PolitickerNJ: Codey reaffirms support for Clark as VP

August 18, 2008

PolitickerNJ.com reports that former NJ Governor Dick Codey reaffirms his support for General Clark as Vice President: 

NEWARK - Senate President Richard Codey (D- Essex) stands by retired Gen. Wesley Clark as his top choice to complement a ticket with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Codey called for Clark as his party’s vice presidential candidate months ago, at a time when the four star general appeared to be on Obama’s short list. (...)

Additionally, Clark was a Hillary Clinton partisan in the primary who could help bring those voters in to help unify the party behind Obama.

"I still think Clark would be an excellent choice," said Codey.

 

Colter Walls: Democratic Convention Theme Taken From Wes Clark's PAC

August 11, 2008

Huffington Post ran a very interesting piece today from Seth Colter-Walls:

My colleague Sam Stein reported earlier today that Barack Obama's VP choice will speak on the veteran-themed third night of the Democratic convention. As he noted, top Obama officials immediately poured water on any speculation that this coincidence necessarily signals a VP with military experience.

But here's one more interesting connection that hints ever-so-slightly toward the selection of a veteran veep, submitted by a sharp reader.

According to USA Today, the theme for Wednesday, Aug. 27 is "Securing America's Future," which just also happens to be the name of Gen. Wesley Clark's political action committee. (The URL for its website is simply "SecuringAmerica.com," but FEC filings list the full name.)

Huffington Post: "And It's Got To Be... Gen. Wesley Clark"

August 08, 2008

Judah Freed has a great article up on the Huffington Post touting a potential Obama-Clark ticket:

Barack Obama may announce his running mate this week, or he may wait until we get closer to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Wesley Clark might be the best choice to ensure Obama's election. (...)

When I look at the entire field of presidential hopefuls in the Democratic primaries, the process of elimination for "electability" leaves Clark as the one clear choice.

AP: Web site pulls for Clark as Obama running mate

August 01, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark is getting an online push for presidential running mate.

A new Web site, http://www.obamaclark.com, offers readers a chance to sign a petition supporting Clark's placement on the ticket with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. (Read the rest of the article on the AP wires)

Clark Dominating Daily Kos Poll

August 01, 2008

General Clark currently leads all contenders for the Vice Presidential nomination in a poll on one of the top recommended diaries on Daily Kos with nearly 70 percent of the vote. Jordans11 notes:

Let’s face it.

General Wesley Clark is the only Vice Presidential Candidate with Presidential campaign experience, who has military, foreign policy, diplomatic, and executive experience, with southern roots, appeal to Latinos and Hillary Clinton supporters, an existing national grassroots organization, an Oxford degree in economics, and who will not cause the Democrats to lose a Senate seat or a Governorship with his selection.

Evergreen Politics: My Dream Ticket

August 01, 2008

Evergreen Politics had a great post up supporting an Obama/Clark ticket and also reminding us of another reason General Clark is such a great leader for our country:

Clark is the most sought after supporter for Democrats around the country and he has been unstinting with his time and resources.  He was an early and firm supporter of Ned Lamont.  He endorsed Darcy and sent her money, both in '06 and this year.  When her house burned down, he put out a call to his email lists for assistance for her and raised $33,400 in a few days to "cover her back".

Vet Voice: Bloggers Pushing Wes Clark Back to the Forefront

August 01, 2008

Iraq Veteran and Renowned author Brandon Friedman previewed ObamaClark.com at Vet Voice:

Now that the hysteria has died down over General (Ret.) Wesley Clark's innocuous comments about John McCain's qualifications for the presidency, a group of bloggers are again urging Barack Obama to consider Clark for VP.

That decision is for Senator Obama alone to make, but it's good to see people rallying once again behind one of the best surrogates the pro-military, anti-McCain crowd has to offer.

Five Thirty Eight: Running (Mate) to the Center

July 31, 2008

Fivethirtyeight.com recently looked at what several of the Vice Presidential contenders would bring to the Democratic ticket.  Here is what they said about General Clark:

Wesley Clark

But here's the really interesting one. A month ago, picking Wesley Clark would have seemed like a fairly safe choice -- someone who allows you to check the "foreign policy" and "liked by Clinton supporters" boxes. It might have seemed, in other words, like a pander.

But because of the Face the Nation dust-up, all of the sudden it would send a very different message. It would say: we're going to stand our ground, we're not going to be so worried about being politically correct, and we're taking it right to you. Isn't that a fairly optimal message for Obama to send out given the present narrative?

Gen. Clark helps Noriega in Dallas fundraiser

July 31, 2008

Comparing his battle for the Senate to David's rumble against Goliath, Democrat Rick Noriega held a fundraiser in Dallas on Wednesday night that attracted nearly 700 people. (Read more at the Dallas Morning News)

General Clark Defends Obama's Iraq Policies On Morning Joe

July 31, 2008

Krugman: Rove's Third Term

July 04, 2008

Al Gore never claimed that he invented the Internet. Howard Dean didn’t scream. Hillary Clinton didn’t say she was staying in the race because Barack Obama might be assassinated. And Wesley Clark didn’t impugn John McCain’s military service. (...)

What General Clark actually said was that Mr. McCain’s war service, though heroic, didn’t necessarily constitute a qualification for the presidency. It was a blunt but truthful remark, and not at all outrageous — especially given the fact that General Clark is himself a bona fide war hero.

Yet the Clark affair did reveal something important — not about General Clark, but about Mr. McCain. Now we know what a McCain administration would represent: namely, a third term for Karl Rove. (Read the full column at NYTimes.com)

Gen. Clark Comes From Behind to Win CQ Politics VP Madness

July 02, 2008

Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark won CQ Politics’ reader-driven Democratic vice presidential contest, edging out Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. in the final round even as he came under fire for questioning the value of presumed Republican nominee John McCain ’s military service.

The “VP Madness” contest was designed to allow CQ readers to vote for whom they thought would be the best running mate for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama , the presumed Democratic presidential nominee. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee finished atop the Republican field in May. (Read more at CQPolitics.com)

Gen. Wesley Clark hits McCain on national security

June 20, 2008

Meet the Democratic VP Prospect: Wesley Clark

June 16, 2008

From the Wall Street Journal: Full Article

If it’s a military name he wants, Barack Obama probably can’t do much better than Gen. Wesley Clark.

Clark, 63 years old, has spent more than half his life in the army, including three years as a four-star general as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces in Europe, leading the Operation Allied Force in Kosovo.

His resume also includes impressive academic achievements, as a student at West Point and at Oxford and in subsequent teaching roles.

And as a white, southern Catholic — with a Jewish father and Southern Baptist upbringing — he could spearhead the ticket’s outreach to valuable constituencies.

He would be a late convert to Obama’s cause, after endorsing Hillary Clinton early in the race, but could help bring some of her supporters over to the general-election ticket.

There are limits to Clark’s appeal. As a candidate in the 2004 race for the Democratic nomination, he only managed to win Oklahoma before dropping out in February.

Also, Clark hasn’t held office, and is relatively new to the Democratic Party, though through his political action committee, WESpac, he’s been active for its candidates across the U.S. in recent years.

Colter Walls: Perhaps Clark Will Enlist For One More Campaign

June 11, 2008

From the Huffington Post: Full Article

On Tuesday, Sen. Kent Conrad revealed that Sen. Barack Obama is including "former top military leaders" among the approximately two dozen names currently rattling around in a not-so-short vice presidential short list.

Such figures don't come much more "top" in either political party than retired four-star General Wes Clark, the former Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO during the Kosovo War. After a late entry into the Democratic 2004 presidential race, in which he won the Oklahoma primary and finished second in three other contests, Clark turned himself into a popular surrogate on the stump for Democratic congressional candidates during the midterm elections. 

General Clark Campaigns for Charlie Brown

June 11, 2008

General Clark will spend much of the summer campaigning for Congressional candidates in some of the reddest districts in America.  In 2006, Clark was one of the top 3 most requested surrogates in the country for the DCCC.  This year, Clark will help Lt. Col. Charlie Brown take the Congressional seat long-held by Republican Rep. John Doolittle:

California: Clark: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Looks like 4th district Democratic nominee Charlie Brown will be spending some extra time this summer with retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, who ran for president in 2004.

Brown, a former police administrator and retired Air Force officer who ran for the 4th district seat in 2006, won an online contest called "Serve With the General," which is being sponsored by WesPAC, Clark's political action committee, and the Democratic advocacy group Democrats Work. Read more at RollCall.com (requires subscription)

 

Lawrence O'Donnell Touts an Obama/Clark Ticket On The Huffington Post

April 13, 2008

The long delayed Wesley Clark for VP echo chamber has finally begun. On June 15, 2007, I made the first noise on the McLaughlin Group: "The Democratic presidential nominee, no matter who he or she may be, will choose General Wesley Clark as the vice presidential nominee." The first echo occurred today on Meet The Press when Bob Shrum said Barack Obama will pick someone with a military background "and I think Wes Clark might be it."

I'm not counting my own echo of myself in last week's New York Magazine where I laid out the rationale for Clark's inevitability -- Obama needs military experience on the ticket to counter McCain and, as a strong Hillary supporter, Clark provides something of a unity ticket for the Democrats. (Read more at the Huffington Post)

General Clark Launches StopIranWar.com

February 28, 2007

"All Americans want to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons and interfering on the ground inside Iraq. Yet President Bush’s saber rattling gives the US little additional leverage to engage and dissuade Iran, and, more than likely, simply accelerates a dangerous slide into war. The United States can do better than this."

StopIranWar.com

 

 

Clark Campaigns For Ned Lamont

October 06, 2006


Clark Campaigns For Former Aide Eric Massa

September 03, 2006

One General Clark's former top aides at NATO and a former Clark 04 New Hampshire campaign staffer, Eric Massa, nearly knocked off Randy "Shotgun" Kuhl in 2006.  This year, General Clark will help make Massa New York's next U.S. Congressman:

 


 

5,960
Sign the Petition

I support Senator Barack Obama and General Wesley Clark as the 2008 Democratic nominees for President and Vice President.  Obama and Clark will unify the Democratic party and make the case to the American people that the time for change is now.  Both Obama and Clark had the courage to oppose the Iraq war from the start and have the ability to help America reaffirm its standing in the International Community.  The following case shows how General Wesley Clark is the one person who can complement Senator Barack Obama and help steer our nation back on track.

Executive Experience

General Clark is the only potential running mate with experience of leading our nation’s armed forces into war.  As NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, General Clark led Operation Allied Force, which saved 1.5 million Albanians from genocide, without losing a single American soldier.  

Military Background

During thirty-four years of service in the United States Army Wesley K. Clark rose to the rank of four-star general as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. In previous duty, General Clark was the Commander-in-Chief, US Southern Command, where he was responsible for all US military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

General Clark's awards and honors include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, The State Department Distinguished Service Award; the US Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal;(five awards), The US Army Distinguished Service Medal(two awards), The Silver Star, the Bronze Star (two awards), the Purple Heart, and Honorary Knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments.

Foreign Policy Experience

There is not greater authority on foreign policy in the Democratic Party than General Wesley Clark.  As a senior adviser to the International Crisis Group, he has traveled and worked in the Balkans, Northern Ireland, and Africa to bring peace treaties and stability to countries in their time of need.

He is the author of the best selling book Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosovo and the Future of Combat (Public Affairs, New York, NY 2001) and Winning Modern War: Iraq, Terrorism and the American Empire (Public Affairs, New York, NY 2003).

Against the War From the Start – Iraq and Iran

General Wesley Clark is one of the few potential running mates and national leaders who, like Senator Barack Obama, opposed the Iraq war from the start.  Having a running mate who was clearly against the war provides a strong contrast to John McCain, and gives the ticket credibility in fighting to change the mindset that led us into the war in Iraq.

In 2006, Clark launched StopIranWar.com to help frame the debate and stop the mindset that led us into Iraq, from leading us into a war with Iran.  Senator Obama and General Wesley Clark have been outspoken in leading the fight together on this effort.

Helping Down Ballot Tickets

In 2006, General Clark was one of the top 3 most requested surrogates of the  DCCC and was able to campaign effectively everywhere in the country.  He helped steer candidates to victory such as Admiral Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania, Tim Walz in Minnesota, Nick Lampson in Texas, Carol Shea Porter in New Hampshire, and future Congressman Charlie Brown in California, and Eric Massa in New York, just to name a few.

A True Progressive Without Bush Dog Votes

While many potential running mates have long lists of voting records that include votes to authorize war in Iraq, support trade agreements without the labor and environmental protections needed, and support of bankruptcy bills that hurt working class America, General Clark has no record of support for such legislation and has been outspoken in his opposition to such proposals.

Southern Roots

Wesley Clark was raised and still lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.  An Obama-Clark ticket will be in a unique position to compete in the South, especially in Clark’s home state of Arkansas, where polling shows the ticket will be in a strong position to defeat John McCain.  Clark will also strengthen the ticket in southern states with large veteran populations that are now competitive such as North Carolina.

Appeal In Latino Community and Southwest

General Clark ran a strong second to John Kerry in Arizona and New Mexico in 2004, even after Kerry wrapped up Iowa and New Hampshire.  This is in large part because of Clark’s popularity in the Latino community.  His grandchildren and daughter-in-law are Hispanic, and Clark is a fluent Spanish speaker.  He is a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform and has been an advocate on behalf of the Hispanic community.

A Man of Faith

Although General Clark has never been one to impose his own faith on others, and has close friends and family of several different faiths, his background as a practicing Catholic allows him to discuss issues of faith and connect with voters on levels unique to many Democratic candidates.

Reconciliation with the Clinton Camp

General Clark is the one person who can unite the Clinton and Obama wings of the Democratic Party.  As a longtime admirer of Senator Obama, there will be no greater and more loyal advocate for his candidacy than General Wesley Clark.  In addition, as a longtime personal friend and neighbor of the Clinton’s in Little Rock, Arkansas, General Clark is in a unique position to consolidate Hillary Clinton’s supporters around Barack Obama’s candidacy for President.

National Grassroots Operation In Place

In 2004, General Wesley Clark was drafted into the race for President of the United States by the Draft Clark movement that had activists working in all 50 states.  Hundreds of thousands of these supporters are still active on General Clark’s email network and through WesPac.  This network will quickly be able to rally with the Obama grassroots operation to provide an even more potent field mobilization effort in all 50 states.

Widespread Netroots Appeal

As evident from his 2007 keynote speech at the Yearly Kos Conference in Chicago, Illinois, there is no more popular figure in the netroots community than General Wesley Clark.  He has been a longtime supporter of the 50 state strategy, and along with DNC Chairman Howard Dean, General Clark has helped develop plans to support candidates and travel to campaign with them all over the United States.  He frequently posts on blogs, as well as his own blog on the Clark Community Network (CCN).