Clark announces '08 plans in L.A (CCN - Jmora, The Bug)

[Dread Pirate KR Read]

Just announced by dutiful CCN Bloggers: Jmora and The Bug...

:toast:
_____________________________________________________

Clark announces '08 plans in L.A

By JMora
Posted to JMora's weblog on Sun Apr 17th, 2005 at 12:10:50 AM EST
General Wesley Clark announce at the Figueroa Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles that he will run once agian for President of the United States. I was, for the most part, a small gathering. Notible that I saw there other than Wes was Lt. Governor of CA, Cruz Bustamante. As the General was addressing the growd he said, "some of you have been asking whether I am going to run in 2008" (not an exact quote) and the crowd start chanting "Go Wes Go". Than he cracked a joke about how he was drafted so late and got a late start to the campaign and said the if he ever got drafted again he would make sure to get an early start and then followed with THIS TIME he wants to make sure that he gets enough funds, so he won't be in '04 situation.

http://jmora.forclark.com/story/2005/4/17/01050/9995

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(#118) (Rated 5.00/2)
by The bug on 04/17/2005 12:20:21 AM EST

Just got back from the WesPAC reception and it's all true! He announced!

Wes Clark is running for President! I heard it with my own ears! Heather heard it too!

Wes said, "People keep asking me if I'm going to run for President. Well, I am." Huge cheers and applause!

Too tired, (I can tell because I'm exclamation point happy) will post more tomorrow, but I wanted everybody to know it's all true!

Wes Clark 2008! We need buttons, bumper stickers - the works!

http://chat.forclark.com/comments/2005/4/16/191228/849/118#118

_____________________________________________________
My blogger battle gear are now fully engaged! :patriot:

Thank you General Clark!!!

:woohoo: :kick:

[mikehiggins]

1. Okay, it;s ON!

This has to be the earliest anyone ever announced BUT it is not the earliest anyone started campaigning. Take, for example, Ronald Reagan. After he lost his bid for the GOP nod he started going pretty much door to door across the US, lining up support and votes among the masses.

We all know how THAT worked out, don't we?

[Clark2008]

4. The corporate media ignores him... so, bypass their asses

is all I have to say about that!

;)

[senseandsensibility]

8. They ignore him because they're afraid of him

It's a sign of his strength. Of course they will trash anyone from our side, but he is the only one they ignore. It is obvious why. By the way, Clark2008, is this really an official announcement? I don't know quite what to make of it.

[Clark2008]

11. Well, I'd go

here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1728252

And here:
http://chat.forclark.com/comments/2005/4/16/191228/849/118#118

And here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/16/23109/8313

For verification.

:7

[FreedomAngel82]

83. I'm surprised he announced this early

Wow. At least he can get an early start on stuff. I like him pretty well and if he wins the nominiation I will be happy to vote for him. I wonder if any other people will announce they're going to run now? :shrug:

[LandOLincoln]

91. He didn't "announce." He simply said--

to a group of supporters in Los Angeles--that he was "going to have to take your advice on that," ("that" of course being a run for the presidency in 2008).

No formal announcement, no press conference, just a word to his supporters that it's time to saddle up.

The thing is, while a goodly proportion of Clark supporters have been politically active all their lives, there's also a significant number who were inspired by him to get involved for the first time. We've been a bit at loose ends since November, some of us, and badly needed the infusion of hope this gives us.

(It's my belief that Clark and Dean talked at some length in Little Rock weekend before last, and agreed on the benefit to the party of giving the Clark grassroots something more than the "rule nothin' out" that's been his stock answer to the 2008 question for months now.)

In any case, first things first, 2006 being the "first thing" in this case.

[Clark2008]

2. I'll post here what I posted there!

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)


:)


I'm so psyched, I won't sleep for three weeks, now. :loveya:

[bluestateguy]

3. I wonder how Karl Rove's goons will trash his military record

They'll probably leave his Veitnam service alone, but rip apart his tenure as a general, while we are told that the Republican nominee is some kind of a war hero (even if his experience with war is confined to writing policy papers for the Heritage Foundation).

[Clark2008]

5. Same shit they already pulled

Problem is... we're ready this time... and word of mouth is STILL more popular than memes on talk radio.

I gossip with my neighbors over the backyard fence, don't you?

[porkrind]

63. The problem is the same: They control the voting machines.

until this is solved, nothing matters.

[FreedomAngel82]

84. Exactly

I think that's why 2006 is important to win back everything so we can work on getting rid of those damn things. And maybe have impeachment hearings??? (that's my hope but a dream now I know)

[Clarkie1]

13. "We'll beat the shit out of them" -Wes Clark

He said this in 04' in NH when asked what he would do in response.

He thought the mic was off, but his response to Rove, Inc. seemed destined to get out anyway.

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

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

[Crunchy Frog]

66. No, we won't.

First off, Wes hasn't actually announced that he's running. Secondly, even if he is running, it would very much behoove us to recognize that there will be lots of other candidates as well, and to treat them and their supporters with same kind of respect we would hope for Wes and ourselves.

When Wes made that statement, he was specifically referring to Republicans trying to distort his military record, as happened with Max Cleland and later with John Kerry. He was not referring to "anybody who gets in our way".

He at any rate has respect for our electoral process. I would hope that you would as well.

[Phoebe_in_Sydney]

35. sorry to go off on a tangent

but Bluestate guy I just noticed your "American Dreams" pic at the bottom of your post. Amazing. I just finished watching the final episode of season one in Sydney, Australia. It's such a brilliant show. Now I've just got to hope they bother showing the second season.

Anyway, as to your comment about the Repubs going after Clark's record as a General, I'm sure they will, but I'm sure he's already planning strategies to deal with that. He won't sit back and let them impugn his record. I don't think he'll make the mistake Kerry made of shutting up and hoping it blows over.

And making the most decorated military man since Eisenhower look like he didn't deserve his honors could just backfire on the Repubs. How many times can they go to the same well before the general public start realising that nobody's military record is good enough for these guys who never served.

[FreedomAngel82]

85. On this

other board that I used to frequent a republican told me they did get to Mr. Clark in the primaries and did to him like they did Kerry. I'm sure he's prepared. And you're right Phoebe in Sydney. As long as the republicans have control over the media they'll always make our canidate out to be a weakling military person or not one. Bush has NEVER had to answer for his records and he's never released them but yet they expect Kerry, Clark and anybody else to. :mad: Remember what they did with the purple heart bandaid? God that pissed me off.

[thecorster]

52. dude....

"even if his experience with war is confined to writing policy papers for the Heritage Foundation"

Laughing out loud, for real.

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. I saw a Clark '08 bumper sticker on a car today

[ArkySue]

9. HAHA!

It may have been mine! :)

[Clark2008]

12. Or mine!

Actually, I don't have one on yet.. but I have it.

Mine current one says, "Don't blame me, I voted for Wes Clark."

However, tomorrow - and I knew I washed and waxed my car today for a reason - that Clark '08 sticker is going on!

[Dread Pirate KR Read]

10. Thanks fer 'remindin me!

...must fill me cargo bays wit'good ammo, ..Aiye!

http://www.demstore.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/scstore/Clark/products.html?L+scstore+kclr2469ff90b090+1113735359

[Stinky The Clown]

23. That would have been me .... 3 of them ......

Veteran for Clark 04 on the driver side rear ...... Clark 08 in the center ...... General Clark 04 on the passenger side rear.

Big American flag at the top of the rear window.

The 08 sticker's been there since they were first available last November. The o4s have been there forever, it seems.

[phylla]

39. My license plate- 08 CLARK

bought on inauguration day- and --sigh-- my very sad birthday--as a present to make me feel a lil' better.
All smiles here if Wes is in.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. That's the best news I've heard in a very long time!

I'm in! Where do I sign up (again)?

[Dread Pirate KR Read]

14. We need vet's back home...

...at CCN too!

Cares'ta re-enlist for a 4 year tour-O-duty? I hears thar'be a great bounty for our democracy tooo! ~=]; )

[donjo]

15. Lucky me

I still have my Clark 04 bumper stickers on; now all I have to do is paste over the 4.

[Clarkie1]

17. Me too.

:-)

[madfloridian]

16. Thanks for clarifying where he announced.

I did not think it was at the convention itself. Will he do a formal announcement in Little Rock soon as well?

Congratulations, it will be long 3 years. Glad our guy is not running in 08. It will get rough.

[Stinky The Clown]

25. C'mon Mad ... they're all our guys ... the ones who speak truth to power

Unity is what's called for. Our differences are minor ... our collective differences with **them** are huge.

That's where the real war will be fought.

[fujiyama]

27. Unity is important

But I would not pressure anyone to rally around any one candidate this early in the game. There's a long way to go.

[kerrygoddess]

28. Yes there is!

It's way to early to be announcing this and there are so many more important issues to be fighting for right now, like taking back the Senate and the House.

I'm glad to hear he didn't usurp the CA Dems convention by actually announcing there, if he did. CA needs to focus on getting a new Dem Governor right now, bad staging as far as I am concerned, for him to do this here in L.A. during the CA Dems convention, even if it wasn't at the actual convention.

[fujiyama]

29. I like Clark a lot

and he's my frontrunner pick, but I have to say that '08 means nothing at the moment. It's a lifetime away as far as I'm concerned. It'll be worth paying attention after '06.

There are two major issues right now - judicial picks (Scalia/Thomas clones starting to freak me out) and Dem performance in '06 (state offices, House, and Senate). We have to insist that our senators especially are not going to let far right whackos on the bench. I'm glad Reid has threatened the shut down in case of the nuclear option of Frist, but even otherwise we have to keep the pressure on them to do the right thing. Granted, imo the right thing would be rejecting them all - I wouldn't care if there were a shortage on the bench. I never viewed this man as being legitimately elected and he has no mandate with me - but I'll admit, that i wouldn't see many senators having the same idea.

[Tom Rinaldo]

47. Absolutely correct

No one should feel pressure to rally around any one candidate, not only this early in the game, but any time before it is clear who will emerge with the 2008 nomination. Democrats, when we are true to our ideals, embrace the democratic process and that has a long way to go before we settle on any candidate for President.

[Crunchy Frog]

79. I expect that he won't be making a formal announcement

until '07 or '08. This "announcement" appears to have simply been an indication to his core supporters that he probably will by running. Others have been doing the same thing in various ways.

[roguevalley]

18. You have no idea how happy the people in my house are. I am

so beyond happy I can hardly bear it. My god. The first good news in five years!

[fujiyama]

19. This is great news

A bit early perhaps, but it's nice to see one candidate I could support AND could possibly see winning.

[FrenchieCat]

20. Hel-Lo!!!!

Sounds like a "GO"!

Now, we just need to be ready for the attack machines, from the left and the right! I know I'm ready with my ammunition called TRUTH!

This Frenchie-Cat has just put on her camo...hat with leaves and all.....and is peering down and over the mountain with my telescope. The enemy is coming over the hill....and I've got my BAZOOKA OF TRUTH aimed at them and ready TO KICK THE SHIT OUT OF THEM!

URH....correct me, I'm wrong....I meant....READY TO KICK THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF THEM.

The 2006 and the 2008 elections will be an all out war.....and we start now!

[roguevalley]

21. Frenchie Cat, you crack me up! LOL! What a great night, no?

[Clark2008]

22. Love dem doggies!

And, my doggies are ready!

Oh... my son must have a second sense. He has worn his little Army fatigues (complete with his little hat with the four-star pin) for TWO days. Couldn't get him out of it! He had to SLEEP in Army fatigues tonight.

I heard him outside with the dogs, "Gen'ral Clark said to go out there and fight. Now, go on, now... gotta get it right."

Heh! :loveya:



Funny thing is, my son doesn't want to be a solider because he says, well, they die. He wants to be an architect. Little boys. :)

[Dread Pirate KR Read]

53. Architects are builders...

and so is, General Clark, a defender and an architect for democracy,....so is your son :)

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

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

[MollyStark]

68. My post was completely sincere

I'm sorry you too it the wrong way. I'm just trying to get into the spirit of your post.

[Clark2008]

77. And so were my actions. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

26. Can we just say....

HOW SWEET IT IS......

[One Taste]

24. If this is for real

you have no idea how happy I am right now. :bounce:

[Crunchy Frog]

30. I'm praying that this is really true.

Time to make a donation to WesPac.

[Boo Boo]

31. Not really a formal announcement

folks, but it seems pretty clear that he wants his core supporters to know that he's going to do it again, and do it right this time. Doesn't surprise me at all, actually. I've been certain that he would run again for quite some time now.

I disagree with the idea that "we" have better things to worry about right now---midterms, etc. Clark needs his supporters to be energized and contributing. It's very important for his PAC, and his future run, for him to able to help candidates during the midterm election cycle, and that takes money. If that means letting the cat out of the bag a little, then so be it.

Clark has to show that he's a force in the party, that he's going to be involved in party politics, and that he's going to help other Dems. I believe he has done that, and will continue to do that.

Clark '08! (I can't wait!!!)

:party:

[prvet]

34. Formal will be in 07

I remember Kerry didn't formally announce until Sep 03 in SC even though he had been campaigning for a long time.

[Adelante]

40. You're right, Boo Boo

It's not an announcement, but it's sure as hell a SIGNAL

GO WES!!!

[Dinger]

32. Time To Get To Work! (Thank you General!)

It's 5:30 a.m. I'm ready to go!:headbang:

[prvet]

33. let's Roll

I took off my Clark sticker last summer and slapped on a Kerry sticker.
It never felt right but I thought it was the decent thing to do.

I still have some "Veterans for Clark 04" left over, maybe I can modify one.

[Sparkly]

36. Are you kidding me???

Really? Seriously? Am I dreaming? Could it be? I just rolled out of bed and haven't finished my first cup of coffee. I must be dreaming!!!!

[wyldwolf]

37. Where he leads, I will follow!

[Name removed]

59. Deleted message

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

[Sparkly]

64. Can't say I've ever heard the term "Wesness" before...

He didn't launch a campaign or make an announcement that he is, so I think we should keep it in perspective.

Nonetheless, it's a great day to contribute to WesPAC, wesrose, especially with .08 (8 cents) added to the contribution. He did send a signal, so let's send one back!

https://secure.ga3.org/01/wespac

[Califooyah Operative]

38. mydd/dailykos links

Clark Looks To '08
by Chris Bowers

Dailykos diarist cvcobb01 reports on General Clark's (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/16/23109/8313 ) speech from the California Democratic convention:
The big question "Am I going to run again?"

The crowd goes WILD. Shouting, screaming, women's panties on stage...uh, no, I'm making that up. But trust me, if this crowd could've they would've.

Drum roll please: "Well...I'll certainly have to take your advice about that."

The crowd erupts. He gets to take a water break. Hell, he could've walked around the block and come back before it quieted down.

He asks for our help. He says that last time, he had no political experience, no political strategy, no money when he started and no staff. This time, he promises that if we help, he'll have the money, he has the strategy, he'll have the staff, and he has the experience.

Folks, I'm sitting next to General Clark's media consultant who doesn't want me to say this so blatantly, but what I heard is that General Clark is running in '08. He explained to us that he intends to spend the next few years building the strategy, working the language and connecting the grassroots together for, as he calls it, "a giant march on Washington."
Great first hand reporting on a big story. It certainly sounds like Clark is going to run. At the very least, he is looking into a run.
http://www.mydd.com/

[chicagiana]

69. I will march ...

I will gladly March anywhere Clark walks.

I don't like 100% of what he says. And I'd really like him to come out against WTO and NAFTA (which would secure an electoral landslide in both red AND blue states).

But altogether, I think he's are best shot in 08'.

Howard Dean didn't start his run for the White House in 2003. He started in 2000. I remember seeing him on "Meet the Press" and nodding my head (even though he stammers a little too much).

Isn't it an incredible shame that such an exciting candidate like Dean could be squashed so quickly by the establishment. KERRY, was the man the press wanted to run for president. Dean didn't have the creds to muscle out the DLC candidate.

Wes Clark has the cred. He can muscle out the DLC with popularism. And he needs to START right now.

[Maine-ah]

41. good! I have liked him from the beginning.

[Coexist]

42. Wooo hooo!!!

[Tom Rinaldo]

43. Clark planning for 2008 now makes sense

It has long been the most obvious "secret" in politics that most successful runs for the Presidency begin 3 to 5 years out from an actual election, "under the radar" perhaps at first, but planning is always going on early. In the past though the assumption was that only insiders were involved in the early positioning. The base wasn't invited to the party until a few months before the NH Primary.

So this is great, but Clark also made a point about Democrats needing to defend other Democrats. Those of us who believe Clark will make a great President will be backing him early, but that doesn't mean we can turn our back on everything else that is happening in politics. We have to be involved helping the Party at all levels, making sure it remains responsive to average voters and not just special interests. We have to make sure we run the best people in 2006 and that those people win. We are fortunate to have Dean as Chair, he needs and deserves our support. Democracy For America, the organization Dean founded before becoming a candidate for DNC Chair, is active across the country trying to strengthen and reform the Democratic Party. That work is critical and must be supported.

We all have a lot of work to do.

[Totally Committed]

44. Whatever he decides, and wherever he goes with this....

I am T H E R E ! ! !

What a way to start the day!

TC

[qanda]

45. Beautiful

Go Clark!

[trillian]

46. Made my day!

What a treat to wake up to.

Go, Wes, Go!

:patriot:

[wabranty]

48. This has been a great week!

Dean announces the much-needed rebuilding of the Democratic Party from the grassroots up and now Clark announces for 2008.

Damn it's going to feel good to win again!!
:woohoo: :applause: :kick: :thumbsup: :patriot:

[annabanana]

49. Great News for us Clarkies!...... We already know what the attacks

will be, at least the ones they'll start with.

Of course we can expect them to start making them up out of whole cloth as soon as the news gets out

[RAF]

50. This is Great news

Thanks for the info. Granted it wasn't a clear statement but based on the quote above it sure seems like he will.

[Totally Committed]

51. I got a real KICK out of the news...

now I'm returning the favor... KICK!

TC

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

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[MoonRiver]

55. Oh, happy day!!

I'm getting a new car in August and I hope I can slap a Wes Clark '08 bumper sticker right on that sucker!
:dem:

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

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[FourStarDemocrat]

56. Fantastic news!! I'm thrilled! n/t

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

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

[Crunchy Frog]

80. So tell me wesrose,

How was it that you became a Clark supporter? What things do you like most about him? Have you ever had a chance to see or meet him in person?

I'm always interested in getting to know new Clarkies on here and find out what motivated them to get involved.

Thanks.:hi:

[Adelante]

89. poor wesrose RIP

Ches

[snowbear]

62. 4 star General makes 5 star candidate!

I'll never forget when he came up here to Anchorage to this past summer.

Oh mannNNnn... that voice. You could seriously listen to him FOREVER. And those steely blue eyes.

:blush: Oops.. sorry, I drifted for a minute there.

In any event, he spoke for a good 45 minutes at a PACKED to the max ballroom at the downtown Hilton. The crowd was completely mesmerized by him. There were hundreds of people there and everyone was seated.. but as he started to wrap things up.. I just had to mosey up to the area of the stage he was going to exit. I knew if I didn't get close enough, I'd probably never get a chance to talk to him since I figured he'd get swarmed with a crowd.

So I slowly made my way up there pretending like I just wanted a closer snap with my camera... :7 As he walked off the stage, I guess I couldn't control myself.. ;-) I just pounced on him and gave him a huge hug! :hug: Gert wasn't far behind, but she didn't care. Wow.. talk about not wanting to let go.. :loveya:

Seriously though.. it was the speech :7 -- his looks just happened to be an added bonus.

YOWSAH! :P

[Larkspur]

70. I'm one Democrat who will never vote for Wes Clark.

I'll vote Green before I vote for Wes Clark.

[Dinger]

71. Look What Good Voting Green Did In 2000? Are You Sure About This?

[Larkspur]

86. Yes, I am.

I refuse to vote in 2008 for a pro-warmonger, pro-corporate, anti_Hugo Chavez, and pro-Israel Apartheid Dem Prez candidate and that basicly summarizes all Dem Prez candidates at the moment.

[Dinger]

88. Clark Is Neither War-Monger Nor Pro-Corporate

And while I admit ignorance on the Chavez/Israel issues, I don't think it's fair to stereotype the entire Democratic field of potential candidates.

[jfenway]

81. It's a free country...

If Clark is not on the 2008 ticket, I'll probably vote Green or Libertarian...

J.

[autorank]

72. Far fucking out!!! Woohoo!!! Take no shit, give no quarter...KICK ASS

Well, I'm a little over the top but this is the best news I've heard politically for months. That means he begins a long march to the nomination, one that will expose him to the country and gain the proper response, election by an over whelming margin.

Thank you General Clark and thank you Mrs. Clark!!!


:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Clark Bar]

73. Great news, indeed.

"Clark Bars" for everyone! The General will do it this time. Where can one purchase "Clark in '08" bumper stickers?

[autorank]

74. Jeez, I was just thinking that. I'm ready!

[One Taste]

75. good question

i am interested too

[Sparkly]

76. Here you go!!

http://www.demstore.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/scstore/Clark/bumper.html?L+scstore+xsfq9219ff9bd79b+1113813208

[Maddy McCall]

78. We LOVE YOU Wes Clark!!!

We'll fight like hell for you. :loveya:

[LiveWire]

82. Dude, I was just at this convetion

Clark never made an appearance at the State Convention. He wasnt on any lists of speakers at all. If hes running for President he really needs to shape up and make an announcement to EVERYONE at the convention next time. Howard Dean was the biggest player at the convention this year, however he said he wouldnt be running for President for sure (however his speeches rocked).

[Sparkly]

87. The story isn't quite correct

I've seen a video of it. He did not say "I AM." But he did state his intention to run in a subtle but clear fashion.

Of COURSE it wasn't an official "announcement" of the kind that comes later, with a big rally and lots of press and no real surprises. It was just an informal gathering of supporters, but it's an indication that he's made a decision to go for it, and he'll be reasonably candid about that.

[Zen Democrat]

90. The 2008 nomination will be won in the 2006 elections.

It's usually the person who picks up the markers in stumping for congressional candidates two years before an election that gets the plum.

Hillary Clinton has a huge advantage at this point -- but I'll bet Wes can make some headway next year, especially in Red States where he's most needed.