. I hope they have time this summer to go fishing. Wes Clark is a national treasure. He is an American hero and a patriot.
(((((Wes)))))
“No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self.” - Susan B. Anthony, 1872
Not only is Wes Clark a national treasure, he is also the gold standard of the Democratic Party. Period.
Both he and the Mrs.
Absolutely.
Wonderful blog, ljm.
what is O doing for Wes?
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark could still secure America as a national security candidate.
The Obama campaign used and abused Wes. They did the same to Bill Clinton. They have shown they can triangulate with the best of them.
The msm has misrepresented Wes on this one. The Obama campaign apparently considers Wes "expendable", because rather than calling the msm on their misrepresentation of what Wes said, they issued a statement wrongfully implying that Wes did say that.
What they did to Bill Clinton, bad as it was, they did to a competitor. Here, they are doing the same thing to a partner.
"Ruthless" is another word that comes to my mind.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark could still secure America as a national security candidate.
Bill Burton's statement falsely implies that Wes doesn't honor and respect Senator McCain's service:
Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton today said that Obama does not agree with that characterization. "As he's said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and of course he rejects yesterday's statement by General Clark," Burton said in a statement.
In other words, they are not only throwing Wes under the bus for what he said, they are supporting an ugly falsehood concerning what he said.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark could still secure America as a national security candidate.
TheMcCain campaign has hired one of the Swift Boat Veteran's for Truth to go after people like Wes. Kerry called McCain on having that guy working for him and said he should cut him loose. McCain was against the SBVT in 2004. How convenient to bring them on board his campaign now. Wes didn't "swiftboat" McCain the way the media is making it out to be. It's ugly. I hope Bill Clinton tells Obama that himself when they talk today.
The MSM are a bunch of ratf***ers. Any time you think they're giving you positive coverage, you better look behind you to see what's coming at your back.
If I knew how to operate this forum, my wording would of shown I was being sarcastic by "italic and bold" comments.
Trust me...............I get it!
Going to the welcome area to learn the board.
Thanks.
go to "enable rich-text" and you can do all those things. Even cross out
something.Click on the tree and you can add pictures.When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends. Japanese Proverb
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Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!
What's not to get? The media has had a love affair with John McCain for years and years. McCain hired one of the Swifties, so this shouldn't be a surprise. This is what they do. O rolled over for the swifties.
eom
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
And I notice there are now at least 25 here who think similarly.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark could still secure America as a national security candidate.
I hope he will go fishing too!! If they aren't biteing, maybe a swim with Gert, and his son's family! Enough is Enough!
Of course I believe his love of country, will still be in his heart! He will do whatever it takes to serve!
I always seem to find my way back here. I've been mostly lurking over at talkleft, I'm an avid Armando reader. Not enough time until lately to post and participate.
nowadays. I seldom post (I have a different username over there) but I find the TalkLeft regulars to be
introspective, intelligent, and sensible. Lots of like--minded refugees from Kos.
I noticed tonight that Armando was once again talking about being a Wes Clark "fanboy". LOL
actually surprised that Obama willingly threw our General under the bus? Did anyone really think Obama would come out and clarify that General Clark did not questions McCain's patriotism or heroism, and in fact praised it, but merely stated a fact -- that nothing McCain has done qualifies him to be C in C?
This is not surprising at all, and I'm only slightly surprised it took all of a week to discover the lack of respect and honor Obama has for General Clark. And I feel a sense of relief that hopefully this will discourage Obama from asking Clark to be his VP. Not that I ever believed he would in the first place, but hopefully this seals the deal.
I hope this will allow General Clark to put some distance between himself and Obama's campaign for good. I always feared he would be brought down if he got too close, and those fears have been realized.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
on purpose away from a wobbly nominee to create an opportunity. In Rocks Scissors Paper world Wes smashes cuts wraps owns McCain on this debate. Hopefully the firestorm nets a ton of media invites for WKC to get his message out. Personally I heart the anti-McCain stuff, just can't stomach the pro-O! stuff that inevitably must also travel with it.
Nonetheless WKC will actually end up owning this debate.
But it doesn't make this any easier to watch. Poor Wes!
"She hopes to open shadowed eyes on a different world...." Robert Smith, borrowed from Penelope Farmer
I never respected Obama and always thought
him lacking in character. But I sure wish
he hadn't decided to show his personal
failings at Wes's expense. I will never
forgive Obama or vote for him. Never.
...episode of W.O.R.M.
I remember that bumper sticker from 2003... and it says it all. He is doing what he thinks is best for his country, and it's coming at a price evidently.
I am saddened that he seems to be one of the many sacrificial lambs for O's campaign. Instead of winning the vote of this HRC/Clark supporter, Obama and his camp seem to be doing everything possible to make sure he doesn't get my support.
This city needs to be destroyed! Or, at least painted another color. ~Squidward
I held my breath.
From the time he walked the plank for Obama on Morning Joe and I knew he was unlikely to have a net beneath him. He's a four star. He works without a net, I told myself. He'll be fine... I knew he was sticking his neck out into some acidic territory with that line of commentary... but Wes does what he has to do. Gestures of that sort surely won't go unappreciated, unrecompensed by some sort of gallant recognition... still... what's that tightness in my chest?
To the time he did it again on Schieffer and it picked up the inevitable traction we all knew it would. Held my breath. Could he maybe stumble right off the edge of the plank where he was so dangerously teetering... or might he just be unceremoniously pushed off? Held my breath, knowing the right wing sharks that waited in the water for some of the General's blood. Knowing the propensity of the Obama campaign to give a gentle nudge to the politically inconvenient. I listened for a splash.
To digesting the zealous squeals of the former doubters and Wes haters at the Orange fields-- Oh yes, suddenly he's the dream VP candidate! A few weeks prior he was unfit to even have his name typed upon their sacred screens, but now he positively glows with newfound transcendence... we can forgive him his earlier sins...
I held my breath.
To when I came home from appointments midday today - still holding my breath - to ask my husband ....
Has Obama spoken out in defense of Wes yet?
I held my breath in anticipation of the inevitable answer.
The buzzword around here is the C- word.
Coward.
Obama's campaign denounced what Wes said. Carville was very clear that Wes was responding to a specific question and then Carville followed up with the example of his uncle the decorated war hero who wouldn't be qualified to be president.
Too funny, Renate- forgive me for laughing when I can see from your comment & others that you have made that you are truly upset, but you know what I mean.
I think snowbunny's comment downthread also would have gotten a lot of stars were it not for her reference of Carville being "awesome!"
Part of the disappointment for O! supporters has to be that the product doesn't seem match the packaging or the hype.
It's such a no brainer for the Democratic default position to always, always, always follow General Clark's lead. When General Clark speaks on national security, mere politicians should listen.
....been a coward.
When has he ever stood up for, or against anything?
He either doesn't show up for the vote or votes "present"
“No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self.” - Susan B. Anthony, 1872
As soon as I read the transcript - I knew O was going to turn his back on Wes. Let Wes speak the hard truth and let the people hear it. The words will stick in the minds of many people. Then O disconnects himself from Wes'words (even though he'll be glad the impact was made with those words) once the Repubs start hitting back hard immediately on all angles of the media.
I'll be shocked if O has Wes in his administration (if O actually wins). I bet he'll use Wes for everything he can gain then turn a deaf ear to Wes when he needs to hear his (Wes') wisdom.
This doesn't surprise me one bit.
Talking Points Memo has a great discussion of the foolishness of the Obama campaign in rejecting Clark's comments on Face the Nation. I agree with Josh about 100% on this one. This whole campaign scene has been a farce in requiring the rejecting-renouncing pronouncements of the candidates, and it epitomizes that political correctness supercedes any pronouncement of the truth. Both campaigns have become so predictable that you can write the candidates position before he even says it. Obama's response rejecting Clark's "shot down" remark is predictable. Clark spoke the truth. The press has grossly mischaracterized what he said, but what else it new?
What you'll never see from Clark is the reaction that many here have taken. He is relentless is his impassioned belief that John McCain would be bad for America, and that the country needs Barack Obama and his Democratic leadership. Clark will continue his support for Obama, despite the political necessity which Obama felt in distancing himself from Clark. He will also vigorously campaign for House and Senate Democrats. That's who he is. I think he knows precisely why Obama did what he did, but Clark will remain unphased.
On the bright side, Josh Marshall's response of typical of many who see General Clark saying the right thing at the right time and saying it with authority. McCain touts his experience in keeping up the false Republican mantra that only John McCain can keep us safe. General Clark decimates the only thing McCain has going for him. Many are applauding Clark's talk of truth to power, and Jon Soltz has a "keep it up, General" ad out now.
This campaign is much bigger than Barack Obama. It's about the future of a country which has been demoralized and torn down by eight years of George W. Bush. General Clark will fight with everything he has to keep Bush from having a third term in John McCain. This goal and dream are what energizes General Clark, and we need to keep this broad picture in mind.
And LJM, here is precisely the reason that Wes Clark is a national treasure, just as General Barry McCafferty said.
Why is it a "political necessity which Obama felt in distancing himself from Clark." Where is O's leadership? Where is his courage in face of the MSM? Why didn't he make the issue his own and reiterate the truth of Clark's words, emphasizing those real words which the MSM is ignoring?
Obama had everything to gain and nothing to lose by doing so. If he is about "change," that should include changing the knee-jerk reactions to the buzz word of "hero" just because someone served in a war. That would make Timothy McVeigh a hero.
Obama could have owned this issue.
Wes stands strong and O does not. IMO - It's all about "Country First" with Wes. It's all about O First with BO.
Where is O's leadership? Where is his courage in face of the MSM? Why didn't he make the issue his own and reiterate the truth of Clark's words, emphasizing those real words which the MSM is ignoring?
He is not a leader.
He is a public speaker.
They threw him under the bus. Don't go looking for Wes to back down or feel differently than those of us who have posted on this thread. I'm sure that Wes was hurt more by the words of the Obama campaign than he was when he took the bullets in Vietnam. The Obama campaign is all about triangulation and Chicago style mean politics, sorry, that's how it is.
Who wants General Clark to back down? No way. He was right in what he said, and the idea that any rational reader or view could conclude that he was questioning John McCain's military service is farcical.
Clark knows the political game - he was pummelled unfairly in the 2004 campaign, just like a lot of other candidates. He may question why Obama did what he did, but it will have no effect on his perserverence to get Obama elected. Clark's vision is far beyond his own sensitivities and political aspirations. When you go to war, you take the wounds and you keep on fighting.
great post much appreciated but as for
He is relentless is his impassioned belief that John McCain would be bad for America - [with you so far.]
and here's where you lose me...
and that the country needs Barack Obama and his Democratic leadership.
The latter is surely purely a matter of your own personal opinion.
Over 18 million Democratic primary voters didn't think so, but apparently the powers that be stuck us with the burden of such a ridiculous figure as this particular nominee.
And as for any discussion of "political correctness" perhaps we'd best not go there today.
Bluemoon - You are right in one sense. Before Obama won the nomination, General Clark and millions of others did not believe that the country needed Obama. That's a good point.
As for my "personal opinion," it has always been that the country needs Wes Clark as president. He is the only candidate to whom I have ever given any financial support. I did not contribute to Obama's campaign. I think Obama is an inspiring speaker and certainly not a "ridiculous figure," but I agreed with Bill Clinton during the campaign that a vote for Obama was like "rolling the dice." When comparing Obama v. Clark, the choice is not even close for me. The country "needs" Barack Obama now only because he is the Democratic nominee. Let's put it this way: The country needs Barack Obama, because otherwise George Bush will serve his third term in the person of John McCain.
thank you- beautifully reasoned & nicely articulated.
As for me, I am unable to support Barack Obama as merely the lesser of two evils.
The perfidy of the corporate Democratic Party has also risen to unacceptable, indeed, unsurvivable levels. There is stink all over this season & I can hardly breathe.
I'm independent for that very reason. I was not really interested in politics until George W got into office, and we needed some way to get him out. Wes Clark was criticized as not a "true" Democrat when he ran in 2004. I always considered that a plus. Pat Buchanan once described the Republican party as a "wholly-owned subsidiary of corporate America." I think it's worse than that, and that party's perfidy probably exceeds that of the Dems.
Yes, I do understand that John McCain is not
what the country needs, that his administration
would be dangerous for us all and cause much
misery for generations to come. BUT, what can
be said FOR an Obama administration? This man
has no convictions, has repudiated several
basic progressive values in the past couple of
weeks, and has now disrespected the most
valuable campaign asset he had, Wes Clark. There
is no reason to believe that he will work for,
let alone accomplish, anything I, as a Democrat,
think should be done. The minute it becomes
the least bit inconvenient to support something
or someone, he abandons the idea or person. I
don't trust his so-called "judgment" and I see
a dangerous lack of personal character and
conviction on his part. Who's to say that his
administration would not be just as detrimental
to the country? I understand that Wes Clark will
not let a personal insult deter him, but I fail
to see in Obama anything to respect or to vote
for. Quite the opposite, in fact.
I think that both Senator Clinton and General Clark were both extremely concerned that some people would be unable to vote for Obama when Clinton was not the nominee. That's why both of them gave their enthusiastic support for Obama. The only thing I can say is to consider the alternative of a McCain presidency. If that's not enough, then I very much respect your opinion.
"that the country needs Barack Obama and his Democratic leadership."
What Obama did today, in not supporting General Clark, is not a show of leadership - it clearly shows a lack of honor and character.
The amazing lack of leadership shown by Obama on just about every issue is frightening. He's yet to win my vote.
I don't think we know how Wes has reacted to this, do we? You know, you push Wes too far and he'll beat the shit out of you...
We learn. We change. That's progress. If we don't do that, well, we're GWB.
I have the comment in MP3 form on my hard drive. Wes was responding to an old vet in New Hampshire about what he would do if the Republicans attacked his patriotism. He didn't know he was being recorded, and it was hysterical to see him turn around and see the guy with the camera and the overhead microphone. Someone in the campaign later said that Clark misspoke. He meant to say "beat the living shit out of 'em."
From a real vet of the Clark blog. That's the vintage Clark at his best. He told the Democrats in Californa to get some starch when they felt like capitulating to the Bush rationale for Iraq. Great thing to bring up at that point. Perfect advice.
Well, I never really thought about Wes being Obama's VP until alot of people at work were asking me about the General that I supported back in 2003 and I was shocked that they actually listened to me and read the info I gave them about General Clark. Everyone is telling me that Obama needs Wes and if he doesn't have Wes then Obama might as well kiss the presidential spot goodbye. Again it is the media and everyone in Washington that doesn't want Wes because he speaks the truth and he would actually do some good for the people. They are scared of Wes so they are taking any shots they can to keep Wes down. But the smart ones really knows what Wes was talking about. I mean being a POW doesn't make you a qualified to be president but actually being in a position making decisions about saving lives and preventing war and just making good judgements to me qualifies you to be president. Wes was just saying that McCain is using his POW as a qualification to be president and Obama is using his good judgement as qualification to be president. If people would do their homework on Clark they would actually learn something and see that Wes would be perfect to be VP and that he loves his country and the men and women in service. Obama is gonna being kicking himself for not standing up for Wes. He is going to realize that he is gonna needs Wes in the end. I am glad to see that Carville was defending the General. Somebody needs to. I love Carville...he is awesome!!!!
uninspired by Barack Obama. Now I am not only uninspired, I am hoppin' mad at the man! Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth......
BO needs to get his head out of his a** and pronto!
He is a national treasure...and he deserves SO MUCH better than this. :(
((((((Wes))))))
"She hopes to open shadowed eyes on a different world...." Robert Smith, borrowed from Penelope Farmer
AND I agree with "Bluemoon" - he's also the gold standard...PERIOD!
We love you Gen Wes!
"When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?"
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Therefore, he can say whatever he damn well pleases about anyone else running for President!
It is so nice to check in and see 'everyone' back here safe and sound. Can't tell ya how nice it is to actually come here and log in!!
see you all again but I am so happy to be wrong about that and wow, what a change in tone here!!
Now this is the Clarkie blog I know so well. Positive, vibrant and so alive.
Absolutely great to 'see' you ms!!!!
I tell ya', what some people won't do to unify his troops!
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!
