Clark Blog

Didn't think he would stay away... From WesPAC.

Update: Could this item on the convention schedule be why he's going to Denver?

Retired Generals Tribute Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration (Ret) Accompanied by additional generals

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I'm in Munich right now, but I can't tell you how ready I am to head to Denver and join my fellow Democrats.

The Democratic Party is ready to lead and address the many challenges ahead, and Barack Obama is the leader we need for our country and to help humanity meet today's global challenges.

We're a party loaded with talent. Like many of you, I've been thrilled by the speeches at the Democratic National Convention so far. Hillary Clinton was great last night. Her strength, her character, her call for unity. Her speech just proves once again that she is a great American and has many years of distinguished public service ahead of her.

And what an inspiration Ted Kennedy was, as was Nancy Pelosi, our Speaker of the House. Brian Schweitzer, the history-making Governor of Montana and Mark Warner, a business executive, distinguished former Governor and soon-to-be a remarkable U.S. Senator.

Tonight, I'm looking forward to catching the speeches of our honored former President Bill Clinton and our vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden. We are so fortunate that these two outstanding men are Democrats.

And then there's tomorrow. Our Party is so fortunate at this time in history to be nominating Barack Obama. After Michelle's incredibly warm and personal speech on Monday, any American can see the strength of character in their family. It's clear that when the Obamas become first family, they'll definitely bring change to America.

I can't wait to hear Senator Obama's words in person. He's warned us not to expect that he can duplicate the electricity from his memorable speech in 2004, but I think he's just being wise to play down expectations. He has proven to be a remarkable human being with incredible judgment, an outstanding sense of direction, and unmatched communication skills. I fully expect to be inspired, as I was in 2004.

I'm proud to be a Democrat, and I'm proud to ask you to pull together with me. It's time to help elect our candidates to every office. From mayors to governors, from state legislators to Congress. And especially to come together behind Barack Obama.

Barack is going to be the leader of a great team of Democrats in this election campaign. And he's going to become a great American President.

I believe he has the skills and resolve to strengthen America's security, rebuild America's economy, and restore Americans' faith in the future.

Our challenge is clear. We must win in November.

Sincerely,

Wes Clark

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 04:08 PM in Entries from Clark's blog | Permalink

Clark appears on the Alan Colmes radio show and on CNN to discuss the situation in Georgia. He discusses some of the background and continues to call for U.S.-European unity. He also criticizes the Bush Administration for failing to deal with the situation before it got to this point, and for taking sometimes provocative actions.

Meanwhile, Tom Baer hopes Obama is listening and will take heed.

CNN appearance below:

Update: Later Clark appeared on Fox and the Ed Schultz radio show, which also covered Pakistan.

Video of Fox appearance:

Later still, the Jon Elliott radio show.

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 05:48 PM in Media appearances | Permalink

Originally published by the Knoxville News

Clark to help Tuke raise cash for race
Dem Senate candidate hopes to narrow Alexander's $3M lead
By Tom Humphrey
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Later: A report on the day

Continue reading "Clark to help Tuke raise cash for race" »

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 05:51 PM in In the News | Permalink

Clark appeared on Air America to discuss the situation with Russia and Georgia. Rachel Maddow couldn't help but ask about his VP prospects. He said he had an appointment in Milan, Italy, that night during the convention, though also indicated that his plans were still open to change. More serious signs are that his son says he is not under consideration and, more significantly in my view, he would not need to be fundraising to campaign if he was on the ticket - that is covered by the presidential campaign fund itself.

WesPAC has the transcript. A highlight:

And so, the result is that you've got a split emerging in Europe and this is what the United States has to work with. If we're going really to check Russian aggression, we, we best do it not with force but with unity and resolve, and that requires leadership. And I think Barack Obama's the right person to provide that leadership.

Update: Later, Clark appeared on Fox to promote his view about how to resolve the Georgia crisis through strengthening U.S.-European unity and NATO. Cavuto seemed more interested in trying to trap Clark into saying that Obama was "weak" (i.e., not sufficiently warmongering), and looks to have cut him off at the end!

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 02:46 PM in Media appearances | Permalink

Originally posted at WesPAC. One of the best things Clark does is a lot of hard work campaigning for Congressional Democrats.

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A little over a month ago, following my appearance on Face the Nation, the right wing freak machine took me out of context, attacked me, and just wanted me to "hit the road."

Well, I'm here to tell you: I'm not going away.

We simply have too much to do in these final three months. We have to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States. And we have to give him a working majority in Congress. So let's give the right wing what they asked for. I'm ready to "hit the road" and help Democrats across the country!

Contribute to WesPAC's "Hit The Road Fund!" Help us raise $25,000 by this Friday.

http://securingamerica.com/HitTheRoad

I'm committed to doing everything I can to help Democrats win this November. I've opened up my schedule and am ready to hit the campaign trail across the country. That's why I'm traveling across the country over the coming weeks.

I can only do this if WesPAC has the financial resources to keep me on the road these final three months. That's why we started the "Hit The Road Fund." I need your help to make sure I can stay on the campaign trail to help folks like Charlie Brown (CA-4), Eric Massa (NY-29), and Bob Tuke (TN-Sen).

I've set a goal of raising $25,000 by this Friday. Make a contribution to our "Hit The Road Fund" today!

http://securingamerica.com/HitTheRoad

When people hit you, you have to hit back. I won't back away from a fight, and over the years we've gotten to know each other, I know you won't either. Please contribute to our "Hit The Road Fund" today!

http://securingamerica.com/HitTheRoad

Electing the right people this November will be critical to securing America's future. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Wes Clark

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 01:16 PM in Entries from Clark's blog | Permalink

A grassroots movement started by Matt Stoller of OpenLeft, has launched Obama-Clark, a site advocating for Obama to select Wes Clark as his VP. This appears to have no connection to Gen. Clark or to WesPAC but hearkens back to the old Draft Clark days of 2003.

If you're interested, check out their arguments in favor of Clark as VP and sign the petition.

I personally think Gen. Clark would be an excellent vice president, though I think a Cabinet position like Secretary of State would make better use of his experience and talents. I do hope that Obama will consider giving Clark an important role, should he win in November, whatever it might be.

Updated: The Associated Press picks it up. VetVoice approves and points to other resources.

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 06:22 PM in Blogosphere | Permalink

WesPAC sends out an email on behalf of VoteVets, announcing their new ad, shown above. Very timely after Maliki's recent announcement in support of a U.S. withdrawal time line.

Continue reading "VoteVets: New ad calls on McCain to support the Iraqi goverment's desire for US withdrawal" »

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 05:38 PM in Emails | Permalink

Following up his appearance the previous night, Clark was on Morning Joe.

He backed Obama up on the following points:

• The commander in chief takes the advice of his regional commanders but may not always be able to give them what they want because he has other theaters to consider
• Afghanistan is the top security priority right now, and requires both military and economic solutions
• It is critical to talk with Iran
• The surge is only part of the story of the improved situation in Iraq

He also gave some strategic advice about Pakistan and Afghanistan and attempted to set the record straight on the history of the surge (when Joe would let him speak instead of parroting McCain talking points endlessly).

Another superb performance by Clark.

Transcript via WesPAC.

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 05:01 PM in Media appearances | Permalink

Apparently his break was only two weeks, because Clark is back on TV as a surrogate for Obama. And doing a good job too.

The key part of his appearance on the Dan Abrams show is where he explains the respective roles of the president and military commanders:

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Can I just underscore something here, Dan? Look, as the Commander in Chief, he does not have to take the advice of the Commander on the ground.

Dan Abrams: As a General, you don't necessarily say 'you have to listen to me?'

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: No. You don't rule Washington. I mean, what Barack Obama's saying is he appreciates General Petraeus's judgment but he's got concerns that go beyond Iraq. He's mentioned Afghanistan. He's got the health of the United States Armed Forces. He's got other contingencies. He's got the War on Terror. So, Petraeus is in charge of, right now, one theater of this conflict and what Barack Obama is saying is 'I see it, I understand your concerns about risks, it's my job to evaluate the trade-offs of the risks and this is the way I see it.'

Dan Abrams: Let me play you

Tara Wall: If I can just ask. Real quick, General Clark, given you know...obviously respect for the fact that you are a general, but if you're saying to the Commander in Chief, 'here is a strategy I believe that works, we need to try this, we should give it a shot, give it time, let's see if it works,' I would think that you would hope that that Commander in Chief would take that seriously into consid...not just into consideration but give it an opportunity, whether it's a surge strategy or any other strategy you might be anticipating.

Dan Abrams: That's the distinction, because Barack Obama has said he would take it into consideration and it sounds like what Tara is saying is, shouldn't he at least say 'yes?'

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: And the answer is no - he's not obligated to say that. That's not the obligation

Dan Abrams: You say 'give it a shot,' I mean, how long more do you have to give it a shot?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: The President of the United States does not...is not subordinate to the Commander in Chief in the theater of conflict. He just isn't.

Complete transcript and other resources available at WesPAC.

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 12:52 AM in Media appearances | Permalink

Video of the plenary session. Clark's speech runs from 11:47 to 33:09

Live .TV show provided by Ustream

Transcript is available via WesPAC.

Also, see Clark at a reception for Rick Noriega.

Posted by Al-Muhajabah at 02:33 PM in Media appearances | Permalink