I've made the call...for now
It's General Wesley Clark
Yesterday I put my money where my mouth is and
donated money to Clark's campaign. I plan to take a further step and try to
volunteer to do more.
As most of you may know, I've been trying to figure out which way to go for some time. I had narrowed it down to four: Clark, Kerry, Gephardt or Edwards. You'll notice Dean isn't on that list.
I am convinced that we will lose if we nominate Dean. It's NOT just that I think he'll be labeled as too liberal. I don't think he has a single area where he can claim to outshine Bush, save perhaps Internet savvy.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he does outshine Bush in every conceivable way, but being objective, I don't think the message will play.
They were both Governors, but Bush was Governor of a huge state, Dean a tiny one, so the analogy of Governor to President may be true, but Texas is more like an entire country than Vermont.
They both got out of any real military duty. Bush went AWOl from the national guard, but Dean got a deferment based on a back injury, and then spent 10 months skiing in Aspen. So neither one of them is going to bring that topic up.
I know Dean will play on being a Washington outsider, but let's not forget Bush somehow managed to pull of that same claim a scant 4 years ago, so I doubt he'll be hurt by it much this year.
And this doesn't even address his liberal image, his angry image or his stiff, wooden image.
So where is Dean going to put his eggs? I wish he even had the one basket.
And I know some people I respect are all into Kerry, but I don't think he, Gephardt or Edwards really stand a chance either. Kerry probably has the best shot in a mano y mano against Bush...because he can bring up his own highly laudable military past and long record of public service. But let's face it, if he can't catch fire with Democrats, how is he going to with the entire nation?
So why does Clark have a chance? I think there are a few reasons:
1. His military background
While odd for a Democrat, is a strength in a National race, and I think most Democrats across the left to right spectrum are thinking about that National race above all else. Also with an entire career in the military, Bush will be hard-pressed to criticize Clark's "record" whatever it may be. Bush's lack of military credibility will make that very shaky ground to walk on indeed.
2. His Republican background
Clark can talk about why he switched and appeal to those Republicans who actually share most values on the social side with Democrats, but have fooled themselves that the Republicans will improve the size of their wallet. I think Clark can appeal to the very best in people by openly talking about why he switched.
3. His political "outside-ness"
The military may be its own special universe, full of its own brand of politics. So is just about every company you'll ever work for. People don't consider career military folks to be political in the same way they do politicians, however, and in these cynical times, that can be a big plus.
4. He has powerful friends who still have some cache in the US...namely the Clintons. Yes, Dean may have Gore, and frankly I think the Clintons are doing the right thing to avoid endorsing anyone before a single primary vote has been cast. But eventually I believe they will start stumping for Clark, and I think that will help. Clinton actually left office with a positive approval rating. Hilary has managed to improve her reputation immensely, and while she may be a polarizing force, she is someone a huge number of people admire and listen to. That is going to help Clark. Maybe not today, but in a national race...definitely.
5. In this day and age a LACK of voting record seems to be a big advantage. From Bush to Dean to Edwards etc. etc. etc., from the media, to the Internet, to talk radio hosts...for every politician there is a record that is being examined in detail, that is being scoured for every inconsistency, and there is time being suck away from talking about issues to talking about justifying each and every vote. Well, I highly doubt that people will be interested or even able to dissect Clark's military record in the same way.
But all of those 5 reasons are more about why I think he could win, not why I would WANT him to win. And it should definitely be in my nature to be suspicious of his party switch, of his military-ness.
Sometimes you go with your gut feel about a person. And I somehow don't like Dean. I find him cranky and wooden.
But I like this guy Clark. Oddly, I think he seems kind. I think he seems positive. He seems like a straight shooter, and like a true patriot, not a puffed up, revolting sham of one like Bush. He also expresses himself well, whether he's projecting his hopeful vision, or slamming a Fox News Channel anchor.
He's clearly very, very intelligent, and I admire that. I want a president that is smarter than me. I won't sacrifice smarts, just so that I can "relate" to someone, and I have never understood why other people are so willing to.
Oh, and by the way...he was a hottie when he was young :)
If you want to see his youthful hotness, or, okay, if you want to see other, more germane things about him, you can view his promo video at the link below:
American Son; The Wesley Clark "Promotional Video"
As most of you may know, I've been trying to figure out which way to go for some time. I had narrowed it down to four: Clark, Kerry, Gephardt or Edwards. You'll notice Dean isn't on that list.
I am convinced that we will lose if we nominate Dean. It's NOT just that I think he'll be labeled as too liberal. I don't think he has a single area where he can claim to outshine Bush, save perhaps Internet savvy.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he does outshine Bush in every conceivable way, but being objective, I don't think the message will play.
They were both Governors, but Bush was Governor of a huge state, Dean a tiny one, so the analogy of Governor to President may be true, but Texas is more like an entire country than Vermont.
They both got out of any real military duty. Bush went AWOl from the national guard, but Dean got a deferment based on a back injury, and then spent 10 months skiing in Aspen. So neither one of them is going to bring that topic up.
I know Dean will play on being a Washington outsider, but let's not forget Bush somehow managed to pull of that same claim a scant 4 years ago, so I doubt he'll be hurt by it much this year.
And this doesn't even address his liberal image, his angry image or his stiff, wooden image.
So where is Dean going to put his eggs? I wish he even had the one basket.
And I know some people I respect are all into Kerry, but I don't think he, Gephardt or Edwards really stand a chance either. Kerry probably has the best shot in a mano y mano against Bush...because he can bring up his own highly laudable military past and long record of public service. But let's face it, if he can't catch fire with Democrats, how is he going to with the entire nation?
So why does Clark have a chance? I think there are a few reasons:
1. His military background
While odd for a Democrat, is a strength in a National race, and I think most Democrats across the left to right spectrum are thinking about that National race above all else. Also with an entire career in the military, Bush will be hard-pressed to criticize Clark's "record" whatever it may be. Bush's lack of military credibility will make that very shaky ground to walk on indeed.
2. His Republican background
Clark can talk about why he switched and appeal to those Republicans who actually share most values on the social side with Democrats, but have fooled themselves that the Republicans will improve the size of their wallet. I think Clark can appeal to the very best in people by openly talking about why he switched.
3. His political "outside-ness"
The military may be its own special universe, full of its own brand of politics. So is just about every company you'll ever work for. People don't consider career military folks to be political in the same way they do politicians, however, and in these cynical times, that can be a big plus.
4. He has powerful friends who still have some cache in the US...namely the Clintons. Yes, Dean may have Gore, and frankly I think the Clintons are doing the right thing to avoid endorsing anyone before a single primary vote has been cast. But eventually I believe they will start stumping for Clark, and I think that will help. Clinton actually left office with a positive approval rating. Hilary has managed to improve her reputation immensely, and while she may be a polarizing force, she is someone a huge number of people admire and listen to. That is going to help Clark. Maybe not today, but in a national race...definitely.
5. In this day and age a LACK of voting record seems to be a big advantage. From Bush to Dean to Edwards etc. etc. etc., from the media, to the Internet, to talk radio hosts...for every politician there is a record that is being examined in detail, that is being scoured for every inconsistency, and there is time being suck away from talking about issues to talking about justifying each and every vote. Well, I highly doubt that people will be interested or even able to dissect Clark's military record in the same way.
But all of those 5 reasons are more about why I think he could win, not why I would WANT him to win. And it should definitely be in my nature to be suspicious of his party switch, of his military-ness.
Sometimes you go with your gut feel about a person. And I somehow don't like Dean. I find him cranky and wooden.
But I like this guy Clark. Oddly, I think he seems kind. I think he seems positive. He seems like a straight shooter, and like a true patriot, not a puffed up, revolting sham of one like Bush. He also expresses himself well, whether he's projecting his hopeful vision, or slamming a Fox News Channel anchor.
He's clearly very, very intelligent, and I admire that. I want a president that is smarter than me. I won't sacrifice smarts, just so that I can "relate" to someone, and I have never understood why other people are so willing to.
Oh, and by the way...he was a hottie when he was young :)
If you want to see his youthful hotness, or, okay, if you want to see other, more germane things about him, you can view his promo video at the link below:
American Son; The Wesley Clark "Promotional Video"
Posted: Monday - January 12, 2004 at 04:37 PM EmailFeedback
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