Wesley Clark's Statement on Rock the Vote Debate Fiasco

[FrenchieCat]

General Wesley Clark issued the following statement after Tuesday's CNN Rock the Vote debate:

"Tonight's debate was a perfect example of how symbols can tear us apart. But now, more than ever before, we need to focus on our future - not on the divisive symbols of our past. We need to pull together and reaffirm the values of diversity, equality and inclusion that make this country great."

[La_Serpiente]

1. That sounds pretty good

[roguevalley]

2. eyes on the prize. Let's not get distracted. Good job, Wes, of taking

some of the heat out of this issue. :) Gentleman all the way.

[Guaranteed]

15. Truly.

He knows a bogus issue when he sees it. Good man.

[AP]

17. He definitely didn't say it was bogus. He called the flag "divisive"

and a "symbol of our past" which is antithetical to "the values of diversity, equality and inclusion that make this country great."

That doesn't sound like someone who thinks the issue was bogus.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Wes is turnign to be an

officer and a gentleman, really...

Hmm starting waging war tomorrow

[bluestateguy]

4. Fiasco?

If he handles this controversy carefully he can benefit in the South from Dean's remarks. The trick is to gently condem the Confederate flag, while reinforcing Dean's point that the party must lure white southern workers. There is no need for him to go nuclear about it like Sharpton did.

[MartinAmbroseForan]

5. "Pull together" = "Diversity"?

By pulling together we will achieve diversity? I would think pulling together would result in unity.

What is this, some kind of doublespeak?

[Bucky]

9. (Sigh) Let me explain

Martin, it is entirely possible for a group of people to be both unified and diverse. In fact, that is the soul of a liberal democracy. There are certainly elements in society that can only tolerate conformity and feel that any demostration of differences is a threat to the group--but such peole tend to be intolerant, McCarthyist, or anti-immigrant. They won't be voting for the Democrats, but we're committed to protecting their rights too.

[radfringe]

6. what impressed my partner and I

was his statements about gays in the military...

it wasn't so much as what he said - but rather the manner in which he said it... there was alot of sensitivity and compassion in his voice

[pluralist23]

7. Wes Clarke Rocks the Vote

The statement made by Dean was questionable but his heart is in the right place. Diversity makes this nation great and respecting diversity will heal the wounds of the past. Sharpton is a loud mouthed, self-serving, opportunistic bigot who should not be taken seriously as a candidate and whose presence at any serious debate only serves to undermine the debate process.

[Justice]

11. The Connection

he makes to people when he speaks with them is very powerful and very sincere. More than anything, that is what I like about Wes Clark. He has empathy.

In the NH town hall meeting he spoke to a woman who had retired from the military after a long career - she asked him about harassment in the military. He spoke to her directly and as compassionately. She broke into tears, just as the man did at the Boston debate.

[RandomUser]

12. Empathy indeed

That woman crying in the NH meeting was very powerful.

[Myra]

8. Classy

EOM

[RandomUser]

10. Very nice

He's playing the positive game. I'm so glad he's not willing to go into negative campaigning.

[CWebster]

13. He always treads lightly.

makes a good front man, but is that what we want?

[OKNancy]

19. If Democrats want to win in 2004

I do.

[AP]

14. Clark the candidate is OK with me. But he's a free rider on this issue.

He's taking a free ride on Edwards and Sharpton's bus.

[Guaranteed]

16. Well, they picked the fight.

I can understand Sharpton's stance, but Edwards' opportunism is just rank.

[AP]

18. Thanks for the laugh.

Dean insulted black people and poor white southerners. A black man, and someon who grew up working class in the south told Dean what they thought about it.

Furthermore, both of those candidates have the most to lose if Dean discourages black turnout, so they had to address it.

Did you know that it was high black turnout that helped Edwards win his senate seat in 98? He owes a debt to black voters which he needs to constantly pay back, and he paid down on the debt at the debate.

Rank opportunism. Give me a break. Pot meet kettle.

[Renew Deal]

21. I don't know if it was all opportunism for Edwards.

I know he was defending his region and probably hoping to pick some votes but... I really think he was insulted too. His reaction was pretty emotional.

[mrgorth]

20. Clark is the bomb.(nt)

.

[chaska]

22. So gald to see Clark getting back on message.

Stirling Newberry pointed out how Clarks handlers were turning him into just another politician. He took a lot of crap for it, but he was right. I'm glad to see that they've taken his advice to heart. Clark is best when he is himself. And he is genuinely sincere. He is a *good* man. It's like the scene from Monty Python's Holy Grail: "How do you know he's the king? He's the only one ain't got shit all over him." He should stay positive as long as he can. It's certainly working for him.

Clark is appearing at a historically black college in SC today. I'm going. Should be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets.

[Bread and Circus]

23. He again called for unity this am.

[Donna Zen]

24. Understanding the message:

Before he entered the race, some talking head tried to put a label on Clark, to which Clark replied that he didn't do labels.

In LA Clark was asked if he was courting "the Asian vote." He answer was along the lines of "I'm speaking to the American people."

Again, on Lou Dobbs, when urged by Dobbs apply the label "illegal immigrants" Clark quickly came back with a refusal and insistance that we are talking about individuals--not labels.

I've listened to plenty of what this man has to say, and have never known him to fall into the labeling trap. This is important to me and one of my pet peeves, the use of the broad-brush to cut off meaningful dialogue. Yes, Clark seems to be very alert to seeing the full depth of a message beyond loaded language.

Is he getting a free ride from Edwards and Sharpton? I don't know. I do know he thinking normally skips over the gutter to the high-ground. He will mention the gutter and the obstacle it poses, but focuses on dry-feet and the desired destination.

(AP_for what it's worth: I received an email from Eric Westerveld regarding his smarmy reporting. Anyway, he advises me to quit listening to NPR and quit donating. Thoughts?)

[dajabr]

25. Thought this was about Clark and DK wearing matching outfits?

If that's not a fiasco, I don't know what is...

[Hep]

26. Symbols are bad

Now look at my stars!