General Wesley Clark For US president.

Serious discussion area.
You realize that sometimes you're not okay, you level off, you level off, you level off...
Post Reply
User avatar
Bandalero
Posts: 6219
Joined: 5/23/2002, 11:25 pm
Location: South Texas
Contact:

General Wesley Clark For US president.

Post by Bandalero »

i'm betting anyone and their mother this guy would be/is going to be a kick ass president. :)

finally a choice i approve of, not like the 2000 election filled with stuttering idiots and complete morons. :freak:
Whenever death may surprise us,
let it be welcome
if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear
and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.


Nobody's gonna miss me, no tears will fall, no ones gonna weap, when i hit that road.
my boots are broken my brain is sore, fer keepin' up with thier little world, i got a heavy load.
gonna leave 'em all just like before, i'm big city bound, your always 17 in your hometown
User avatar
Venom
Posts: 678
Joined: 1/14/2003, 3:27 pm
Location: Reality....you should all try it sometime
Contact:

Post by Venom »

George Bush can't be beat in 2004. If he could be beat Hillary Clinton would have her name on the ballot. She knows that he can't be and so she is waiting for 2008. The Clintons run the Democratic party basically. Their goal is to put Hillary in the White House and if there was a chance in 2004 she would be running. I have yet to hear Clark's views on things. My first impression was that he may be good since he is an ex-general (that means good military judgement), however he is a Democrat and that spells bad news for the military. So I am interested in learning about this guy and what hes all about. I'll post my comments when I'm more knowledgeable on him.
User avatar
Sufjan Stevens
Posts: 6738
Joined: 3/17/2002, 12:25 pm
Location: Detroit, MI

Post by Sufjan Stevens »

Bush can't be beat this election. Something will happen that will get the people to rally around Bush's words and elect him again. I don't think it would be too far beyond Bush to start a war just to keep himself in office. That's besides the point though.

Reno, if you wouldn't mind, would you tell us more about Clark, so we all know what he's about?
I faced death. I went in with my arms swinging. But I heard my own breath and had to face that I'm still living. I'm still flesh. I hold on to awful feelings. I'm not dead... My chest still draws breath. I hold it. I'm buoyant. There's no end.
User avatar
Bandalero
Posts: 6219
Joined: 5/23/2002, 11:25 pm
Location: South Texas
Contact:

Post by Bandalero »

sure thing boss. he's a bad ass. that's all you need to know. :lol:

General Wesley K. Clark, U.S. Army, became the Commander in Chief of the United States European Command on 10 July 1997....a 1966 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he graduated first in his class. He holds a master's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar (August 1966-August 1968). He is a graduate of the National War College, Command and General Staff College, Armor Officer Advanced and Basic Courses, and Ranger and Airborne schools. General Clark was a White House Fellow in 1975-1976 and served as a Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. He has also served as an instructor and later Assistant Professor of Social Science at the United States Military Academy. Clark grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Among his military decorations are the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (five awards), Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Silver Star, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star Medal (two awards), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) and the Army Commendation Medal (two awards), NATO Medal for Service with NATO on Operations in Relation to Kosovo, NATO Medal for Service with NATO on Operations in Relation to the Former Republic of Yugoslavia.

SUMMARY: Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a decorated military leader who opposes the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, became the 10th candidate vying for the 2004 Democratic nomination.

On Wednesday retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a decorated military leader who opposes the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, became the 10th candidate vying for the 2004 Democratic nomination for president.

Clark made the announcement in his hometown of Little Rock, Ark., ending months of speculation about his possible candidacy. The 58-year-old former NATO (news - web sites) supreme commander during the 1999 campaign in Kosovo has never held elected office before, and only recently revealed that he is a Democrat.

Although little is known about Clark's views, the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force labeled him "another pro-gay moderate joining the most pro-gay field of presidential candidates in history."

Earlier this summer, Clark said in a televised interview that the military's ban on gay and lesbian personnel doesn't work and should be changed. He has also publicly expressed support for the Supreme Court decision decriminalizing gay sex and suggested that recognizing same-sex couples is a matter for states to decide.

In addition, the former general has opposed some of the Bush administration's tactics in the war in Iraq (news - web sites), and Clark's criticism may be more damaging than that of other candidates, given his four-star military service.

Political commentators have speculated in recent weeks about how the Clark candidacy might shake up the election season.

"I think people who are finding Wesley Clark compelling do so because he's a fresh face with a unique background who, so far, is talking frankly about issues," Dave Noble, head of the National Stonewall Democrats, told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. "Whether he wins or loses the nomination, his ability to credibly attack George Bush's foreign policy failures is a welcome addition to this race."

Clark's supporters rallied momentum via the Internet long before Wednesday's formal announcement, with sites like draftwesleyclark.com. The online efforts to drum up political and financial support (an estimated $1.7 million) may help overcome the disadvantage of a late campaign start.

Robert Kunst, a gay political activist in Florida who is heading up a similar effort with hillarynow.com, said he believes Gen. Clark's entry into the race may help boost his Internet drive to convince Sen. Hillary Clinton (news - web sites) to join the Democratic presidential race.

"(Clark's) efforts affect us big time, showing how the grassroots can make a difference," Kunst said.


from what i've heard he's been called a liberal and was encouraged to run on the advise of Bill Clinton himself. the kosavo thing is something the "hippie" movement wouldn't like though. some call him a war criminal. i've not heard of an actual conviction. anything grassroots i like and support and it's my understanding that he's as close to grassroots as your going to get in the democratic race.
Whenever death may surprise us,
let it be welcome
if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear
and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.


Nobody's gonna miss me, no tears will fall, no ones gonna weap, when i hit that road.
my boots are broken my brain is sore, fer keepin' up with thier little world, i got a heavy load.
gonna leave 'em all just like before, i'm big city bound, your always 17 in your hometown
User avatar
Venom
Posts: 678
Joined: 1/14/2003, 3:27 pm
Location: Reality....you should all try it sometime
Contact:

Post by Venom »

One thing reno forgot to mention is that he was an independant who then supported the Republican party, who now all of a sudden is running as a democrat. I do think he is the only one with a snowballs chance of beating Bush because hes not a TRUE democrat. I think he is more of a "middle of the road" kind of guy. If he has a republican type feeling on foreign policy then hes got a fighting chance. No one with a democrat's view on foreign policy is gonna win in this day and age. It just won't happen.
User avatar
Sufjan Stevens
Posts: 6738
Joined: 3/17/2002, 12:25 pm
Location: Detroit, MI

Post by Sufjan Stevens »

I don't think he'd make it past primaries. It's that simple. He seems like a good candidate on paper, but he has four huge things he has to get over.

1. He doesn't have a true politcal party, like Venom said.

2. He's running against the current president.

3. People looking to vote democratic probably won't want someone so highly regarded with his war-time history. The democratic party is riding the whole "war is bad" thing right now, and to let such a huge militaristic figure represent them wouldn't happen.

4. As bad as this may sound, gays and lesbians support him. That never helps anyone. It sounds good that he's liberal about it to level-headed people, but he could easily be written off as a "gay lover" or something like that.

Those four things would keep him out of office, and most likely, keep him from winning them democratic election.
I faced death. I went in with my arms swinging. But I heard my own breath and had to face that I'm still living. I'm still flesh. I hold on to awful feelings. I'm not dead... My chest still draws breath. I hold it. I'm buoyant. There's no end.
User avatar
Bandalero
Posts: 6219
Joined: 5/23/2002, 11:25 pm
Location: South Texas
Contact:

Post by Bandalero »

:lol: I'd like to hear someone call him that...General Gay Lover.

the guy takes war a little too personal from what i hear. and from what another yahoo article said, about 30 democrats from the senate want to endorse him, simply because they don't want to be seen as soft anti-war types. they want to be seen as patriotic-stand by the military types too, and endorsing a canidate that was a 4 star general says that. i'd like to hear what he says about issues. alot of the other democratic canidates are running on the premis(sp) that they're angry at bush for the war, and don't really say much about economics and other domestic issues. I think if he plays his cards right, has the clinton's endorse him strongly, he's got a chance.
Whenever death may surprise us,
let it be welcome
if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear
and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.


Nobody's gonna miss me, no tears will fall, no ones gonna weap, when i hit that road.
my boots are broken my brain is sore, fer keepin' up with thier little world, i got a heavy load.
gonna leave 'em all just like before, i'm big city bound, your always 17 in your hometown
User avatar
Venom
Posts: 678
Joined: 1/14/2003, 3:27 pm
Location: Reality....you should all try it sometime
Contact:

Post by Venom »

Alan you forgot the BIGGEST downfall that he has......he has NEVER held a political position. Hes not a politician. Now someone may say "well neither was Ike.....but come on lets face it. This guy is no IKE. No one is going to elect someone to be president of the US when he has NO political past. No way No how. Now that said if Hillary doesn't run on her own and runs as his Vice....then people may take a second look at it, but again that said who in the hell wants Hillary in the White House?? I say HELLZ NO!
User avatar
Bandalero
Posts: 6219
Joined: 5/23/2002, 11:25 pm
Location: South Texas
Contact:

Post by Bandalero »

he's not a politician, however, he throws mud like them. at his military retirement party, he openly bashed the pentagon for not finishing off Kosavo. if you look at that situation right now, thugs and gangs control Yugoslavia right now. i'm guessing he would have done it alot better, and he would have done afganistan alot better.
Whenever death may surprise us,
let it be welcome
if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear
and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.


Nobody's gonna miss me, no tears will fall, no ones gonna weap, when i hit that road.
my boots are broken my brain is sore, fer keepin' up with thier little world, i got a heavy load.
gonna leave 'em all just like before, i'm big city bound, your always 17 in your hometown
Corey
Posts: 2578
Joined: 3/19/2002, 10:25 am
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact:

Post by Corey »

This guy needs to take a position and stick to it...
<img src="http://www.clumsymonkey.net/phpBB2/download.php?id=4500">
#define QUESTION (bb || !bb) --william shakespeare
User avatar
Venom
Posts: 678
Joined: 1/14/2003, 3:27 pm
Location: Reality....you should all try it sometime
Contact:

Post by Venom »

This guy is a nut. Reno you said he openly criticized the Pentagon for not finishing Kosovo. You are correct, but do you know what he wanted to do. First off the man is a careless, self-centered man who has made VERY few fiends along the way. He's been called a "know-it-all", a "nut", and as one Clinton official said in the late 90's "After talking to Clark for an hour, you had to take a Valium". Clark is to Grant as Bush is to Sherman. Clark just runs into a battle like a bayonet charge, while Bush demoralizes his opponent with relatively little human loss. Clark was relieved of his command in Kosovo because people thought he was crazy and wanted to jeopardize thousands of troops lives. His 10 week bombing campaign was working like a charm, however he got impatient and wanted to send in ground troops into the streets of Kosovo as well as Apache helicopters which would have been as sitting duck to the shoulder fired missliles that are so popular today. Clark also has a short fuse which I'm sure will be his big downfall. He has already been caught in two lies by reporters, and he doesn't take criticizim well. Obviously some of you anti-war people didn't do your homework on him when you said he sounds like a good candidate or that he would have done Afghanistan and Kosovo better. As long as you like great loss of human life, sure maybe he would have gotten that done for you.
doug
Posts: 350
Joined: 9/8/2003, 1:36 am
Location: Your dreams

Post by doug »

Clark is a bad man.

vote Potus if you're going to vote at all. which brings me to my next point:

don't vote.
<p align="center">[glow=black]Beggars stare at the brand new sneakers on the[/glow]
[glow=white]Anarchists[/glow] [glow=black]and_[/glow][glow=white]celebrity speakers[/glow]
[glow=black]These are improbable days my friends[/glow]</p>
User avatar
Neil
Posts: 8405
Joined: 9/27/2002, 8:26 am
Location: Minnesota

Post by Neil »

I have to agree with the majority of this thread, I cannot see Bush getting defeated......while I think Clark is going to be his biggest threat, I cannot foresee him winning the election.
And the insight that I read about Hillary waiting until 2008 was exactly the same thing I've been thinking as well. Although I keep on hearing crap all over the wires about Hillary possibly becoming Wesley Clark's running mate, I also don't see that happening either, but who knows.
That would be an indirect way for Hillary to wind up in the White House, then step up for presidency in 2008.

Sweet moses, I have about four years to move outta the United States....
Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil. - Niccoló Machiavelli
doug
Posts: 350
Joined: 9/8/2003, 1:36 am
Location: Your dreams

Post by doug »

you guys aren't even giving the hamster a chance.
<p align="center">[glow=black]Beggars stare at the brand new sneakers on the[/glow]
[glow=white]Anarchists[/glow] [glow=black]and_[/glow][glow=white]celebrity speakers[/glow]
[glow=black]These are improbable days my friends[/glow]</p>
User avatar
Bandalero
Posts: 6219
Joined: 5/23/2002, 11:25 pm
Location: South Texas
Contact:

Post by Bandalero »

the reason he wanted to finish off Kosavo is because of it's situation now. it's run by gangs thatare in favor of milosavic. his wife was still running around the country assasinating people. if he had his way, milosevic would have already been sentanced, and the country would not be in the heaping pile of crap it's in now. it was the pentagon that decided to leave them alone and let them wallow in their own fecal material.

and i thought i saw it in yahoo yesterday that he's tied with bush in the polls. :D
Whenever death may surprise us,
let it be welcome
if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear
and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.


Nobody's gonna miss me, no tears will fall, no ones gonna weap, when i hit that road.
my boots are broken my brain is sore, fer keepin' up with thier little world, i got a heavy load.
gonna leave 'em all just like before, i'm big city bound, your always 17 in your hometown
User avatar
Kicker774
Posts: 2627
Joined: 3/24/2002, 9:06 pm
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contact:

Post by Kicker774 »

I like Clark simply because he actually served in the Millitary, unlike Bush who skipped out for like 2 years of his "Millitary" carrear.

Bush has been loosing popularity heavily since the beginging of the war and now even more because of what it's going to cost us.

Alot of people are saying "Hey why isn't that $87 billion being spent here"
Alot of people are saying "Hey, where's these weapons of mass destruction"

Public opinion isn't on Bush's side right now.
But I guess we'll see what the next year has to bring.

Clark seems more likely to listen to the common man or the voice of reason.
All Bush listens to is Enron, Exxon/Mobil, Haliburton etc etc

Keep in mind these statements are only rants and should not be regarded as inteligble unless of course you agree with them :)
"I wasn't sure if you were a crazy ax murdering pshyco or not when I first met you"
-- Megan

Image

Retired Avatars
VVVVVVVVVV
Image
User avatar
Ray
Posts: 61
Joined: 3/24/2002, 4:21 pm

Post by Ray »

Hello? John Kerry! C'mon! Vietnam Vet who finally decided the war was wrong? Purple Heart holder? Has a Republican wife, is middle-of-the-road if slightly left, and has already weathered insults for speaking against Bush (first guy to go "we need a regime change in Washington" -- now a fuckin' buzzphrase to Democrats).

He honestly seems like the best candidate to me. If only he hadn't been so... I guess, thrown off is the phrase, at that Democratic debate...

And I too predict that a "strife" between us and another country will begin RIGHT around the most heated run of the campaign, and go through a few months into his re-election... or that we'll end up with some completely nonsense notion that Iowa has nuclear weapons and that it is a terrorist state or something.
Ninamori:"Our little secret, okay?"
User avatar
Neil
Posts: 8405
Joined: 9/27/2002, 8:26 am
Location: Minnesota

Post by Neil »

John Kerry!!!!???? :lol:


Thats like saying........VOTE FOR PAT BUCHANAN or MARIO CUOMO
Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil. - Niccoló Machiavelli
User avatar
Kicker774
Posts: 2627
Joined: 3/24/2002, 9:06 pm
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Contact:

Post by Kicker774 »

Ray wrote:And I too predict that a "strife" between us and another country will begin RIGHT around the most heated run of the campaign, and go through a few months into his re-election... or that we'll end up with some completely nonsense notion that Iowa has nuclear weapons and that it is a terrorist state or something.


No doubt there, wouldn't be surprised if Bush goes after Syria or Iran. Irans got a nuclear program going on and Syria is harboring all these wanted Iraqis' and Al Qued a members and what not.

It's the American way: Didn't Clinton go bomb suspected terrorist targets in Africa the same day he was getting impeached? (Maybe not that date but a similar realted date).

When the heat was on Bush for not finding Osamma he decided to put the hurt down on Saddam.

The heat is on him again now for not finding Saddam and forceing the nation into even bigger debt with this $87 billion price tag to rebuild Iraq.

His credibility is falling so if history has taught us anything ...
"I wasn't sure if you were a crazy ax murdering pshyco or not when I first met you"
-- Megan

Image

Retired Avatars
VVVVVVVVVV
Image
Post Reply