MyDD :: Obama/Clark!

Obama/Clark!

by Todd Beeton, Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 05:55:01 PM EST

Wes Clark was my guy in 2004 but after what I perceived to be a lackluster campaign (although I still voted for him in CA after he had dropped out) I was actually glad he didn't run in 2008. But now that it's clear that neither Clinton nor Webb will be VP, and after Clark's refreshing display of backbone when dealing with the Face The Nation flap (not to mention the lackluster supposed remaining shortlist), I'm enthusiastically on board with Clark as Obama's VP.

Stoller lays out the argument:

The basic idea behind Clark for VP is that we want to make a little noise about the position of Vice President and ask that Obama consider a real progressive in that slot who can help fix some of the most damaging aspects of the Bush Presidency.

The political argument for Clark is simple. He is a great surrogate for Democrats, with experience in 2004 and 2006 on the campaign trail, and a genuine national base of supporters. In terms of governance, which is what Obama says is the most important criteria for his VP pick, Clark can help Obama deal with the mess that the Bush administration left behind. As commander of NATO in the late 1990s, Clark won a war, so he is more likely than any progressive out there to be able to wrangle solutions from a military establishment that has been decimated by Bush's cronyism and incompetence. That is really important moving forward, since rebuilding our national security posture is a critical challenge over the next eight years

Clark also emphasizes Obama's strengths. He is popular among grassroots progressives, he was against the war in Iraq from the get-go, and he is an outsider to politics. He also demonstrated terrific political judgment in being willing to work against Lieberman in 2006, unlike, say, Tim Kaine, who endorsed Lieberman for President in 2004.

digby's on board too and points to this pre-Obama/Clark! observation by Nate over at 538:

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?

So, go to ObamaClark.com to sign the petition. Hey, a draft movement worked once...

Tags: 2008 presidential election, barack obama, wes clark (all tags)

Permalink :: 28 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Obama/Clark! (2.00 / 1)

You all already know, this is my dream pick.

We have a lot of great folks, but Clark brings two things:

1) The lack of an elected political role:
Like it or not, Americans eat that up now. Further from Washington, closer to 'honorable' public servants like military, police, etc.

2) His military record is excellent.

First we all know what BS corner we let the Republicans paint us into.
Its still a shock to 95% of americans that Democratic servicemen exist at all.

I know it's third rail, but Clark's mere pressence BLOWS McCain's purple heart sob story out of the water.
WE all know McCain's story right?

Well ALOT of folks, I would say almost all in our game had NO idea Clark was nearly killed in Vietnam.

Why don't we know? Because he NEVER politicized it, and he NEVER allowed his campaign to exploit it.

3) The man is sharp, quick witted, and REALLY holds his cool.
I am the furthest from Military, but I think when you take a liberal and put him in uniform then make him a general, you end up with a very disciplined and smart person.

See, I myself could never run for office. Im just too damn emotional.

4) He is NOT AFRAID of Republicans, not at all. Something I can barely say for only a handful of Democrats.
To the establishment this is the greatest threat.

5) He respects our troops:
Not to say anyone else doesn't, but I Can guarantee you that Clark would resign before he ever let someone authorize torture or rendition while he is on board.

Does anyone else want to add?
My stomach's grumbling, will lead to more ranting.

Please hit reply and give me some more finer points on Clark.

by DemsLandslide2008 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 06:05:24 PM EST

Re: Obama/Clark! (2.00 / 1)

To be fair, his one negative is that I don't know how effective he would be running for President in 2016.

He lost 2004 mostly because he is not a politician by trade (this is coming from his campaign manager) but with the political and financial capital that comes with being a VP age might be his only issue.

Folks although we have almost zero power at picking this VP, lets remember how important it is that he/she can win the 2016 election.

The RNC will privately vilify Bush for decades over the Dick.
First he picked the most evil man in America, a man so evil he is proud to be known as Darth Vader.
Second he picked a VP that GUARANTEED not to run for President.
Why Bush did that, I can only guess it had to do with some rapture end of days fantasy (which was driving the next war in iran, ask Hagee)

by DemsLandslide2008 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 06:29:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama/Clark! (2.00 / 1)

Simple. Obama runs with a different Veep in 2012 if Clark isn't going to run in 2016. If Clark wants to (and Obama's term has gone well, assuming he wins) then he's a good 2016 choice.

by Falsehood on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 06:32:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama/Clark! (2.00 / 1)

Learn something new everyday.

Man, who doesn't love politics.

After growing up with Clinton in what felt like a far more arcane society and seeing what he accomplished in said society, I can't imagine were we will be politically in 2012 and 2016.

Well, if you have read about the deficit lately, then if Obama accomplishes even close to what Bill did, then he will still be a hero.

Is it even fiscally possible the balance "Baby Bush's" deficit?

by DemsLandslide2008 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 06:43:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]