All CLARKIES !! Who's the VERY BEST running mate ????

[Laura PourMeADrink]

AND WHY !!!!


IMO,

No northeastern (safe already)
Someone people trust
Well known (Clark's not the most well known around)
Older?
Swing-stater
Moderate


Wow, did I just describe Gephardt ???

[medeak]

1. can he beat McCain?

McCain is tooo popular with the disillusioned repubs.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

6. Seems to me like

a good percentage of dems have been brainwashed into worshipping McCain also.

[davidwparker]

10. I did until Malloy pointed something out that I didn't thing of ...

* attacked him by calling him crazy from years captured. Attacked his wife. Attacked his child. Rather than telling * to jump in the lake, he grabs ankles for him. When put in context like that, he just another sellout. Wonder what the price was?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

34. I bet B** said, you can have it next time. But he will never keep

good on that promise. And once McCain figures that out - he'll be a big thorn in his side. He would be the biggest saint in the world if he could forgive B** for what he did

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. Like I said below, Rudy is ahead of McCain, now anyway.

Somehow, don't think the BFEE will let McCain have it.

[MuddyBootStrap]

2. Cynthia McKinney

or Boxer

[davidwparker]

16. Cynthia McKinney is a fighter. I like her.

[knight_of_the_star]

85. We need Boxer in the Senate more

She's much more useful there.

[Kosmos Mariner]

3. Mary Landrieu D-LA

:dem:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

35. but what about the torture?

[tjdee]

4. Gephardt is the MOST BORING PERSON EVER.

Besides Joementum.

I'm not kidding.

Gephardt has done some good work, but PLEASE don't think of pairing Clark, an energetic personality, with that snore-a-thon.

My favorite current politician is/was John Edwards, and actually I'd hoped for an Clark/Edwards (but really Edwards/Clark) ticket.

Other than that, I don't have a preference.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. I know, Gep is an utter bore. I love Edwards too. But don't you

think he came across a little bit light? Like he doesn't really have a deep enough grasp ? I don't mean to put him down, really. But honestly, were you a little bit dissapointed?

[davidwparker]

12. Keep in mind he wasn't top of the ticket and was there

I think as an advocate for Kerry. To help bridge the divide between the people and Kerry.

Edwards is now at UNC at work on poverty. I saw him on C-SPAN. I give him a pass for this campaign because he was #2. He DID want to continue to fight Ohio.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. You're probably right. It was just an inkling of dissapointment

I had. I think I expected him to really come out like gangbusters. But then at the vp debate he seemed not to know enough. But Hell, who could go up against that monster and win? But, all that said, I agree he is a great human being. And people liked him. His honesty and sincerity shine through. If he could only carry his own state, that would help.

[tjdee]

17. You mean like Bush?

Who is living in the White House despite being marginally retarded?

Edwards does have a Mr. Fluffy side that comes out, and I do understand the lack of experience charge--but he has some very good ideas and is extremely likeable. He learns quickly. He understands what people are dealing with on a day to day basis better than any of the other candidates, or at least can articulate that empathy better.

And, not for nothing, he won the state of North Carolina with no political experience at all. Shows he's politically smart and can learn quickly.

[Skwmom]

52. He won the state of North Carolina because the competition

was so weak. Don't you wonder why he didn't even run for a second term? The Rove machine is already starting to push him for 08 which should be a big hint that Edwards would be a disaster for the Democratic party.

[tjdee]

54. That's a matter of opinion.

Same as mine, I guess. :shrug:

[ultraist]

33. Edwards for President in 2008

Gephardt shouldn't even be considered for VP he is such a bore.zzzzzz

Edwards was the fourth most liberal Senator and has MAJOR CHARISMA! He speaks to the heart of the Democratic party, our CORE VALUES.

[Skwmom]

53. I'll take boring any day of the week

over someone they can easily paint as weak on defense and a slick political opportunist.

[tjdee]

74. So how do you explain Schwarzzennegger??

Or however you spell his name?

Or Bill McBride (is that his name? That's how memorable he was) who lost to Jeb?

Boring is not working in today's political arena (presidentially, anyway. Gep did get a house position, so did Lieberman). I remember seeing so much at DU about how McBride was going to whip Jeb, and I felt really good about it until I saw him talk. Then I knew he'd never win anything.

Unfortunate, definitely.

[knight_of_the_star]

86. Exactly

Edwards always struck me as overly ambitious, then again that might be because he starts running for POTUS before his first term in the Senate is even up and doesn't run for re-election in his seat.

[Clark2008]

56. Edwards bores me to tears.

His Charisma is owed to the MSM.
His speech is old.

Nope.

CLARK/WARNER (listen to me, people!)

Knock it, rock it, take it BACK!

[ultraist]

77. Edwards bores you?:

I couldn't even watch Clark's speeches during the primaries they were so dull.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

82. I agree. Seemed Canned. No depth below the spin. Not

intellectual enough. HOWEVER, good heart and soul. Hard to even remember having a president with a heart and soul, huh.

[Crunchy Frog]

60. This is a Clark thread, not an Edwards thread.

I don't go into Edwards threads and scream "Clark for President in 2008!". If some other Clarkies do, I sincely apologize about it, but imitating bad behavior is not the most constructive way of addressing it IMO.

[Quixote1818]

70. Gephardt would be safe however.

[More Than A Feeling]

5. Not truly a Clarkie (but he looks really good)

but if I had to guess, I would say Evan Bayh or Mark Warner could be winners.

[IronLionZion]

7. McCain

seriously, that would be ultimate running mate that leads to the largest Democratic landslide in history.

Other excellent partisan chocies: Mark Warner of VA, Richardson of NM, Bredeson of TN, Rendell of PA, Boxer of CA, Feingold of WI, anyone from Michigan, Nelson of Florida, Salazar of CO, Obama of Illinois, I could go on....We have so many good people on our side.

A very bad choice would be Hillary Clinton of NY.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. Only red-stater there is Warner. (NM really blue sans fraud)

Oh sorry, TN and CO too. Those two could be winable without a vp in them.

[IronLionZion]

20. Why would you only want a red-stater?

There are several swing states in there too like Wisconsin and Florida.

A good candidate is a good candidate. Who gives a shit where they're from? Although I did avoid Northeasterners.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

31. I don't know why. Just brainstorming. You're right -- a swinger.

A swinger that's from a state that's near other swinger states. They will all fall like dominoes.

Nelson seems VERY wimpy to me. Hasn't voted well and wouldn't even stand up for his own state Jan 6. BTW, heard Jeb won't run again. He's running out of personal cash. Net worth went way down since he's been gov. Want's to make big bucks stealing from poor.

Don't really know too much about Russ F - but we won MN (although now that Dayton's quiting...

[Hippo_Tron]

101. I wouldn't avoid a good candidate because he/she is from the northeast

But frankly I can't think of any good candidates from the northeast for the time being.

[karynnj]

45. If he wouldn't run with Kerry why would he run with Clark

Also, Kerry would have had a hard time convincing the Democrats to accept McCain, but no one would question that Kerry was a Democrat. Clark has only been a Democrat for a few years, so this might make many Democrats very uneasy.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

51. probably not -- just think he will really be pissed when they don't let

him run for prez

[Crunchy Frog]

61. He's said some things about McCain

that lead me to believe that he does not have a high opinion of him politically. I do not believe McCain would even be considered by Clark, especially when there are so many good Democrats.

[IronLionZion]

72. Because the Republicans won't let him run on their ticket

:shrug: He's easily the most popular Republican politician in America. People love an honest guy who stands up for what he believes instead of doing what the establishment tells him.

Albeit, his stumping for Bush brought his stock down in my book.

[in_cog_ni_to]

79. McCain?????!!!!!!! No fucking way.

Did you happen to catch the campaign for the 2004 election? Did you happen to catch him and the chimp hugging and kissing? Puhleaze. We have plenty of great DEMOCRATS to be our vp candidate. we don't need a bush lovin' SOB.

[Donna Zen]

8. A woman

I've always suspected that Wes Clark would chose to run with a woman; first because that's the way he is. This would not be because it would be a "politically correct" move, but because he would just think it is correct. When asked by a group representing various women's organizations if he would consider a cabinet that was 50% women, he asked them why not 70% women? He doesn't spout words about diversity; he loves diversity.

And, of the men being mentioned, a ticket with Clark on the top is the one most likely to find it politically the way to go.

No women on the big ticket?

As General Clark is want to say: enough's enough.

[Dread Pirate KR Read]

19. Pirates have a liken ta'singin these here words,...

I am just a poor boy,...arrhm
Though me'story's seldom be'told
I have squandered me'resistance
On'yer pockets full of mumbles, such as promizes o'Gold
All lies and jests,...
Still a neocon hears what the bastert wants ta'hear
en'disregards the rest..

Ahoy!,..in the clearing stands The Boxer"<\b>

Come'on me'mateys,...it' Care'ta okey time,..arh!"

[Laura PourMeADrink]

25. Barbara or Paul Simon?

[Dread Pirate KR Read]

30. Ya'means Paul Simon wrote the blasted piece?...

ARhh,...they stole from a pirate they'did! Aiye,... gotta luv'em.

But if Paul stands for Paulie,..then I's meant that he be a she! En'if she be from the state o'Gold, then thats who she be, ...seeee?

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dread Pirate KR Read]

41. Cheers me'dears...

...Nay,..messes wit'me sense o'logic fer'sure,...
so this here pirate likes "Starbuckeroos" fer me'spirits :beer:,..
Aiye,...me'drink likes a true pirate too, ..no milk! ~=]; )

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. IronLion, you could be right with McCain. BFEE will never let

him have it -- even though he's bent over for them. Besides, Rudy is ahead of him (for now at least). He may be pissed off enough to switch parties?

[Quixote1818]

14. Bill Richardson

He will help give us New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. Also, Florida has one hell of a lot of Hispanic voters.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. Why do you think Kerry didn't pick him ??

[DaveinMD]

28. Richardson

has some serious womanizing issues to deal with.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

36. Get out of town. Yuck. You just creeped me out.

[Hippo_Tron]

102. Richardson wanted to finish his term as governor

Or at least that was the explanation.

[davidwparker]

15. I'm thinking the best would be Clark and Edwards in some fashion.

Clark DOES need to be there next time. If not Edwards, then Warner. He did a good job here in VA and we do need some fresh faces.

I'd hope that, if Dean can carry the day, the party might let him free from his promise not to run and then go with Clark as VP. VPs are chosen near the end of the race anyhow. Dean can build the local/state infrastructure and then go on the stump as VP in the last few months.

[ultraist]

39. I agree, Edwards and Clark! NO HILLARY!

We can all support Edwards and Clark until the primaries and again AFTER the primaries and take out Hillary or anyone else who gets in the way! LOL!

[seahawky]

80. Edwards/Clark 2008

[Geek_Girl]

23. How about

Clark/Hillary

I think this would be a strong ticket. Especially if you bring in big dog and some of his crew to campaign.

Hillary is very popular in NY and among women.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

26. Bill as Second Lady

[mpendragon]

24. Feingold would screw up the ticket but. . .

he's my favorite senator. Boxer is a close 2nd.

[Hippo_Tron]

99. How would Feingold screw it up?

[DaveinMD]

27. I'd prefer a woman

Preferably a governor but there aren't that many Democratic female governors who would be eligible. Mary Landrieu or Debbie Stabenow of the female Senators would be good picks.

[Quixote1818]

64. How about Carol Mosley Braun?

I think she rocks! Or Oprah

[DaveinMD]

73. she couldn't

even hold on to her own Senate seat in blue Illinois. No thanks.

[autorank]

29. Someone who works very well with Clark and whom Clark trusts.

I'd leave it up to Clark. Clinton's selection of Gore made little sense. Both southern, neighbor state (medium to small), etc. But it worked! By the time 2008 rolls around, Clark will be in better fighting shape than Sugar Ray Leonard at his prime. He will know intuitively who is best running mate is.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. why did clinton pick Gore anyway? senatorial experience?

You are right about Clark getting ready. He bowed out earlier than he had to in the primaries. Made him look good

[autorank]

38. At the time, the word was he liked him and felt they would work well

together. Plus Gore gave Clinton access to a tradition based on liberalism and populism. It sure worked. I'd trust whomever Clark picked although it needs to be a solid Democrat in order to assuage folks about his later in life conversion to the TRUTH.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

40. Or maybe his "middle of the road" persona might help - the

country might be aching for non-partisanship by then?

[autorank]

43. Clark describes himself as a "liberal" Democrat...fortunately

I believe that he is very clear that it's time to take sides. You may be right on the 'nonpartisan' urge by 2008 but I think that * and company will attack Clark and other candidates so hard, it will define the election as a choice between psycho-smear artists who can't walk and chew gum at the same time, on the one hand, and whomever we put up, presuming that person is highly qualified and strong, i.e., Clark.

Cheers!

[Quixote1818]

67. How about Richard Holbrook? They are good friends.

[Clarkie1]

42. I think it would be best to post this in Wes Clark discussion group

I have no idea if Clark will be running in 08'. A lot depends on events between now and then we have not even imagined.

To spend time discussing the VP of Clark or any other potential candidate seems rather pointless to me at this time.

One caveat: Clark will be nobody's VP. He isn't interested that position, and has made that very clear. He will serve inside the whitehouse or out, but not in that position.

[faithfulcitizen]

44. Evan Bayh...

Evan will have 8 years working under Clark and will learn how to be more courageous. :)

[Nashyra]

46. Holbrooke

Former Ambassador, someone Clark can really trust, or Jamie Ruben, Madeline Albrights former assistant.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

50. i love him - but they would crucify him -- defending Saddam

[sampsonblk]

47. A woman who's strong on domestic policy

Did I just describe Hillary Clinton?

I think Clinton/Clark is the absolute best we can do - for now.

[Donna Zen]

48. A woman

Clark likes Governor Kathleen Sebelius very much. Oh_and Kansas needs to turn blue.

[sampsonblk]

57. Are they blue though?

Haven't heard of them. If they're blue, I am all for them.

[Donna Zen]

69. Governor Kathleen Sebelius

is blue and her father, who was once the governor of Kansas, was also blue. Her priorities are education, family wellfare, and healthcare.

People I've heard speak of her, like her.

[ZootSuitGringo]

49. Clark/Anybody

is a "do". Clark seems strong and sure of himself. He only needs a VP to fill in some of the domestic gaps voters might worry about. The General might be the only candidate who can run with a woman and still generate the perception of a strong ticket.

I would love a Wes Clark/Caroline Kennedy ticket - That could shock and win

Clark/landrieu -
Clark/H. Clinton -
Clark/Obama
Clark/Feingold
Clark/Feinstein (that ticket might be too masculine though)
Clark/Boxer
Clark/Warner
Clark/Easley

[arewenotdemo]

55. Why not Mario Cuomo?

Especially if Guiliani is the Puke candidate.

BTW, how safely blue is NY if it is Guiliani?

[Dread Pirate KR Read]

59. I trust the man,...

"Wes Clark is a man of whom you can ask a question, and he will look you directly in the eye, and give you the most truthful and complete answer you can imagine. You will know the absolute truth of the statement as well as the thought process behind the answer. You will have no doubt as to the intellect of the speaker and meaning of the answer to this question..." -- Mario Cuomo

BTW, how safely blue is NY if it is Guiliani?

Dark Navy blue, I'd say... Spitzer has it!

[Hippo_Tron]

100. Dark Navy blue = very blue, or close to purple?

A little confused by your terminology.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

83. Mario is the most well spoken democrat EVER, EVER - but he

must have skeletons in the closet. I agree -- perfect ticket !!

[Crunchy Frog]

58. I don't really know who the "best" running mate

would be, but I kind of like the idea of Barbara Boxer. I think he can afford to run with a clear progressive because of the very moderate image that he himself has. If it's true that some women have difficulty warming up to him (don't know why), a woman on the ticket would probably increase his appeal there, as well as adding extra excitement to the ticket.

The running mate is expected to be somewhat of an attack dog, and Boxer has shown that she's good at that. She's very clear on her values and principles and not afraid to stand up for them. I think that's a big plus. Since Clark is already Southern, it wouldn't hurt the ticket to have a non-Southerner on it.

That's just my opinion.

[Kazak]

62. Clark/Gore...there's your ticket.

We need people who are ready and able to take us through the energy crisis, and out the other side.

[stackhouse]

63. CLARK/BOXER---OR--CLARK/McCULLUM

CLARK/BOXER---OR--CLARK/McCULLUM IF IT'S GOT TO BE A WOMAN VP. BUT JUST REMEMBER WHAT HAPPEND TO MONDALE when he tryed witha woman....

otherwise......we'll need a senator from a state with a dem govenor or a southern state

geo-stratiegicly:
eventhought i hate the somw
1: clark/edwards
2:clark/gore .....would work cuz gore's got geographics, cash and strings

3: clark/gephart...would get the unions involved and????

4: clark/anyone but hillary

Anyone for Wescakes and beefsticks????

[Laura PourMeADrink]

97. Gephart's boring as shit, but I really think he could bring in a

couple midwest states. I agree no Hillary -- I do not trust her. (oh, don't quote me on that when she's our nominee). Gore din't win TN, remember. Edwards - can't imagine him wanting to try again. But maybe. I wonder how Elizabeth is doing.

[Quixote1818]

65. I KNOW WHO!!!!! OPRAH!!!!

You want to talk about star power! You want to talk about someone EVERYONE likes! You want to talk about one smart lady! Oprah it is. The press would eat it up and the Republicans would have a hard time attacking someone like Oprah who has given millions to orphaned children in Africa.

[snowbear]

66. 4-starz

I love the General! I even grabbed his 4-star butt as he walked off the stage when he was up here in Anchorage this summer and gave him a huge (( hug )) :loveya: (Startled the hell out of him since he didn't see it coming.. but hey.. I found out he likes hugs! :hug: )

Hard to say at this point though whether he'll go for it again..

As far as new-comers go, aside from Obama (and others).. I really like Congressman Rahm Emanuel. I have a feeling he'll be another standout in the Democratic party.

:)

[Quixote1818]

68. How about Ed Schultz?

When was the last time we won North Dakota?

[snowbear]

71. Big Ed..

Sure, why not! I love Big Ed! :headbang:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

95. I'm ignorant - who's Ed Schultz

[no name no slogan]

75. No candidate can win the "red states", unless s/he addresses THEIR ISSUES

And no, I'm not talking about the "God -n- Gunz" issues that so many so-called "moderates" obsess about.

I'm talking about RURAL ECONOMICS, people. I'm talking about STANDING UP to corporate America.

I'm talking about taking back family farms, and curbing agribusiness monopolies that dominate the rural economy.

I'm talking about protecting American jobs from corporate-negotiated "free trade" agreements.

I'm talking about providing a REAL, single-payer universal healthcare system that covers EVERYBODY (and is preferred by 60%+ of Americans, too).

I'm talking about a livable wage law, that makes sure that if you work full time, you can afford a place to live, food for your table, clothes on your back, and human dignity.

Not too long ago, these were major planks in the Democratic Party's platform-- even as recently as 1988. Unfortunately, in our drive to appeal to "soccer moms", we've forsaking our populist economics of the past. That only leaves divisive "cultural issues" left on the table-- which the RWers have used against us to devastating effect.

Talk about "red-state" economic issues, get the red state vote. All we need is the platform. Hell, we could even run Joe Liebermann and win then.

[martymar64]

76. RFK Jr.

What better running mate than the son of a martyr?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

81. have you heard him lately? Ultra-left wing. Love it !

[in_cog_ni_to]

78. Barbara Boxer! or Sheila Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters,

Obama, Jesse Jackson Jr., Charlie Rangel, John Conyers. Why a "moderate?" I want a real Democrat to take us back to the left. I'm sick of losing in the center. Of course this all depends on whether we still have evoting machines in 2006 and 2008...if we do, it won't matter who runs with whom because they will steal the elections.

I would LOVE to see a woman or an AA in the WH in 2008. We're overdue.

[Adelante]

84. Sen. Jon Corzine of New Jersey

Wes needs a running mate who is or has been a legislator. Somebody who can work the Congress and knows where the bodies are buried.

I prefer a regionally mixed ticket to a straight Southern ticket. Corzine's a good guy, clean record, a deficit hawk, voted against the war, against the tax breaks, for the military appropriations, tough on terrorism, great on social programs, pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-environment. Very pro-NATO, pro-UN, and proactive on human rights in Africa. Wants to cut the military budget. Opposes privatization of SS.

He's running for Governor in 2006 and will probably win, so this isn't likely to happen, but hey, we're just speculating at this point, anyway.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

87. I like him too. Heard him on an interview. But what about winning

a state? If Rudy runs, we need NY? I want someone who can win a red state.

[Adelante]

90. Wes will do that

In the South and Southwest himself.

Don't forget the VP candidate in 2004 didn't even win his own county, never mind state. Al Gore didn't win his running for VP. I think the idea of a VP candidate carrying states and regions is overstated. Clinton/Gore, the full Southern ticket, was unusual, and of course Clinton was a master politician. A regionally balanced ticket always makes more sense to me, though.

About Rudy and New York, Corzine of New Jersey is more likely to draw New York voters away from Rudy than somebody from elsewhere in the country, I would think.

I do believe it is more crucial that Wes have at his side a legislator and one whose values are compatible to his, than regional background. Also it would help to have a running mate with electoral experience with him, yet Corzine himself is not a career politician, either, it's a second career. I like the two together.

I just like Corzine and think they would make a great team.

[bdiddy04]

88. waste of time

he won't get the nomination. I say it's going to be mark warner, governor of virginia. The powers that be will put up a dlc democrat and lose again.

[ZootSuitGringo]

89. Personally, I hope that the Democrats have more options than

the old 1992 strategy to offer; a moderate southern governor.

Time Machine----SET to Year 1992.

Roger and out.


Heeeeere Weeeee GOOOOooooooooooo!
----------->)))2000))))))1998)))))1996))))))1994))1993))

**1992**



Lookee! The Twin Towers are still Here!
9/11 has not yet happened!

Cause 2008 won't be 1992, and Warner ain't no Clinton!

[Clarkie1]

92. What a silly thing to say

As silly as saying any other democrat "won't get the nomination!"

You have no crystal ball.

Waste of a post.

[Clarkie1]

91. I HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE IT'S NOT 2008 YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This question has to be asked in the context of the nation and world circa 2008, and we are several years removed from that context.

A better question to ask would be, how can you help keep Clark's message and vision of a "full-service" democratic party alive within the democratic party and the media?

And as Clark as said, since none of us know what the future will bring, rule nothing out!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

94. just playing around. It's good to have something to dream about

and look forward to. You know, it seems like Dean will have the stage now and I am very optimistic that things will really turn around for all of us.

[Clarkie1]

96. I hear you, I feel very optimistic with Dean as chair as well!

Was very encouraged by his recent speech.

Reminds me a bit of Clark in that way, as they are both people who say exactly what they believe and aren't afraid to say it.

I'd be even more optimistic with Clark as are 2008 nominee!

Rule nothing out! :-)

[Hell in a Handbasket]

93. Dean!

he only promised not to run for prez. he never said VP, right?

[Democrat Dragon]

98. BOXER!

[roguevalley]

103. OT: My ass brain brother said he hoped Clark runs in 2008. I am

amazed. He could have swamped bush if he had been the man if my brother is any indication.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

104. Is your ass-brain brother a repug? Hmm. Maybe we should

act like we DON'T like Clark -- Then the ass-brains will want him???

[BootinUp]

105. I hear similar comments from my friend in NC

He wouldn't vote for Kerry no matter what arguments I won on the subject. But he was rooting for Clark to get the nom.